Parsha Messages with Rabbi Yochanan David

Rabbi Yochanan David
  • 4.7 (6)
  • Judaism
  • Updated Weekly

The Parsha Messages podcast focuses on finding intuitive ways to create a closer connection to G-D. Please reach out with any questions or feedback at yochanandavid123@gmail.com A project of denverkollel.org

  1. Jun 6

    Be Approachable

    Reasons why being patient is worth your while and tips for developing it. -Article on boredom From Rabbi Yaakov Barr MSc as featured in Mispacha Magazine Issue#1110 Titled: Don't Dodge Boredom ,It Unlocks the Brain

    25 min

  2. Jun 4

    I Am In G-D's Hands

    Life can send us to many unwanted places. Feeling like we have nowhere to turn we start to despair. It is then that we have to remember that we are always in G-D'S hands. Even in this dark place He can be found.

    4 min

  3. May 30

    Self Awareness

    The Parsha addresses the issue of theft, stating that a thief must confess and repay the victim the principal amount plus a penalty. When the Torah directs the thief to confess, it states, “he shall confess the sin he did.” The phrase “that he did” seems to be extra, and needs to be understood. The Beis Yaakov of Alexander explains that the phrase “that he did” emphasizes that the thief must not only confess to the act of stealing but also address the underlying jealousy that prompted the theft. The additional wording highlights the unchecked urge of jealousy as the true motivator for the act of stealing, and thus, an additional confession is necessary. We can understand this better by using an analogy of visiting a doctor. When you visit a doctor you don't merely want a prescription for your symptoms; we expect the doctor to identify and address the root cause of our ailment. Similarly, the thief should not only confess to the act of stealing but also confront the underlying issue, which in this case is jealousy. Consider a scenario where you feel slighted by a coworker at work, leaving you hurt without an opportunity to resolve it. Returning home, you might find your child making a mess, and in a moment of frustration, you react disproportionately. Upon regaining your composure, it’s obvious that you need to mend the hurt caused by your outburst, but we are now learning that you also need to recognize that your anger stemmed from the unresolved hurt from work. The next time we face a challenge, rather than merely extinguishing the flames of our mistakes, let us strive to identify their origins and address them at the source.

    6 min

  4. May 28

    It's Never Too Late

    Message for Parshas Naso Idea from Rav Elya Lopian ZT''L

    4 min

  5. May 26

    How to be a Conformist and an Individualist at the Same Time

    Idea for Parshas Naso

    4 min

  6. May 19

    Empathy - The Path to Torah

    By putting ourselves in other's shoes, we become more equipped for in depth torah study. Idea from Rav Mattisyahu Salamon ztl & Ruach Chaim on Pirkei Avos

    3 min

  7. May 14

    I'm So Grateful

    The basic form of gratitude is counting your blessings-something good happens in our life we notice it and thank G-D for it.  This week's Torah Portion introduces another way to spice up our gratitude: Looking at the Before and After in life. Notice how your life was before you received the gift and after, see how much better life is. This week we learn how the jews were counted. One of the reasons given is for the jews to reflect how far they came in such a short time. Going from a nation of 70 to over 600,000.  There was a pauper who one day struck it rich. Every year on the anniversary of the windfall he would make a huge party inviting the whole city. Besides for having the best food and drink with a band for everyone to enjoy, he had this custom where he put on the rags from the days from when he was a pauper. This was to remind him of his past and how his life changed in such an extreme way. So the next time we have what to be grateful for, instead of just noticing the good we received, add to that reflecting on how much our life has been transformed  for the better because of the gift that was given to us.  Idea based on a Ramban on Parshas Bamidbar

    3 min

  8. Apr 30

    Restrictions Apply

    Restrictions don't just have to be stifling they can also be dignifying. Most of us associate prohibitions as something which deprives us of a life of freedom. Like, why cant I just do what i want?! If you were to observe the lifestyle of King Charles , it will appear to you as if the king has no freedom. He cant bring muddy boots into the palace, He always has to dress perfectly. Such a lifestyle seems unbreathable. But you know that the King's life is far from a stifling life, so how do you make sense of your observation? The answer is, royalty demands higher standards. When the Royal Family avoids junk foods its not because they're depriving themselves , its because they appreciate living a more aristocratic life Same with our spirituality, we are choosing to live a regal life by staying away from spiritually harmful behaviors. We are a higher class and appreciate finer things. We realize who we are. With this perspective in mind, the next time we encounter a prohibition in our life ,instead of focusing on how annoying it is that I can't engage in the behavior we can instead see it as an opportunity to recognize my inner royalty. Idea based on Ohr HaChaim on Parshas Emor

    5 min
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The Parsha Messages podcast focuses on finding intuitive ways to create a closer connection to G-D. Please reach out with any questions or feedback at yochanandavid123@gmail.com A project of denverkollel.org

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