In this last of the series on Higher Power Vs. My Higher Power, we explore the way Rebbe Nachman resolves the objective philosophical contradictions regarding Transcendence vs Immanence in the individual by showing how these cosmic forces affect each person in their own struggles.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

In the third of the series we examine the original approach to the Chalal hapanui by Rebbe Nachman and its integration in the avodah of each person.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

In the the second part of the series we explore the mitnaged view of Higher Power inclduing the Gaon of Vilna and Reb Chayim miVolozhyn.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

In this series Dr. Ungar sets the stage for distinguishing the analytic discursive expression of the infinite in contrasting different approaches to the Tzimztum.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Miriam Gettinger shares insights and analyis of the Netziv's commentary on Parshas Vayera. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to i…

Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon summarizes the historical context in which the Netziv operated.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Rabbi Leonard Metanky shares insights and analyis of the Netziv's commentary on Parshas Vayeitzei. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tues…

Dayan Reiss shares insights and analyis of the Netziv's commentary on Parshas Vayeitzei. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its…

Rabbi Yitzchak Gettinger shares insights and analyis of the Netziv's commentary on Parshas Toldos. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tues…

Miriam Gettinger shares insights and analyis of the Netziv's commentary on Parshas Vayera. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to i…

Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory …

Miriam Gettinger shares insights and analyis of the Netziv's commentary on Parshas Noach. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to it…

We explore the Maor Vashemesh's original thesis splitting of mitzvot aseh vs lo saaseh in terms of the emotional attachment associated with negative commandments...How could the negative connect us in any way to the Divine?بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Podcast: Maor Vashemesh defines deveykut as access to Mochin Ila'in which is only possible through the attachment of Tefilah. The "residue" that follows when back in the real world ("shearis Mochin") gives him the ability to put into action the product of the inspiration. Punning on the word "beasamecha" as things that are "samui" hidden from view.…

Batya Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory be a …

Commenting on Deut 21:15 "If a man has two wives, and he loves one but not the other, and both bear him sons but the firstborn is the son of the wife he does not love..." The Degel sees "the man" as the Divine and the two wives as two types of soul. How to negotiate the different spaces of worldliness and worship?…

We explore the Ma'amar of Elul (Likutei Torah Parshas Re'eh and Likutei Sichos 1966) and the dramatic parable of the King in the Field by contrasting it with the King Parable of Kohelet Rabba 9:8 and TB Shabbat 153.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Batya Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory be a …

The Tshuous Chen reads the war as an inner battle against two types of attacks: those projected onto the "enemy" from ones own sins and others from true wicked enemies.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

The Degel uses Kabbalistic references to describe the actors in the mitzvah, the nest, the chicks/eggs and the mother bird. Each represents the hidden divine and the potential for rescuing the soul trapped in the grips of materialism or even worse addiction.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Batya Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory be a …

We explore the seeming redundancy of the Levitical Priests as well as Secular Law Judges in deciding law that is opaque and the Ma'or Vashemesh's privileging of prophetic spirit over rational legalistic approach.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Batya Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory be a …

In our avodas Hashem the Degel (Parshas Ekev) demands "Haamanah" as opposed to "emunah" even more so he claims that Haamanah is the very foundation of Torah and Miztvot. We explore this radical notion that raises the stakes of normative orthodoxy.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Batya Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory be a …

We explore the notion of מוֹצָ֥א פִֽי־יְהֹוָ֖ה comparing the medieval discomfort with anthropomorphism to the mystical-hassidic interpretations and how suffering triggers the divine response.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Deuteronomy 7:15 with a dramatic radical internalization of the letter mysticism of Sefer yetzira that raises the stakes of spirituality and man's mission in this world.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

The Degel struggles with the first command in the Decalogue as do other commentators, but brings his enormous skill in internalizing the mystical tones from his grandfather the Besht.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Batya Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory be a …

The Degel teaches us that the "king" down here on earth is the very broken heart, the heart of yerushalayim, and its shleimut is only in its brokeness.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

In our podcast we compare the Turkey Prince fable of Rebbe Nachman with the Kafka short story of the Hunger Artist to highlight differences between the superficial demands of a Torah life with Toras Chesed or Torah Lishmah. Textsبقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Batya Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory be a …

In delineating the status of Moshe Rebeinu's prophecy in the book of Devorim we encounter 2 separate opinions, in one comparing his unique ability compared with other prophets and in another his expounding Torah as will others in future generations. The mystical approach (the Degel) undermines both rational approaches. Texts…

The Maor Vashemesh on Avodas Habirurim.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Batya Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory be a …

The meor vashemesh uses the struggle with the expression in Deut 5:19 "Hashem spoke those words—those and no more—to your whole congregation at the mountain, with a mighty voice out of the fire and the dense clouds. [God] inscribed them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me." the hebrew יָסָ֑ף is targum called וְלָא פְסַק So which is it? only…

We compare and contrast the Netziv's deeply psychological analysis of Pinchas' zealotry with the mystical view of Reb Gedaliah of Linitz. Textsبقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory …

The Meor Vashemesh defines dvekut in a different manner than prior inquiries. His idea of spiritual leadership requires the zaddik to show how he manages his "katnut" and spiritual struggles, in front of his disciples , not merely the finished product of his perfection, rather teaching them how he managed his dark side. Texts…

Rabbi Yaakov Frankeil is our special guest presenter this week to discuss an insight from the Netziv's commentary on the parsha.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

In this episode, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon examines the Midrash's understanding of the difference between Jewish and non-Jewish prophecy through the lens of the story of Baalam's donkey. Textsبقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Rabbi Kolonamas Kalman Epstein, the Meor Vashemesh, writes on the first verse of parshas Chukas, with a dazzling rereading of the Midrash Rabbah and the Gemara in Berachot. Torah as a paradigm of the Khok being internalized by each individual person.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Batya Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory be a …

We explore the famous midrashic description of the machlokes between Korach and Moshe Rabeinu comparing (in Mishan Avot) with that of Hillel and Shammai. Along the way the Gra’s comment on that mishnah references the Wars of the Lord poem in Num 21:14 which leads us down a different path. We then return to chassidic dimensions of machlokes as an in…

Batya Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory be a …

The Pri Haaretz of Reb Menachem Mendl of Vitebsk provides a radical insight into our exploration of dveykus and need to surrender as a prerequisite for Torah and Mitzvot.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon shares a bold interpretation of the spiritual meaning of the meraglim, the Biblical spies who were sent to scout the Land of Israel. Textsبقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon

Batya Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory be a …

In this concluding chapter of the series on Dveykus, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon delivers the Degel's punchline.بقلم Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon