Erev Shabbos Drush: Recent Episodes
Rabbi Yossi Michalowicz
Each Shabbos during world history is different. No two Shabbasos are the same. As you get ready for Shabbos, listen to each, once in a lifetime opportunity ,that you should anticipate, that will get you into the perfect frame of mind for this coming Shabbos.
Based on an essay from Rav Baruch Rosenblum, which is based on a Moshol of the Ba'al Shem Tov
What was the secret of Pinchos's zealotry for Hashem ? Hear the untold story of the prelude to the heroism of Pinchos. Hashem prefers that you relate to hashem as your G-d over your desire to self sacrifice. Incredible story of how the Chazon Ish comforted a Holocaust story by relating the famous Psak of R' Yitzchak Elchonon Spektor regarding the money which a Shaliach lost at the Leipzig fair.
Based on the Nesivos Shalom pg. 52-53. Why does Hashem punish the jews so much for complaining and wanting to eat Kosher meat ? What is worse : A Jew who does not sin, but wants to be far away from Hashem; or a Jew who feels terrible as he is sinning ? 2 great stories about 1) keeping Shabbos; and 2) The Chutzpa of a Rasha to a tzaddik.
WHY DOES THE FIRST PASUK IN THE PARSHA REPEAT WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW FROM LAST WEEK'S PARSHA ? WHY IS THE STORY OF YAAKOV'S JOURNEY INTERRUPTED WITH MENTIONING EISAV'S MARRIAGE ? WHAT TEST DID YAKKOV HAVE IN LIFE ? WHY DOES THIS PARSHA MENTION THAT YAAKOV "WENT", WHILE THE HAFTORA MENTIONS THAT YAAKOV ACTUALLY "FLED"? HERE THE STORY OF HOW RABBI ELIYAHU MEIR BLOCH zt"l was able to overcome his challenges and rebuild the telz Yeshiva in Cleveland .
WHY DO WE COME TO KNOW YITHAK THROUGH HIS DIGGING ? WHY WAS YITZCHAK'S NAMING OF BE'ER SHEVA ETERNALIZED, WHILE AVRAHAM'S WAS NOT ? WHAT WAS THE TZORCKOVER REBBE JEALOUS OF RAV MEIR SHAPIRO ?
Why did Avraham ask Hashem to look old ? Why do people resist this Divine gift by trying to reverse the aging process ? Why does Rabbeinu Yonah state that the burial of Sarah was the tenth test? Incredible story with Rav Hirsh of Riminow and the elderly Jew who was over 100.
Why does the Torah go into such copious detail of Avraham's Chesed ? Why Does Hashem send the angel of destruction to Avraham's home ? Why do the angels ask where Sarah is, and then do not speak with her? Hear the majestic answer of the Gerer Rebbe. Two beautiful stories : "If Not Higher" & "A simchas Torah dance in Kew Gardens." Do we believe that no one is as smart as the Jewish people ?
Why does Hashem tell Avraham that He is the Master of the Palace of Plane earth - yet He does not put out the Fire ? Why do we put on our Right shoe first, but tie our Left shoe first ? Hear an incredible Shidduch story that resulted in tying the left shoe first.
FIND OUT WHY THE COMMENTATORS SEEM TO CRITICIZE NOACH'S STATURE, WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY POSITIVE THINGS THE TORAH SAYS ABOUT NOACH ? LUBAVITCH REBBE EXPLAINS HOW THEY ARE REALLY COMPLEMENTING HIM; AND RAV SCHACHTER EXPLAINS HOW WE CAN BECOME EXTRAORDINARY. “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” - Edward Everett Hale AMERICAN AUTHOR
How do we understand the ongoing world crisis and the present focus with the war in Ukraine? Hear the historical Overview of the Ten Days of Teshuva weaving through the times of Bilaam, Naval & Avigayil, Gedalya, and Daniel. Rav Soltoveitchik encourages us to hear the voice of Avigayil. Be inspired by the Ba'al Shem Tov's short message of "It is never too late."
HEAR AN INCREDIBLE PARABLE OF THE DUBNO MAGID, INSPIRING STORIES ABOUT THE BEAUTY OF SABBOS, AND HOW WE CAN EXPLOIT THE BENEFITS OF THIS LAST SHABBOS OF 5782 TO SUCCESSFULLY PREPARE US FOR THE UPCOMING ROSH HASHANA
Before we begin confessing for our sins next week, let us see how this Parsha of Viduy Ma'asros teaches us to confess our positive behaviors, which will be a springboard to effective Viduy throughout the High Holiday season.
Beautiful explanation of the Shem Mishmuel who explains: 1) Why the Ben Sorer Umorer can be forgiven by his parents and not killed; 2) Why a Jew can do Teshuva as opposed to a non-Jew; 3) The value of accepting other people's imperfections. An amazing story with Rabbi Simon Jacobson and a physically challenged student who was reunited with his parents
ALTHOUGH THERE ARE 3 VALID REASONS FOR US TO FEAR THAT WE WILL LOSE OUR BATTLE AGAINST THE YETZER HORA, THE OHR HACHAIM SHOWS HOW WE CAN WIN. DELVE INTO THE POWER OF BITACHON, AND BELIEVE THAT VICTORY IS ACHIEVABLE.
How do we begin Our Avoda for Elul ? Chasam Sofer's brilliant analysis of the attraction of idols that "you did not know." Using John Gottman's approach in strengthening relationships in marriage as it applies to our relationship with hashem.