Podcasts about Avodah

Chof-Tes Iyar - Erev Rosh Chodesh (19:51)

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning of the Kohen Baal Mum. Sometimes we feel like a Kohen, chosen for a greater mission. Sometimes we feel like a Baal Mum, like we are damaged goods. A foreigner, unworthy of doing the Avodah in the Beis HaMikdash. The Kohen Baal Mum asks the question, Hashem why did you make me feel so distant from You?!? The answer to this question lies in the essence of Shavuos.

End of Masechta!

Bottom of amud

Mishna Yomi - Avodah Zarah 5:12 -Avos 1:1L'uli Nishmas Etta Ahuva bas YaakovMay 13, 2025Tue15 Iyar 5785

Mishna Yomi - Avodah Zarah 5:10-11L'uli Nishmas Etta Ahuva bas YaakovMay 12, 2025Mon14 Iyar 5785

Avodah Zara 5:12 - Avot 1:1 | Tuesday, May 13th 2025 | 15 Iyar 5785

Mishna Yomi - Avodah Zarah 5:6-7L'uli Nishmas Etta Ahuva bas YaakovMay 10, 2025Shab12 Iyar 5785

Mishna Yomi - Avodah Zarah 5:8-9L'uli Nishmas Etta Ahuva bas YaakovMay 11, 2025Sun13 Iyar 5785

Avodah Zara 5:10-11 | Monday, May 12th 2025 | 14 Iyar 5785

Avodah Zara 5:8-9 | Sunday, May 11th 2025 | 13 Iyar 5785

Bottom

Mishna Yomi - Avodah Zarah 5:4-5L'uli Nishmas Etta Ahuva bas YaakovMay 9, 2025Fri11 Iyar 5785

Avodah Zara 5:6-7 | Saturday, May 10th 2025 | 12 Iyar 5785

Parashat Acharei Mot begins by telling us that Hashem spoke to Moshe after the tragic deaths of Nadav and Avihu, who died while attempting to draw closer to Hashem. Though their death was a colossal tragedy, the Torah teaches us how to view it—and more broadly, how to understand when tragedy befalls righteous individuals especially when they are engaged in holy pursuits. At that time, the Jewish people were yearning for the Shechina to dwell in the Mishkan they had built. After the sin of the Egel , they were unsure whether Hashem would rest His presence among them. On the day of the inauguration, Aharon offered multiple korbanot as instructed, but still, the Shechina did not descend. Only after Moshe and Aharon entered the Ohel Mo'ed to pray did a heavenly fire come down and consume the offerings. The people rejoiced—Hashem had forgiven them and chosen to dwell among them. In their deep yearning and love for Hashem, Nadav and Avihu brought the Ketoret on their own initiative. Then, the unimaginable happened: another fire came down and consumed them. Everyone was in shock. Was this a sign of Hashem's anger? Did it mean the forgiveness was rescinded? Moshe then told Aharon that Hashem had previously said He would be sanctified through the deaths of great people—and Nadav and Avihu were those chosen Tzaddikim. The Torah testifies that when Aharon heard this, " וידם אהרן "—he remained silent , accepting Hashem's will without protest. As a reward for his profound emunah and submission, Hashem then spoke directly to him. What appeared to be divine punishment was, in fact, a great Kiddush Hashem . The Or HaChayim explains that Nadav and Avihu became so spiritually elevated that their souls desired only closeness to Hashem and no longer wished to remain in the physical world. Today, we lack prophets to explain tragedies, but we have the Torah—eternal and unchanging—to guide us in how to view them. Our greatest strength lies in trusting Hashem and using pain as a catalyst for growth. We are reminded that this world is temporary, and every moment here is an opportunity to serve and connect with our Creator. The Rashbam writes that the greatest Kiddush Hashem on that day was not the death of the tzadikim , but Aharon's silent acceptance. Seeing his beloved sons die before him, he continued to serve Hashem with unwavering devotion. That act sanctified the Mishkan more than any offering brought that day. When a person accepts Hashem's judgment with love, he elevates not only himself but also the space around him. Such acceptance carries a powerful spiritual energy, capable of invoking blessing and even salvation. The sanctity of Har HaBayit , where the Beit HaMikdash would one day stand, was similarly established through Avraham Avinu's loving acceptance of Hashem's will. When commanded to offer Yitzchak as a korban, despite the contradiction to Hashem's earlier promise that his future offspring would come through Yitzchak, Avraham did not question. The Targum Yonatan on the passuk יראה ויקרא שם המקום ה ' explains that Avraham prayed not to harbor any complaints, fully submitting himself to Hashem's will. His wholehearted obedience imbued the mountain with eternal holiness. Just as the Mishkan was sanctified through Aharon's faith, and the Beit HaMikdash through Avraham's, so too can we infuse holiness into our lives and surroundings by accepting Hashem's decrees with love and trust. Whenever a person accepts the will of Hashem with love, although it's difficult, he elevates himself and the place around him. Our job is to trust Hashem and always continue growing in our Avodah no matter what happens.

Pirkei Avot 2:12 "All-Encompassing Avodah" by Rabbi Avi Harari

3rd wide line

3rd line

Mishna Yomi - Avodah Zarah 5:2-3L'uli Nishmas Etta Ahuva bas YaakovMay 8, 2025Thu10 Iyar 5785

Avodah Zara 5:4-5 | Friday, May 9th 2025 | 11 Iyar 5785

Mishna Yomi - Avodah Zarah 4:12-5:1 L'uli Nishmas Etta Ahuva bas YaakovMay 7, 2025Wed9 Iyar 5785

Avodah Zara 5:2-3 | Thursday, May 8th 2025 | 10 Iyar 5785

Bottom

Middle

10 lines from wide lines

Top

Middle

Top

Mishna Yomi - Avodah Zarah 4:10-11L'uli Nishmas Etta Ahuva bas YaakovMay 6, 2025Tue8 Iyar 5785

Avodah Zara 4:12-5:1 | Wednesday, May 7th 2025 | 9 Iyar 5785

Mishna Yomi - Avodah Zarah 4:6-7L'uli Nishmas Etta Ahuva bas YaakovMay 4, 2025Sun6 Iyar 5785

Mishna Yomi - Avodah Zarah 4:8-9L'uli Nishmas Etta Ahuva bas YaakovMay 5, 2025Mon7 Iyar 5785

Mishna Yomi - Avodah Zarah 4:4-5L'uli Nishmas Etta Ahuva bas YaakovMay 3, 2025Shab5 Iyar 5785

Mishna Yomi - Avodah Zarah 4:2-3L'uli Nishmas Etta Ahuva bas YaakovMay 2, 2025Fri4 Iyar 5785