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Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark alive

By Nitzotzos

Shiurim and Divrei Chizzuk from our Mashpia Rav Burg and other inspirational speakers to light up our soul.
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Parshas Vayeitzei - Though I Am Sleeping I Am Wide Awake

Nitzotzos: Thoughts to keep your spark aliveDec 02, 2022

00:00
42:22
Vayeitzei - Developing a Relationship With Hashem

Vayeitzei - Developing a Relationship With Hashem

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains three dimensions of building a relationship with Hashem.

1. Avraham Avinu - Love - Digging Wells

2. Yitzchak Avinu - Fear - Maintaining the Structural Integrity of the Well

3. Yaakov Avinu - Truth - Unplugging the Well


Nov 23, 202337:33
Vayeitzei - Yearning for Mashiach

Vayeitzei - Yearning for Mashiach

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explained why:

1. Yaakov was attracted to Rachel.

2. Lavan wanted Yaakov to marry Leah first.

3. How Lavan intended to uproot the entire Jewish Nation.

We live within the dialectical tension of being ok and yearning for more. On the one hand we need to be ok with our state of Golus so that we can survive. On the other hand we cannot become complacent and stop yearning for Mashiach.


Nov 22, 202340:12
Toldos - Educating Eisav

Toldos - Educating Eisav

In this shiur, delivered at Sharfmans, Rav Burg explains the inner nature of the name Yitzchak and why Yitzchak specifically is described as loving Eisav. Yitzchak laughs because while on the one hand he lives within boundaries, he has the capacity to defy all normal expectations. Some people are able to find light beyond the darkness; Yitzchak can find light within the darkness. Only Yitzchak can see beyond the behavior of Eisav and expect the unexpected.
Nov 16, 202328:44
Toldos - Where Teffilah Comes From

Toldos - Where Teffilah Comes From

In this shiur, delivered at Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains why it was Yitzchak's Teffilah and not Rivka's Teffilah that was answered when she was unable to have children. Only when we live with a sense of abundance in our lives are we capable of imagining the world in new ways. When we are defined by our past we have an impoverished mentality and our imagination is more limited.
Nov 15, 202340:16
Chanukah - Falling Upwards

Chanukah - Falling Upwards

In this shiur, delivered at the Lubat home in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Rav Burg explains the inner meaning behind the Machlokes between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel as to how we light the Menorah. Even though it appears at times that we are falling, in truth all movements are upwards. On Chanukah the truth of the darkness is revealed.


Nov 12, 202357:11
Chayei Sarah - The Blessings of an Integrity Life

Chayei Sarah - The Blessings of an Integrity Life

In this shiur, delivered at Sharfmans, Rav Burg gives over an idea from Rav Lopiansky shlit"a that reveals the inner nature of Bracha (blessed) and Arur (cursed) . Why is it that Avraham tells Eliezer that he is Arur? How is it that Hashem sends a message to Eliezer through Lavan that he is blessed?!? One who lives an integrity life becomes a conduit for blessing in this world.
Nov 09, 202331:19
Chayei Sarah - The Three Lives of Sarah Imeinu

Chayei Sarah - The Three Lives of Sarah Imeinu

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores the three names of Sarah Imeinu, how each one of the names relates to a different Mitzvah. miracle and a particular Avodah of relating to the reality of the world.

Important note from Rav Burg: "In the beginning of the shiur I asked a question about how the return of the miracles consoled Yitzchak but neglected to answer the question. I apologize. The answer is that because Sarah Imeinu was able to discover Godliness on all three levels (disavowal, refinement and sublimation) her impact on this world transcended her death. Until Rivka came onto the scene, her impact was not felt and this was what Yitzchak was grieving. He could not understand how his mothers Avodah was somehow discontinued. When Rivka married Yitzchak she took on the countenance of Sarah Imeinu and in a certain sense, she became her. The miracles were once again brought back into reality and this is how Yitzchak was consoled. Through Rivka he understood how his mothers impact continued to be a part of this world."


Nov 08, 202334:20
Vayera - Are You A Bread Person Or A Salt Person (Achdus Event - Tomer Devorah and Sharfmans)

Vayera - Are You A Bread Person Or A Salt Person (Achdus Event - Tomer Devorah and Sharfmans)

In this shiur, delivered at the Achdus Event with Tomer Devorah and Sharfmans, Rav Burg explores why Lots wife turns into salt and why we continue to make it a part of our Yiddishkeit today. The difference between drawing towards and drawing from is subtle but the implications are enormous in terms of the way that we treat other people.
Nov 02, 202336:14
Vayera - What You Learn When Your Back Is Up Against The Wall

Vayera - What You Learn When Your Back Is Up Against The Wall

This shmooze, sponsored by Smilesforthekids.com and delivered in Mevaseret, addresses the Kiruv methodology of Avraham Avinu. Why does Avraham Avinu seemingly coerce people into acknowledging Hashem? Is that helpful? Does it create meaningful and lasting change?

In this shiur, based on a sicha from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Burg speaks about how sometimes we have to face the hard truth in order to unlock who we really are and what we really believe.

Nov 02, 202335:24
Lech Lecha - Be Fascinating

Lech Lecha - Be Fascinating

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores the difference between the generation that built Migdal Bavel and Avraham Avinu. The juxtaposition of the two clearly indicates that the fundamental mission of the Jew is to be uniquely themselves. Only when we serve Hashem according to the unique nature of our soul can we say that we are truly serving Hashem. And when we do we are fascinating people.


Oct 25, 202335:48
Achdus Event - (Mevaseret and Aish Gesher) A Torah of Unity

Achdus Event - (Mevaseret and Aish Gesher) A Torah of Unity

In a tremendous display of Achdus in these difficult times, Mevaseret and Aish Gesher joined together for a morning seder.
Rav Burg addressed both Yeshivas in an opening shmooze on the topic of Rav Chanina ben Tradyon's tragic death.
As he is leaving this world, Rav Chanina ben Tradyon reveals the secret of Klal Yisrael's ultimate victory.
Oct 25, 202325:53
Noach - Finding an Inner Strength Amidst the Flood

Noach - Finding an Inner Strength Amidst the Flood

This shiur, delivered in Yeshivat HaKotel for the newly formed Acheinu program, explores the nature of the world pre-flood and post-flood. Pre-flood the world received its Godliness from Hashem whereas post-flood the world discovered its Godliness from within. This change was brought about through two mechanisms: 1. the flood 2. the Teiva. The flood of life destroys all of our toxic systems and the Teiva is where we discover our inner strength.


Oct 18, 202341:17
Noach - Leaving the Teiva, Returning to the Vulnerability of Life

Noach - Leaving the Teiva, Returning to the Vulnerability of Life

Noach would not leave the Teiva until the dove returned with an olive leaf in his mouth. But where would a dove get an olive leaf from? The Medrash provides us with two solutions: Gan Eden or Eretz Yisrael. What is the inner meaning of retrieving an olive leaf from these two places? In this shiur, Rav Burg explores how we can return to our lives after the flood of destruction. How do we know that it is safe to leave the Teiva? When we discover that our inner essence is untainted, the essential self that never participated in our lowest moments and even the essence of our lowest parts that did things we are not proud of, it gives us the feeling of safety to return to the vulnerabilities of life.


Oct 18, 202335:49
Noach - The Teiva as a model for the Jewish home

Noach - The Teiva as a model for the Jewish home

This shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, explores the specific dimensions and design of the Teiva as a model for what a Jewish home ought to look like.



Oct 18, 202351:29
Bereishis - Making Light Out of the Darkness

Bereishis - Making Light Out of the Darkness

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores the first several pesukim of Bereishis in an effort to understand these difficult times that we are living in.


Oct 11, 202340:25
Chizzuk in These Difficult Times (bonus: how to talk to your children about the war with Hamas)

Chizzuk in These Difficult Times (bonus: how to talk to your children about the war with Hamas)

In this shiur, delivered in the Lubat home in RBS Hey and on zoom, Rav Burg provides Divrei Chizzuk for the community. Focusing in on the spiritual nature of what it means to be a Jew, Rav Burg explores why Achdus is of such extreme importance.
At the end of the shiur Rav Burg provides a step by step guide as to how to talk with our children about the war with Hamas.
Oct 09, 202353:53
Hoshana Rabbah - To Live in a Pleasant World

Hoshana Rabbah - To Live in a Pleasant World

This shiur, delivered at the Yeshivat HaKotel Hoshana Rabbah program, begins with three questions:
1. What's the inner nature of Hoshana Rabbah such that it has the capacity to override the psak of Yom Kippur?
2. Why does the war of Gog and Magog take place on Hoshana Rabbah?
3. What's the connection between Dovid HaMelech (the Ushpizin of the night) and Hoshana Rabbah?
In this shiur Rav Burg explains how music represents the mergjng of the spiritual and the physical. Though they don't naturally go together, it is possible to synthesize the two. This is the meaning of the pleasantness of Torah and Olam Haba which are both called Noam.
Oct 05, 202336:11
Succos - Enjoy the Process

Succos - Enjoy the Process

In this shiur Rav Burg explores the inner essence of the Esrog. In this world there is both process and achievement. In the physical world we only value achievement but in the spiritual world he process is the goal. When we value the process we can achieve complete Simcha.


Sep 27, 202331:31
Teshuva - It All Comes Down To Me

Teshuva - It All Comes Down To Me

This shiur, delivered in Darchei Binah, explores the story of Rav Elazar ben Dudaya, a man who engaged in a completely hedonistic lifestyle but managed to do Teshuva and acquire his portion in the world to come in a moment. Only through taking personal responsibility for what we have done can we become the people we are destined to be.


Sep 20, 202349:17
Haazinu - Speaking With the Higher Self

Haazinu - Speaking With the Higher Self

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explains the difference between Dibur and Amira. Sometimes, when speaking to our lower self doesn't work, we need to speak with the higher self in a strong and direct manner in order to truly inspire.


Sep 20, 202333:19
Teshuva - Renewal of our Homes

Teshuva - Renewal of our Homes

In this Aseres Yemei Teshuva shiur, delivered at the Chanukas HaBayis of the Lubat family in RBS, Rav Burg explains how Teshuva allows for an expanded relationship which includes our previous misdeeds.
Sep 19, 202343:35
Teshuva and Tzedaka

Teshuva and Tzedaka

Delivered on Zoom to Tomer Devorah alumni, Rav Burg explores the Mitzvah of Tzedaka and it's essential connection to Teshuva. Tzedaka is not something we give only with our hands but also with our hearts. It is the truest expression of the Godly soul that we have inherited from Avraham Avinu. In tapping into our true essence we also discover the part of ourselves that is forever pure and the pathway to Teshuva.
Sep 19, 202330:28
Rosh Hashanah - Reconciling Trembling With Joy

Rosh Hashanah - Reconciling Trembling With Joy

In this shiur, the first shiur of the year in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores two approaches as to how we can reconcile the seriousness and the joy of Rosh Hashanah. In the first approach the judgement is serious but the judge is our father. In the second approach we can share the seriousness of our judgement with the Judge Himself and it is a joy to have a place of belonging.
Sep 13, 202342:06
Teshuva - Building A New Relationship With Hashem

Teshuva - Building A New Relationship With Hashem

In this shiur, delivered to Aish Gesher for Women, Rav Burg explains how Teshuva allows us to build a new relationship with Hashem. From within our wrong doings we discover what we truly desire from our relationship with God.
Sep 12, 202348:57
Teshuva - A Sanctuary in Space

Teshuva - A Sanctuary in Space

In this short shiur, delivered to Mevaseret Alumni, Rav Bug explains why the Rabbeinu Yonah calls Teshuva a sanctuary. Teshuva is not just something we do but a place where we live. Only through Teshuva can we build a home for Hashem in this world.


Sep 10, 202319:59
Nitzavim - Make Good Choices

Nitzavim - Make Good Choices

In this shiur, delivered in Sharfman's, Rav Burg explains why we need to be told by Moshe Rabbeinu not to choose death. How many of us choose a path that leads to death because of poor solutions that create further problems?


Sep 07, 202336:28
Ki Tavo - Collect Your Fruits

Ki Tavo - Collect Your Fruits

In this shiur, the inaugural shiur Sharfmans, Rav Burg explores the inner meaning of the seven species and why we must deliver them in a basket to the Kohen.


Aug 31, 202337:28
Elul - Meeting the King in the Field

Elul - Meeting the King in the Field

The Alter Rebbe teaches us that the King comes out to the field to meet with us during Elul. What is the inner depth of this Mashal? Why does the King take this stroll? In this shiur, delivered at the first guest shiur in MMY, Rav Burg explains why Teshuva feels inorganic even though it is our most natural state of being.

Aug 28, 202343:16
Reeh - The Fate of the Many Lies in the Hands of the Individual

Reeh - The Fate of the Many Lies in the Hands of the Individual

In this week's Parsha shiur, delivered at the final NCSY Kollel Mishmar of the summer, Rav Burg analyzes the first pasuk in Parshas Reeh. The lessons explored include:
1. The fate of the many lies in the hands of the individual
2. The world will be a bracha or a klala depending on what we choose.
3. To be a human being means to be someone who exercises conscious free will. Choose your highest self.
4. Choice always happens in the now. If you want to know how you ended up at your destination simply look at the choices you made consistently over time.
Aug 10, 202326:15
Great Debates - Should a Rebbe Know What His Talmid is Doing on a Saturday Night

Great Debates - Should a Rebbe Know What His Talmid is Doing on a Saturday Night

NCSY Kollel ran a program called Great Debates. In this debate, featuring Rav Yosef Hirschel vs Rav Burg, the topic debated was should a Rebbe know what his talmid is doing on a Saturday night. Rav Hirschel argued the affirmative and Rav Burg argued the negative. At its core the issue being debated was, what is the role of a Rebbe.
Aug 09, 202349:44
A Beautiful Story of Chesed

A Beautiful Story of Chesed

In this shiur, delivered at NCSY Kollel Mishmar, Rav Burg told over an exceptional story of Chesed in Beit Shemesh involving a family that is struggling with a rare genetic disease. With Chesed like this happening in our community how is it that Mashiach hasn't come yet?
Aug 03, 202329:54
Finding the Sweetness in Torah

Finding the Sweetness in Torah

In this shiur, delivered at NCSY Michlelet, Rav Burg explores the bracha of V'haarev Na. Only through finding the sweetness of Torah can we ensure transmission of the Jewish mission to the next generation.
Aug 01, 202342:18
Tisha B'Av - Feeling Hashem's Pain

Tisha B'Av - Feeling Hashem's Pain

In this shiur, delivered at NCSY Kollel on Tisha B'Av, Rav Burg explains how we are all very busy trying to tap into our own loss on Tisha B'Av but what about feeling Hashem's Pain for His loss. It's His house that was destroyed and only through feeling the pain of another will we merit to rebuild the Beis HaMikdash.
Jul 27, 202323:40
Tisha B'Av - The Five Stages of Destruction

Tisha B'Av - The Five Stages of Destruction

In this shiur, delivered at NCSY Michlelet to both TJJ and Michlelet girls, Rav Burg explains how each one of the five tragedies that occurred on Tisha B'Av further our destruction until we are completely annihilated. But, at the point of complete annihilation, we discover that we have not been destroyed we have been planted and we are in the process of growing.
Jul 25, 202332:29
Devarim - Choosing a Godly Life

Devarim - Choosing a Godly Life

In this shiur, delivered in NCSY Kollel at Mishmar, Rav Burg explains (based on a sicha from the Lubavitcher Rebbe) why Hashem allowed Klal to make the totally free choice to send Meraglim to spy out Eretz Canaan. We are naturally pulled to do a Mitzvah but when given an option we are totally free to do as we please. In this way we can truly invite Hashem into our lives.
Jul 20, 202327:53
Nine Days - Discovering The Simcha That Comes From Aveilus

Nine Days - Discovering The Simcha That Comes From Aveilus

Chazal teach us that anyone who mourns the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash will merit to see it in it's state of Simcha. In this shiur, delivered to the Nshei of Neve Shamir, Rav Burg explores the vulnerability of Aveilus - the physical loss and the geographical disorientation, and how only through a true mourning process can we come to discover the completion that exists within our state of incompleteness.
Jul 18, 202347:58
Matos - Making His Ratzon Our Ratzon

Matos - Making His Ratzon Our Ratzon

In this shiur, delivered at NCSY Kollel Mishmar, Rav Burg (quoting from Rav Lopiansky shlit"a) explains why the last battle that Moshe Rabbeinu fought was specifically with Midyan and Bilaam. Why was this a condition for Moshe to move on to the next world? Furthermore, what was the significance of the Tzitz in the battle with Midyan?

Are we serving Hashem or serving ourselves? Do we learn Torah in order to pervert the Torah or to do Hashem's will in this world?
Jul 13, 202331:16
Matos Masei - Hard Enough to Survive and Complete the Journey (Staff Training With NCSY Next Step)

Matos Masei - Hard Enough to Survive and Complete the Journey (Staff Training With NCSY Next Step)

In this shiur Rav Burg explains, based on a sicha from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the connection between the Masei and the reason why these Parshios are read during the three weeks. We must live with the paradox of becoming hard enough to survive Galus, drawing from wellsprings of faith that we did not know existed, and at the same time understand that this all taking us to Eretz Yisrael, a time of Geula.
The shiur was followed by a Question and Answer with the advisors of NCSY Next Step.
Jul 12, 202359:60
Parshas Shelach - You Are Not Fallen, You're in Process

Parshas Shelach - You Are Not Fallen, You're in Process

In this short shiur, delivered at the grand banquet of Mevaseret, Rav Burg addresses the Talmidim for the final time of the year. In this shiur he defines the difference between a Malach who is an Omed and a human being who is a Mehaleich. An Omed can be defined by his fall but a human being who is in process can never be defined by what he does.


Jun 07, 202315:01
Behaalosecha - Swimming Against the Stream of Life

Behaalosecha - Swimming Against the Stream of Life

In this shiur, the last of the year in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg addresses the inverted nuns that we find in this weeks Parsha. What are they doing in this week Parsha? Why a Nun? Why inverted? Why do we recite these pesukim at least three times a week? A Jew is called upon to swim upstream in life. To go against the current. And as we rebound for our state of Nefillah we climb higher than ever before, to a place that is even beyond our capacity to achieve.


May 31, 202343:27
Shavuos - To Be A Part Of God's Nation

Shavuos - To Be A Part Of God's Nation

In this shiur, delivered in Michlala, Rav Burg explains (based on the Torah of the Nachlas Yosef) the first several Pesukim of Megillas Rus. Understanding the inner story of how Naomi came to be in Moav allows us to understand the heroism of her return to return to Eretz Yisrael. Indeed from her return comes Dovid HaMelech and ultimately Melech HaMashiach.
May 24, 202346:25
Shavuos - Finding Hashem in the Torah

Shavuos - Finding Hashem in the Torah

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores the topic of seeing the sounds by Har Sinai. The Zohar HaKadosh takes this literally. The inner message of this teaching is that Yiddishkeit needs to be something visible and visceral. We cannot teach the menu of Shabbos without teaching the majesty of Shabbos. If we are going to be Hashem's loyal servants, when the mountain of Har Sinai is held over our heads and a deep hester panim has set in, we must be able to draw from the strength of our relationship with Hashem.



May 24, 202336:57
Shavuos - When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

Shavuos - When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

When we know deeply that we matter, that our actions matter, we are capable of doing incredible things. The Medrash teaches us that had Boaz known that his actions were being recorded he would have served Rus a fleishigs seuda. This was not because Boaz wanted to look good for eternity but because he did not know that his actions mattered eternally.

May 24, 202344:55
Shavuos - To Be a Part of God's Nation

Shavuos - To Be a Part of God's Nation

In this shiur, delivered to the Nshei of Rechavia, Rav Burg explains (based on the Torah of the Nachlas Yosef) the first several Pesukim of Megillas Rus. Understanding the inner story of how Naomi came to be in Moav allows us to understand the heroism of her return to return to Eretz Yisrael. Indeed from her return comes Dovid HaMelech and ultimately Melech HaMashiach.
May 23, 202353:36
Shavuos - The Value of the Birchas HaTorah

Shavuos - The Value of the Birchas HaTorah

In this shiur, delivered to the Nshei of Neve Shamir in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Rav Burg explores the concept of Chazal's explanation thatthe destruction of the Beis HaMidash was destroyed because of the fact that they did not make a Birchas HaTorah before davening. Could it be that they did not make a Birchas HaTorah before learning? Even if it did happen, is that something worthy of the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash? Wasn't the Beis HaMikdash destroye because of the big three aveiros? Examining these questions and several more, Rav Burg addresses the topic of finding Hashem in the Torah and now allowing it to become an intellectual pursuit. Only through an authentic relationship with Hashem can we pass on our heritage to the next generation.


May 21, 202349:13
Shavuos - Essence of Polarities (followed by a Q&A with Rav and Rebbetzin Burg)

Shavuos - Essence of Polarities (followed by a Q&A with Rav and Rebbetzin Burg)

In this shiur, delivered in Aish HaTorah to the Chizzuk Mission led by Barrie Feld, Rav Burg addresses how the physical and spiritual can be fused with each other only from the perspective of the essence. This concept can be used to understand how men and women can find each other in relationships. At the end of the shiur there is a question and answer from Rav and Rebbetzin Burg.


May 21, 202353:32
NCSY Staff Training

NCSY Staff Training

In this shiur, delivered in the Jerusalem Gold Hotel in Yerushalayim to NCSY Summer advisors, Rav Burg addresses the topic of Chinuch and how it is an expression of our Avodas Hashem. The shiur was followed by a question and answer session about practical topics regarding dealing with NCSY'ers in the summer.


May 19, 202353:59
Bamidbar - Ask Not What Hashem Can Do For You But What You Can Do For Hashem

Bamidbar - Ask Not What Hashem Can Do For You But What You Can Do For Hashem

In a consumeristic culture we have lost sight of what our relationship with Hashem is all about. In this shiur Rav Burg explains how we tend to "sell" Judaism to our youth rather than teach them that they have obligations and reponsibilities to participate in our relationship with Hashem. Each of us has a unique Godly soul and we are meant to contribute to this world.


May 17, 202352:44
Dignity in Focus Challenge (Tomer Devorah Awards Dinner) - Rav and Rebbetzin Burg (shiur plus Q&A)

Dignity in Focus Challenge (Tomer Devorah Awards Dinner) - Rav and Rebbetzin Burg (shiur plus Q&A)

For several years Tomer Devorah runs a DIF (Dignity in Focus) challenge that culminates with a dinner for the winners. The dinner is highlighted by a short shiur from Rav and Rebbetzin Burg on the topic of dignity and is followed by a Q&A on the topic of dignity. Rav Burg spoke about dignity as a shemira and Rebbetzin Burg spoke about Tznius as creating space for another.


May 15, 202357:10
Behar - Restored to Factory Settings

Behar - Restored to Factory Settings

In this shiur, delivered in Tomer Devorah, Rav Burg explores the Mitzvah of Shemitta. Why does the Torah indicate that Shemitta was to be kept immediately upon entering Eretz Yisrael when in fact it was only kept seven years later? What is the inner connection between Matan Torah and Har Sinai? Why does the Torah record the question of those Jews who wondered what they would eat after the Shemitta year rather just giving the answer as the Torah generally does? Rav Burg explains the difference between a scarcity mentality and an abundance mentality and how the Mitzvah of Shemitta restores us to our original settings on an even higher level.


May 10, 202353:05