Rabbi Mendel Kessin – Shares a unique perspective about Eisav (Jacob’s twin brother) and how he was originally supposed to be one of the Avot (Forefathers) and even be responsible to bringing forth the six of the twelve tribes. He had the spiritual potential to actually do this but due to his sins this never manifested and Jacob ended up being the father of the twelve tribes. Haven’t heard this part of the story before and how it affects us today.
Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz – Great video going into detail about the three daily prayers and the source evidence of why we do it and where the sources for them. This is combined with the weekly Torah portion (Veyazei) that the Rav weaves into those sources.
Personal Thoughts – I learned a lot of new ideas that I can use in my daily prayers and the prayers in between. The more I learn the richer the experience which is why there is such a big stress to learn Torah because learning leads to new insights and new actions (mitzvot) which is what the whole World rests on.
Rabbi David Yisrael Kalmus – Shares with us how an attitude of gratitude for all the blessings in our life and how little we know can free us from all types of despair. The Rav’s example mashal of a seeing a bug on a leaf and how small it is in the vast universe that seems so big being analagous to us being that bug not knowing the vastness of Hashem and what He has in store for us and that its for our greatest good.
Rebbetzin Rochel Silber – Shows us the various ways to use gematria to find out the deeper meanings of our names. This is more of a participation video where you can find out more about the sources of your name and the nuances it can add to your life’s goals.
You’re Doing Something Big. Keep Fighting! by Rabbi David Yisrael Kalmus
Rabbi Kalmus shares with us how all despair comes from belief in nature versus belief in Hashem gives them life force. Anxiety and Fear versus Faith and Comfort. Hashem created nature and can change it if He chooses. Also, that all sadness comes from (excess of the mind) – like eating the peel instead of the fruit. Everyday in our prayers Jews say that Hashem re-creates the World everyday. Chassidus teaches that every detail is all Hashem (even including a simple leaf turning the air). If these concepts interest you watch the video (~34 minutes).
Newsletter – Rabbi Kalmus’s organization, Tzion Breslov Project, also started a newsletter that comes out before Shabbat – you can sign up for that free here as well:
Weekly Hashkafa Shiur #72 | The Blueprint of Creation – Part 1 AUDIO by Rabbi Mendel Kessin
Rabbi Kessin shares with us the buidling blocks of creation. For example, the seven attributes of creation “down here” so to speak and the real lack of knowledge we don’t have about the creation “up there” (fascinating discussion). Once we have the basics of creation down we can better understand what our role is and how we can do our responsibility to fulfill the purpose of creation.
Personal Thoughts – I like how the Rabbi doesn’t pontificate and claim to know about all the details of creation or what Hashem wants and quite humbly states there is a lot we just don’t know about the whats and whys of this very esoteric subject.
Rabbi Asher Baruch Wegbreit – Shares with us a way we can thank Hashem for all the good He bestows upon us and the subsequent connection that results from that thanks. Rabbi Wegbreit details a hypothetical situation of when you ask your Father for financial help to help one of your family members going through a health crisis and once the crisis passes you send your Father a telegram of thanks for his help. This can parallel our gratitude and thanks to Hashem when he gets us or those close to us through a crisis we can also send Him a thank you telegram by saying Tehillim Kuf (Psalm #100) with a sense of gratitude and thanks. By developing this two-way relationship with Hashem we can grow a deeper connection to Hashem (aka Devekut) which is an essential purpose of our life. Feel free to watch the Rabbi’s short video to get the whole story (~16 minutes).
Please note – Rabbi Wegbreit gave me permission to let our viewship know that in the video he mentioned both Tehillim Kuf (Psalm #100) and Tehillim Kuf Yud (Psalm #110) however Rabbi Wegbreit meant Tehillim Kuf (Psalm #100) in all cases for this video.
Rabbi David Yisrael Kalmus – How much should you thrown yourself on Hashem? Completely! This video explains step by step how to do that according to Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s teachings. Rabbi Kalmus also answers someone towards the end of video who asked why they are not getting what they are asking for. The answer is a bit blunt but the explanation was clear – because we don’t want it enough….yet. He further explains that we just recently read the weekly Torah portion where Sara Imenu finally has a child (after 90 years of praying). Why did it take so long? Because to have a child who becomes one of the most important persons every to walk the face of the Earth, who gives birth to the Jewish people, who Hashem uses as an example of why He constantly forgives the Jewish people for their transgressions it took an unprecedented amount of want.
Personal Thoughts – If you want to hear more about this important concept watch the video. It’s about 35 minutes at single speed and 17 minutes at double speed.
Newsletter – Tzion Breslov Project, also started a newsletter that comes out before Shabbat – you can sign up for that free here as well:
Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi – The first hour of this shiur (class) is packed with very helpful information of the blessings and prayers we say everyday and the actual sources in the beginning part of the Torah in Breisheit (Genesis).
Personal Thoughts – I have really been enjoying Rabbi Mizrachi’s shiurim (classes) on Breisheit (Genesis) and the vast knowledge the Rabbi brings to how it is really intertwined to my daily life.
Rabbi Trugman – Approximately 100 years ago Albert Einstein showed how time and space are intrinsically woven together. Nevertheless, when delving into ancient Jewish texts we see this idea repeat itself a host of times. Fundamentals of Kabbalah and Chassidut – Time and Space – Part 1 and 2, explore a wide range of fascinating Torah sources regarding the unity of time and space.
Personal Thoughts – These two videos bring forth some fascinating ideas about time and space, past and present, and the close relationship between our current scientific theories and Torah concepts.
Rabbi David Yisrael Kalmus – Eloquently answers a common question for those who are becoming more religious and run into what seems like a catch-22 roadblock.
Personal Thoughts – I wish I had this answer when I was younger at the beginning of my journey. What a thoughtful, kind, constructive, and valuable answer and approach. Empowering!
If you would like to listen to the entire lecture please go here:
Newsletter – If you are interested in Tzion Breslov Project’s weekly Shabbat newsletter you can sign up here:
Both these two videos teach us some concepts of the Jewish peoples’ root from a spiritual and practical perspective. We can see how these are actualized in the current events or our time. It’s amazing how things come full circle after literally thousands of years.
Weekly Hashkafa Shiur #69 | The Structure of the Neshama [AUDIO] (Rabbi Kessin):
The Unconditional Covenant with Abraham (Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz):
If you are interested in more videos from this Rabbi please visit his YouTube Channel: If you are interested in more videos from this Rabbi please visit this YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnwd_5P2_hGVNkQfScEmP_w
Rabbi Trugman – Approximately 100 years ago Albert Einstein showed how time and space are intrinsically woven together. Nevertheless, when delving into ancient Jewish texts we see this idea repeat itself a host of times. Fundamentals of Kabbalah and Chassidut – Time and Space – Part 1 and 2, explore a wide range of fascinating Torah sources regarding the unity of time and space.
Personal Thoughts – These two videos bring forth some fascinating ideas about time and space, past and present, and the close relationship between our current scientific theories and Torah concepts.
