Illumination: Recent Episodes
Matt Klawansky
Part 6 of an 8-part series titled Rays of Light in the Blinding Darkness - Understanding how to make choices that have the best consequences for us in this world.
The power of recognition.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 5 of an 8-part series titled Rays of Light in the Blinding Darkness - Understanding how to make choices that have the best consequences for us in this world.
Unlocking the key to true inner happiness.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 4 of an 8-part series titled Rays of Light in the Blinding Darkness - Understanding how to make choices that have the best consequences for us in this world.
Chesed, the destroyer.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 3 of an 8-part series titled Rays of Light in the Blinding Darkness - Understanding how to make choices that have the best consequences for us in this world.
Understanding stinginess.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 2 of an 8-part series titled Rays of Light in the Blinding Darkness - Understanding how to make choices that have the best consequences for us in this world.
We take a deeper look into why we make the choices we do in the 3 different kinds of decisions that we are faced with every day.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 1 of an 8-part series titled Rays of Light in the Blinding Darkness - Understanding how to make choices that have the best consequences for us in this world.
We start with a perplexing Rashi.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Pesach Special - A stand-alone episode on the overview of The Haggodah.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Purim Special - A stand-alone episode on the history surrounding the Purim story.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Growing in the Shadow of Competition - Part 3 of a 3-part series titled The Competitive Edge - Using Competitors to Give You the Edge.
'It's good that you have a competitor!'
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Competition: A Fool's Recipe for Rotting Bones - Part 2 of a 3-part series titled The Competitive Edge - Using Competitors to Give You the Edge.
The 2nd Step: Looking into the sources.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Competition Paralysis: Part 1 of a 3-part series titled The Competitive Edge - Using Competitors to Give You the Edge.
What do you do when there is a monster in your backyard trying to destroy your business? There are 3 steps to take. Today we look at Step No. 1.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Partnership and Slavery: Part 5 of a 5-part series titled Building His Empire - Business Fundamentals as a Framework for Growth.
How does one acquire an equity stake in a spiritual pursuit where G-d is your partner? Imagine that - with G-d as a partner anything is possible! There is one defining factor: Risk. You have to be willing to take the risk.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
CEO in the Making: Part 4 of 5-part series titled Building His Empire - Business Fundamentals as a Framework for Growth.
Earning passive income.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Investment Strategy: Part 3 of 5-part series titled Building His Empire - Business Fundamentals as a Framework for Growth.
The 3rd very far-reaching tier in the picture of one’s service to G-d, as compared to working for money. We start with a quote by Shlomo HaMelech (King Solomon) in Mishlei: ‘If you will search after it like you do your silver or buried treasures, then you will grasp what Awe of G-d means, and you will reach Knowledge of G-d.’ This is the ultimate spiritual goal. And how do we get there? By pursuing it in the same way as we would pursue our wealth.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Employee Incentives: Part 2 of 5-part series titled Building His Empire - Business Fundamentals as a Framework for Growth.
Rebbi Tarfon says, 'The day is short and the workload is extensive; the workers are lazy, the reward is huge, and The Boss is pressing.' The Torah is comparing our service to G-d to our working for a boss. In that context we look into the Incentive Program that has been set up, specifically for us, by Hashem.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Workaholics: Part 1 of 5-part series titled Building His Empire - Business Fundamentals as a Framework for Growth.
Shlomo HaMelech (King Solomon) in Kohelet says, 'Someone who loves money will never be satiated by money.' The Gemara explains that this is talking about Moshe Rabbeinu! What does this mean? The Rav shows how one's drive for money can in fact be an exceptionally powerful force in one's spiritual growth.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
In this bonus episode, the Rav takes us through a counter-intuitive Rashi, which speaks about Joseph's righteousness, and has fascinating implications for us in the world of business.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Illumination will pG resume next week with a brand new series from Rabbi Treger.
Part 3 of 3-part series titled The Great Prophet Elisha. We continue our discussion tracing the last 6 of the 16 miracles that Elisha performs, while bringing out fascinating themes and ideas that are hidden within the narrative.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 2 of 3-part series titled The Great Prophet Elisha. An in-depth discussion into the next 6 miracles, 2 of which are seen as the main miracles of Elisha's career. Along the way we explore some fascinating concepts including the idea of skin covering the body, the neshama yeseira (extra soul) that we receive on Shabbos and Yomtov, the beginning of Gehazi's downfall, the origins of Habakuk HaNavi (the Prophet) and much more.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 1 of 3-part series titled The Great Prophet Elisha. In this introduction we begin to understand the context of Elisha's rise. Through him, as the talmid (student) and successor of Eliyahu HaNavi, the mystical journey of nevuah (prophesy) in this world moves into a new phase. We start by counting through the 16 miracles that he performed during his fascinating career.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
A reading of the 7th chapter of the book Genesis and Genes, titled The Torah and Homonids, by Rabbi Yoram Bogacz.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 3 of 3-part introduction, preceding a reading of the chapter Humans and Humanoids, from the book Genesis and Genes by Rabbi Yoram Bogacz. The introduction looks at the shortcomings of the Peer Review publication process of scientific findings, as necessary background for the reading.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 2 of 3-part introduction, preceding a reading of the chapter Humans and Humanoids, from the book Genesis and Genes by Rabbi Yoram Bogacz. The introduction looks at the shortcomings of the Peer Review publication process of scientific findings, as necessary background for the reading.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 1 of 3-part introduction, preceding a reading of the chapter Humans and Humanoids, from the book Genesis and Genes by Rabbi Yoram Bogacz. The introduction looks at the shortcomings of the Peer Review publication process of scientific findings, as necessary background for the reading.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 3 of 3-part series, empowering and inspiring you to keep it clean: For the final instalment of this series, the Rav helps us understand a difficult paragraph in the Mesilas Yesharim's passage on leading a sin-free existence, and we come out in the end with practical advice on how to move forward along this path.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Illumination will be back in January 2017.
Part 2 of 3-part series, empowering and inspiring you to keep it clean: The far-reaching effects of theft in business.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 1 of 3-part series, empowering and inspiring you to keep it clean. A powerful introduction, seeing one's business for what it ACTUALLY is. And if you miss what it is, then you've missed the whole point of what it is to be in business.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 4 of 4-part series on flourishing in the current work environment. We now look at the 2nd facet of Joseph's approach in his rise to tremendous success - he never let anyone around him forget that he was different, that he stood alone as an 'Ish Ivri' - a Jew.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 3 of 4-part series on flourishing in the current work environment. In part 3 we look at Joseph's survival strategy for growth in Egypt, the foundation of his approach - Isolation.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 2 of 4-part series on flourishing in the current work environment. How does one remain a tzaddik in the workplace? This shiur serves as an introduction into the study of our forefather Joseph’s rise to phenomenal success in the land of Egypt. Initially sold as a lowly slave he managed to rise to the highest position in the country, 2nd in command only to Pharaoh himself - all while upholding the Torah that he learnt in his father’s house and maintaining his own status as a complete Tzaddik. How did he do it?
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 1 of 4-part series on flourishing in the current work environment. Rebbi Yochanan ben Zakkai asks his 5 primary students to study the ways of the world and to discern the best method for connecting to Hashem. In this episode we examine Rebbi Yossi's approach: Find a good neighbor. How does this apply to us?
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
When Did the World Begin? Rabbi Taback gives an astounding talk on the essence of Rosh Hashonah and the creation of the World.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Illumination will be back after Sukkos. Kesivah vechasimah tovah!
How, if at all, does the aspect of Guilt feature in the Teshuvah (Repentance) process? We begin, with the Rambam's help, by examining the subtle concept of ‘charota’ - regret - and then proceed on a practical journey of real teshuvah, and into the deep spiritual essence of Time, the Beis HaMikdash (Holy Temple), the Shofar and much more. Join the Rav for this self-contained and truly mind shifting talk.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Illumination will be back after Sukkos. Kesivah vechasimah tovah!
Part 7 of 7-part series on making and retaining money His way. In the final part of this series we look at the rules the Torah gives for retaining one's wealth.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 6 of 7-part series on making and retaining money His way. If Warren Buffett were to advertise an investment opportunity that he had investigated, and he would personally stand surety not only on each investor's investment capital, but also for 100% annual returns on the investment, would anybody think twice before investing? Listen on for a much more powerful investment opportunity...
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 5 of 7-part series on making and retaining money His way. The Rav begins by relating how his time in yeshiva completely reshaped his whole working experience because of 2 fundamental effects that it had on him. He then asks the question 'how much should one learn?' and we look into an interesting Mishnah Berurah for guidance. We investigate Rav Chaim Volozhin's explanation on the Mishnah in Pirkei Avos - 'Do His will like your will in order that He will make your will like His will' - what does this mean? We unpack Rebbi Meir's statement, 'Reduce the time that you work, and learn Torah.' Finally the Rav asks a key question, 'what should one learn?' The answer may change your whole relationship with Torah.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info@illumination.audio
Part 4 of 7-part series on making and retaining money His way. The Rav tells of two incompatible aspirations that he had while growing up. It seemed the choice he faced, one way or the other, would inevitably result in massive sacrifice. One may observe the working world with a keen eye, and with disappointment conclude that the concepts discussed in previous episodes are not true! Today’s episode bridges this chasm.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info[at]illumination[dot]audio
Part 3 of 7-part series on making and retaining money His way. In Pirkei Avos (Ethics of Our Fathers, 4;9) Rebbi Yonoson says, 'Anybody who fulfils the Torah from poverty - in the end he will fulfil it from wealth; and anybody who neglects the Torah from wealth - in the end he will neglect it from poverty.'
Surely this Mishnah is not to be taken literally. Or is it? We investigate what the Rishonim (Medieval commentators) have to say, and together with the Rav we face this Mishnah head on.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info[at]illumination[dot]audio
Part 2 of 7-part series on making and retaining money His way. Now that we understand that one must toil during one’s life, we begin to investigate a Mishnah from the 3rd chapter of Pirkei Avos (Ethics of Our Fathers): ‘Anybody who accepts upon himself the yoke of Torah - they remove from him the yoke of government and the yoke of a livelihood. Anybody who throws off the yoke of Torah, they place upon him the yoke of kingship and the yoke of a livelihood.’
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info[at]illumination[dot]audio
Part 1 of 7-part series on making and retaining money His way. If a one's livelihood is determined on Rosh Hashanah, and one's wealth pre-determined before one is born, how hard must one work to earn it? In this introduction to a new series on making money Hashem's way, we distinguish between laziness and true trust in Hashem, and we will begin to explore how this is manifest in the business world.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info[at]illumination[dot]audio
Part 7 of 7-part series on the Torah's outlook on money, and the 5th part to the guidelines of dealing with the drive for money in the workplace. We discuss a fundamental driver to one's spiritual growth while involved in the working world: Kovea itim l'Torah (fixing set times for Torah learning).
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info[at]illumination[dot]audio
Part 6 of 7-part series on the Torah's outlook on money. We now enter into the workplace, and we need some strategy. We begin by looking at the Mesilas Yesharim's definition of theft, and then move on to some practical thoughts on how to uphold what the Torah wants from us in this very challenging environment.
Feel free to send any comments or questions to the Rav: info[at]illumination[dot]audio
Part 5 of 7-part series on the Torah's outlook on money. 'Someone who loves money will never be satiated with money,' says Shlomo HaMelech (King Solomon) in Koheles. Why is this so? The Rav explores a Gemara in Taanis and we come out with a tangible secret to achieving financial success.
Contact: info[at]illumination[dot]audio
Part 4 of 7-part series on the Torah's outlook on money. Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot.’ Does this not kill the drives and ambitions within us? By looking into Rabbi Wolbe’s Alei Shurand with the help of Rabeinu Yona’s commentary on the Mishna, a startling insight into the makeup of our inner drives begins to emerge.
Contact: info[at]illumination[dot]audio
Part 3 of 7-part series on the Torah's outlook on money. The Maharal has an exposition on King Solomon’s words from Mishlei (Proverbs): ‘Do not exhaust yourself to become rich.’ What exactly does this mean, and what are the practical implications for one’s own life?
Part 2 of 7-part series on the Torah's outlook on money. In Part 2 we look into a perplexing piece from the Mesillas Yesharim (Path of the Just) based on Gemara Chagigah that says ‘A person’s soul desires and yearns for stealing and sexual immorality.’
The Rav relates a frightening personal experience, and unpacks a question once asked to his boss: ‘What drives you to make money?’ In the answer, we discover a scary human reality.
Part 1 of 7-part series on the Torah's outlook on money. With this introduction we begin by asking a simple question: Does G-d value being wealthy?
Part 7 of a 7-part series. The final episode of this series puts the whole of Dovid HaMelech's life and role within the narrative of the Jewish people into perspective.
Some highlights:
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Dovid's psak(ruling) in a hypothetical case, resulting in the loss of 4 of his children.
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The tragic story of Amnon and Tamar.
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Avshalom's revolt and the fascinating personalities involved.
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An understanding of the 'Magen David' blessing that we say after reading the Haftarah.
Part 6 of a 7-part series. Now into the 2nd part of our 2-part discussion of the story of David and Batsheva, we try to understand the essence of the story from the words of Chazal.
Some highlights:
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Dovid asks Hashem to test him like He tested the Avos (Forefathers).
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Rashi explains the conditional Get (divorce doc) given by warriors at war to their wives.
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The World of Trickery that we live in since the sin of Adam HaRishon and the Nachash (snake).
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The Maggid, an angel that would visit Rav Yosef Kairo (author of Shulchan Aruch), answers the question of 'What was Dovid’s sin?'
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The Malbim’s approach, Dovid’s incredible decision and the price of a Chillul Hashem.
Part 5 of a 7-part series. Delving into a 2-part discussion of David and Batsheva, we begin by recapping some important ideas. We then go through the seemingly strange written narrative of the story and come out with many questions..
Some highlights from the episode:
- A proof that the Torah is written by Hashem and not by man.
- A deep investigation into perfection vs imperfection in the attribute of Malchus(Kingship).
Part 4 of a 7-part series. Before entering into the discussion of David and Batsheva, we look at a medrash that tells of 3 questions that King David asks Hashem, and we discover that this medrash is dealing with the same 3 themes that we have previously discussed:
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What is the value of madness? - The power of speech;
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What is the value of the spider's web? - Clothing and the world that lies beyond;
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What is the value of the tzira (wasp)? - The clarity of perception.
Part 3 of a 7-part series. A deep Kabbalistic journey into the relationship between David and Jonathan; the feat of finding the site for the holy Beis HaMikdash; and the tragic story of Nob, City of Kohanim.
Part 2 of a 7-part series. Taking us through the battle between David and Goliath, Rabbi Wolpe gives us 3 fundamental themes that begin to build an understanding of the Malchus Beis Dovid(The Kingship of David):
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Things do not run the way we would expect
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The link between kingship and clothing
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Bris Milah and the direct link between immorality and the power of speech.
Part 1 of a 7-part series. We begin by exploring the origins of King David and by setting up the themes that will run throughout the ultimate Jewish king's life.