Illumination

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 Shur and 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: - Dovid's psak (ruling) in a hypothetical case, resulting in the loss of 4 of his children. - The tragic story of Amnon and Tamar. - Avshalom's revolt and the fascinating personalities involved. - 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: - Dovid asks Hashem to test him like He tested the Avos (Forefathers). - Rashi explains the conditional Get (divorce doc) given by warriors at war to their wives. - The World of Trickery that we live in since the sin of Adam HaRishon and the Nachash (snake). - The Maggid, an angel that would visit Rav Yosef Kairo (author of Shulchan Aruch), answers the question of 'What was Dovid’s sin?' - 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: 1. What is the value of madness? - The power of speech; 2. What is the value of the spider's web? - Clothing and the world that lies beyond; 3. 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): 1. Things do not run the way we would expect 2. The link between kingship and clothing 3. 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.