Weekly with Chana
living with the times, bringing the past to the present. weekly with chana is a refreshing new way of seeing ourselves within the parsha and how we can use these lessons to live happier more meaningful lives today. happy listening :)
Avraham Was 75, I'm 30: The Promised Land, a Famine & the Israeli Elections
In this episode:
Lech Lecha (Bereishit 12:1): Leaving your homeland, birthplace, and family for an uncertain future.Avraham at 75 (12:4): Why it's never too late for a defining new chapter.The famine (12:10): Why arriving in the Promised Land didn't mean an easy life, with insights from Rashi and Ramban.Tanya, Chapter 28: The Alter Rebbe's analogy of two people wrestling, and why resistance can intensify during spiritual progress.The perfume Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 39:2): Discovering that moving somewhere new doesn't require becoming someone else.Avraham HaIvri (14:13; Bereishit Rabbah 42:8): Thinking independently amid Israel's political divisions and upcoming elections.Veheyeh Berachah (12:2): Moving beyond what...Why I Don't Want Tel Aviv to Think Like Me, Who Am I Voting For in the Upcoming Israeli Elections and the Tower of Bavel
What was so wrong with the Tower of Bavel? They spoke one language, shared one vision, and worked together. Yet Hashem scattered them.
This week, we explore the fascinating difference between unity and uniformity, the surprising connection between Bavel and Avraham, and what Jewish disagreement can teach us as Israel approaches another election.
Because maybe the problem isn't that we think differently. It's that we've forgotten how to respect one another.
October 7, Bereishit, Before There Was Light There Was Hope
Why would Hashem create a world He knows will break? And why doesn't He eliminate the darkness?
This week on Weekly with Chana, we explore two extraordinary Midrashim, the spirit of Mashiach hovering before the first light, and what Bereishit teaches us about hope, redemption, and our responsibility to rebuild.
Because even before there was light, Hashem gave us the spirit of hope.
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Shabbat Shalom!
Yom HaZikaron | Guilt & Gratitude
Summary
In this heartfelt conversation, Chana Hirschowitz reflects on Yom HaZikaron, the day of remembrance for fallen soldiers and victims of terror in Israel. She shares her emotional journey of understanding Jewish unity and the collective grief felt by the community. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, she emphasizes the importance of gratitude, identity, and the sacrifices made for the Jewish people. Chana's insights highlight the deep connections within the Jewish community and the significance of remembering those who have fallen for the sake of their homeland.
Chapters
00:00 Reflections on Yom HaZikaron<...
Pekudei | Protests, Self-Hating Jews, Accounting for Every Shekel, Defending Our Indivisible Jewish Identity
00:00 The Essence of Living in Israel
02:54 Unity and Division in the Jewish Community
06:09 Understanding Our Shared Identity as Jews
Vayakhel | Intimate Reflections
00:00The Dichotomy of Idealism and Reality
01:52The Power of Jewish Women and Mirrors
06:27Reflections on Life's Challenges
11:33Self-Reflection and Growth
Purim | Esther's Story Exposed
00:00 The Legacy of Esther and Purim
02:44 Esther's Struggles and Divine Silence
05:14 The Courage to Act
07:46 Esther's Connection to God
10:29 The Significance of Purim
12:42 Esther's Story and Its Relevance Today
Terumah | A Sanctuary of Hope
00:00 Reflections on a Year of Change
02:27 Hope Amidst Tragedy
05:37 The Power of Unity and Faith
08:12 Building a Sanctuary of Hope
10:54 Cedar Trees of Hope and Future
13:04 A Blessing for Redemption and Comfort
Shavuos | The Day Hashem's Love Brought On the Criticism of the Entire World
Lecture given at Soul Centre Sydney in honor of Shavous 2024
Metzorah | Stuck in Dubai, How to Get Unstuck, Let Go, Lean into Gratitude and Liberate Oneself.
Pesach a time of liberation, a mental game of removing ourself from a sense of stuckness and letting go.
Tazria | Blemishes of Greatness, The Strongest People, the Most Difficult of Challenges.
What was Tzaraat, this strange leprosy, what is it significance and what can we learn from it today?
Shemini | The Dichotomy and Dangers of Extremism, The Power of Balance and Synthesis.
This weeks Parsha we discuss seemingly two opposites, the inauguration of the Mishkan and the death of Nadav and Avihu on that difficult day. As well as the laws of Kashrut. Why the seeming randomness, what can we learn from the synthesis of these two ideas?
00:00 The Significance of the Eighth Day
02:22 Balancing Growth and Solace
04:17 Bringing God into the Mundane
05:14 Imbuing Regular Life with Meaning
06:39 Faith in God Amidst Challenges
Purim: There Will Be Inevitable Victory, Will I Be a Part of the Story?
The power of the words of Mordechai to Esther, Can I find Hashem in the Hidden? The secret to achieving success in our lives, contributing to the narrative?
Pekudei: The Orphans of Ofakim, the Hostage Families Comforting the Wounded Soldiers, The Completion of the Mishkan, Accounting for Every Material, When Every Detail is Blessed.
Why do we Tally all the Materials at the Completion of the Mishkan? Why do we Emphasis Blessings as we complete Sefer Shemos?
Pekudei: The Orphans of Ofakim, the Hostage Families Comforting the Wounded Soldiers, The Completion of the Mishkan, Accounting for Every Material, When Every Detail is Blessed.
Why do we Tally all the Materials at the Completion of the Mishkan? Why do we Emphasis Blessings as we complete Sefer Shemos?
Vayakhel: Rami the Hero Saving 750 Nova Survivors, Half Shekel, One Unit, for Hashem to Dwell Within.
In a Parsha filled with the details of building a Mishkan why is this called Vayakhel, with a singular term referring to the collective congregation? The Secret to Unity, the Secret to Collective Joy.
Ki Sisa: The Gardens of the Moshav Netiv Hasarah, Raising Ourselves Up to Transform Brokenness to Wholesomeness.
Why do we discuss the broken Luchos here? Why between the Parshiot that discuss the vision and then subsequent implementation of the Mishkan?
Tetzaveh: The Scars of the Russian Cantonists, The Leftover Ink on the Face of Moshe, The Oneness of the Jewish People, to their Leader, to their Land.
Why is Moshe's name not mentioned in this weeks Parsha, why?
Terumah: The Secret to Jewish Survival, The Deal with Emperor Vespasian, The Wandering Jew, 2000 Years of Exile, Ben Gurions 1937 Speech at the Peel Commission, How did we make it?
The most fascinating commandment in this weeks Parsha is regarding the transportation poles of the Ark. Why was it so essential? Why did Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai believe that Yavnah was important to be saved?
Mishpatim & RC Adar: Can Joy & Pain Co-exist? How can we Celebrate Joy as a Community when our Family is Suffering?
What are the symptoms that lead to the pain? How do we practice experiencing joy as a community when there is terrible tragedy that surrounds us?
Yisro: Hashem vs ICJ, UN, US, Knesset, SA, PLO. We Became a Nation, with a Code that Lives On Forever.
This Parsha discusses the laws and judicial implementation of the advice of Yisro, as well as the giving of the Torah. The Torah is essentially a body of laws and regulations. What is the difference?
Beshalach: Faith in Trying Times, Miriam as the Forerunner of Unwavering Belief, In Honor of Hersh's Mum Rachel Goldberg and all the Remarkably Strong Women in Impossibly Dark Times
This episode is sponsored by my dear friend Kayli in honor of all the hostages returning safely home! And the end of this milchama!
Miriam crossing the Red Sea, with a Tamborine in her hand sings her own Shira, her own song of praise? Why the need for her own song? Without her perhaps there would have been no salvation. The unwavering faith of women in impossibly dark times is what will inevitably bring the ultimate salvation.
Bo: Preparing for Freedom, The Sun, The Moon, Dipping, BBQing, Proud Jews Then, Now and Forever
The Jewish People as a nation are finally getting ready to leave Egypt. Hashem instructs Moshe, three specific instructions to preparing for their ultimate redemption. How do we achieve freedom as a people now, just as they had then?
Vaera: The Nova Festival Massacre, The Survivors, The Holiest Souls, The Heroes of Israel, The Only Answer to Pain
We have experienced so much pain, Hashem we need the final redemption speedily in our days.
Shemos: Am Yisrael Chai, We Will Live Forever, What is the indestructible secret of the Jewish People?
Moshe Rabenu, the leader of the Jewish People. What were the events that led him to be the greatest leader of all time?
Vayechi: The Kindergarten of Nir Oz, The Pain, The Hope, The Jewish Story, The Happy Endings
What is the hopeful message of the ending of Sefer Breishis? How do we endure the pain? How do we move forward?
Vayigash: The Most Important Lesson in Life, Releasing Victimhood, Reframing the Narratives of Pain, Living with Strength
Yosef singlehandedly reframes his narrative, absolves victimhood and lives through strength. The most important life lesson from this weeks Parsha.
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Miketz: Investing in the Good Times, United Now, United Forever, How to Create and Maintain the Happy Ending?
What can we learn from Yosef's unwavering Bitachon, in the good times, in the hard times? The Lubavicher Rebbe's insight into Pharoh's dreams and Yosef's rise to success.
Miketz: Investing in the Good Times, United Now, United Forever, How to Create and Maintain the Happy Ending?
What can we learn from Yosef's unwavering Bitachon, in the good times, in the hard times? The Lubavicher Rebbe's insight into Pharoh's dreams and Yosef's rise to success.
Vayeshev: Pain, Trauma, Loneliness, Yosef's Secret To Getting Through and Landing on Top
The story of Yosef and his perseverance and faith is my favorite story in all of Tanach. What is the secret?
Lectures | Chanukah Revisted 2023 Edition
The Historical, Psychological and Spiritual Dimensions of the Miracles of Lights
Lectures | Chanukah Revisited 2023 Edition
The Historical, Psychological and Spiritual Dimensions of the Miracles of Lights.
This talk was presented Erev Chanukah at 'The Links.'
Vayishlach: The Assault, Hostage and Silencing of Jewish Women, #metoo Except If You Are A Jew, The Untold Story of Dina, Reclaiming Her Voice, Remembering our Power
The true story of Dina, whose voice was quashing, whose experience was misunderstood for thousands of years. Who was she and what was her story?
Vayetze: Anxiety, Depression, Owning Ourselves, The Face Above and The Face Below.
Who was Yaakov? How did he actually withstand the struggles he faced? Why were the angels ascending and descending? How do we come to terms with the many faces within us that accompany us through life?
Toldos: The Secret of our IDF, Morality vs Strength.
The vast differences between Eisav and Yaakov, What is the future of the Jewish people going to look like?
Chaya Sara: Occupation, Settlements, Jews as the Indigenous People, What is the Jewish Response to Tragedy?
How Jewish People respond to tragedy and pain, How do we respond to being called settlers and aliens in our land? in this weeks Parsha we learn from our great grandfather Avraham how to navigate death and ultimately the secret to Jewish continuity.
Vayeira: The Two State Solution, Jews holding Palestinian Flags, What happens when we try to be like everyone else.
this weeks Parsha's message in regards to the war that we are currently experiencing. Why are there Jews holding Palestinian flags? Is it possible to have a two state solution?
Lech Lecha: Combatting Anti-Semitism as a Jew
This weeks Parsha, Hashem confronts the first Jews and commands him Lech Lecha. What does it mean to be Jewish? What is our mission and sense of identity?
Noach: Morality in the face of Hamas
What was their true greatest of Noach, was he a Tzaddik or a great man? What does it meant to be a Tzaddik? How can the regular individual rise to the occasion. An incredible insight by the Lubavicher Rebbe on this weeks Parsha.
Bereishis: G-d's Response to Gaza and 'Occupation'
This week's Parsha as an answer to what is our mission, our confidence to stand strong in the next few difficult weeks ahead. We have got this. 'Let there be light.'
