Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

In this shiur, delivered in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Rav Burg explains three dimensions as to how those of us who feel impoverished distant from Hashem can draw close to Hashem.

The Mishkan was finished… and then nothing happened.For three months it stood untouched. The scoffers mocked. What's done should be used. What's ready should be revealed.But they missed something essential.In this shiur, delivered in Baer Miriam, Rav Burg explores the hidden depth behind that waiting, why Hashem chose to delay the Mishkan until the birth of Yitzchak, and what that teaches us about the nature of reality itself.Yitzchak represents a different kind of existence. Not one that pushes outward, but one that holds space. AThrough the contrast between the Eigel and the Mishkan, we uncover two visions of the world:A world that makes itself ultimate… and a world that becomes a vessel.And through Yitzchak, we discover a deeper truth:Sometimes nothing is missing.It's just not time yet.

Every person carries three names.The name given by our parents.The name given by the world.And the name we acquire for ourselves.In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores a profound teaching from the Medrash about identity, destiny, and the courage required to become who we truly are.The deepest self is not something we simply discover, it is something we acquire.And the greatest achievement of a human life is to live until the name Hashem knows you by becomes the name you finally live by.

In this shmooze, delivered at the final Mevaseret Mishmar of the Zman, Rav Burg explores the deeper psychology and spirituality behind that moment. Sometimes endless giving is not abundance, it is the lingering voice of scarcity. The Mishkan was meant to heal the rupture of the Eigel, to remind the Jewish people of a profound truth: בנים אתם לה׳ אלקיכם — you are children of Hashem, no matter what.

Why were the women the most enthusiastic donors to the Mishkan? And why were they rewarded with the holiday of Rosh Chodesh?In this shiur, delivered in TVA, Rav Burh explores the deeper spiritual difference between the Golden Calf and the Mishkan, between despair that demands immediate certainty and faith that can live through hiddenness. Through the symbolism of mirrors, the moon, and the power of renewal, we uncover the unique strength of those who can believe in redemption even when the light has nearly disappeared.

In this shiur, delivered in Stern, Rav Burg explains how humility creates transparency which in turn allows your light to shine through you.

In this short shiur, delivered Purim night in the Five Towns, Rav Burg explains why Yosef favored Binyamin and the connection to Purim.

In this shiur, delivered to the Chizuk Mission in the Five Towns, Rav Burg explains the inner nature of the 50th level of Binah. At the level of the essence all duality fades and therefore the wisdom of the head can become the wisdom of the heart.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains how Hashem could at once be angry with Ahron HaKohen for participating in the Cheit HaEigel and appoint him Kohen Gadol for participating in the Cheit HaEigel.

In this shiur, delivered to the Chizuk Mission in Yerushalayim, Rav Burg explains the radical shift in our relationship with Hashem that begins on Purim.

In this shiur, delivered to the Chizuk Mission, Rav Burg explains how on the one hand we can only experience Simcha in a state of completion and on the other hand our world is fundamentally fragmented.

In this shmooze, delivered at Mishmar in Mevaseret, Rav Burg explains why the Aron contains a dimension of "shtus". Even when our insides have an element of shtus in them it does not mean that we are lacking authenticity.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains the lessons we learn from the Avnei Miluim.

In this shiur, delivered to the Chizuk Mission, Rav Burg explains the difference between becoming and being when it comes to working on ourselves. The problem is that our ego stands in the way of our personal growth.

In this shiur, delivered in SKA, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning as to why the Sanhedrin is placed adjacent to the Mizbeach.

In this shiur, delivered in North Woodmere, Rav Burg explains how a Jew is capable of saying Naaseh V'Nishma. When we tap into our Ratzon Elyon is when we are truly passionate about life.

In this shiur, delivered to NCSY 4G Chicago, Rav Burg explains what it was about Yisro that made him able not only to hear but also to listen to the truth. When our hearts and minds are open only then can we allow the truth to penetrate our being.

In this shiur, delivered in the Mashiach home in Chicago, Rav Burg explores the Gemara that says that birds would be incinerated if they flew over Yonasan Ben Uziel while he was learning Torah.

In this shiur, delivered in Los Angeles to the Chizuk Mission, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of Yisro's criticism of Moshe Rabbeinu.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains why Pharaoh wept when the Jews left Mitzrayim.

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of the jar of Mann that was stored in the Aron.

In this shiur, delivered at the English Speaking Chabad of Neve Shamir in honor of Yud Shevat, Rav Burg explains why the Friediker Rebbe and the Lubavitcher Rebbe held the radically optimistic belief that if you just keep marching foward the sea will surely split.

In this shmooze, delivered at Mevaseret Mishmar, Rav Burg explores the inner meaning as to why the dogs did not bark when Klal Yisrael leaves Mitzrayim. We bark because of our impoverished mentality. When we feel like we are not enough we feel the need to take down others who are trying to leave their own Mitzrayim.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of light and darkness. Light does not mean illumination. It means orientation and purpose. When we live in the darkness we are disoriented and without purpose we have no movement.

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of Matzah and why Klal Yisrael wasn't prepared to leave Mitzrayim. Expectations often come from ego. They come from our need to control. Only Hashem can bring redemption and as long as we are trying to control the show we are standing in His way.

In this shmooze, delivered at Mevaseret Mishmar, Rav Burg explains how Hashem teaches parents how to relate to children who consider themselves a Rasha and how we educate that child that does not know his inner Tzaddik.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores the five languages of Geula and how we can methodically leave our inner Mitzrayim.

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the psychology of Makkas Barad. At times we fall into the trap of becoming the servants of Pharaoh. Our responsibility is to see the plague we bring upon ourselves and listen to the messages that Hashem is sending us.

In this shiur, delivered to the Chizuk Mission, Rav Burg explains why Pharaoh was afraid of the male babies but not the female babies, how Shifra and Puah nurture transformation as everything in our lives begin to shift.

In this shiur, delivered in Michlala, Rav Burg explains the inner connection between honoring our parents and being Davek to Hashem. When we honor our parents we firmly attach ourselves to Hashem and to life itself.

In this shiur, delivered in Midreshet HaRova, Rav Burg explains how the story of Klal Yisrael in Mitzrayim is the story of rectifying the sin of Adam and Chava. The staff of Moshe Rabbeinu holds the secret of Emunah and defeating Pharaoh.

At the Mevaseret "Hasmada" Mishmar Rav Burg explains the true meaning of Hasmada. We don't learn Torah to become professors of Talmud but because through toiling in Torah we enter into an authentic relationship with Hashem.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains the psychological dynamics of the relationship between Yosef and his brothers after Yaakov died. The Shevatim projected their pain onto Yosef, manipulated the truth to protect themselves and made themselves small from a deep place of fear. In response, Yosef teaches them the power of dignity and being in self.

In this shiur, delivered in Baer Miriam, Rav Burg explains the inner nature of Golus. When truth dies our perception of pain is that we are suffering. This results in a complete emotional shutdown from those that are enslaved. When truth dies the foundations of society crumble, the journey to redemption becomes longer and harder, and spiritual greatness becomes about control and not submission. The antidote to exile is genuine chesed.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains how we must appreciate the Derech of every Jew.

In this shiur, Rav Burg explains the inner dimension of rhe relationship between Yosef HaTzaddik and Mitzrayim. The job of the Tzaddik is to reveal Hashem's oneness in the fragmentation of the world.

In this shiur, delivered at Michlala for their Chanukah Yom Iyun, Rav Burg explains the challenges of the culture of materialism and how we are meant to shine our light in the material world.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of why the Shevatim sold Yosef for a pair of shoes.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains how the story of Reuven moving Yaakov's bed reveals a profound truth about the pain we carry inside of ourselves and how we live out the pain in our every day lives.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains how the story of Yaakov battling the Malach of Eisav reveals the psychology of true transformation.

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains why it is specifically Rachel who is buried on the side of the road and why her tears return us to Eretz Yisrael and the ultimate redemption.

In this shiur, delivered in Midreshet Moriah at a Yom Iyun on Halacha, Rav Burg explains the value of a halachik life and why we have a hard time maintaining our commitment to halacha. Rav Burg also addresses the beauty of imperfection when we inevitably fall short of our commitments.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains why gratitude can be so difficult and why it is so essential.

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains why Yaakov Avinu passed by Har HaMoriah and the lessons he learned when he did ultimately arrive.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains why Yitzchak loved Eisav. The hunter is always hunting new game. When Yaakov combines the power of new with the power of old he becomes worthy of the berachos of Yitzchak.

In this shmooze, delivered at Mevaseret Mishmar, Rav Burg explains the power of davening for someone else. The formation of Klal Yisrael hinges on selfless davening.

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains how by aligning ourselves with the perspective of Yaakov Avinu the impossible becomes possible.

In this shiur, delivered to the Chizuk Mission, Rav Burg explains how each of us have to access the inner Mashiach within ourselves in order to bring Mashiach to the world.

In this shmooze, delivered at a Melava Malka Fabrengen in the Kornwasser home, Rav Burg explains how Yitzchak and Rivka loved Eisav as only a parent could. In our lives we need to see ourselves with kindness and compassion just as Yitzchak and Rivka did for Eisav.

In this shiur, delivered in Cafe Demi in Teaneck, Rav Burg explains the inner reason that Eliezer Eved Avraham was zocheh to have kefitzas haderech on his journey to find a wife for Yitzchak.

In this shiur, delivered in Stern, Rav Burg explains the wisdom of the Bracha that Lavan gave to Rivka and why even today that Bracha is given to a Kallah at her Badeken.