Podcasts about Haggadah

Rabbi Gordon studies one chapter a day from Maimonides' classic legal work of Mishneh Torah. The original Hebrew text is read and then translated and clearly explained in English.

Rabbi Gordon studies one chapter a day from Maimonides' classic legal work of Mishneh Torah. The original Hebrew text is read and then translated and clearly explained in English.

Classes on Rambam, divided according to the daily schedule.

Full TorahAnytime Lecture Video or Audio More classes from R' Shlomo Landau ⭐ 2,650

Daily Dose of Bitachon: The Power of "Yesh Li Kol" Welcome to the Daily Dose of Bitachon. We are continuing the topic of the difference between the approach of Yaakov and the approach of Eisav. Yaakov's approach is "Yesh li kol" — I have everything . The opposite of this is "V'chol zeh einenu shoveh li" — all this is worthless to me . As we discussed, the negative theme of the month of Tammuz is "this is all worthless to me," and Yaakov Avinu is the polar opposite. Yaakov Avinu: The Father of Bitachon Seforim say that Yaakov Avinu represents the ultimate level of bitachon (trust in God) among the Avot. As it says in Tehillim: "Yaancha Hashem b'yom tzarah, yesgavecha shem Elohei Yaakov" (Hashem should answer you at a time of difficulty; you should be strengthened by the God of Yaakov). Yaakov Avinu is singled out because he went through intense challenges—with Eisav, Lavan, Dinah, and Yosef—and survived them all through his bitachon . He is the father of bitachon . He is also the archetype of one who is mistapek b'muat —happy with just a little bit. When you have true bitachon , you realize everything is from Hashem, so you can be genuinely happy with the smallest amount. Yaakov only asked Hashem for the essentials: beged lilvosh, lechem leechol (garments to wear, bread to eat). He stated, "Katonti mikol hachasadim" (I have been diminished by all the kindness You have given me). Yaakov Avinu views everything as an undeserved kindness, and that is precisely how he ends up having everything. When he responds to Eisav, he says, "Ki chanani Elokim" (God was gracious to me). The word chanan comes from the language of matnat chinam (a free gift). If you realize that everything is a gift and that you don't inherently deserve anything, then you feel like you have everything. Rav Shach's Insight: How to Have Everything I'd like to share a beautiful thought in the name of Rav Shach, who asks a powerful question on the Mishnah: "Eizehu ashre? Hasameach b'chelko" (Who is wealthy? The one who is happy with his lot). Rav Shach asks: How can anyone naturally be happy with their lot? The nature of a person is "yesh lo maneh, rotzeh matayim" —if you have a hundred, you want two hundred. He answers that the one who is sameach b'chelko is someone who views himself as owning absolutely nothing. If you have a hundred, you feel you need two hundred. But if you have zero, you need zero. How does a person achieve a state of having nothing? By realizing that everything belongs to HaKadosh Baruch Hu and is merely on loan. Once you realize you own nothing, you can appreciate everything as a gift. The Symbolism of the Kosher Animal The Vilna Gaon shares a fascinating thought regarding why a kosher animal must chew its cud. Chewing the cud symbolizes being happy with what one already has. To chew the cud means to ruminate. The kosher animal ruminates and ruminates on what it has already consumed; it is not constantly looking for what it lacks. It's like the concept taught by Rabbi Avigdor Miller: re-chewing and appreciating the apple, over and over again. It is the art of appreciating what you have, rather than looking for what you don't have. In contrast, non-kosher animals are predators. They are never satisfied and are always hunting for more. Tamim Tihyeh: Simplicity and Completeness The Torah states, "Lo nachash b'Yaakov" (There is no magic/serpent activity in Yaakov). As we mentioned yesterday, the nachash (snake) symbolizes Eisav. The snake is the voice that says, "I don't have anything; Chava, you don't have anything." The Torah forbids nichush (superstition and predicting the future through sorcery). Instead of acting like the nations who rely on these practices, we are commanded: "Tamim tihyeh im Hashem Elokecha" (Be whole/simple with Hashem your God). Our Sages note the connection: Yaakov is described as an "ish tam yoshev ohalim" (a wholesome man, dwelling in tents). He is the ultimate example of being tam —complete. Because he is complete, he doesn't need to look outside or try to predict the future. Tamim tihyeh means to walk simply with God, but it also means to be complete with God. If you know you have everything you need right now, you have no reason to look to future-tellers. Amalek, Haman, and the Power of "Li" The force of Haman is the force of Amalek. The Torah says of Amalek, "Asher karcha b'derech." While this means he cooled you down, karcha also comes from the word mikreh (coincidence). Amalek claims that everything is a coincidence. Similarly, by Haman, the Megillah uses the phrase "Asher karahu" (what happened to him). Haman viewed everything as random chance, not directed by God. If nothing is directed by God, you naturally fall into the trap of, "This is all worthless to me." As we mentioned yesterday, Haman said, "V'chol zeh einenu shoveh li." He completely missed the concept of "li" —the realization that God does everything specifically for me . We say in the morning blessings: "She'asah li kol tzarki" (Who has provided for me all my needs). God provides exactly what I need, directly to me. This is also the core message of Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus): "Ba'avur zeh asah Hashem li" (Because of this, Hashem did for me when I left Egypt). God deals with us individually. Hashem speaks in the singular form: "Asher hotzeiticha" (I took you [singular] out of Egypt). The rasha (wicked person) in the Haggadah is a kofer b'ikar (denier of the foundation) because he rejects this concept. He says, "What is this service to you ?"—excluding himself. Therefore, we tell him: "Li v'lo lo" (For me, and not for him). You are not part of this mindset because you don't understand the li . The Connection Between Pesach and Tisha B'Av It is a well-known calendar fact that the first night of Pesach always falls out on the exact same night of the week as Tisha B'Av. This is one of the reasons we place a roasted egg on the Seder plate—it symbolizes mourning, connecting the joy of the Seder to the solemnity of Tisha B'Av. While the simple connection is that we lost on Tisha B'Av what we originally gained at Yetziat Mitzrayim, we can suggest a deeper connection based on yesterday's discussion: The spiritual struggle between Yaakov and Eisav's ministering angel took place on the night of Tisha B'Av. Furthermore, the commentaries point out that when Yaakov Avinu slept at Beit El and had his powerful dream of the ladder, that night was also Tisha B'Av. The Torah says he took twelve stones and placed them around his head, and they miraculously fused into one single rock because the stones quarreled, each wanting the tzaddik to rest his head on them. On Tisha B'Av, there is a custom to sleep with a stone under one's head instead of a pillow. Yaakov Avinu initiated this tikun (rectification). By bringing the separate stones representing the separate tribes together into one, he rectified the spiritual root of Tisha B'Av. Yaakov takes Tisha B'Av—the day associated with the vulnerability to Eisav—and elevates it back to a day of "Ba'avur zeh asah Hashem li." Conclusion To sum up our theme: The negative energy of the month of Tammuz is thinking like Eisav, Haman, and the snake—the mindset of constant lack and dissatisfaction. The counter-force to this is the approach of Yaakov Avinu. It is the understanding that we truly have everything, that God has graced us completely, and that we can "chew our cud," remain whole, and recognize that everything we have is exactly what we need.

The Theme of Tammuz: Haman's Mindset Welcome to Daily Bitachon. We are going to continue exploring a theme we spoke about previously: that the core theme of the month of Tammuz is "Vechol zeh einennu shoveh li" —"Yet all this is worth nothing to me." This famous quote from Haman reveals a dangerous mindset: despite having absolutely everything, because he was missing just one thing, he felt he had nothing. The Root of the Snake This attitude traces all the way back to the primordial snake. The Sages note that the source for Haman in the Torah is hinted at in the verse, "Hamin ha'etz" (from the tree), which sounds like "Haman ha'etz " (Haman on the tree). But the Rabbis also explain that Haman is spiritually rooted in the snake. In Bereishit 3:1, the snake asks Chavah: "Af ki amar Elokim lo tochlu mikol etz hagan…" "Did God really say you cannot eat from any tree of the garden?" Chavah replies that they can eat from the fruit of the trees, except for the one in the middle of the garden, which God commanded them not to touch. The snake's strategy was to shift her focus to the one restriction, essentially saying, "If you can't have this, you have nothing." Esav and the Snake Theme Haman descended from Amalek, who descended from Esav. Not surprisingly, Esav continues this exact same "snake" theme. We see a very interesting concept regarding this in Bereishit 25:27: "Vayigdlu hana'arim…" "And the lads grew up; and Esav was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Yaakov was a wholesome man, dwelling in tents." The Targum translates the words "Esav ish yode'a tzayid" (Esav was a hunter) as "Vehavah Esav gevar nachshirchan." He was a nachshirchan man. What does nachshirchan mean? Many commentaries read it as two words: nachash yarchan , which means "snake thighs." Some explain this simply to mean that when Esav was hunting, he would lie flat on his stomach and slither like a snake to catch his prey. However, the Shelah HaKadosh quotes a book called the Tziyuni , which offers a deeper insight: Esav actually had a literal image of a snake etched onto his thigh. He had a tattoo of a snake. The Wrestling Match This sheds new light on the wrestling match between Yaakov and Esav's guardian angel. The Torah states that the angel wanted to touch "kaf yerech Yaakov" —the socket of Yaakov's thigh. He wanted to infect the children of Yaakov with this snake-like approach to life. But concerning that encounter, we say, "Velo yachol lo" —he could not overcome him. Why not? As Bilam later declares: "Ki lo nachash b'Yaakov" "There is no sorcery in Yaakov." Homiletically, this can be read as: "There are no snakes in Yaakov." We do not subscribe to that snake-like perspective. Instead, Yaakov Avinu embodies the opposite approach: whatever Hashem gives me is good, and I am happy. (Parenthetically, we will see later that the wrestling match between Yaakov and the angel actually occurred on Tisha B'Av, meaning Tisha B'Av has a deep connection to this concept. Additionally, the Sefer Ahavat Shalom on Parshat Toldot notes that Yaakov was the one who rectified the sin of Adam HaRishon. As the Talmud in Bava Metzia states, Yaakov Avinu possessed the identical beauty of Adam HaRishon. Yaakov's face is engraved on the Kiseh HaKavod [Throne of Glory], representing the ultimate human paradigm. Therefore, he is the ultimate spiritual counterforce to Esav, who represents the snake.) Two Approaches to Life: Yesh Li Rav vs. Yesh Li Kol Where else do we see Esav embodying the mindset of the snake? In Bereishit 33:9, when Esav receives a massive gift from Yaakov, he initially declines it, saying, "Yesh li rav" —"I have a lot. Keep what is yours, my brother." But Yaakov insists, saying, "Veyesh li kol" — "I have everything." The Chofetz Chaim explains that these represent two fundamental approaches to life: Esav's approach ( Yesh li rav ): "I have a lot, but I could always use more." Yaakov's approach ( Yesh li kol ): "I have everything." How can a person claim to have everything ? The answer is that when you recognize that HaKadosh Baruch Hu provides exact hashgacha pratit (divine providence) tailored to your specific needs, you realize you already possess everything you require. We reference this every single day in Birkat HaMazon: "Harachaman hu yivarech otanu... kmo sheinitbarchu avoteinu, Avraham, Yitzchak, v'Yaakov—bakol, mikol, kol." What do these three words mean? Regarding Avraham , the verse says, "V'Hashem berach et Avraham bakol " (with everything). Regarding Yitzchak , it says he ate " mikol " (from everything). The ultimate culmination is Yaakov , who proclaimed, "Yesh li kol " (I have everything). We ask Hashem to bless us collectively with that exact same blessing of kol . Lavan's Attack on Kol We see this theme pop up again in the Haggadah on Pesach: "Tzei u'lmad mah bikeish Lavan haArami la'asot l'Yaakov Avinu..." While Pharaoh only decreed against the male children, Lavan "bikeish la'akor et hakol" —he sought to uproot everything. Chassidic masters (brought down by Rabbi Shor in his commentary on Pesach, Lekach V'Libuv ) explain this deeply: Lavan didn't just want to destroy Yaakov's physical property; he wanted to uproot the very concept of kol from Yaakov. He wanted to destroy Yaakov's peaceful, content approach to life. This is a major, fundamental debate on how to live. The Ultimate Synthesis: She'asah Li Kol Tzorki Listen to this unbelievable explanation that ties it all together. Every single morning, we recite one of our most important morning blessings: "She'asah li kol tzorki" —"Who has provided me with all my needs." This means that whether physically or spiritually, God has already given me every single tool necessary to fulfill my unique mission in life. Look closely at the wording: She'asah li ... kol tzorki. Li (for me) and kol (everything) are the two magical words. Now look back at Haman. What did he say? "Ve chol zeh einennu shoveh li ." Haman is the exact antithesis of kol and li . He rejects the blessing of She'asahi li kol tzorki . He looks at his life and says, "No, I do not have everything I need. I am missing that one thing (Mordechai bowing), so it's all worthless." That is the negative energy of Tammuz. That is the destructive force that led to the churban (destruction of the Temple). And that is exactly what we are trying to undo during this month: rebuilding our perspective to match Yaakov's, knowing that God has given us everything we need. As we wind down the month of Tammuz, put a little extra focus and intention into the blessing of She'asah li kol tzorki . The Final Clincher To wrap this all up: there are only two days a year when we do not recite the blessing of She'asah li kol tzorki , and they happen to be the two days we do not wash our hands fully in the morning: Tisha B'Av and Yom Kippur . The Kabbalists explain: On Tisha B'Av , the spiritual impurity ( tumah ) is so potent we cannot fully remove it. On Yom Kippur , the holiness ( kedusha ) is so intense we don't even need to remove it. Tisha B'Av is the day of Esav. On that day, Esav's energy temporarily takes over, so we omit She'asah li kol tzorki . But on Yom Kippur—the day of Yaakov Avinu—we cast the sa'ir (the goat representing Esav, the ish sa'ir ) off the cliff, and the Kohen Gadol enters the Holy of Holies. On that day, the reality of She'asah li kol tzorki is so utterly apparent and deeply felt that we don't even need to vocalize it. We have covered a massive theme with a lot of moving parts. Review these concepts, and hopefully, we will all merit to live on that elevated spiritual level of kol .

The Rebbe addresses questions regarding his commentary on the Haggadah, clarifying issues about the term Shabbat HaGadol, interpretations of phrases in the Haggadah, distinctions in Rambam's language, and halachic nuances about circumcision and Pesach practices. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/011/009/3566

What does it take to build a serious Torah legacy while running a thriving dental practice in Manhattan? Reuven Mohl has spent the last decade doing exactly that — and the results are five published books, a growing body of scholarship, and a model for what it looks like to take your Torah life seriously without stepping away from the working world.In this episode, Reuven walks us through his upbringing in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, where his father Rabbi Oscar Mohl — a philosophy professor, Holocaust survivor, and talmid of the Baba Vredi — set the tone for a home where Torah and ideas were always on the table. From Yeshiva Flatbush to Yeshiva HaKotel to YU, Reuven shares how his years of learning shaped both his character and his career path into dentistry.We talk about the discipline behind building a successful practice, how he carved out time for serious learning between patients, and what led him to compile commentaries on the Haggadah, Megillas Rus, and Tehillim using the writings of Rabbi Eliezer Berkovitz and Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik.And in honor of Shavuos, we learn together. Reuven shares a beautiful lesson from Megillas Rus on the difference between din and lifnim mishurat hadin — and what Boaz's generosity in the field teaches us about how to show up at work, at home, and in life.Topics covered:Growing up with a philosophy professor father and a Holocaust survivor in the homeThe work-life balance reality of a dental careerHow to pursue serious Torah scholarship while running a businessBuilding commentaries using the Rav and Rabbi BerkovitzMegillas Rus and the obligation to do more than the minimumThe story of calling before Shabbos

Is the Bikkurim Declaration about fruit? Why does it tell the short-version of Jewish history? Why do we use it as the basis of the Haggadah?

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: A Proposal Amidst Pesach: Love & Traditions Reimagined Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-04-22-22-34-02-he Story Transcript:He: השמש הקיץ בעדינות מעל שדות תפוחי האדמה בצפון ישראל.En: The sun rose gently over the tapuchei ha'adama fields in northern Yisrael.He: האביב הביא איתו פריחות ססגוניות, והאווירה כולה הייתה מלאת חיים וחן.En: Spring brought with it colorful blossoms, and the entire atmosphere was full of life and charm.He: אליאנה עמדה בחצר ביתה, מתבוננת על השולחן הערוך תחת חופה של אורות קטנים מלמעלה, מנסה להבטיח שהכל ייראה מושלם לערב הסדר.En: Eliana stood in her yard, looking at the table set under a canopy of small lights from above, trying to ensure everything would look perfect for the Seder evening.He: אליאנה אהבה את המסורות של פֶּסַח, במיוחד את המתכונים שבסבתא שלה הייתה מכינה עם אהבה, והיום היא רצתה לשחזר אותם.En: Eliana loved the traditions of Pesach, especially the recipes her grandmother used to make with love, and today she wanted to recreate them.He: מהצד, נועם ומאיה עזרו בהכנות.En: On the side, Noam and Maya helped with the preparations.He: נועם, פרקטי באופיו, רצה לשמור על השקט והשלווה, והוא היה מוטרד כיצד ימצא את הזמן המושלם להציע למאיה.En: Noam, practical by nature, wanted to maintain peace and tranquility, and he was worried about finding the perfect time to propose to Maya.He: מאיה, יצירתית ונועזת, הציעה לשלב קערת סדר מודרנית יותר והצגות אינטראקטיביות של הסיפור המפורסם.En: Maya, creative and bold, suggested integrating a more modern ke'arat Seder and interactive performances of the famous story.He: אליאנה נאנחה, אבל תחושת אחריות בערה בה.En: Eliana sighed, but a sense of responsibility burned within her.He: ״אני חושבת שנוכל לעשות את זה, להוסיף קצת חדש בתוך הישן,״ אמרה אליאנה כשהיא פונה לשולחן.En: "I think we can do it, add a bit of new into the old," Eliana said as she turned to the table.He: מחזה של איזון התהווה בין המסורות של היידי, ההגדה, והדברים שמאיה רצתה להוסיף.En: A spectacle of balance emerged between the traditions of the Yidi, the Haggadah, and the things Maya wanted to add.He: בבסיס, היא נאחזה במצה ובקערת הסדר, אך השולחן דיבר גם במילים של אומץ ושינוי.En: At its core, she clung to the matzah and the ke'arat Seder, but the table also spoke in words of courage and change.He: כשהערב ירד, האורחים החלו להגיע.En: As evening fell, guests began to arrive.He: האווירה הייתה קרובה ומזמינה.En: The atmosphere was warm and inviting.He: מול השדה המוריק, כולם סביב השולחן התחילו בקריאת ההגדה.En: In front of the verdant field, everyone around the table began the reading of the Haggadah.He: הנריות האירו את העלווה והרגשות גאו.En: The candles illuminated the foliage, and emotions swelled.He: רגע של שלווה ושייכות אפף את הערב.En: A moment of peace and belonging enveloped the evening.He: בדיוק כאשר אליאנה החליטה שהגיע הזמן לשירים המסורתיים, נועם התיישב על ברך אחת.En: Just as Eliana decided it was time for the traditional songs, Noam knelt on one knee.He: כל המבטים הופנו אליו, ומאיה הביטה בו בהפתעה.En: All eyes turned to him, and Maya looked at him in surprise.He: ״מאיה,״ הוא אמר, ״האם תינשאי לי?En: "Maya," he said, "will you marry me?"He: ״מאיה, מופתעת אך מאושרת, אמרה: ״כן, בהחלט כן!En: Maya, surprised but happy, said, "Yes, absolutely yes!"He: ״ הקרודים הציפו את השולחן, והערב הפך לחגיגה כפולה - של אהבה ושל מסורת שזורה בחידוש.En: Cheers filled the table, and the evening turned into a double celebration - of love and tradition intertwined with renewal.He: כך אליאנה למדה שאל לדאוג לשנות את המסורת במעט כאשר נשאר הלב של הדברים.En: Thus, Eliana learned that it's alright to change tradition a bit as long as the heart of things remains.He: וכך, תחת כוכבי הלילה, עם פריחת האביב, התכנסו חברים לעצור את הזמן ולחגוג את פֶּסַח בצורה מיוחדת משלהם.En: And so, under the stars of the night, with the spring bloom, friends gathered to pause time and celebrate Pesach in their own special way. Vocabulary Words:gently: בעדינותblossoms: פריחותatmosphere: אווירהcanopy: חופהensure: להבטיחtraditions: מסורותrecreate: לשחזרpractical: פרקטיtranquility: שלווהpropose: להציעcreative: יצירתיתintegrating: לשלבinteractive: אינטראקטיביותspectacle: מחזהbalance: איזוןcourage: אומץfoliage: עלווהemotions: רגשותbelonging: שייכותenveloped: אפףtraditional: מסורתייםknelt: התיישבsurprise: הפתעהintertwined: שזורהrenewal: חידושalright: בסדרchange: לשנותheart: לבbloom: פריחהgathered: התכנסוBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Family Secrets and Festive Bonds at a Central Park Passover Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-04-19-07-38-19-he Story Transcript:He: בבוקר אביבי ויפה, בין פריחות העצים וקרני השמש החמימות של פארק סנטרל בניו יורק, ישבה משפחתו של אורן לפיקניק חג הפסח.En: On a beautiful spring morning, amidst the blooming trees and warm rays of sun at Central Park in New York, his family of Oren sat for a Passover picnic.He: השמיים היו כחולים, הציפורים צייצו, והזמן הרגיש מושלם למשפחה לחגוג את המסורת היהודית.En: The sky was blue, the birds chirped, and the time felt perfect for the family to celebrate the Jewish tradition.He: אורן, שזה עתה הפך לאבא, החליט השנה לחבר את כל משפחתו לחגיגה מיוחדת.En: Oren, who had just become a father, decided this year to gather his entire family for a special celebration.He: הוא רצה להרגיש את השמחה והחיבור במשפחה, לשמר את המסורות ולהשאיר זיכרונות יפים לדורות הבאים.En: He wanted to feel the joy and connection within the family, to preserve traditions, and to create beautiful memories for future generations.He: לצידו ישבה לאה, אחותו.En: Next to him sat Leah, his sister.He: אחרי ברכת הכוס הראשונה, היא משכה את אורן הצידה.En: After the blessing over the first cup, she pulled Oren aside.He: "אורן, יש משהו שאני חייבת לספר לך," אמרה בקול שקט ורגוע.En: "Oren, there's something I have to tell you," she said in a quiet and calm voice.He: עיניהם נפגשו והיא המשיכה, "אתה יודע שלסבא שלנו היה סיפור שחלקנו לא הכרנו..."En: Their eyes met, and she continued, "You know our grandfather had a story that some of us didn't know..."He: אורן היה מופתע.En: Oren was surprised.He: סיפור? מה זה אומר? המילים של לאה טלטלו אותו.En: A story? What does that mean? Leah's words shook him.He: כשהם חזרו לשולחן, אורי הקטן, הבן של אורן, חסר מנוחה, התחיל את המרוץ לאפיקומן מוקדם מהמתוכנן.En: When they returned to the table, little Uri, Oren's son, restless, started the race for the afikoman earlier than planned.He: אורן חייך בחצי לב, אך מחשבותיו היו במקום אחר.En: Oren smiled half-heartedly, but his thoughts were elsewhere.He: כיצד הסוד הזה ישפיע על חגם?En: How would this secret affect their holiday?He: ביום הזה, המנהגים נמשכו: קיראו ההגדה, במקום שבו אורן בדרך כלל נזכר במצרים, הוא חשב על מורשתו, על המשפחתיות שלו.En: That day, the customs continued: reading the Haggadah, where Oren usually recalled Egypt, he thought about his heritage, about his family.He: אבל אתגר חדש צץ – איך לשלב את הידיעה בהמשכיות המסורתית?En: But a new challenge arose – how to integrate the knowledge into the traditional continuity?He: בערב, כאשר כל משפחתו ישבה מסביב לשולחן, אורן הרים כוס להשלים את החג.En: In the evening, when his entire family sat around the table, Oren raised a glass to complete the festival.He: "למרות סודות העבר," הוא אמר, חיוך רך על שפתיו, "המשפחה היא באחדותה.En: "Despite secrets of the past," he said, a soft smile on his lips, "the family is in its unity.He: אנחנו נולדים יחד לא רק במצוות אלא גם בתובנות".En: We are born together not only in commandments but in insights as well."He: ההכרה שלו פעלה כמו גשר.En: His recognition acted as a bridge.He: החום חזר לשולחן, דבק ואהבה זרמו.En: Warmth returned to the table, bonding and love flowed.He: הסוד הפך לא חלק מההפרדה, אלא מנוע ההתפתחות החדשה.En: The secret turned out not to be a part of the separation but a catalyst for new growth.He: בסיום הארוחה, השמיים נצנצו בכוכבים, והמשפחה התמלאה בתחושה חדשה של קירבה.En: At the end of the meal, the sky sparkled with stars, and the family was filled with a new sense of closeness.He: אורן הבין.En: Oren understood.He: להכיר את האמת לצד המסורת זה לא סותר.En: To know the truth alongside tradition is not contradictory.He: זה מחבר, מעצים.En: It connects and empowers.He: לסיום הערב, מחובקים, הם שרו יחד את שירי הפסח.En: To conclude the evening, embracing each other, they sang Passover songs together.He: המסורות התחזקו, השקט התחלף בצחוק, ואורן, מביט בבנו, ידע שיצר את הזיכרון של הדור הבא.En: The traditions grew stronger, the silence turned to laughter, and Oren, looking at his son, knew he had created a memory for the next generation. Vocabulary Words:amidst: ביןblooming: פריחותchirped: צייצוjoy: שמחהconnection: חיבורpreserve: לשמרrestless: חסר מנוחהhalf-heartedly: בחצי לבheritage: מורשתintegrate: לשלבcontinuity: המשכיותrecognition: הכרהbonding: דבקcatalyst: מנועsparkled: נצנצוcloseness: קירבהempowers: מעציםconclude: לסיוםembracing: מחובקיםlaughter: צחוקinsights: תובנותblessing: ברכהcalm: רגועsurprised: מופתעchallenge: אתגרcustoms: מנהגיםtradition: מסורתtruth: אמתgeneration: דורmemories: זיכרונותBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Florentin's Market: Where Art Meets Community and Tradition Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-04-18-07-38-19-he Story Transcript:He: השוק בפלורנטין בתל אביב היה תוסס.En: The market in Florentin in Tel Aviv was bustling.He: ריחות של תבלינים, ירקות ופירות רענן את האוויר.En: The scents of spices, vegetables, and fruits freshened the air.He: בין הדוכנים, ליד דוכן הפרחים, עמדו יונה ונועה.En: Among the stalls, near the flower stand, stood Yonah and Noa.He: יונה, אמנית שקטה ומעט מסוגרת, חיפשה השראה לאמנות שלה.En: Yonah, a quiet and somewhat reserved artist, was seeking inspiration for her art.He: היא אהבה לשוטט בין הדוכנים, אבל לפעמים הרגישה אבודה בין כל האנשים.En: She loved wandering among the stalls, but sometimes felt lost among all the people.He: לידה עמדה נועה, מאורגנת קהילתית עם חיוך רחב וניצוץ בעיניים.En: Next to her stood Noa, a community organizer with a broad smile and a sparkle in her eyes.He: נועה אהבה לפגוש אנשים חדשים ולהביא אותם יחד.En: Noa loved meeting new people and bringing them together.He: "שלום," אמרה נועה כשהיא ראתה את יונה נדה על הפרחים.En: "Hello," Noa said when she saw Yonah gazing at the flowers.He: "איזה יפים, נכון?En: "Aren't they beautiful?"He: "יונה הופתעה, אבל ענתה בחיוך קטן.En: Yonah was surprised but responded with a small smile.He: "כן, הם מהממים.En: "Yes, they're stunning.He: מחפשת משהו למשפחה לפסח.En: I'm looking for something for the family for Passover."He: ""גם אני!En: "Me too!"He: " צחקה נועה.En: laughed Noa.He: "אולי נוכל לעזור אחת לשנייה.En: "Maybe we can help each other out."He: "הן התחילו לדבר, על פרחים, על חג הפסח המתקרב, על אמנות ועל קהילה.En: They started talking about flowers, about the upcoming Passover, about art, and about community.He: יונה רגשה לדבר עם מישהי כל כך פתוחה.En: Yonah felt excited to talk with someone so open.He: היא הרגישה קצת מחוץ לאזור הנוחות שלה, אבל גם משהו חמים ומזמין.En: She felt a bit out of her comfort zone but also something warm and inviting.He: "מה דעתך להצטרף אליי לסדר פסח קהילתי?En: "What do you think about joining me for a community Passover Seder?"He: " הציעה נועה.En: Noa suggested.He: "זה ערב מיוחד, עם הרבה אנשים ותרבות.En: "It's a special evening, with lots of people and culture."He: "יונה היססה, אבל הרגישה שמשהו בה מבקש את החיבור הזה.En: Yonah hesitated but felt something within her seeking this connection.He: היא הסכימה.En: She agreed.He: בערב הסדר, האולם היה מלא בחום וצחוק.En: On the evening of the Seder, the hall was filled with warmth and laughter.He: אנשים ישבו מסביב לשולחנות עמוסים בכל טוב, המזמינים את כולם להשתתף.En: People sat around tables laden with all kinds of goodies, inviting everyone to participate.He: יונה הייתה שקטה בתחילה, אך כשהגיעה תורה לספר על יצירתה, הרגישה את ההתרגשות.En: Yonah was quiet initially, but when it was her turn to share about her creation, she felt the excitement.He: הציור שלה שהוקדש להגדת הפסח הציג את מסע העם בדרך למשהו טוב יותר.En: Her painting dedicated to the Haggadah of Passover depicted the journey of the people towards something better.He: נועה הקשיבה בריכוז.En: Noa listened intently.He: "זה פשוט מדהים," היא אמרה ליונה לאחר שסיימה.En: "It's simply amazing," she said to Yonah after she finished.He: "את ממש מבינה את המסר.En: "You really understand the message."He: "בערב ההוא יונה ונועה דיברו על רעיונות לעבודה משותפת, לפרויקט שיכניס את התרבות ואת המסורת לאמנות קהילתית.En: That evening, Yonah and Noa talked about ideas for a joint project, to incorporate culture and tradition into community art.He: יונה מצאה את מקומה בקהילה, ונועה למדה איך לשלב עולמות שונים במהלך העשייה שלה.En: Yonah found her place in the community, and Noa learned how to blend different worlds in her endeavors.He: כשהן חזרו לאווירת השוק, עם מחשבות על מה שיבוא, הן ידעו שזה רק תחילתו של משהו חדש ומרגש – חיבור דרך אמנות וקהילה.En: As they returned to the atmosphere of the market, with thoughts about what's to come, they knew it was just the beginning of something new and exciting – a connection through art and community. Vocabulary Words:bustling: תוססscents: ריחותgazing: נדהstunning: מהממיםinspiration: השראהreserved: מסוגרתorganized: מאורגנתsparkle: ניצוץjoint project: עבודה משותפתcomfort zone: אזור הנוחותcommunity organizer: מאורגנת קהילתיתinviting: מזמיןdedicated: שהוקדשladen: עמוסיםintently: בריכוזendeavors: העשייהconnection: חיבורparticipate: להשתתףjourney: מסעblend: לשלבexcited: רגשהintroverted: שקטהhesitated: היססהculture: תרבותwarmth: חוםpassover: פסחseder: סדרgoody: טובreturn: חזרוnew: חדשBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Noam's Quest for the Spotlight: Spring Auditions Unveiled Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-04-15-07-38-20-he Story Transcript:He: האביב הגיע לביתו של נועם.En: Spring arrived at Noam's house.He: השמש החלה לחמם את הגינה הגדולה, ופרחים צבעוניים התמלאו בצידי השביל המוביל אל הבית המשפחתי הרחב.En: The sun began to warm the large garden, and colorful flowers filled the sides of the path leading to the wide family home.He: בתוך הבית, ההכנות לפסח היו בעיצומן.En: Inside the house, preparations for Pesach were in full swing.He: ריח המצה האפויה מילא את האוויר, וקולות הילדים שתרגלו את שורות המחזה נשמעו מכל עבר.En: The smell of baked matzah filled the air, and the sounds of children rehearsing their play lines were heard everywhere.He: נועם עמד בצד, מלטף את פסנתר הסלון הישן.En: Noam stood aside, gently caressing the old living room piano.He: "אני רוצה את התפקיד הראשי," לחש לעצמו.En: "I want the lead role," he whispered to himself.He: נועם היה ילד פיקח, אך ביישן, ותמיד הרגיש כי הוא נשכח בהמולת המשפחה הגדולה שלו.En: Noam was a clever child, but shy, and always felt forgotten amidst the chaos of his large family.He: אחיו הגדולים, אריאל ושירה, כבר זכו בתפקידים הראשיים במחזות הקודמים שלהם, והאור שבפניהם כבש את לב הקהל ואת תשומת לב הוריהם.En: His older siblings, Ariel and Shira, had already secured lead roles in their previous plays, and the light in their eyes captivated the audience's hearts and their parents' attention.He: "השנה זה יהיה אחרת," חשב נועם, אבל גם בלבו היה ספק קטן.En: "This year will be different," Noam thought, but there was still a little doubt in his heart.He: הוא ידע שהוא מוכשר, אבל האם הוא באמת יכול לעמוד בביטחון מול קהל ולזכות בתשומת הלב שכל כך חשק בה?En: He knew he was talented, but could he really stand confidently in front of an audience and gain the attention he so desired?He: הבוקר של האודישן הגיע, והבית היה מלא תנועה.En: The morning of the audition arrived, and the house was bustling.He: נועם היה צריך להחליט: האם להמשיך בהכנות לליל הסדר או לוודא שהוא מוכן לאודישן.En: Noam had to decide: whether to continue preparing for the Seder night or ensure he was ready for the audition.He: הספקות התחילו להתהפך בבטן שלו כמו פרפרים, ונועם חש כאילו הוא נקרע בין העולם הפרטי שלו לבין העולם שהוריו מצפים ממנו.En: Doubts started fluttering in his stomach like butterflies, and Noam felt as if he was torn between his private world and the world his parents expected of him.He: "שירה, אריאל," קרא להם נועם מהסלון.En: "Shira, Ariel," he called them from the living room.He: "אני באמת רוצה לנסות לתפקיד הזה.En: "I really want to try for this role.He: אתם חושבים שאני יכול?En: Do you think I can?"He: "שירה חייכה אליו בחום.En: Shira smiled warmly at him.He: "נועם, אתה תצליח בגדול.En: "Noam, you'll do great.He: אתה מוכשר ונהדר.En: You're talented and amazing."He: "אריאל הוסיף, "אם לא תנסה, איך תדע מה אתה באמת יכול לעשות?En: Ariel added, "If you don't try, how will you know what you can really do?"He: "נועם נשם עמוק, הרגיש את התמיכה של אחיו בגבו.En: Noam took a deep breath, feeling the support of his siblings behind him.He: הוא ידע שעליו לסמוך על עצמו.En: He knew he had to trust himself.He: הוא הניח את הדפים של ההגדה, אחז בתסריט וחזר על השורות שלו בלב שלם.En: He put down the Haggadah pages, took hold of the script, and rehearsed his lines wholeheartedly.He: כשנועם הגיע לאודישן, ידיו רעדו קצת.En: When Noam arrived at the audition, his hands trembled slightly.He: אך ברגע שהתחיל לדבר, חש התנערות ודאי והכל הלך כמו בחלום.En: But the moment he started speaking, he felt a surge of confidence and everything flowed like a dream.He: מילותיו היו ברורות ומרגשות, וכולם, כולל הוריו, הופתעו מיכולותיו.En: His words were clear and moving, and everyone, including his parents, was surprised by his abilities.He: נועם לא קיבל את התפקיד הראשי, אבל התפקיד המשני שקיבל היה חשוב ומאתגר מספיק כדי להראות את כישרונו.En: Noam didn't get the lead role, but the secondary role he received was important and challenging enough to showcase his talent.He: באותו ערב, המשפחה התכנסה שוב בבית הגדול.En: That evening, the family gathered again in the large house.He: שולחן הסדר היה מלא כל טוב, ונועם ידע שלמרות שאולי לא קיבל את התפקיד הגדול ביותר, הוא הצליח בדרך שלו.En: The seder table was filled with all sorts of delicacies, and Noam knew that even though he might not have gotten the biggest role, he succeeded in his own way.He: בסיום המחזה, הוריו חיבקו אותו בחום.En: At the end of the play, his parents hugged him warmly.He: “אנחנו כל כך גאים בך,” אמרה אמו, ודמעות קטנות בקצה עיניה.En: "We are so proud of you," his mother said, with small tears at the corners of her eyes.He: נועם למד שהערך שלו איננו נמדד רק בהשוואה לאחיו, אלא שהוא צריך להאמין בעצמו.En: Noam learned that his worth was not just measured in comparison to his siblings, but that he needed to believe in himself.He: וכך, בליבו של נועם נקבעה ההבנה שמצפה לעוד הרפתקאות, והוא מוכן להן בלב פתוח ואמיץ.En: And so, in Noam's heart, an understanding was set that more adventures await him, and he is ready for them with an open and brave heart. Vocabulary Words:arrived: הגיעpreparations: הכנותswing: בעיצומןsmell: ריחrehearsing: שתרגלוlines: שורותcaressing: מלטףwhispered: לחשshy: ביישןamidst: בהמולתcaptivated: כבשchaos: מהומהconfidence: ביטחוןbustling: מלא תנועהaudition: אודישןfluttering: להתהפךdecide: להחליטtorn: נקרעsupport: תמיכהtrembled: רעדוsurge: התנערותconfidently: בביטחוןgathered: התכנסהdelicacies: כל טובevening: ערבexplorations: הרפתקאותworthy: שווהcomparison: השוואהembraced: חיבקוtears: דמעותBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: Yud Alef Nissan Pesach Do we say Gut Yom Tov today? How do we honor the Rebbe's birthday? What is the single most important thing each of us should do on this special day? How did the Rebbe celebrate his birthday? What were the events that led to the things done for Yud Alef Nissan 5742 – eighty years? What is the significance of the number eleven? Is it significant that “peace in Israel” are the last words in Tehillim chapter 125, which we begin reciting today? Do some people receive answers from the Rebbe more than others?  Miracles and Iran Seder What is the relevance of the war in Iran to Pesach? What's the underlying message of Pesach? What does it truly mean to be free?  How is the energy of Nissan and Pesach different than that of ani l'dodi v'dodi li of Elul and Tishrei? Do I have to observe the holiday if I am experiencing financial difficulties, which cause stress and anxiety, antithetical to the theme of Passover? Why is Passover celebrated on the day the exodus happened, unlike Purim and Chanukah which are celebrated the day after the miracles happened?   Why do we celebrate it every year? Why does Passover have three names? What can we learn from the great miracle of Shabbos HaGadol and the other miracles of the time about today's miracles? How do we reconcile Chizkiyahu being criticized for not praising G-d's for His miracles with the ruling that one should not say Hallel every day – how do we find the right balance of acknowledging miracles in our lives? What can each of us do physically and spiritually to help protect all the innocent people and bring victory in the war against Iran? As an American who moved to Israel I am bemused by people questioning the safety of living here. How do we resolve a major conflict between husband and wife of how extreme we should be with our Pesach cleaning? Can you please share some memories of the Rebbe visiting different public Seders in Crown Heights? Why did he do so? Why did the Rebbe ask an artist to illustrate a special edition of the Haggadah for children? 

There is one powerful verse the ancient rabbis purposefully cut from the Passover story—and for good reason. Everybody asks why Moses is missing from the Haggadah. But what if we're asking the wrong question? In this final episode of the Madlik Haggadah, we explore a deeper and more urgent mystery: Where is the stranger?   Key Takeaways   The Haggadah Stops Too Soon The Mishnah tells us to read the Exodus story "until the end." But we don't. And the ending we skip is the most important part: "You, and the stranger in your midst."   2. Being Oppressed Doesn't Automatically Make You Moral The Torah doesn't assume we'll learn the right lesson. It commands—again and again: Love the stranger. Because history shows: those without power don't always become compassionate when they gain it."   3. Redemption Isn't Leaving Egypt—It's What You Do After For centuries in exile, this was theoretical. Not anymore. Now that we have power, the story changes: The real test of freedom is how we treat the stranger.   Timestamps   [00:00] Welcome to Malik [00:26] Where Is the Stranger [02:21] Mishnah's Hidden Clue [03:52] The Verse We Skip [05:57] Why Rabbis Cut It [06:28] Power and Hagar [08:31] Sponsor Break [09:29] Back in the Land [11:24] Responsibility With Power [12:30] The Real Praise   Links & Learnings   Sign up for free and get more from our weekly newsletter https://madlik.com/ Sefaria Source Sheet: https://voices.sefaria.org/sheets/229545 Transcript here: https://madlik.substack.com/

On today's special Passover episode, we pause our study of Menachot 86, 87, and 88 for an end-of-festival special featuring producer Josh Kross. Since we have spent so many days discussing the "unleavened bread offerings" of these pages, we pivot to an exploration of the "Wicked Child" in the Haggadah. We re-examine the famous question—"What is this ritual to you?"—not as a sneer of exclusion, but as a profound challenge of identity. Through the insights of Rabbi Sari Laufer, we explore how every child at the Seder is already part of the story, proving that even the most difficult questions are a vital spark for spiritual renewal. How can the "wicked" child actually be the deepest seeker at the table? Listen and find out.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Religion and archaeology correspondent Rossella Tercatin joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Tercatin discusses the efforts of Queen Farah Phalavi, the third wife of the former Shah of Iran, who used her art degree and wealth from soaring oil prices before the Islamic revolution, to assemble an art collection of masterpieces for the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, now hidden for much of the last 47 years. She also reports on a new haggadah by Bar-Ilan University biblical scholar Prof. Joshua Berman that examines what the Torah and Haggadah tell us about Egypt and Egyptian culture, and their influence on the story of Passover and the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: One of the most inaccessible art collections in the world awaits liberation in Tehran How the Exodus story subverts pharaonic texts to mock ancient Egypt Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Yitzchak Ledee. IMAGE: A visitor walks past China's late leader, Mao Zedong painting series by American artist Andy Warhol at Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art in Tehran, Iran on October 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's special episode, we step away from the usual pages of ⁠Menachot 80-82⁠ to bring you a compact, deep-dive meditation on the Haggadah just in time for Passover. We explore why tradition insists on having multiple commentaries at the table, the mystery of Lot's ancient matzah, and the "Dayenu" principle of finding gratitude in every stage of the journey. From the historical defiance of King David's plumbing to the spiritual "accessory packs" of the sacrificial offerings, we connect the dots between the Talmud's logic and the Seder's story of liberation. How can a simple piece of unleavened bread transform our modern understanding of freedom and faith? Listen and find out.

Pesach 5786 - Haggadah Episode 5786 - Live @ Modern Bread & Bagel כורך: ‫זכר למקדש כהלל. כן עשה הלל בזמן שבית המקדש היה קים. ‫היה כורך מצה ומרור ואוכל ביחד, לקים מה שנאמר, על מצות ומרוֹרים יאכלהו. In memory of the Temple, in the tradition of Hillel. This is what Hillel would do when the Temple still stood: he would wrap [the Pesach offering] up with matza and bitter herbs and eat them together, to fulfill what is said: “You shall eat it with matza and bitter herbs. Eat while reclining to the left.”

We say in the Haggadah that if Hashem did not take us out of Mitzrayim, we would still have been slaves to Pharaoh there. The mefarshim ask: didn't Hashem promise Abraham that He would redeem his children from Mitzrayim after 400 years? So even if we did not leave early at 210 years, Hashem would still have had to redeem us eventually. So how could we say that we would still be slaves there even until today? The Beit HaLevi answers based on the words of the Arizal, who said that if the Jewish people would have remained in Mitzrayim any longer than they did, they would have sunk into the fiftieth level of tumah. At that point, they would have lost their connection to the holy Avot and would no longer be considered the zaro(seed) of Abraham, similar to Esav and Yishmael. In that state, indeed, they would never have been redeemed. Rav Leib Chasman writes that we see from here the awesome power of a moment in time. Instead of being stuck in Mitzrayim on the fiftieth level of tumah, Hashem rushed the Jewish people out of there at the last moment. They then became elevated to be the Am Hashem for all eternity and to receive the Torah at Har Sinai. How quickly things can change in just a single moment. When a person is going through a hard time and it seems like things will never change, he must strengthen his hope and belief that Hashem can change everything in a moment. A man related that he was working in an office with little potential for growth. There were days when he would sit for hours upon hours with nothing to do. His boss kept telling him things were going to change, but they never did. He had no choice but to send his resume to other companies. He was told about a great job opportunity at a wholesale company and quickly sent his resume there. They called him shortly afterward, saying it looked like the position was already being filled. He found himself once again stuck in a job with little potential, and there were not many good options available. One day, he said to himself, "I am exactly where Hashem wants me to be, and therefore I have to do whatever work I have with joy." As he was waiting for instructions from his boss that day, he called a hotline and listened to a few clips on emunah. He became so encouraged. He walked down the hallway of that office building feeling so happy. At that moment, he received a call saying that the other job was available and that they wanted him. It was an amazing offer with a very high salary. He became so strengthened, seeing the hand of Hashem pulling him out of a job he was not happy with to a job that was perfect for him. All it took was one moment. A young woman shared that this past year she began reading a book on emunah to give her strength while going through shidduchim. Recently, she realized she was getting close to the end of the book and was dating a boy very seriously. She was thinking to herself how nice it would be if she could finish the book right as she got engaged. But a couple of days later, they both realized they were not for each other, and it ended. It was obviously very disappointing for her. She then pictured herself having to start the book all over again once she finished, needing the strength to continue on. However, Hashem, in His infinite kindness, sent her the boy that was meant for her literally the next day. Baruch Hashem, they had a very smooth and quick dating experience, and she finished the book just as she got engaged to him. She thought there would be no way for that to happen, as she was nearing the end of the book with nothing to look forward to. And then, all of a sudden, in one moment, Hashem sent her the greatest yeshuah, and she celebrated her engagement shortly afterward. So much can happen in one moment of time. We must never underestimate the ability of Hashem to give us the most glorious salvations in the blink of an eye.

Download Rabbi Bernath's Haggadah HERE https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/98kilqi70z1cpqcn47jo0/Rabbi-Yisroel-s-Passover-Haggadah-Version-6B.pdf?rlkey=2gbd5i1u1fx0787fochlrpj6b&dl=0Most people prepare for the Seder like they're hosting a dinner. The food is ready. The table is set. The Haggadah is in place. But the Seder was never meant to be something you run. It's something you enter. In this class, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath reframes Seder preparation, not as logistics, but as inner work. From the wine to the matzah, from the questions to the story, every detail becomes a doorway into something deeper: presence, identity, freedom, and transformation. Because the real preparation for Pesach isn't just cleaning your home. It's clearing space within yourself. This class walks you through how to prepare not just your table… but your mindset, your heart, and your story—so when the Seder begins, you're not just going through it… You're living it.Key Takeaways1. The Seder isn't a performance, it's an experience: You can do everything “right”… and miss the point. The goal isn't perfection. It's presence. Come as you are and step in fully.2. Freedom is personal: Everyone has their own cup of wine—because everyone has their own Egypt. The question isn't just what happened back then. It's: Where am I stuck right now and what would freedom look like for me?3. Matzah is not just food, it's truth: Flat. Simple. No fluff. Freedom begins when you stop performing and start being real. Less image. More honesty.4. The Seder holds opposites and so can you: Pain and gratitude. Bitterness and growth. Slavery and freedom. Real growth isn't choosing one over the other. It's learning how to hold both.5. Curiosity is the gateway to freedom: The Seder is built on questions. Not because we don't know, but because we're still growing. The moment you stop asking… you stop moving.6. You don't need everything to begin: We break the matzah and tell the story over the smaller piece. Because transformation doesn't start when you “have it all together.” It starts with what you have right now.7. The story only works if you're in it: If there's no personal connection… it's just history. The Seder becomes powerful when you realize: You're not telling their story. You're telling yours.8. Freedom is built in small, intentional choices: Not one dramatic moment. But step by step. Choice by choice. Leaving Egypt is not an event. It's a process.9.Available now:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Forgiveness-Experiment-What-Would-Your/dp/1069217638Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FR2QNJL6Audiobook: https://bit.ly/4tPFZhVSupport the showGot your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath's work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi

We are pleased to bring you the audio shiur given on the topic of the Pesach Haggadah - Part II.

What does it mean to tell the Passover story as a truly diverse people? In this episode, Rabbi Marc Katz sits down with editor Rabbi Sarah Berman to discuss Haggadah Shel Erev Rav: The Mixed Multitude Haggadah (CCAR Press, 2026), a bold and beautiful reimagining of the Passover seder. Inspired by the biblical image of the erev rav—the “mixed multitude” that left Egypt together—this Haggadah celebrates the many voices that make up the Jewish people. It invites readers to rediscover the Exodus story through four distinctive pathways: the voices of children, the experiences of women, the moral urgency of social justice, and the presence of God in the work of liberation. With an inclusive and accessible translation, thoughtful commentary, and vivid original artwork by Indian Jewish artist Siona Benjamin, Haggadah Shel Erev Rav blends deep tradition with contemporary insight. Created in celebration of Rabbi Angela W. Buchdahl's twentieth anniversary at Central Synagogue, the book offers a fresh lens on one of Judaism's most beloved rituals—helping families and communities transform the seder into a space of reflection, connection, and renewal. Together, Berman and Katz explore how the Passover story continues to evolve, what it means to honor many voices at the table, and how the ancient narrative of liberation can speak powerfully to modern Jewish life. About the Guest Rabbi Sarah Berman is the Director of Jewish Culture and Programming at Central synagogue. She is the editor of Haggadah Shel Erev Rav: The Mixed Multitude Haggadah. About the Host Marc Katz is the Senior rabbi of Temple Ner Tamid and the author of Yochanan's Gamble: Judaism's Pragmatic Approach to Life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

There is an irony set at the cornerstone of Jewish memory. The very texts that proclaim the Jewish people's liberation from Egypt—the Song of the Sea, the Haggadah that we recite at the Passover seder—borrow their most evocative imagery from the propaganda of our Egyptian oppressors. For instance: the phrase "mighty hand and outstretched arm," which the Torah uses to describe God's miraculous deeds, appears hundreds of times in the royal inscriptions of the Egyptian New Kingdom, applied to the pharaoh himself. The Torah doesn't just recount the Hebrew slaves' deliverance from Egypt. The Torah took Egyptian language, Egyptian symbols, and even Egypt's greatest military triumph, and turned it all inside out. This is the argument that the Bar-Ilan University Bible professor Joshua Berman has been developing for years, including in the pages of Mosaic. And that insight now resides at the center of his new Haggadah, lavishly illustrated with hieroglyphics, photos, and sketches that situate the Passover seder in the historical setting from which the Hebrew slaves escaped. Rabbi Berman joins Mosaic's editor Jonathan Silver to discuss the book, and the argument that underlies it. This week's episode of the Tikvah Podcast is generously sponsored by Dr. Michael Schmerin and family. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of the Tikvah Podcast, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle. Visit tikvah.org/circle to learn more and join.

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What if the line in the Haggadah isn't history… but a diagnosis? “If G-d hadn't taken us out of Egypt, we would still be there.” Not physically. Psychologically. Spiritually. Emotionally. In this heart-open Kabbalah class, Rabbi Bernath unpacks the deeper meaning of Egypt, not as a place, but as a mindset. An inner voice that says, “This is just who I am.” A life shaped by patterns we stopped questioning.Discover how the Exodus introduced something the world had never known before: the possibility of change. A new language. A new identity. A new way to see yourself—not as a product of your past, but as a soul with infinite capacity to grow.This isn't about leaving Egypt. It's about realizing you were never meant to stay.Takeaways:Egypt isn't a place, it's a mindset of limitation and resignationThe deepest slavery is when you stop believing change is possibleThe Exodus gave the world a new “language of freedom”Every inner shift, from fear to courage, from stuck to growth, is a personal ExodusYou don't need to become someone new, you need to remember who you already areFreedom begins the moment you challenge the story that says “this is just me”#Judaism #Exodus #Pesach #Passover #PesachEnergy #InnerFreedom #BreakTheCycle#YouAreNotStuck #spiritualgrowth #JewishWisdom #Kabbalah #MindsetShift #EmotionalHealing #FromEgyptToFreedom #chassidus #PersonalTransformation #LetMyPeopleGo Available now:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Forgiveness-Experiment-What-Would-Your/dp/1069217638Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FR2QNJL6Audiobook: https://bit.ly/4tPFZhVSupport the showGot your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath's work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi

5786

#456> To purchase the Haggadah: https://alehzayis.com/product/the-attached-haggadah/> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DZ3C2CjUeD9AGJvXeEODtK> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp status: https://wa.me/message/TI343XQHHMHPN1>  To support the podcast or to sponsor an episode follow this link: https://seforimchatter.com/support-seforimchatter/or email seforimchatter@gmail.com (Zelle/QP this email address)Support the show

We are pleased to bring you the audio shiur given on the topic of the Pesach Haggadah - Part I.

#454> Purchase the Haggadah (with free shipping): https://alehzayis.com/product/%d7%94%d7%92%d7%93%d7%94-%d7%a9%d7%9c-%d7%a4%d7%a1%d7%97-%d7%a2%d7%9c%d7%94-%d7%96%d7%99%d7%aa/> To listen to Rabbi Szimonowitz's shiurim on haggadah: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kol-aleh-zayis/id1838344476?i=1000756155997> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DZ3C2CjUeD9AGJvXeEODtK> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp status: https://wa.me/message/TI343XQHHMHPN1>  To support the podcast or to sponsor an episode follow this link: https://seforimchatter.com/support-seforimchatter/or email seforimchatter@gmail.com (Zelle/QP this email address)Support the show

This episode dives into the harsh realities of divorce for men, including child support, custody struggles, and the hidden emotional weight they carry. From social isolation and stigma to the chaos of dating and blended families, nothing is left untouched. At its core, this episode is about resilience, self-reflection, and finding meaning after loss.Guest Links:→ Dr. Shalom Augenmbaum's book on divorce: https://bit.ly/4rQeBxXCode: INSPIRE for 15% OFF→ Carlos' IG: https://www.instagram.com/akiva_carlos/→ Imray's email: imrayphee@gmail.com✬ SPONSORS OF THE EPISODE ✬► JWED: The #1 Jewish Dating for Marriage SiteOver 4,000 marriages created through JWED. And hopefully yours next too.Get started here→ https://bit.ly/47fC58i► Tova Beauty + Beauty by Tova NussbaumLakewood is a major hub of the Jewish world, and Tova Beauty stands out for the right reasons- especially when reliability matters most, like when a last-minute cancellation before a wedding turns everything into chaos. Known for combining real talent with true dependability, they offer everything from in-salon hair, makeup, and nails to on-site services for simchas, plus a full line of Pesach-friendly cosmetics available at tovabeauty.com - so when it counts, you know it's handled.Contact here:→ https://bit.ly/4t288RG► Wheels To Lease: #1 Car Company For over 35 years, Wheels To Lease has offered stress-free car buying with upfront pricing, no hidden fees, and door-to-door delivery. → CALL/TEXT: 718-871-8715 → EMAIL: inspire@wheelstolease.com→ WEB: https://bit.ly/41lnzYU→ WHATSAPP: https://wa.link/0w46ce► BitBean: Smart Custom Software Built for YouYaakov here. Just make the call. They can help you.Reach Out Here→ https://bitbean.link/MeEBlY► Mossaica Press: The Top Haggadah for 2026Haggadah shel Pesach – B'Damayich Chayi by Rabbi Yehoshua Gavriel Forgy treats the Haggadah as a serious interpretive document rather than a conventional commentary. Written with the sobriety of the post–October 7 moment, Rabbi Forgy argues that the Seder's structure and language serve as an annual reintroduction to Jewish peoplehood: how Jews understand themselves, why they endure, and what life among the nations consistently requires.Code: INSPIRE for 15% OFF→ https://bit.ly/4cVHxkn_____________________________________✬ IN MEMORY OF ✬ This episode is in memory of: ​ Miram Sarah bas Yaakov Moshe ​ Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima #iftn Lchaim.

#453> To purchase the Haggadah:  https://mosaicapress.com/product/bdamayich-chayi/?sld=seforimchatter use code CHATTER for 15% off> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DZ3C2CjUeD9AGJvXeEODtK> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp status: https://wa.me/message/TI343XQHHMHPN1>  To support the podcast or to sponsor an episode follow this link: https://seforimchatter.com/support-seforimchatter/or email seforimchatter@gmail.com (Zelle/QP this email address)Support the show

#452> To purchase the Haggadah: https://mosaicapress.com/product/the-rhyme-and-reason-haggadah/?sld=seforimchatter use code CHATTER for 15% off> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DZ3C2CjUeD9AGJvXeEODtK> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp status: https://wa.me/message/TI343XQHHMHPN1>  To support the podcast or to sponsor an episode follow this link: https://seforimchatter.com/support-seforimchatter/or email seforimchatter@gmail.com (Zelle/QP this email address)Support the show

#451> To purchase the Haggadah: https://amzn.to/4bty0yD> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DZ3C2CjUeD9AGJvXeEODtK> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp status: https://wa.me/message/TI343XQHHMHPN1>  To support the podcast or to sponsor an episode follow this link: https://seforimchatter.com/support-seforimchatter/or email seforimchatter@gmail.com (Zelle/QP this email address)Support the show

#450> To purchase the Haggadah: https://mosaicapress.com/product/psychology-personal-growth-haggadah/?sld=seforimchatter and use code CHATTER for 15% off> To purchase Rabbi Feder's books on Chumash: https://mosaicapress.com/product/psychology-and-personal-growth-in-the-torah/?sld=seforimchatter and https://mosaicapress.com/product/psychology-and-personal-growth-in-the-torah-vol-2/?sld=seforimchatter> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DZ3C2CjUeD9AGJvXeEODtK> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp status: https://wa.me/message/TI343XQHHMHPN1>  To support the podcast or to sponsor an episode follow this link: https://seforimchatter.com/support-seforimchatter/or email seforimchatter@gmail.com (Zelle/QP this email address)Support the show

Our Intergenerational Divergence series is sponsored by our friends Sarala and Danny Turkel.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Yakov Danishefsky—a licensed clinical social worker and the author of The Attached Haggadah—about the imperfect ways in which we transmit the Jewish story. In this episode we discuss:How do we deal with the lived reality that the Passover Seder isn't a perfect transmission of our foundational beliefs? Why do some people try to leave Yiddishkeit while others stay in the community?What is the deeper significance of chametz and matza?Tune in for a conversation about the role of broken expectations in the story of our redemption.Interview begins at 12:29.Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist. He is the founder of Mind Body Therapy, a private group practice in Chicago. Yakov has semicha and a Master's in Jewish Philosophy from Yeshiva University and is a popular speaker, teacher, and author on the intersection of spirituality, philosophy, and psychology. He is the author of Attached: Connecting to Our Creator: A Jewish Psychological Approach.References:Home Is Where We Start From: Essays by a Psychoanalyst by D. W. WinnicottReb Meilech on the Haggadah by Yisroel BesserThe Attached Haggadah by Rabbi Yakov DanishefskyAttached: Connecting to Our Creator: A Jewish Psychological Approach by Rabbi Yakov DanishefskyBerakhot 3aTzidkat HaTzadik 154The Baderech Haggadah by Rav Judah Mischel18Forty Podcast: Yakov Danishefsky: Religion and Mental Health: God and UsFor more 18Forty:NEWSLETTER: 18forty.org/joinCALL: (212) 582-1840EMAIL: info@18forty.orgWEBSITE: 18forty.orgIG: @18fortyX: @18_fortyWhatsApp: join hereBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

#449> To purchase the Haggadah: https://mosaicapress.com/product/the-winding-road-of-redemption/?sld=seforimchatter and use code CHATTER for 15% off> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DZ3C2CjUeD9AGJvXeEODtK> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp status: https://wa.me/message/TI343XQHHMHPN1>  To support the podcast or to sponsor an episode follow this link: https://seforimchatter.com/support-seforimchatter/or email seforimchatter@gmail.com (Zelle/QP this email address)Support the show