Podcasts about mitzrayim

Welcome to the Daily Bitachon. Today, we begin a special mini-series called Rising Lion, named for the current war initiative in Eretz Yisrael against Iran, presumably coined by our Prime Minister Netanyahu. Interestingly there's a picture circulating in the media (see above ),showing Netanyahu standing by the Kotel, with a closeup of the note he placed the Kotel , dated ט׳ז סיון תשפ׳ה , the Thursday before the war started. In the corner, it says, " BeSiyata DiShmaya, " and he wrote the following five words, quoted from Bamidbar 23,24 עָם כְּלָבִיא יָקוּם וְכַאֲרִי יִתְנַשָּׂא / Am k'lavi yakum u'k'ari yitnasa which means A nation that gets up like a lioness and rises like a lion So the Prime Minister sent a letter to Hashem, evoking this pasuk . And while we don't know what he was actually thinking, we can study this pasuk. Firstly, the Gemara in Berachot 12b tells us that the Rabbis wanted to include the parashah of Bilam's curses, which turned into blessings in Kriyat Shema, but didn't because it was too long- it would be a torach tzibur—a burden on the congregation. But what is it about Parasha of Bilam that they wanted to include? One possibility is that it contains the phrase: "El motzia miMitzrayim/ God took us out of Egypt . Let's explain for a moment. There are three parshiyot in Kriyat Shema . The first two make sense to say every morning and night because they literally say, " b'shochb'cha uv'kumecha" — when you lie down and when you rise up. The third parashah, of Tzitzit —doesn't clearly say that it needs to be said every day. But because it mentions Yetziat Mitzrayim , we say it daily as a reminder. . We could have used another passage, such as this one, but it was too long. Still, we can ask, what was its unique value? The Maharsha citing the Gemara tells us that the power of this section lies in our pasuk: Hein am k'lavi yakum u'k'ari yitnasa/the Jewish people rise like a lion. This is a very important pasuk and that's why it could have been included in the daily Shema. On a simple level the Seforno says the nation is like a lion. What does a lion do? " להלחם עם מי שלא נלחם בם כלל /it fights even those who haven't attacked it yet. Fascinating. We attacked Iran before Iran attacked us. That's the rising lion —one that doesn't wait to be attacked. Next, an interesting point is brought by the Or HaChaim HaKadosh: A lion, even as it ages, gains strength. No matter how many battles it fights, it doesn't grow weaker—it grows stronger. B'ezrat Hashem, that will be fulfilled for us as well, even though we are engaged in many wars. Additionally, he says: לא ישכב / He doesn't go to sleep. What does that mean? " שאין הלילה מפלט לנוס מפניו, /you can't escape from the rising lion, even at night. Light and darkness are the same to him. Yehoshua stopped the sun—we don't care about day or night. Even when everyone else is sleeping, the lion is attacking. Night attacks! And finally, the Meshech Chochmah says: What makes the Jewish people a rising lion? When a lion is lying down, it looks like nothing. When you drive by on safari—he's just lying there, chilling out, yawning. He doesn't seem like anything. But when he gets up, you see his power. Similarly, the Jewish people came out of Mitzrayim as slaves, untrained. But suddenly, he says, they became a great power. The Jewish people, like the lion, rise without any help from others. [ שאין העזר מהשתתפות ממלכות אחרים רק מעצמו, /there's no alliance or outside support. He rises on his own, like a lion that doesn't call out to others. He says, that's why the pasuk right before the rising Lion says: כי לא נחש ביעקב ולא קסם כו', שאין בהפלאים של ישראל שום נחש או קסם, רק השי"ת. / there's no witchcraft in Israel. "Ka'et ye'amer l'Yaakov u'l'Yisrael mah pa'al El" — it becomes obvious what God has done. When the Jewish people go to war, it's clear they're not winning by natural means. " כי אין זה סדור טבעי this isn't normally natural. . It's Hashgacha pratit/ Divine Providenc e from the all powerful God. It's not the result of witchcraft or sorcery. " שאין בהפלאים של ישראל שום נחש או קסם /The successes and wonders of Israel are not due to magic. It all comes from Hashem Yitbarach. So what do we learn from the pasuk that Prime Minister Netanyahu chose of the rising lion? 1. The lion attacks before being attacked. 2. The lion grows stronger with age. 3. The lion attacks at night. 4. The lion needs no help from anyone else. Why? Because its power comes entirely from Hashem.

Welcome to Daily Bitachon . We're on our final pasuk of Bikurim quoted in the Haggadah shel Pesach , "ויוציאנו ה׳ ממצרים" . Finally, God took us out of Egypt . "ביד חזקה" – with a strong hand, " בזרוע נטויה" – with an outstretched arm, " במורא גדול" – with great fear, " באותות" – with signs, and " ובמופתים" – with wonders. The Ba'al Haggadah explains " ויוציאנו ה׳ ממצרים ," with a very long description before proving it. He tells us there was no other force—not an angel, not a "fiery" angel, nor a messenger. Rather, it was " הקדוש ברוך הוא בכבודו ובעצמו" – God Himself took us out of Egypt. This refers specifically to Makat Bechorot , as the pasuk says, " And I passed in the land of Mitzrayim on this night, and I hit every firstborn in Mitzrayim , from man to animal, and with all of the gods of Egypt, I judged, Ani Hashem." This pasuk definitely requires explanation and understanding, as we have to remember Yetziat Mitzrayim every single day. God took us out of Egypt at midnight on that night. Why does it say midnight? There is a discussion about when the main Yetziat Mitzrayim was. Was it at night or by day? The reason we say Kriat Shema both at night and during the day is because there was an aspect of Yetziat Mitzrayim both at night and by day. There are two important lessons based on what happened at that moment. As mentioned previously, the Egyptians worshipped the sheep. The reason they worshipped the sheep was because the sheep was called Bechor Lamazalot . It was the firstborn of all the symbols of the horoscope. Sheep, or Aries as it's referred to in Latin, is why the month of Aviv, springtime when we got out, is called Aviv. It's a contraction of two words, " אב י"ב," the father of 12. The ram symbolizes the father, the first of the 12 symbols. Therefore, the Egyptians worshipped the ram and the sheep, due to their belief that this was the mazal that was in charge of the world. Furthermore, they respected the firstborn children because they were also connected to the horoscope of the sheep. The reason for Yetziat Mitzrayim was to take the Jewish people out from under mazal and have us deal directly with Hashem. This originated with Avraham Avinu. When he didn't have any children, God said, " צא החוצה" / " Go outside". Rashi says this meant, "Go out of the horoscope". We are above the horoscope. In order to portray this concept that God is the only force in nature and all other seeming forces do not have independent power, it was God Himself that wiped out the Egyptian gods and showed the world that the Egyptian horoscope symbol had no force. The reason it happened on the 15th of the month is because that is when the moon is fullest, which is the most powerful time. And Chatzot Laila , midnight, is the "power of the power". So at the point when the sheep was most powerful in the month of Nissan, its own month, we were going to bring her to her knees. And that's what happened. We have to always remember Yetziat Mitzrayim . There is a famous Nefesh HaChaim ( Shaar Gimmel, Perek Yud-Bet ), where he cites the Gemara of a certain witch that was trying to cast a spell on Rav Chanina ben Dosa, and he said, "You're wasting your time. אין עוד מלבדו" – " There is nothing else but Him". The Gemara says, "What do you mean? Kishuf / witchcraft, is able to undo things that seemingly are against God's decree!". To which the Gemara says, Rav Chanina ben Dosa had great zechut . The Nefesh HaChaim says that doesn't mean he had a lot of mitzvot . It means he had the clarity that there's nothing else but HaKadosh Baruch Hu , and he realized that this kishuf was created from God, and nothing exists other than God, and everything here comes from God. With that, he was able to undo any kishuf powers. That's the same Rav Chanina ben Dosa who said, "No problem," when his daughter complained that they had no oil to light the candles, only vinegar. "What's the difference? The One that said oil should light, [can also say] vinegar should light". That means it wasn't a miracle for him; he didn't see a difference between oil and vinegar. It was all Hashem. There are many such stories about Rav Chanina ben Dosa. The Nefesh HaChaim applies this to us and says, "This is inyan gadol v'segulah nifla'ah " – A wondrous segulah to remove all judgments and negative wills of others against you, so that they can't affect you, won't impact you, and won't make an indent at all. If a person says in his heart, "I know Hashem is in charge, and He's the only true force, there's nothing else but Him, and everything in the world only comes from Him," and he annuls in his heart a total annulment and does not pay attention to anything else in the world but God's will, and subjugates himself and connects the purity of his thoughts to God, insofar as he does that, God will annul all those negative forces so they can't impact him at all. This is easier said than done. But the point is that this revelation of " אין עוד מלבדו" ) Ein Od Milevado ) happened at the time of Makat Bechorot . It was totally revealed later on at Har Sinai, where it says, " אתה הראת לדעת כי ה׳ הוא האלקים אין עוד מלבדו" . There they actually saw it. God , it says, split open the heavens and showed them that there's nothing in the world but God. But the beginning, so to say, of God showing us this was at Makat Bechorot at Chatzot Laila . Furthermore, the Nefesh HaChaim in Shaar Gimmel, Perek Gimmel , tells us that it says, " ה׳ הוא מקומו של עולם" – " God is the place of the world," and " ואין העולם מקומו" – " and the world doesn't hold Him". One of God's names is Makom , which means that nothing else exists without Him. He's the place ; everything is within Him. It's interesting that the term Makom is used in the Haggadah shel Pesach , possibly more than any other place, when talking about God. ברוך המקום ברוך הוא. ברוך שנתן תורה לעמו ישראל ברוך הוא". "ברוך המקום ". "ועכשיו קרבנו המקום לעבודתו" – " And now the Makom (God) brought us close to His service" . "כמה מעלות טובות למקום עלינו" – " How many great qualities is it to God," referred to as Makom . "על אחת כמה וכמה טובה כפולה ומכופלת למקום עלינו" – four times it says Makom . Because this is the night that we understood this important lesson. Rav Shimshon Pinkus, in his book Tiferet Shimshon on Devarim , in Parashat Re'eh where it says " בנים אתם לה׳", says that's why, heaven forbid, when someone passes away, the custom in many communities is to say, " המקום ינחם אתכם" / God, who is called Makom , should bring you comfort" . But why is the term Makom used here? Because of this concept that God is Mekomo shel Olam , God holds everything , there's nothing there but Him. And therefore, Lo Alenu , with a problem or without a problem, with a parent or without a parent, HaKadosh Baruch Hu is the constant in their lives, and that concept should bring nechama . May we all hear nechamot from all the tzarot that we go through, and have the ultimate revelation of Makom in the future.

Welcome to Daily Bitachon , lessons that we're learning from the psukim in Ki Tavo . Hashem saw את לחצינו / et lachatzeinu . Says the Ba'al Hagada, zeh hadachak / This is the pressure , as it says: Vegam ra'iti et halachatz , asher Mitzrayim lochatzim otam / I saw the pressure that the Mitzrim placed upon them What is that pressure referring to? Simply speaking the Kol Bo (on chapter 51), Avudarham and others say it's talking about the pressure of needing more and more bricks. So they were under tremendous pressure and Hashem saw that pressure. But the Ritva , in his commentary to the Hagada, explains that this pressure refers to when the Egyptians, seeing that they couldn't break them with physical work, started pressuring them into worshipping Avodah Zarah . And that's what Hashem saw. That was the lachatz , and it caused them to be redeemed faster, because Hashem saw they couldn't withstand the test. As we know, they were about to enter the 50th gate of tumah . They had to get out fast. As we will come to see, the Baal Hagada makes the point that the things that Paroah was doing to break us, actually got us out faster. The Sefer Chanukat HaTorah in Vayikra chapter 1, pasuk ה , tells us that Hashem saw three things: onyeinu , amalenu , lachatzeinu . Onyeinu meant the fact that the husbands and wives were separated. One of the reasons they were separated was because the men were in the fields 24 hours at a time. Amalenu refers to the children, which could mean the multitude of children that were born, whom the Mitzrim felt they had to wipe them out. And lachatzeinu was the pressure. He says there are three reasons why we got out early: One was because we worked the night shift. The second was because we had a lot of children and they did a tremendous amount of work. And the third reason was the tremendous pressure. The Ba'al Hagada explains that Hashem saw these three things that Paroah did-he made them work day and night; he felt the need to wipe out the children because there were so many of them; And he pressured them, and all of these things got us out faster. That's why the next pasuk says, Vayotzi'einu Hashem miMitzrayim , Hashem took us out of Mitzrayim. We will add a very interesting thought from the Sefer Ateret Yeshua on the Hagada shel Pesach , written by a Rebbe from the town of Dzikov (1848-1912) who was known for his gematrias. He says that these three things that Hashem saw, onyeinu , amalenu and lachatzeinu , are why we have the three mitzvot of Pesach , Matzah , and Maror - they correspond to these three sufferings. These three sufferings actually created three mitzvot - Pesach , Matzah , and Maror ! As we said, that's what got us out faster. It's an unbelievable concept, how Hashem can take all of that suffering and produce something so special with it. And he says, therefore, the numerical value of פסח מצה מרור Pesach , Matzah , Maror is דרך ארץ בנים דחק Derech eretz , as we said, was prishut derech eretz , separating them from the normal fashion of husband and wife living together. Banim is the children. And dachak is the pressure. So it's an unbelievable hint here, that what was negative actually created these three mitzvot . So the negative got us out of Egypt faster, as the Sefer Chanukat HaTorah says. But more than that, it actually created these three mitzvot . Thus far, we have the Chanukat HaTorah that points out the theme that runs through these three things is they all got us out of Mitzrayim earlier. Similarly, we have amalenu zeh habanim like we said yesterday from the Maharil Diskin , the fact that they killed the children got us out earlier because we were producing children that didn't make it, and Hashem viewed it as if those children were actually working. So everything the Egyptians did backfired. The extra work backfired. The children backfired. The night shift backfired. The attempt to make them lose their spirituality backfired. Everything backfired. The Gaon of Vilna has a different thread between these three things that Hashem saw as we're winding down from what Hashem saw. And he says these three topics of family life, husband and wife, children and pressure, pressure is because you're squeezed into a small, tight confines. These he says are the three fundamentals that a person needs to survive. He needs to have a wife, children, and a house. That's the basic household. You have a place to live with your wife and your children. They were trying to uproot these three things. And when Hashem saw that they were uprooting the very basic fiber of the Jewish household, and the Jews were at their breaking point, He could no longer allow that to happen. And as we will soon see, Vayotzi'einu Hashem miMitzrayim , Hashem will actually take us out of Mitzrayim . That is going to be the final pasuk . And as we often say, this applies in our lives today as well. Sometimes when you hit the breaking point, that's when the yeshua has to come.

Welcome to Daily Bitachon , as we continue with lessons in Bitachon from Pesukim in Ki Tavo . We are now up to וירא את ענינו / Vayar et Onyenu / And God saw our pain. This was after we cried out to God, as it says, Vanitzak el Hashem Elokei Avoteinu/We cried out to God, Vayishma Hashem/ And Hashem heard our voices . And the next thing that happens is, Vayar et Onyenu/ Hashem saw our pain. What is that referring to? Zu perishut derech eretz/This refers to the fact that husbands and wives separated. Why did they separate? Many Rishonim explain that it was due to the decree that all boys had to be thrown into the Nile River, as Rashi tells us in Shemot 2:1, where it says Vayikach et Bat Lev i, Amram takes Yocheved. Amram had separated from Yocheved because of the decree of Paroah, and now he remarried her, as it says, Vayelech/And he went. He went and followed his daughter Miriam's advice, when she said, ' Your decree is worse than Paroah's. Paraoh's decree was only on the males but by not being married, your decree is on the males and the females.' We see from here that the Jewish people, on their own, made a decision to separate from their wives. Hashem saw the pain that occurred as a result. Families were being broken apart due to their decision to not bring more children into the world, if those children were just going to be drowned. So that's Vayar et Onyenu Zu perishut derech eretz . As usual, the Ba'al Haggadah brings a proof, as it says, Vayar Elohim et Bnei Yisrael/ Hashem saw what happened to Bnei Yisrael . Vayeda Elohim / And Hashem knew . Simply, Hashem saw, Vayar et Onyenu , and here it says Vayar Elohim , Hashem saw our pain and He knew. But how do we know that this has to do with them being separated? Because it says Vayeda Elohim / God knew. This was something that only God knew about. God knows that people make decisions. God knows, " I'm staying away from getting married because I'm worried about xyz." So we see from here that when Hashem's mercy is being enacted, it doesn't just work in general. Hashem looks at every detail, even the secrets hidden in a person's mind. Rashi, on the pasuk ofVayeda Elohim says, God placed His heart on them and did not allow His eyes to ignore them. This is a concept called Gilui Panim / Hashem revealing His face . The Ramban on this Rashi says that originally Hashem was Mastir panav / He was hiding His face, w hich is when we don't see Him in action. But now He went to the the level of Vayeda / He knew what was going on. Of course, He always knows what's going on, but now, He was acting on it. Rabbenu Bachya expandsa little bit more on this pasuk . He says Vayar Elohim/God saw, refers to what the Egyptians were doing outside, that people could see. Vayeda Elohim / And God knew, refers to the difficulties they were doing to them in hiding, that no one knew about it. Only God knows . The psychological pain that the Jewish people were going through was also picked up and felt by Hashem. The HaEmek Davar adds a beautiful thought. He asks, Why does it say And God saw ? He answers that, He saw what He didn't hear. He explains that there are certain things that we don't even feel comfortable sharing in our prayers. We might be a little embarrassed about sharing a certain want or need. But Hashem sees those too. Let's say a person feels he's missing out on something. He's not going to say " Hashem, I wish I had sprinkles on my ice cream ." He's thinking about that but he's not going to ask for that. But Hashem sees that too. The Maharil Diskin adds something fascinating about how Hashem's Hashgacha works. Hashem knew . What did Hashem know ? That they got separated from their wives. And he says that when Hashem calculated that they had to leave Mitzrayim early because of the extra work that they did, He took into account all of the children that had been thrown into the Nile, all of children that had been put into the bricks, and all the children that would have been born if they hadn't separated from each other, as if they had all existed and they were all doing work. That is something that only Hashem could know. Vayeda Elohim . That's how far Hashem's calculations go, when He's figuring things out. And he says, that's what it means V'gam et hagoy asher ya'avodu dan anochi /I will judge the nation that's working you, I'll judge how many you would have been, and I'll figure that out as well . Wonder of wonders, how Hashem's Hashgacha is able to work. The Ma'ayanah shel Torah says something fascinating which is a tremendous limud zechut on the Jewish people. Vayar et Onyenu , Hashem sees our suffering. And he brings a pasuk Vayar Elohim/ And God sees et Bnei Yisrael . Vayeda Elohim and Hashem knows. Now simply, this pasuk really doesn't say anything. That's why Rashi has to explain that Hashem is now paying attention to them. But the Ma'ayanah shel Torah says, You know what Hashem saw? Et Bnei Yisrael. That through all the suffering they went through, they stayed strong to their identity as Jewish people. With all the pain and all the suffering, they still remained Jewish people and that's what brought the Geula.

A man said he has done a certain segula in the hope that he would be married within a year. However, the year has passed, and he is still in the same position. He feels let down and is in need of chizuk . This sentiment is shared by many others who have had the same types of letdowns. A woman once told me she took upon herself to be careful in the area of modesty in the hope that she would have righteous children. However, when she did not see her children acting in the way she hoped, in her words, she became disenchanted with tziniut . What chizuk can we give people in situations where they have followed the advice of our Rabbis and grown spiritually in the hope of being granted something they need, but have not gotten what they have expected? The Mishnah says in Pirkeh Avot , שכר מצוה מצוה – the reward for doing a mitzvah is that Hashem will give the person an opportunity to do another mitzvah. Although we love to see immediate benefits from our actions, Hashem wants us to have the ultimate benefit, eternal bliss. There is nothing in this world that could compare to the pleasure we will receive in the Next World for our mitzvot. The greatest gift that Hashem could give a person is something that is going to make him happy for eternity, not just for the moment. Being that in many instances, we do see side benefits in this world for our performance of mitzvot, when those side benefits do not come about, it presents us with a wondrous opportunity to earn infinite rewards for our avodat Hashem. This is because it is then that we can display our emunah and tell Hashem, we know You are appreciating what we are doing, we know You are trustworthy to reward us the way You know is best, so we are going to continue growing and continue to serve You to the best of our ability. If someone has taken something upon himself as a zechut and he didn't see the side benefit he was expecting, if he would continue doing that avodat Hashem, every moment of it would become infinitely greater. That itself may very well be the immediate reward that Hashem is giving him, the opportunity to soar to the greatest heights. Yosef HaTzaddik was presented with one of the most difficult tests in all of history. With superhuman strength, he overcame that test. We can only imagine Yosef's tefilot every day, stuck in Mitzrayim as a slave to Potifar, he must have been begging Hashem to go back home and be reunited with his father, where he could once again be surrounded by kedusha . He must have thought that in the zechut of overcoming that enormous test, Hashem would bring him out of Egypt. But instead, he was thrown into a prison for 12 years. Yosef could have easily said, "That's what I get for being a tzaddik ? Why should I continue?" Yet, the Toldot Adam in parashat Vayeshev writes that the pasuk testified, Yosef maintained all of his levels of righteousness throughout the entire time he was in prison, as it says, ויהי שם בבית הסוהר – and the word שם means the same as he was before. This opportunity for Yosef to remain righteous despite that letdown, is precisely what made him into the great tzaddik that he became. That episode of being thrown into prison was part of the reward that Yosef received for his tzidkut , being given the chance to become Yosef HaTzaddik that we are still learning from today. A man told that he went to the Kotel for 40 consecutive days to pray for a shidduch . When the 40 days were up, he waited with anticipation of his long-awaited salvation, but nothing came. However, rather than turn the other way, he decided to double his efforts. He went to pray by the Kotel for the next 80 consecutive days. Some time after that, he did get engaged. But that was not his ultimate reward. The fact that he got that opportunity to show his emunah in Hashem(when the salvation didn't come) and used it to pray even harder for a longer period of time was his greatest gain, and it is going to last him for all eternity. We love to see the benefits in this world as well, and we hope that we will see them, but in the meantime, if the efforts we have been putting forth did not yet produce the results we were hoping for, we should utilize the time to earn the ultimate reward, serving Hashem with steadfast emunah.

David HaMelech tells us in Tehillim, וצדקתך ירננו , which the Sha'arei Chaim explains to mean that even when we face difficulties, we are meant to respond by singing to Hashem. How is that possible? The pesukim before reveal the secret: דור לדור ישבח מעשיך —each generation should relate to the next the chesed they have seen from Hashem in their lives. ודברי נפלאותיך אשיחה —David HaMelech would constantly speak, even in everyday conversation, about the wonders of Hashem. וגדולתך אספרנה —he would speak of the endless greatness and kindness Hashem bestows upon the world. זכר רב טובך יביעו —our mouths should overflow with praise for Hashem's goodness like a spring that never runs dry. If a person constantly talks about Hashem's kindness, then when something happens that appears negative, it won't shake him. He'll already be fortified with the understanding that Hashem only does good. The Midrash says that from the day Hashem created the world, no one sang shirah until Bnei Yisrael sang אז ישיר at Keri'at Yam Suf. The Sfat Emet asks: we know Adam HaRishon sang shirah— מזמור שיר ליום השבת —as did others. What does it mean that no one sang until Az Yashir? He explains that until that moment, people only sang about the salvation after it came. But at Yam Suf, Bnei Yisrael reached a higher level—they sang about the difficulties too, because they saw that even the hardships were part of Hashem's goodness. אמר אויב ארדף אשיג —they sang about Pharaoh chasing them. מי כמוך באלים ה׳ —they declared; Who is like You among the mighty, Hashem? Chazal explain on this phrase: מי כמוך באלמים ה׳ —Who is like You, Hashem, who remains silent when the worst seems to be happening? How could Hashem be silent when the enemy entered the Beit HaMikdash to destroy it? When Titus HaRasha stabbed the parochet and blood came pouring out? When the resha'im tormented His beloved people in Mitzrayim and, centuries later, in Nazi Germany? At Yam Suf, Bnei Yisrael understood the greatness of Hashem: that He could remain silent because only He saw the ultimate good in every moment. Even the most painful events, seemingly caused by human actions, were all orchestrated by Hashem for our benefit. In the Haggadah, we say: לבן ביקש לעקור את הכל -וירד מצרימה . The mefarshim ask, what's the connection between Lavan wanting to destroy Yaakov and the descent to Mitzrayim? They explain that Lavan's switching of Rachel for Leah led to the shevatim being born from different mothers. Rachel, being the more beloved wife, caused the brothers to feel resentment toward her son, Yosef. That led to Yosef being sold—and eventually to the entire family descending to Egypt. This wasn't really Lavan's doing. Hashem had planned it from the time He told Avraham Avinu that his children would be strangers in a land not their own. Nothing is random. People are not in control—only Hashem is. And He does everything for our good. The more we speak about His hashgachah, His chesed, and His love for us, the more these truths will sink into our hearts. Then, when difficulties arise, we'll have the strength to sing even through the pain. In the future, Hashem will reveal to us all the good behind every event. But if we can trust Him now—before the light shines through—and sing in the darkness, we will reach the highest spiritual levels.

Rav Chaim Kaniyevsky Z"l asked in his Sefer Ta'amah Dikra, if Hashem wanted to punish the Egyptians measure for measure, drowning them because they drowned the Jewish babies, why do He have to bring them all the way to the Yom Suf to do it? Why couldn't He just bring a tsunami upon them right where they were in Egypt? The Rabbi answered, Hashem wanted to show us that when bringing punishment upon a sinner, Hashem doesn't need to bring the punishment to him. Rather, He can make the sinner himself go to the punishment. Rabbi Menashe Reizman explained, this was an additional lesson in Hashem's hashgacha peratit, namely, that a person is in the complete control of Hashem. Even when it looked like the Egyptians were chasing the Jews of their own free will, it was Hashem pushing them to bring them to their punishment. The Ramban writes, of all the wonders that Hashem performed in Mitzrayim, this was the greatest wonder of all. The fact that Pharaoh and the Mitzriym saw an open miracle with their own eyes of Hashem splitting the sea for the Jews, and yet they still went in to chase them. This was to show that Hashem is in charge of every footstep that man takes. It may look like that we're moving on our own, but in actuality, Hashem is leading us. A man told me that his wife Ruth is currently studying to become an eye doctor. She had an assignment in school to bring in a family member for an eye exam. Most people bring in their spouse for this, but her husband wasn't available that day. So she asked one of her nieces, Gila, if she could come instead. Gila happily agreed and made the long trip there that day. The exam was going well until the very end when Ruth found something suspicious going on in Gila's eye. Her supervisor suspected that it was a retinal hole, so they did some imaging. That would mean she would have to be seen by a specialist in the next couple of weeks. Ruth then went with Gila for lunch. The supervisor called them back, saying she just received more results from the imaging and it turned out to be much more serious. It was a retinal tear which, heaven forbid, could lead to blindness. Gila had no symptoms as she was seeing perfectly. There was no way she was going to find out about this before it may have been too late. They were able to get her an appointment for surgery the very next day and baruch Hashem, she's fine now. Gila had no idea how much danger she was in. Hashem guided her footsteps to get that eye examination and save her eyesight. A father recently made a seudat hoda'ah, thanking Hashem for saving his two-year-old daughter who had fallen into a pool. The father said it happened so quickly. In a split second, she was in the water. By the time he pulled her out, she wasn't breathing. He ran into the house in a panic, crying for someone to call hatzalah. But help had already begun to arrive in a most unexpected way. A man was driving by in a golf cart and saw what was happening and quickly sprang into action. Like Eliyahu Hanavi, he started CPR on the little girl right away and within 90 seconds, the stranger had revived her. She was stabilized and then airlifted to a nearby hospital and remarkably, she was discharged the very next day. Every second matters when it comes to life and death. Hashem guided that man's footsteps to be right there at the time he was needed. Although things may seem to happen in a natural way, Hashem is pulling the strings from behind the scenes all the time.

Tanya Applied: Episode 207: How to Personalize Pesach: Yetziyas Mitzrayim in Our Lives: Review of Chapters 12.24A journey into the deepest teachings of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.The Tanya Applied radio show is broadcast every Saturday night, 10–10:30PM ET onWSNR 620 AM – Metro NY areaWJPR 1640 AM — Highland Park and Edison, NJOnline: www.talklinenetwork.comBy phone: Listen Line: 641-741-0389Many of us may be familiar with some of the central ideas in Tanya – including the battle of the two souls; what defines man and makes us tick; how we can control our temptations; how we can become more loving; what we can do to curb and harness our vices, like anger, jealousy, and depression; the formula for growth; how we can develop a healthy relationship with G-d; and why we are here. In this 30-minute program, you will learn how these ideas can be applied to your life today. You will discover secrets to a successful life that will transform you and your relationships.Rabbi Simon Jacobson is the best-selling author of Toward a Meaningful Life, and he is the creator of the acclaimed and popular MyLife: Chassidus Applied series, which has empowered and transformed hundreds of thousands through Torah and Chassidus.Now, Rabbi Jacobson brings his vast scholarship and years of experience to Tanya. Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this exhilarating journey into your psyche and soul. You will come away with life-changing practical guidance and direction, addressing all the issues and challenges you face in life.For more info: www.chassidusapplied.com/tanyaMusic by Zalman Goldstein • www.ChabadMusic.coms of the Torah and their application to our personal, emotional and psychological lives.

If we would be able to see what we accomplish by doing mitzvot, we would run after them with such excitement and everything in this world would pale in comparison to them. When the Jewish People were preparing to leave Mitzrayim, they were told to go and gather all the wealth of Egypt. At that time, Moshe Rabbenu chose to go and find the aron of Yosef instead, and for that Chazal applied the pasuk חכם לב יקח מצוות to him. While everyone was becoming billionaires, Moshe went to do one mitzvah and he was called the wisest of all of them for that endeavor. Besides for the fact that his reward was eternal while their wealth would only last here in this world, seven days later at Yam Suf, the entire nation was in jeopardy of being killed out by the Mitzrim . When the Sea saw the aron of Yosef, it split and the entire nation was saved. Moshe Rabbenu was thus credited with saving the entire Klal Yisrael because of his pursuit of that one mitzvah. Why did the Sea split for Yosef? Because years before when he was being tested with the wife of Potifar, he ran away from temptation and so now the water was running away from his aron to save the entire Klal Yisrael . Imagine if during that difficult test Yosef would have known that he was going to be the cause of millions of people to be saved, he would have ran away with ease, it wouldn't have even been a test. However, Hashem does not allow a person to see the wondrous effects of what his deeds are going to accomplish, in order for his free will to remain balanced. But we must know that if we did have the eyes to see what was happening when we do mitzvot, we would be so excited to perform every single one of them. I read a story about a man who asked the gabai in his shul to reserve Aliyat Maftir and chazan for Mussaf on one of the upcoming Shabbatot , since that was the week of his mother's yahrtzeit . This man was a very organized person and always made sure to plan things a long time in advance. He was a long time member of that shul and one of its supporters and the gabai told him both of those honors were open and he made a note to reserve them for him. When that Shabbat arrived, the man came into shul filled with anticipation, but there he noticed that a stranger had joined the minyan that day and was in deep conversation with the gabai . The man was curious to hear what the debate was about and, to his shock, he found out that this stranger had asked for Maftir and chazan for Mussaf because he also had a yahrtzeit . Here he was a long time member and supporter of the shul and he asked for these from weeks in advance and now some stranger just strolls in out of the blue and thinks he can take those honors? But then, a small voice whispered inside of him, maybe he should give in? Who knows what merits help the neshama the most. Maybe giving up what was his for someone else would accomplish even more. And so, with great strength, he went over to the gabai and told him to give those honors to the other man. He would take a different aliyah and be chazan for Shacharit on the actual yahrtzeit instead. The gabai said, " Chas v'shalom , there is a system here, these are yours." The man reassured the gabai that he was actually happy to do this. And when the gabai saw he was serious, he went over and gave them to the other man. Rabbi Aharon Toisig, a prominent Rav from Bnei Brak, was present in the shul when this episode took place and he related what happened the next day. The congregant came into shul and said his mother came to him in a dream and said to him, "My son, I was given special permission to descend to this world to thank you. The elevation that I experienced when you gave up the Maftir and Mussaf was greater than any other I had ever experienced. I remember well the elevation I merited in past years when you got Aliyat Maftir and was chazan for Mussaf , but those did not come close to what I merited this year when you mustered up the fortitude to give up the honors that were rightfully yours for the sake of peace and to help someone else." This is just one small example of the great effects of our deeds. The harder they are to perform, the greater they become. We should always run to do mitzvot with the utmost excitement.

Chof Nisan - Chol Hamoed Pesach (21:27)

In this shiur, Rav Burg explains (based on a Torah from the Shvilei Pinchas) the secret of the Bnei Ephraim leaving Mitzrayim 30 years too early. What was their thought process? What was their mistake? Why does Hashem say that He will avenge their blood if they made a mistake?

MyLife Chassidus Applied: Where YOUR questions are answeredDonate now: https://mylife500.comFor recording visit the archive page or your favorite podcast carrier.Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics:Yud Alef Nissan • How do we honor the Rebbe's 123rd birthday? 02:17 • What is the significance of the number eleven? 17:30 • How is it related to the Rebbe's leadership? 17:50 • Is there a connection to the Rambam's birthday on Erev Pesach? 20:08Personalizing the experience • Why is Yetziyas Mitzrayim so central to life? 29:10 • Why do we need to envision ourselves leaving Mitzrayim in every generation and every day? 29:10 • Why do the Ten Commandments begin with I am your G-d that took you out of Egypt and not that Created heaven and earth? 25:38 • If we must remember the Egyptian exodus every day, why is Pesach only eight days? 31:30 • How would you advise me to use the extra time on my hands during this Yom Tov season? 36:20 • In addition to addressing negative Pesach experiences, can you also focus on positive and beautiful elements? 39:39 • What are some prayers we can say the week before Pesach to ask Hashem for extra blessings in our lives, for a living, good health etc.? 42:48Chametz • Why are we forbidden from eating chametz? 45:56 • Why are there extra chumras on Pesach more than all year round? 47:56 • Why do we use a feather, spoon and candle when searching for chametz? 52:23 • Why did they add the chumra not to eat chametz from Erev Pesach in the morning? 51:00 • Why don't Ashkenazim eat kitniyot (legumes), while some Sefardim do? 01:00:40 • Why don't we eat gebrokts? 59:05Seder • Did the Rebbe ever tell us what is his favorite part of the Seder? 01:01:40 • Why do we eat matzah – due to it being the bread of affliction or due to the Jews not having time to wait until the dough rose? 01:01:51 • Is eating matzah a rectification of the sin of eating from the Tree of Knowledge? 01:05:50 • How does eating certain foods such as matzah, horseradish, and charoset dip align our souls with the energy of freedom? 01:04:09Last Days • What is the connection between the last day of Pesach and Moshiach? 01:10:47 • Why do we call them “four questions” when there are actually five, including mah nishtana? 01:07:29 • Why are there four questions? 01:08:37 • What do we say that during the year we don't dip even once, when in fact we dip the challah in salt? 01:09:10

We begin the Seder with the Ha Lachma Anya , which speaks about the matzah and ends with the words, "Now we are still in Galut. We hope to be in Eretz Yisrael with the Beit HaMikdash before next year's Seder." Rabbi Ronen Sharabani gave a beautiful explanation in his new Haggada Me'afar Kumi about why we begin with this. Chazal tell us that the final ge'ula will take place in the month of Nisan. So, when the month begins, all of Klal Yisrael is hoping to be in Yerushalayim with the Korban Pesach by the night of the Seder. However, if Lel HaSeder arrives and once again Mashiach has not come, it could cause a person to enter the Seder with feelings of despair, thinking: "We've made this request of L'shanah Haba'ah B'Yerushalayim every year of our entire lives—and it still hasn't happened. What's going to give us chizuk to think that things will ever change?" For this, the Rabbis tell us to begin the Seder speaking about the matza. The Seforno writes on the pasuk describing Yosef Hatzaddik being rushed out of prison that this is the way of all salvations that Hashem brings—they come in an instant. Even when it looks like there's no hope in sight, things can suddenly change. And this is what happened in Mitzrayim. The pasuk says they were rushed out of Egypt without enough time for their dough to rise. Matza is the symbol of an instant salvation. And so it says about the future geula : פתאום יבוא אל היכלו —Mashiach is going to come suddenly. When we internalize that the salvations of Hashem come in an instant, we will never despair, because we know everything can change in a moment's notice. What we see today has nothing to do with tomorrow—and the same applies to the difficulties people are currently experiencing. No matter how long it's been, no matter how dismal it seems, salvation can always come in an instant. A woman told me she got married about twenty years ago and was looking forward to a joyful home filled with children. After seven long years of waiting for their miracle, they were blessed with a precious daughter who indeed filled their hearts with the joy they had hoped for. For years after that, they tried every possible method to have another child, but it wasn't working. They delved deeply into learning and practicing emunah , and then, with the advice of their rabbi, they decided to take a pause from all their efforts and instead focus on enjoying the life they had. Especially since they were making so many efforts, they risked attributing success or failure to their own actions rather than to Hashem. They spent a year focusing more on spirituality, adopting a healthier lifestyle, eating better, exercising regularly, and appreciating everything Hashem had already given them. Then they went back to the doctor to try another treatment. Everything was looking good. They were awaiting results from a certain test, and when the results came back positive, they were thrilled. Even the doctor was elated. He told them they needed to repeat the test two more times. The second time, the numbers were even better. But on the third test, the results took a turn the other way. After eight long years of waiting for their second child, it appeared that once again they were going to be let down. That night, they called a hotline for emunah , and amazingly, there was a story shared about a childless couple who had been told by their doctor that they would never have children. The husband went for a drive afterward to clear his mind, and when he returned home, he found that his wife had set the table with their finest china. She told him, "We're going to celebrate all we have, despite the sorrowful news." The next morning, at 5 a.m., they received a phone call from the fertility clinic saying it had been a mistake—and that she actually was going to have a child after all. This woman and her husband took that story as a direct message from Hashem. They picked themselves up and enjoyed that Shabbat more than ever. They sang with their 8-year-old miracle girl. They expressed gratitude and celebrated all the blessings that Hashem had given them. That Motzaei Shabbat , they went for another test, and amazingly, everything changed for the better. Baruch Hashem , that year, they were blessed with their second miracle baby. The salvations of Hashem always come in an instant. This is the chizuk we give ourselves at the beginning of the Seder, and this is something we must always keep in mind. B'ezrat Hashem , we should see the Geula Shelema and celebrate this holiday in Yerushalayim with the Korban Pesach. But even if that doesn't happen— even then —it doesn't mean the geula can't come a second later. Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach.

Seder night is truly a magical time but how does one overcome any stress and harness that "magic" to connect with their children, their spouse, and Hashem?

Yud-Beis Nisan (22:42)

The question has been asked: Why do we call the holiday "Pesach"? It's named after the fact that Hashem "passed over" the homes of the Jews during Makkat Bechorot . But seemingly, that is just one small detail of a much bigger picture. Furthermore, why is this the only miracle described with the term יד חזקה —Hashem's "strong hand"? And why did Hashem choose to redeem us from Mitzrayim specifically in the month of Nisan? *While the Jews were enslaved in Mitzrayim, Egypt was the superpower of the world. They made it impossible—by natural means—for the Jews to ever escape. And in the words of the Zohar, they also used כישוף (sorcery) to cast a spiritual spell, so that even in the supernatural realms, they were unable to go free. The Rambam writes in his famous Iggeret Teman that when Moshe Rabbeinu began the process of extracting the nation of Israel from Egypt, all the astrologers agreed unanimously that the Jews had no chance for independence or even to alleviate their lowly state of subjugation. The Bet HaLevi adds another dimension to the slavery. He writes in Parashat Bo that there are many dimensions to the universe. Each dimension is on a different level, but they are all connected and exist parallel to one another. For example, the existence of fire as we know it in this world is entirely different in the dimension above, and the criteria for it to burn things there are different. When Avraham Avinu was thrown into the fiery furnace and was not burned, it was a great miracle. But this was a miracle only in our eyes. In the higher dimensions, there was no miracle whatsoever. A righteous individual should not be burned by fire. In that instance, the fire in the higher dimension acted as it should normally, and in the lower dimension, the fire was forced to act parallel to the higher fire. Whenever a miracle takes place for a righteous individual, the nature of the higher dimension alters the course of events in the lower dimension—even if that violates the laws of nature in the lower one. Regarding the miracles in Mitzrayim, however, it was very different. Over the two centuries that the Jews were there, they became severely corrupted by the idolatrous and immoral culture of Egypt. In their parallel existence in the higher dimensions, their fate appeared to be sealed—to remain enslaved there for all time. There, Hashem needed to violate the laws of nature in every dimension of the universe. This is why the Torah uses the term יד חזקה when referring to these miracles—a term never used for any other miracle ever performed. Hashem did not only redeem us from physical slavery; He also redeemed our souls in the spiritual dimensions as well. Through the total overthrow of the powers of Egypt, Hashem's supremacy over the world became apparent. The Aruch HaShulchan explains why Hashem chose the month of Nisan to be the month of redemption. The Egyptians worshipped the sheep, which represents the zodiac symbol Aries—the most prominent of the twelve signs. During Nisan, that constellation rises at sunset every evening. Pharaoh relied on its ascending power to protect him from Hashem. That is why he still had the confidence to throw Moshe and Aharon out of the palace even after six plagues. Later on, knowing that the month of Nisan was about to begin, his arrogance and confidence rose to unprecedented levels—so much so that he even threatened Moshe with death if he dared come back again. In response, Hashem told Moshe, " החודש הזה לכם " : This month will be for you—the head of all months. It will be ours, because it will be proven that the so-called powers of astrology are false and that Hashem is the sole power in the universe, above and below, and that we are His treasured nation. Rav Yerucham Levovitz explains that this is why we use the name Pesach to describe the holiday. Even though Hashem performed numerous miracles, the essence of the holiday is commemorating the moment the world recognized Hashem as the only One with power. That moment took place during Makkat Bechorot , which occurred at the midpoint of the month of Nisan—when the constellation Aries was at its peak influence. At that moment, Hashem demonstrated His power and His love for Klal Yisrael when He struck down the Egyptian firstborns and passed over the homes of the Jews. Whenever we pray to Hashem, we should imagine His complete power—not just over the lower world, but over the upper dimensions as well. Even a decree that is sealed in Shamayim can be broken. In the month of Nisan, Hashem showed the world that He is the only power. From then on, Nisan became the month of miracles. May we see the ultimate salvation with the coming of Mashiach, speedily in our days. Amen. * taken from Yalkut Yosef Pesach edition English

In this episode, we explore the deeper meaning of freedom through the lens of Pesach. Freedom from Mitzrayim wasn't the final goal, it was the beginning of a transformative journey toward receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. Join us as we discuss the phases of spiritual growth from exile to revelation, the inner Pharaohs we must confront, and why the second night of the Seder holds hidden power. With insights on emunah, humility, and the true purpose of redemption, this episode prepares you not just for Pesach, but for the journey ahead.Join the Conversation! Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up.

" בניסן נגאלו ובניסן עתידין להיגאל "—just as our ancestors were redeemed in Nissan, so too will we be redeemed in Nissan. As we enter this glorious month, our hopes are higher than ever for the coming of Mashiach. We have been learning about the days of Mashiach in the Daf Yomi, and we see events unfolding in the world at large. It is up to us to do our part. Chazal teach us that our forefathers were redeemed from Mitzrayim in the merit of their emunah, and we, too, will be redeemed through our emunah. But what kind of emunah do we need? When the women brought their copper mirrors as donations for the Mishkan, Moshe Rabbenu initially did not want to accept them. However, Hashem told him that these mirrors were more precious to Him than anything else—more beloved than the menorah, which represents Torah, more than the mizbe'ach, which represents tefillah, and more than the shulchan, which represents tzedakah. What was so special about these mirrors? The men in Mitzrayim were suffering terribly. They had lost their will to continue, feeling that all their labor was in vain. The women used these mirrors to beautify themselves and encourage their husbands, giving them the strength to carry on. They reassured them, reminding them that there was a future—that Hashem runs the world. Their chizuk empowered their husbands to persevere and fulfill Hashem's will, even under the most trying conditions. The Tikkunei Zohar describes how Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, when looking into the future, saw the generation before Mashiach and lamented, " ווי מאן דיזדמן בהאי זמנא "—Woe to those who will live in that time. Yet, he also said, " זכאה מאן דמשתכח בההוא זמנא וקיים בהימנותא "—Fortunate are those who will be in that time and hold strong in their emunah. Our Rabbis have told us that we are living in the עקבתא דמשיחא , the final generation before Mashiach. We are the very ones that the Zohar was speaking about. One might ask: throughout history, our people have endured immense suffering—the Holocaust and many other persecutions. By contrast, today, baruch Hashem , we live with religious freedom. Why, then, did the Zohar express such concern for this generation? A great rabbi once explained that while, as a nation, we may have it good, if we examine individual households, we will find so many struggling with personal challenges. The pain people carry is often hidden. Just the other week, in a single day, I was approached by eight different individuals seeking chizuk. One had just been told that his wife might lose her pregnancy. Another had suddenly and tragically lost her husband. One had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Another was at risk of going to jail. One had a sick child, another was struggling with business problems, and yet another was facing shalom bayit issues. Late that night, as I was leaving shul, a husband and wife approached me. The woman began to speak about her daughter, who was having an extremely difficult time with shidduchim. At first, I expected the conversation to be like the others I had that day. But then she surprised me. She wasn't downcast at all. She told me that, eight years ago, she started a nightly emunah conference in the zechut of her daughter finding a shidduch. Today, over 400 women participate. And through it, she has gained an unshakable emunah—like a pillar of fire. She is so grateful to Hashem for all He gives her each day. She goes to other people's weddings with complete joy, celebrating without a trace of jealousy. Her emunah is contagious. Wherever she goes, she uplifts others, infusing them with strength and faith. This is exactly what the Zohar meant: Fortunate are those who live in this time and have emunah. Today, so many struggle with personal darkness. But those who find a way to rise above it and praise Hashem, despite their hardships, shine the brightest. In previous generations, our ancestors were like burning torches, illuminating the world with their Torah and mitzvot—but they lived in broad daylight. In contrast, we may be but small flames, yet we are burning in the thickest darkness. Though we may not reach the Torah and mitzvah observance of previous generations, we have an extraordinary opportunity. We can shine with our emunah, something so precious to Hashem. May Hashem strengthen our emunah and grant us the merit to greet Mashiach in this great month of Nissan. Amen.

Rabbi Jonathan Rietti on Let's get Real with Coach Menachem Sunday April 6, 2025 #227Rebbe Nachman on Liberation from Mitzrayim Then & NowCan I Only Be Released from My Mitzrayim from the Outside or Is Liberation an Inside Job

One of the great tests in life is in the area of parnasa . When a person doesn't know how he will earn the money he needs, and instead of panicking, he strengthens himself and places his trust in Hashem—this is a precious form of avoda . When the Jewish people left Mitzrayim, they faced this very test. They were entering a wilderness, a place with no food, and they didn't have enough provisions to feed their families. And yet, they trusted that Hashem would provide everything they needed. In response, Hashem told us through the Navi that He would always remember the kindness that the people did for Him when they left Mitzrayim by trusting in Him. The love He had for them at that moment was so intense, He compared it to the love a man has for his new bride. The Jewish people were then tested with the same challenge for 40 years in the desert. Would they try to gather extra man for the next day, or would they trust that Hashem would provide for them? And even though Hashem did provide for them, year after year, it was still considered a test all the way through the 40th year. This is because human nature is such that, no matter how good things have been until now, a person still worries about what will be tomorrow. No matter how many years everything has been taken care of, he still worries about the future. Someone who can overcome this worry and instead trust in Hashem rises to the greatest heights—and will be rewarded eternally for it. The Chovot HaLevavot , in Sha'ar HaBitachon, writes that whenever a person faces a test in parnassah and withstands it, he will be greatly rewarded. He brings as examples the Jews leaving Mitzrayim and being tested in the midbar with the man . We, too, can give Hashem the same avoda that our ancestors did—trusting in Him fully. The Chovot HaLevavot continues: Hashem has many ways of supporting a person, and therefore one should never give undue importance to any particular means. Many people today are anxious about recent tariffs placed upon imports from foreign countries. These tariffs threaten to take away the means that some people have relied upon for years to earn a livelihood. Markets are declining, and the economic outlook appears grim. But this presents a wondrous opportunity for a person to shine in the eyes of Hashem—to say, "I believe my parnasa comes from Him. He can provide no matter how many tariffs are imposed or how poor the markets look." If someone finds himself unable to sleep at night due to worry and manages to overcome it with bitachon , Hashem considers that to be an act of chesed —and it increases that person's chen in Hashem's eyes tremendously. This is the greatest response we can offer in these times. Life is a cycle: one day things are down, the next day they're up. The only things that really matter are our reactions and our emunah . Hashem can give a person parnassah in infinite ways. A rabbi recently related a story. One day, at 3:15 in the afternoon, he received a call from a man in Israel who desperately needed $2,000 to pay for the Sheva Brachot of his child. The man had tried several different avenues, but nothing had worked, so he turned to this rabbi—a friend in New York—for help. The rabbi said he would see what he could do. Less than five minutes later, the rabbi received a call from one of his congregants, who just wanted to share a quick story. As the congregant was backing out of his driveway, he noticed a little dog in his rear-view camera. When the dog didn't move, he got out of the car, and the dog ran in fear to the man's backyard. The man went about his errands, and on the way back, he saw a large sign that read "Missing Dog." It looked like the same dog he had seen earlier. He called the number on the sign and told the couple on the line that he believed their dog was in his backyard. They told him the dog had been missing since Friday—two days—and they were absolutely worried sick. They immediately drove to his house, and when they saw the dog, they were elated. They thanked the man profusely and handed him $2,000 in cash—the reward they had promised for the dog's return. The man accepted the money and then called his rabbi, saying he wanted to donate it to a worthy cause. The rabbi told him about the phone call he had just received five minutes earlier, and the congregant was happy to donate it for that purpose. The rabbi then called his friend in Israel and told him the amazing news: the money had just come in and he related the story of how it happened. The friend was overwhelmed and said, "Wow. Hashem is amazing. Look what He did for me." He added, "When I was thinking about how to get the $2,000, Hashem made someone's dog run away—across the world. Then He brought that dog to the house of a congregant of the rabbi I was going to call. And not just any congregant—a man who would want to donate the money and would immediately call his rabbi." Hashem can support us in infinite ways. Our job is to trust Him and to know that our parnasa comes from Him—and only Him.

Learning Tanya Chapter 31 in Lessons in Tanya we see the Divine Providence of Vayikra Hashem calls out to us to help us just like the Seder Night to identify ourselves with our G-dly Soul aka Nefesh Elokus and escape the restraints of Mitzrayim the animal Soul aka Nefesh Behamis.

Shiur given by Rabbi Benzion Brodie on Parsha to Yeshiva Ketana. Shiur recorded in Yeshivas Ohr Reuven, Monsey, NY.

Shiur given by Rabbi Bezalel Rudinsky on Parsha Vayikra. Shiur recorded in Yeshivas Ohr Reuven, Monsey, NY.

NiggunChabura.com “Getting out of Mitzrayim” featuring BINYAMIN, Eli Dachs, Shlomo Zomick & Werntatty

Shiur given by Rabbi Bezalel Rudinsky on Pesach Sugyos. Shiur recorded in Yeshivas Ohr Reuven, Monsey, NY.

During the year there is a set way in which we can grow and improve from one "level" to the next. However, over Pesach Hashem allows us to "skip" levels.

Shiur given by Rabbi Ben Zion Bamberger on Mussar Shmooze. Shiur recorded in Yeshivas Ohr Reuven, Monsey, NY.

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains the deeper meaning of Yetzias Mitzrayim. More than just Hashem overpowering Pharaoh, Hashem took Klal Yisrael out from the womb of Mitzrayim and birthed us into a nation.

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains why Hashem wanted Klal Yisrael to avoid the Pelishtim as they left Mitzrayim, why the first Mitzvah Klal Yisrael received was freeing slaves and why on the precipice of entering Eretz Yisrael, Moshe Rabbeinu reminds Klal Yisrael of the fears they experienced when they left Mitzrayim. To be a slave in Mitzrayim means to lose all sense of dignity and agency over one's life. The process of taking Klal Yisrael out of Mitzrayim is restoring their dignity and giving them a sense of responsibility for their lives.

Send us a textZecher yetzias mitzrayim

B"H One of the most underrated facts about Judaism — and one that inspires me to say Shana Tova to you right now — is that we actually have more than one New Year. Of course, we all know Rosh Hashanah in Tishrei, the 7th month, which is the New Year for all of humanity, marking the creation of Adam HaRishon and celebrating human potential in Hashem's world. But the Jewish New Year — the one for the nation of Israel — actually happens right before Pesach, on the 1st of Nisan. And the first mitzvah we ever got as a people was about TIME. Before leaving Mitzrayim, before freedom, Hashem tells us: If you want to be free, you have to learn to count time, to renew time, to start fresh. This is the secret of Jewish time — you can always begin again. Every day, every prayer, every moment. Even 15 million times a day if you need to. So wherever you are right now, take a deep breath and remember: Today is a new day. Shabbat Shalom, Shabbat HaChodesh Shalom, and may you have a beautiful, new beginning. To watch Torah Thoughts in video format, click HERE Subscribe to the Torah Thoughts BLOG for exclusive written content! Please like, share and subscribe wherever you find this!

Most marriages can fail but not because of betrayal or finances, but because couples unknowingly skip the one step that creates true emotional connection. In this powerful episode, marriage expert Rabbi Reuven Epstein reveals the real reason relationships break down, how to rebuild trust, and why emotional safety is more important than love. Whether you're dating, engaged, or married, this is the relationship advice that could change everything.More from Rabbi Reuven here:Courses: https://marriagepro.co/ (SUBSCRIBE OR RATE 5 STARS ETC. AND EMAIL "DONE" TO HI@LIVINGLCHAIM.COM TO WIN THIS COURSE FOR FREE!)Books: https://amzn.to/4kRHLurTorahAnytime: https://torahanytime.com/speakers/700Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/64IEtz4YA5nAnaJMOSe3E6✬ SPONSORS OF THE EPISODE ✬► Wheels To Lease: Trust Me Get Your Car With ThemFor over 35 years, Wheels To Lease has offered stress-free car buying with upfront pricing, no hidden fees, and door-to-door delivery. Call today!→ CALL/TEXT: 718-871-8715→ EMAIL: inspire@wheelstolease.com→ WEB: https://bit.ly/41lnzYU→ WHATSAPP: https://wa.link/0w46ce► BitBean: Smart Custom SoftwareReally great way to take your business to the next level.Contact Bitbean today for a FREE CONSULTATIONReach Out Here → https://bitbean.link/MeEBlY►Eretz Hakodesh: The App of DealsEretz HaKodesh is a movement dedicated to protecting the kedushah of Eretz Yisroel, striving to increase its influence in the elections against progressive opposition—your vote ensures the future of Jewish values in Israel.Vote Here → https://eretzhakodesh.org/► Mosaica Press: Haggadah's To Transform Your SederThe Baderech Haggadah:Experience Yiddishkeit in a most alive and vital way, framing Seder night as a time to cultivate emunah and the awareness that we ourselves are leaving Mitzrayim.→ https://bit.ly/4kGB3r3The Rhyme and Reason Haggadah:A unique and engaging approach, offering a poetic translation and rhyming explanation that makes the mitzvah of Sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim more accessible than ever.→  https://bit.ly/41MsnGWThe Healing Haggadah:An experiential and therapeutic approach to the Pesach Seder, guiding individuals and communities in processing collective and personal trauma. → https://bit.ly/4bMnORzINSPIRE for 18% OFF Your Order!Get here →  https://bit.ly/4kKCSDq✬ IN MEMORY OF ✬This episode is in memory of:• Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima• Miriam Sarah bas Yaakov Moshe✬ Donate and Inspire Millions (Tax-Deductible) ✬Your generous donation enables us at Living Lchaim to share uplifting messages globally, enrich lives, and foster positive change worldwide! Thank you!https://www.LivingLchaim.com/donateOur free call-in-to-listen feature is here:• USA: (605) 477-2100• UK: 0333-366-0154• ISRAEL: 079-579-5088Have a specific question? email us hi@livinglchaim.comWhatsApp us feedback and get first access to episodes:914-222-5513Lchaim.

During this month of Adar , we are meant to increase our happiness—a joy that stems from true emunah in Hashem. By studying the miracles of Purim and Pesach , we gain chizuk and learn to appreciate how fortunate we are to have Hashem guiding us at all times. When salvation came in both instances, it arrived כהרף עין —in the blink of an eye. ונהפוך הוא —in Purim the Jewish people went from mourning to celebration on the very same day. Yetzias Mitzrayim was done b'chipazon —they were rushed out of Mitzrayim , triumphantly marching to freedom. Both salvations were planned years in advance. In Purim , Hashem was מקדים רפואה למכה —He prepared the salvation even before the decree was issued. And in Mitzrayim , the night of Yetzias Mitzrayim is called ליל שמורים —a night Hashem had planned and anticipated for years. Whatever challenge a person finds himself in, he must recognize that salvation is already there—he is simply asking Hashem to reveal it to him. A woman shared that this past September, her husband started losing his hair due to alopecia. At first, they had no idea what was happening as patches of hair were randomly falling out. After seeing multiple doctors and doing extensive blood work, they were told that he had a severe case of alopecia—and there was little they could do to stop it. Her husband was a young man with a full head of hair—his identity, in a way. The diagnosis was devastating, and they struggled to cope. Soon after, he developed an inflammation, and the hair loss became even more extreme. There was one medicine that might have worked, but it would have compromised his immune system and made him highly susceptible to illnesses. After consulting with rabbanim, they decided it was too dangerous to take. The doctors prescribed a cream for his face, which they doubted would work, but they suggested he try growing a beard with it. "Please don't get your hopes up," they cautioned. From that day on, he and his wife grew in many areas of avodat Hashem , strengthening their commitment to Torah and mitzvot . Baruch Hashem , a few months later, he grew a full beard. Overjoyed, his wife told their rebbetzin about the miracle and asked what she could do to express her gratitude to Hashem. She suggested doing the mitzva of covering her hair. After much internal debate, she made the decision to do it. When they returned to the doctor, he was stunned. "Never in my career have I seen such improvement and recovery without any real medication," he told them. He then put her husband on a very light medication and said he expected a full regrowth within three to six months, b'ezrat Hashem . They went from hearing "there's no chance" to "we have never seen such a recovery." That is Yeshuat Hashem k'heref ayin . A rabbi shared another story: His daughter and son-in-law recently bought a home, using every last dollar they had to purchase it. It was a bargain they couldn't pass up, but it left them struggling with daily expenses. They knew they would be able to get back on their feet, but it would take at least a month until their next paychecks arrived. That Friday, their car broke down. They had no idea how they would afford the repairs. When the mechanic called, he said the car was ready and everything was fine—the total cost was just $100. As she opened the car door, she noticed an envelope on the passenger seat with the words Chag Sameach—Love, Dad written on it. She opened it and found $500 in cash. Confused, she called her father to ask about it. He replied, "There's no chag now—I didn't leave that envelope there." Then he recalled that he had given her an envelope last Pesach . She must have misplaced it in the car, where it had ended up in the glove compartment. The mechanic, while fixing the car, had emptied the glove compartment and unknowingly placed the envelope where she would find it. Hashem had set aside that money for her a year before—waiting for the moment she would need it most. When the time was right, Hashem caused the car to break down so the money would be revealed. Hashem has what we need waiting for us. We just need to pray to Him to expose it.

In this week's parasha, Teruma, Hashem told Moshe: דבר אל בני ישראל ויקחו לי תרומה -speak to the Jewish People and ask them to donate toward the construction of the Mishkan. The Ba'al HaTurim quotes a pasuk in Yeshayahu, דברו על לב ירושלים , to explain that here Hashem was asking Moshe to appease the Jewish people before requesting donations. Why? Because He was about to ask them to part with their money. The Da'at Shraga raises a perplexing question: All of the wealth that the Jews had—their gold, silver, and precious stones—came directly from Hashem. He made them rich in Mitzrayim and at the Yam Suf. Shouldn't they have had a natural sense of hakarat hatov and give happily? Especially considering how central hakarat hatov is to Judaism. We are called Yehudim because we acknowledge and express gratitude for the good we receive. The Midrash tells us that when Hashem commanded Moshe to go to Pharaoh and save Bnei Yisrael, Moshe first had to ask permission from Yitro. Why? Because Yitro had opened his home to him, and Moshe understood that someone who receives kindness must show hakarat hatov . Only after receiving Yitro's permission did Moshe go to redeem the Jewish people. This demonstrates how essential hakarat hatov is. So why did the Jews need to be appeased before giving back to Hashem? The Da'at Shraga answers that the Torah is teaching us a profound lesson. Of course, the Jewish people were obligated to show hakarat hatov and give generously—and indeed, they did! They contributed so much that Moshe had to tell them to stop because there was a surplus. However, the one who gives is not supposed to demand hakarat hatov . As the Chovot Halevavot teaches in Sha'ar Habitachon, when a person does a favor for someone else, he should never mention it again or make the recipient feel indebted. True giving must be unconditional. This principle does not exempt the recipient from showing gratitude, but hakarat hatov must come from the recipient's own initiative—it should never be expected by the giver. For this reason, Hashem asked Bnei Yisrael to donate as if He had never given them anything in the first place. Their hakarat hatov had to be purely from them. When we receive something, we owe hakarat hatov in two ways: First and foremost, to Hashem—because everything we receive ultimately comes from Him. Second, to the person who was chosen as Hashem's messenger to bring us this good. This concept is vital in maintaining strong relationships, particularly in marriage. Many spouses feel unappreciated, which causes them to lose motivation to continue giving. We must remind ourselves: Our reason for giving is because it is Hashem's will. When we give, we are serving Him. Hashem recognizes and rewards every act of giving, even if we receive no appreciation from others. At the same time, a spouse who receives should recognize and express gratitude for what the other does. A little appreciation provides tremendous chizuk and encourages even more giving. But receiving hakarat hatov is a bonus—it should not determine how we act. The Chovot HaLevavot further teaches that when a person gives l'shem shamayim , Hashem guarantees that he will ultimately receive the hakarat hatov he deserves. Our focus should always be on giving without expecting anything in return. And when we live this way, Hashem ensures that we receive what is truly best for us. Shabbat Shalom.

Parshas HaShavuah Shiurim: Parshas Vayeishev - The Mesirus Nefesh of Yosef in Mitzrayim and The Chashmonaim on Chanukah- The Science Of Miracles 12/11/2022

Parshas HaShavuah Shiurim: Parshas Shemos - The Clandestine Revolution And Hashgachah The Brought About Geulas Mitzrayim 01/08/2023

Every Hebrew month has its own unique energy that is specific to that month. The energy of Nissan is that of new beginnings and miracles--POWERFULIn the month of Nissan, G-d does for us, as opposed to in Tishrei, when we do for G-d. So what did G-d do for us in Nissan? He took us out of Egypt! In the story of Pesach (Passover), Hashem (G-d) physically took us out of Egypt (Mitzrayim.) The word, Mitzrayim, means narrow or limited. Hashem took us out of a limited place, and into an open, expanded place--eretz Israel. On a personal level, during the month of Nissan, Hashem helps take each and every one of us out of our own personal Mitzrayim, our own personal limitations. We can use the energy of Nissan to begin removing our own personal klippot--shells/blockages, LIMITATIONS. When we work on eliminating our personal limitations, G-d helps us. Once we remove our limitations, we have boundless, endless capacity to actualize our potential in this world, and fulfill our life mission.On a national level, our limitation is that we are not a unified people; we are fragmented. However, the month of Nissan is not only the month of new beginnings, but it is also the month of miracles. When we unite as a nation, Hashem can literally make miracles for us, like He did with the splitting of the Sea of Reeds (Red Sea.)The astrological sign for Nissan is Aries, the ram. This animal, the ram, is associated with the lamb. At the time that the Jews were in Egypt, the lamb was worshiped as an idol by the Egyptians. Hashem commanded the Jews to take a lamb into their house, tie it to their bedpost, and then kill it. Then, they were commanded to smear the lamb of the blood on their doorpost, in the place which we now put up a mezuzah, indicating to the angel of death that he should jump or skip over this house because it was a Jewish house. In this way, the Jews elevated an idol from being something that was wrongfully worshiped, into something that was elevated by being used to save lives.Rebbetzin Mattie Pil suggests that we can take our modern day idol of technology and use it to listen to Torah classes, Torah podcasts, read Jewish texts online, and overall use this "idol" for holy purposes.Rebbetzin Mattie, also shares with us that the Hebrew letter associated with the month of Nisan is the letter "hey." She explains that G-d created the world with the letter, "hey," as He spoke the world into existence. We can use our words to tap into our G-dly soul through prayer, which is a form of meditation with our Creator.Rebbetzin Mattie, is the rebbetzin of the Schneerson Center, a synagogue in San Francisco, California. She has been an educator for over 40 years. She is also a certified life coach, and teaches kabbala for women.Contact: atrebbetzins@gmail.com

What was so special about the war with Amalek?Why is Tzippora specifically mentioned as Eishes Moshe?Why must we know that Moshe asked Yisro how he was doing?What is the connection between Yisro and Mitzrayim?Why did it take Yisro to come up with a judicial system?How did everyone know where to sit at Har Sinai?The solution to feelings of jealousy?

Shiur given by Rabbi Ben Zion Bamberger on Mussar Shmooze. Shiur recorded in Yeshivas Ohr Reuven, Monsey, NY.

Why is there an emphasis on making a "mockery of Pharoh and Mitzrayim? Why does Moshe keep asking only for three days? Who is the "friend" that the Jews are commanded to borrow from? Why are Dam Milah & Dam Pesach the two Mitzvahs needed to get out of Mitzrayim?

Rabbi Stark explains the significance of the number ten and why Hashem brought exactly ten makkos.

In this week's parasha , Va'era , we read about the makot that Hashem sent upon the Egyptians. These upcoming parshiyot describing Yetziat Mitzrayim form the foundation of our emunah in Hashem. It is here that Hashem demonstrated to the world that He is actively involved in every aspect of life. On Pesach, we drink four cups of wine corresponding to the four leshonot of geulah mentioned in the parasha- והוצאתי, והצלתי, וגאלתי, ולקחתי . There is, however, one more lashon , והבאתי , which refers to Hashem bringing the Jewish people into Eretz Yisrael. The Seforno asks why this lashon was not fulfilled with the generation that left Mitzrayim. He explains, based on what is written later in Parashat Ki Tisa , that this generation did not fully believe that Hashem could conquer the mighty kings inhabiting the land. While they witnessed Hashem defeat Pharaoh, they doubted His ability to defeat the 31 kings in Canaan. The pasuk says, " ויאמן העם " —the people believed Hashem could take them out of Mitzrayim, and because of this belief, they merited to see the exodus. But since they lacked belief in והבאתי , they did not experience its fulfillment. It was the next generation, which fully believed, that merited entering the Promised Land. When we believe in Hashem's limitless abilities, it creates a zechut that brings us divine assistance and enables us to witness Hashem's salvations. The Sefer Sas B'Imratecha shares a story of a taxi driver in Israel who had recently begun drawing closer to Torah and mitzvot . He attended classes regularly and was diligently practicing what he learned. One day, he drove a passenger from the center of the city all the way to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital at the edge of the city. Not wanting to return with an empty cab, he waited outside the hospital, hoping to find another fare. Ten minutes passed, then 20, then 30—no one approached his cab. People were leaving the hospital either by bus or private car. After 45 minutes, another taxi pulled up, dropped off a passenger, and parked nearby. A few minutes later, someone exited the hospital, walked directly to the other taxi, got in, and left. This driver was frustrated. He had waited 45 minutes with no customers, while the other driver, who had just arrived, immediately got a fare. Where was the fairness? Then he remembered a lesson from one of his classes: All of a person's income comes solely from Hashem. Whatever is meant for a person will reach them, one way or another. With this thought, he calmed down and let go of his frustration. Moments later, a man who appeared to be a high-ranking official approached his cab and asked in English if he could take him to the north of Israel. The driver agreed. The man asked for the fare, and the driver replied, "A thousand." The man got into the taxi, and when they arrived at their destination, he handed the driver ten folded bills. As the driver counted the money, he realized they were hundred-dollar bills. He had meant to charge 1,000 shekels, but the passenger had paid him 1,000 dollars instead. Feeling it was wrong to keep the money, the driver looked for the man to return the overpayment. However, the man was nowhere in sight. The driver then thanked Hashem for this unexpected gift. Just moments after reaffirming his belief in Hashem's hashgacha over his parnasa , he had earned the largest fare he had ever received from a single ride. When we fully believe in Hashem, it creates a zechut that brings about salvation. Shabbat Shalom.

Send us a textThis lecture explores the profound parable of The Thief by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, who teaches that every soul contends with an inner thief—an inclination that robs us of our divine light. Drawing parallels between this concept and the Ten Plagues, Rabbi Bernath delves into how each plague symbolizes a distortion of the ten faculties of the soul, as described in Kabbalah. These ancient episodes of spiritual dysfunction mirror the psychological struggles we face today. Through understanding the anatomy of our soul and the symbolic meaning of the plagues, we uncover a roadmap to self-recovery and spiritual transformation.Takeaways:The Inner Thief: Recognizing the negative impulses within us is the first step to reclaiming our inner peace.Plagues as Life Lessons: The Ten Plagues symbolize spiritual dysfunctions in the soul, offering timeless lessons for introspection and growth.Refinement of the Soul: Each plague corresponds to a faculty of the soul—confidence, compassion, love, and others—highlighting the necessity to channel these energies positively.Path to Redemption: Liberation from our "Mitzrayim" begins with honest self-awareness, confronting our inner distortions, and returning to our divine purpose.The Power of Recovery: Even when the thief within seems to have consumed all, recovery and renewal are always possible.#Kabbalah #TenPlagues #Judaism #Jewish #Egypt #Mitzrayim #InnerThief #Sprirital #JewishHistory #Bible #Exodus #Vaera #TorahPortion #Torah #TorahLessons Create Harmony This is a podcast about setting an intentional rhythm, savoring life's blessings and...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Eye-Opening Moments PodcastEye-Opening Moments are stories of adversity, encounters, and perspectives. They are...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport 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

After Moshe was placed in a basket in the Nile River, the pasuk states: ותתצב אחתו מרחק לדעה מה־יעשה לו "His sister stood from afar to see what would happen to him." The Midrash explains that the entire pasuk uses language referring to the Shechina , as if to say that it was Hashem Himself who was standing from afar, watching over Moshe. What is the lesson here? Rabbi Menashe Reizman, based on the mefarshim , explained that what Miriam did—standing and watching—seemed irrational. Naturally, a baby left in a basket on a river would not survive. People usually cannot bear to witness suffering, especially when it involves a relative. So, what was Miriam watching for? The answer is that Miriam was a neviah . She had received a prophecy that the Jewish savior would be born into her family. She stood there with unwavering emunah , waiting to see how Hashem would bring about the salvation. Even though it seemed as though her prophecy would be nullified—since Moshe was abandoned in the river—she trusted that Hashem would fulfill His word. This teaches us that Hashem's ways are far beyond our comprehension. What appeared as abandonment was, in fact, the very act that enabled Moshe to rise to leadership. Being raised in the king's palace gave Moshe the stature and respect necessary to lead the Jewish people. The word אחותו (his sister) in the pasuk also signifies connection. Although Hashem appeared רחוק -distant, He was always present, providing exactly what was needed. The suffering endured by the Jewish people in Mitzrayim was immense, yet the Torah dedicates only a handful of pesukim to describing it. The majority of these parshiyot focus on the geula and Hashem's wondrous salvations. The mefarshim explain that dwelling too much on hardships can distort our perception and harm our emunah . For example, Chazal tell us that Pharaoh killed 300 Jewish babies every day—150 in the morning and 150 in the afternoon—and bathed in their blood. When Moshe witnessed this unimaginable suffering, he asked Hashem how such atrocities could happen. Hashem explained that it was all being done with chesed , to provide the necessary tikkunim for those souls. Moshe pleaded with Hashem to save at least one child, and Hashem permitted it. That child, however, later caused great destruction to Klal Yisrael . His name was Michah. Michah used the inscription "Aleh Shor" , which Moshe had used to retrieve Yosef's coffin, to bring forth the egel from the fire—a sin that continues to impact us today. Michah brought avoda zara into Eretz Yisrael and was the father of Yeravam ben Nevat(Nevat was another name for Micha), who led the ten tribes into exile and set events into motion that ultimately led to the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash . We cannot fully comprehend Hashem's ways. The children killed in Mitzrayim were undergoing tikkunim to achieve eternal life in the World to Come. Many were gilgulim (reincarnated souls) from earlier generations—the generations of Enosh, the Dor Hamabul , the Dor Hapelaga , and the people of Sodom. The Mishna in Pirkeh Avot teaches: אל תסתכל בקנקן אלא במה שיש בו - "Don't look at the vessel but at its contents." The Lev Aryeh explains that this can also refer to the atrocities in Mitzrayim. The letters קן in the word קנקן have a numerical value of 150(written 2x), hinting at the 150 babies killed every morning and every afternoon. The mishna reminds us not to focus solely on the apparent suffering but to consider the greater purpose—those souls were spared from bringing even greater harm to Klal Yisrael . Even the worst suffering can be Hashem's way of providing tikkunim for each creation, ensuring its eternal life in the World to Come. Our role is to trust that the Shechina is always with us, working for our ultimate benefit. The Chatam Sofer writes that every Jew has a mitzva, as they age, to reflect on their life and see how Hashem guided them. We are to recognize how events that once seemed terrible were, in hindsight, truly good. One of our main missions in this world is to develop complete faith in Hashem's constant and boundless chesed . One day, everything will be revealed. Until then, we have the opportunity to demonstrate our belief.

The Bnei Yisroel were redeemed from Mitzrayim because they maintained their "Jewish Identity"—but weren't they simultaneously worshipping Avodah Zarah??

A man recently shared with me the difficulties he has been experiencing. In his words, "It's just one thing after another. I'm trying to be good, but Hashem keeps pushing me down. I'm losing my will to want to improve." Many people feel that if they are experiencing hardship, it must be Hashem telling them that they aren't good. But this is simply not true. Right now, we are reading the parshiyot about the struggles of Yaakov Avinu and Yosef Hatzaddik. These two were among the greatest people who ever lived, yet their lives were filled with extraordinary challenges. Yosef was hated by his brothers, thrown into a pit with snakes and scorpions, sold into slavery in Mitzrayim, falsely accused and imprisoned, and separated from his father for 22 years. Yaakov, too, endured difficulty after difficulty. When he finally sought tranquility, the most devastating trial of all struck—he was made to believe that Yosef had been killed. Worse still, it was he who had sent Yosef out on that fateful day. It was precisely because Yaakov and Yosef endured such immense suffering that they became two of the greatest people who ever lived. This world is a world of toil, and it is our ability to persevere with emunah and to fulfill the ratzon Hashem under duress that elevates us to unimaginable heights. We cannot fathom how much we accomplish by persevering through the challenges Hashem sends us. Because of Yosef's experiences, he became Yosef Hatzaddik, and in his merit, the entire nation was able to cross the Yam Suf—one of the greatest miracles in history. The pasuk says: " יעקב אשר פדה את אברהם ". Rashi, in Masechet Sanhedrin, explains that Avraham was supposed to endure the difficulties in raising children that Yaakov faced. However, Yaakov's neshama accepted the nisayon instead, redeeming Avraham from that challenge. Additionally, Hashem told Avraham that his descendants would be slaves in a foreign land for 400 years. In the end, they were enslaved in Mitzrayim for only 210 years because Hashem began the calculation from the birth of Yitzchak. This means that the difficulties endured by Yitzchak and Yaakov spared millions of their descendants from suffering in Mitzrayim. They bore the brunt of the slavery themselves and will be rewarded for all eternity for the salvation they brought to their children. When Yaakov finally settled in Mitzrayim, his hardships ceased because the actual years of slavery had officially begun, and there was no longer a need for him to carry that burden. No hardship is ever in vain. Hashem is always orchestrating events to enable us to achieve the fullest potential of our lives. Yaakov's image was ultimately etched on the Kiseh Hakavod, symbolizing the pinnacle of human achievement in this world. Hashem always has the past, present, and future in front of Him at all times. While Yaakov mourned the loss of his son, Hashem was simultaneously envisioning the joyous reunion they would one day have. While Yosef was languishing in prison, Hashem was already seeing the moment he would be rushed out to become the leader of Mitzrayim. When we face difficult times, we must remember that there are glorious days ahead. Everything is designed to help us become great. Turning away from Hashem is never the answer. Instead, by drawing closer to Hashem and facing our trials with emunah, we elevate ourselves and pave the way to that glory. No one should ever think that their troubles mean Hashem is pushing them away. On the contrary, it is Hashem calling upon them to rise and become among the greatest people who ever lived.