Popular Shows by TORCH הרב אריה וולבה
21442 episodes
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Name
Release Date
Duration
7701
Toldos – Esau’s Fatal Flaw
Toldos – Esau’s Fatal Flaw
Nov 18, 2020
38:18
Jacob’s twin brother Esav is one of the worst villains in Jewish history. He seems to be an unending litany of bad character. Our parsha ends with Esav dead set on committing fratricide by actually murdering his own brother. Esav is just one bad apple. But is it possible that things could have ended up […]
7702
Vayeitzei – Laban’s Potion
Vayeitzei – Laban’s Potion
Nov 26, 2020
42:01
As the father of all four of Jacob’s wives, Laban is in effect the father in law of the Jewish people. If we examine Laban’s story, he seems to have both qualities and shortcomings. He is constantly invoking God, he seems to be gracious and hospitable. But he also had a dark side. He is greedy […]
7703
Vayishlach – Unrequited Love
Vayishlach – Unrequited Love
Dec 3, 2020
55:19
This a unique edition of The Parsha Podcast that you dont want to miss. Instead of the usual one big idea that we typically cover in a Parsha podcast, in this version there are FIVE groundbreaking insights that can change your life. We learn about a remarkable staff and its powers, about the pliability of […]
7704
Vayeishev – The Holy Hologram
Vayeishev – The Holy Hologram
Dec 10, 2020
50:47
Joseph is one of the greatest heroes of Jewish history. His greatest deed was when he resisted temptation and rebuffed the seductions of his master, Potiphar’s, wife. Our Sages tell us that thanks to this valorous deed, Joseph became the viceroy of Egypt and merited to sustain the entire world! The Midrash tells us that […]
7705
Mikeitz – Talent Evaluation
Mikeitz – Talent Evaluation
Dec 16, 2020
47:18
Joseph is one of the most impressive figures in Jewish history. His accomplishments are vast: His holiness under spiritually treacherous conditions are legendary, his faith in God remained unwavering, he is the paragon of seeing God’s Handiwork in the bad deeds of others. His accomplishments extend beyond the spiritual: At the age of 30 he […]
7706
Vayigash – Fruitful Famine
Vayigash – Fruitful Famine
Dec 23, 2020
39:22
In Parshas Vayigash, the Joseph trilogy comes to a close. The saga that began when Joseph was 17 ends when Jacob is reunited with his favorite son, now viceroy of Egypt. In this special edition of the Parsha Podcast, we offer three interesting observations: On Yocheved’s border-crossing birth, on Jacob’s second bargain with Esau, and […]
7707
Vayechi – The Five Stages of Transformation
Vayechi – The Five Stages of Transformation
Dec 30, 2020
42:21
The Book of Genesis is replete with interesting stories. We follow the narrative about Adam and Noah and their families, Abraham and his odyssey and trials, Isaac and his family’s challenges and triumphs, and of course Jacob and Joseph and their stories capture our imagination and curiosity. “Torah” means instruction. As part of the Torah, […]
7708
Shemos – Grooming Greatness
Shemos – Grooming Greatness
Jan 7, 2021
49:52
Moses is the greatest leader of our history and the archetype of a great, transformative leader. Why was he chosen for the role? What was his training to become the leader he became? What are the Torah’s guidelines for leaders and people of influence. In this podcast we examine the Torah’s retelling of the protracted […]
7709
Vaeira – Pharaoh’s Education
Vaeira – Pharaoh’s Education
Jan 14, 2021
44:33
The Jewish people undergo a stunning transformation in our Parsha: It begins with the nation walling in misery; when Moshe offers a plan for salvation, they cannot even hear his comforting message. Yet very quickly they merit a miraculous Exodus, and only fifty days later they experience national prophecy at Sinai. How did this happen? […]
7710
Bo – The Ember of Abraham
Bo – The Ember of Abraham
Jan 20, 2021
44:00
The Jewish nation was in the dumps. They had spent hundreds of years in Egypt, and the possibility of ever leaving and reconstituting as an independent nation, the dream of Abraham, was long abandoned. But something dramatic happened. The Almighty unleashes Ten Plagues on Egypt and with the Death of the Firstborn, the Egyptians usher […]
7711
Beshalach – Bread of Angels
Beshalach – Bread of Angels
Jan 28, 2021
33:53
Parshas Beshalach is arguable the most action-packed Parsha in the Torah. It starts with the Jews hightailing out of Egypt – only to have Pharaoh follow in hot pursuit, and it ends with the nation’s first war. In between these two bookends, there are all kinds of interesting things that happen. In this special podcast […]
7712
Yisro – Jethro’s Epiphany
Yisro – Jethro’s Epiphany
Feb 2, 2021
39:48
The protagonist of our parsha, Jethro, underwent a long and fruitful spiritual journey. When the journey began, Jethro was a idolater who worshipped every pagan deity in the world. At its conclusion, Jethro was give great distinction as a believer in God and a purveyor of His Torah. What went into that transformation? What is […]
7713
Mishpatim – Crowning Achievement
Mishpatim – Crowning Achievement
Feb 11, 2021
48:12
The end of our Parsha revisits the Sinai Revelation of Parsha Yisro and recounts some of the preparations for the Ten Commandments. In the negotiations and deliberations in the runup to Sinai, the Nation declares that they will do and they will listen to all the commandments. This statement, we will do and we will […]
7714
Terumah – 3 Points Behind the Ark
Terumah – 3 Points Behind the Ark
Feb 18, 2021
38:00
In the epicenter of the Tabernacle, in the Holy of Holies, was the Ark of the Covenant. This golden vessel was the receptacle of the Tablets, both the First Tablets which Moshe shattered at the foot of Mount Sinai in the aftermath of the sin of the Golden Calf, and the Second Tablets which endured. […]
7715
Esther on an Allegorical Level
Esther on an Allegorical Level
Feb 22, 2021
1:37:51
On Purim we read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Purim miracle. The Persian king Achashverosh conspires with his Amalekite viceroy Haman to eradicate the entire Jewish nation, but God refused to allow their plans to unfold. Queen Esther, together with her relative Mordechai, spearhead the effort to turn the plan on […]
7716
Tetzaveh – The Great Collaboration
Tetzaveh – The Great Collaboration
Feb 24, 2021
36:00
Besides being brothers, Moshe and Aaron were both leaders of the Jewish people: Moshe was the king and Aaron was the high priest. These brothers had different, but complimentary, skills and characteristics, that were each independently necessary for the nation. In this special edition of The Parsha Podcast, we do a very deep dive into […]
7717
Parshas Ki Sisa (Rebroadcast) + Annual TORCH Fundraiser
Parshas Ki Sisa (Rebroadcast) + Annual TORCH Fundraiser
Mar 1, 2021
1:16:10
Please support The Parsha Podcast and the annual TORCH fundraiser at giveTORCH.org Every donation will be TRIPLED Show your support for TORCH and the Parsha Podcast and donate to the annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
7718
Ki Sisa – Hold Your Fire + TORCH Fundraiser
Ki Sisa – Hold Your Fire + TORCH Fundraiser
Mar 3, 2021
54:49
Please support The Parsha Podcast and the annual TORCH fundraiser at giveTORCH.org Every donation will be TRIPLED Show your support for TORCH and the Parsha Podcast and donate to the annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
7719
TORCH Fundraiser: A Conversation with our Board President, Dan Kullman
TORCH Fundraiser: A Conversation with our Board President, Dan Kullman
Mar 4, 2021
24:30
Please support The TORCH Podcasts and the annual TORCH fundraiser at giveTORCH.org Every donation will be TRIPLED Show your support for TORCH and the TORCH Podcasts and donate to the annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
7720
Parshas Vayakhel & Pekudei (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Vayakhel & Pekudei (Rebroadcast)
Mar 7, 2021
1:11:14
Last chance to Support the TORCH Fundraiser Please support The Parsha Podcast and the annual TORCH fundraiser at giveTORCH.org Every donation will be DOUBLED Show your support for TORCH and the Parsha Podcast and donate to the annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
7721
Vayakhel Pekudei – On Giants’ Shoulders feat. Akiva Wolbe
Vayakhel Pekudei – On Giants’ Shoulders feat. Akiva Wolbe
Mar 10, 2021
26:47
Bezalel was the architect of the most consequential building project of all time. He was tasked with the responsibility of building the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, the dwelling place for God on this earth. What special skills did Bezalel have that primed him to undertake this ambitious project? Why was Bezalel chosen for this task? When […]
7722
Vayikra – Vicarious Sacrifice
Vayikra – Vicarious Sacrifice
Mar 17, 2021
1:05:01
Sacrifices sound like a cheat code: You sin and you rebelled against God and your soul gets tarnished. By the strict letter of the law, sin ought to be an executable offense. But God has mercy: Bring a sacrifice and slaughter the animal and you will be expiated. Instead of you dying, the animal will […]
7723
Tzav – Ashes, Ashes, We all Rise Up
Tzav – Ashes, Ashes, We all Rise Up
Mar 24, 2021
43:45
The beginning of our parsha details the intricate processing of the Olah offerings. The animal is slaughtered, its blood is sprinkled on the Altar walls, it is divided into parts, the parts are elevated to the top of the altar and placed on the fire to burn the whole night. The next morning, a Kohein […]
7724
Shemini – Find Your Breach
Shemini – Find Your Breach
Apr 7, 2021
41:15
The 8th day of the Tabernacle’s Inauguration was supposed to be a day of total, exuberant jubilation. The laborious months of preparation were complete, and now God will dwell in our midst. Moshe washes, clothes, and anoints his brother, Aaron and Aaron’s four sons, and a Heavenly fire descends and consumes Aaron’s sacrifices from atop […]
7725
Parshas Tazria & Metzora (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Tazria & Metzora (Rebroadcast)
Apr 11, 2021
1:14:40
A very large percentage of Torah is dedicated to the laws of purity and impurity. This week’s double Parshas of Tazria and Metzora largely deal with these laws. One variant of impurity that is discussed in both parshas is that of a metzora, A metzora is someone who is stricken with the tangible illness of tzaraas […]
7726
Tazria/Metzora – Blessings in Disguises
Tazria/Metzora – Blessings in Disguises
Apr 15, 2021
44:39
Tzaraas, the spiritual leprosy whose laws are detailed in our Parsha, appeared in three different areas: the befell sinners’ skin, clothing, and house. How common was Tzaraas of the house? The Talmud reveals that it actually never happened even once and it will never happen in the future. If it never happened, why does the Torah delineate […]
7727
Parshas Acharei & Kedoshim (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Acharei & Kedoshim (Rebroadcast)
Apr 18, 2021
1:47:50
This week’s double-parsha contains a smorgasbord of mitzvos. The three chapters of Parshas Acharei cover three general categories. First we read about the Yom Kippur sacrifices and procedures; then we learn about the prohibitions against the consumption of blood among other ritualistic and sacrificial laws, and the final chapter is oriented around the many prohibited […]
7728
Acharei Mos/Kedoshim – Challenge Accepted
Acharei Mos/Kedoshim – Challenge Accepted
Apr 21, 2021
45:57
Our Nation has always had bad neighbors. The Midrash in our Parsha states that the Egyptians and the Canaanites, both nations that our people lived in close proximity to, are the most morally deficient of all the world’s nations. Moreover, the specific areas in those lands where the Jews resided contained that worst offenders of […]
7729
Parshas Emor (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Emor (Rebroadcast)
Apr 25, 2021
1:03:39
Parshas Emor contains a staggering 56 mitzvos, nearly all of them relating to either to the Kohanim, the priests, or to the Festivals, and the parsha ends with a very unusual episode that happened at Sinai. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
7730
Emor – Sense of Belonging
Emor – Sense of Belonging
Apr 28, 2021
45:48
Our parsha contains the first recorded instance of capital punishment in Jewish history. A disgruntled man, the son of an Israelite woman and an Egyptian man blasphemed and was executed as a result. What is the significance of this story? Why do we have the narrative about the blasphemer in middle of the Book of […]
7731
Parshas Behar & Bechukosai (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Behar & Bechukosai (Rebroadcast)
May 2, 2021
1:38:04
This week’s double-Parsha closes out the Book of Leviticus. Parshas Behar begins at Mount Sinai, where the Almighty instructed Moshe to convey a series of laws to the Jewish people. The first is the mitzvah of Shemittah, the prohibition of engaging in any agricultural work every seven years. In two chapters in the Torah (Leviticus […]
7732
Behar/Bechukosai – Divine Nudge
Behar/Bechukosai – Divine Nudge
May 6, 2021
38:51
This past week our nation underwent an unprecedented calamity. At our people’s largest annual festival, the celebration of Lag ba’Omer in Meron, a crowd crush resulted in the death of 45 of our brethren. How do we respond to such a tragedy? What is the way to process such a disaster. In this Parsha Podcast […]
7733
Parshas Bamidbar (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Bamidbar (Rebroadcast)
May 9, 2021
56:48
We kickstart the Book of Numbers with a census of the twelve tribes of Israel – not including the tribe of Levi who is counted independently – conducted by Moses, Aaron, and the most distinguished leaders of said tribes. Subsequently, we read about the banners of the tribes and their assigned encampments, the transference of […]
7734
Ruth: The Enduring Lesson of Shavuos
Ruth: The Enduring Lesson of Shavuos
May 12, 2021
1:01:46
The Book of Ruth – and its eponymous heroine – are true enigmas. The Book contains no new laws and its story, while inspirational and poignant, bears no easily discernible connection to the Festival of Shavuos, when it is read. The Book’s protagonist, Ruth, has a decidedly checkered pedigree, yet becomes the matriarch of the […]
7735
Bamidbar – Flag-Bearers
Bamidbar – Flag-Bearers
May 13, 2021
55:31
At first glance, Parshas Bamidbar seems like a snoozefest: it’s very technical, counting the people, assigning the tribes to their encampments, counting the Levites separately, designating the responsibilities of the Levites in the transportation of the Tabernacle and its vessels. But upon further examination, our Parsha guides us with the instructions of how to become […]
7736
Parshas Nasso (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Nasso (Rebroadcast)
May 16, 2021
59:07
In the longest parsha in the Torah by verses, we continue to read about the Levite families and their responsibilities, we learn about the three tiers of the Nation’s encampment, the laws of a suspected adulteress, the laws of the Nazir, the Priestly blessings, and we read a very wordy account of the gifts of […]
7737
Nasso – Princely Pendulum
Nasso – Princely Pendulum
May 20, 2021
44:36
The Princes of the Tribes make several notable contributions at the inauguration of the Tabernacle: They contribute 12 oxen and 6 covered wagons to aid the Levites in the transportation of the Tabernacle and each Prince donates a tribute of 21 animals, a silver basin and bowl brimming with flour and oil, and a gold […]
7738
Parshas Behaaloscha (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Behaaloscha (Rebroadcast)
May 23, 2021
59:29
The Jewish nation has been encamped at Mount Sinai for nearly a year; in this week’s parsha they finally depart from the Mountain of God, and sadly leave gleefully as a child escaping school. This kick starts a series of missteps that carry harsh consequences. – – – – – – – – – – […]
7739
Behaaloscha – Kindle Fire
Behaaloscha – Kindle Fire
May 27, 2021
34:44
Aaron the High Priest held a critical leadership role in the nation. A partial list of his jobs: he offered sacrifices, he did the Yom Kippur services which included the annual trip to the Holy of Holies, and he blessed the people. But there was one job that he was excluded for: When the princes […]
7740
Parshas Shelach (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Shelach (Rebroadcast)
May 30, 2021
57:32
The Jewish people were on the cusp of entering the Land of Canaan, and made a prudent, but ultimately tragic, decision: To send a contingent of scouts to reconnoiter the Land, to examine its vulnerabilities and weaknesses in order to best plan the conquest. Unfortunately, the report of the scouts sent the nation into a […]
7741
Shelach – Daydreams, Nightmares, and Reveries
Shelach – Daydreams, Nightmares, and Reveries
Jun 2, 2021
43:36
The final five verses of our Parsha contain the third paragraph of the Shema. In it, we are instructed to place tzitzis strings wrapped with a string of blue techeiles wool on the corner of our garments. Why? “And you shall see them and remember all the mitzvos of Hashem and you shall do them, […]
7742
Parshas Korach (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Korach (Rebroadcast)
Jun 6, 2021
58:24
In this week’s parsha, Moshe and Aaron’s first cousin, a man named Korach, launches a rebellion claiming that Moshe is guilty of nepotism in appointing his brother as High Priest. What ensued should give one serious pause before engaging in any similar sort of divisive activities. – – – – – – – – – […]
7743
Korach – Demoted For Good
Korach – Demoted For Good
Jun 9, 2021
55:40
Korach was a very talented man with a sterling pedigree. He was wise and clever and even had a degree of prophetic clairvoyance. Yet he blundered egregiously by launching a revolt on Moshe and Aaron. When we study what triggered this rebellion we find that Korach has a seemingly legitimate grievance. He believed – and […]
7744
Parshas Chukas (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Chukas (Rebroadcast)
Jun 13, 2021
1:00:57
In this week’s parsha, we read about a highly unusual mitzvah: The Red Heifer, when an entirely red cow is burned together with a motley concoction of ingredients, and the resultant ashes are used to sprinkle on people that came into contact with dead people in order to purify them from their spiritual contamination. We […]
7745
Chukas – Inglorious Origins
Chukas – Inglorious Origins
Jun 18, 2021
33:45
The red cow is the Torah’s most mysterious mitzvah. We are told to take a completely red cow and slaughter it, and burn it’s body together with a concoction of other ingredients, the ashes of which become the potion to purify people who have come into contact with dead people. If that doesn’t make sense […]
7746
Parshas Balak (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Balak (Rebroadcast)
Jun 20, 2021
1:00:57
After the Jewish nation trounced the mighty kingdoms of Sichon and Og in last week’s parsha, the comparatively smaller and weaker kingdom of Moab resorted to unconventional warfare to attack the nation by hiring the prophet of the nations, a wily and devious character named Bilaam, to curse the Jews. It did not work out […]
7747
Balak – Some Men Are From Mars
Balak – Some Men Are From Mars
Jun 25, 2021
45:00
Our parsha contains an attempted genocide. Bilaam, the prophet of the idolaters, a man of prodigious ability an skill, dedicates himself with tenacity and persistence to curse and destroy the people. Although his three attempts at cursing the nation backfire when he is compelled by God to bless the nation instead, the parsha ends with […]
7748
Parshas Pinchas (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Pinchas (Rebroadcast)
Jun 27, 2021
51:44
Pinchas was a man of action, a zealot who avenged God’s vengeance and was handsomely rewarded for it. In this parsha we read about his reward, Moses’ succession plan, the methods through which the Land will be divided, and another census is done. – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
7749
Pinchas – Eternal Promotion
Pinchas – Eternal Promotion
Jun 29, 2021
49:05
Over the course of the 40 years since the Exodus, the Nation was lead by Moshe and Aaron, the King and High Priest respectively. In our Parsha, successors are designated for both posts. Due to his valiant heroism of the end of last week’s portion, Pinchas is promoted to being a kohein. He would go […]
7750
Parshas Mattos & Masei (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Mattos & Masei (Rebroadcast)
Jul 5, 2021
1:00:55
This year, the Book of Numbers ends with a double parsha – Mattos and Masei. We learn about the laws of vows and oaths; the miraculous war with Midian; the unusual request of the tribes of Gad and Reuben; the Torah delineates the 42 different places that the Nation encamped for their 40 year sojourn; […]
7751
Mattos & Masei – Talent Incubator
Mattos & Masei – Talent Incubator
Jul 8, 2021
47:44
Our parsha contains the laws regarding a person who murders someone accidentally. We are told that the accidental murderer must flee to the city of refuge and remain there until the passing of the High Priest. Although we have neither a High Priest nor a Jewish court of laws that adjudicates as per the laws […]
7752
Parshas Devarim (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Devarim (Rebroadcast)
Jul 11, 2021
49:44
5 weeks before his passing, Moses gives a three-parsha-long speech to the nation, which constitutes his last will and testament. He begins with a retrospective of the history of the nation over the past 40 years since the Exodus – subtly rebuking the nation, guiding them, admonishing them, ensuring that they don’t repeat their mistakes […]
7753
Devarim – Man of Words
Devarim – Man of Words
Jul 14, 2021
49:03
At the end of Moshe’s life, he gathers the entire nation for his parting message to the nation. The Midrash makes a remarkable contrast between Moshe’s beginning and end of his tenure: When God initially commanded Moshe to save his brethren from enslavement in Egypt, Moshe protested by saying that he is not a man […]
7754
Parshas Va’eschanan (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Va’eschanan (Rebroadcast)
Jul 19, 2021
1:04:11
This week’s parsha continues Moshe’s monologue to the nation in the weeks preceding his passing. He begins by recounting his repeated efforts in trying to convince God to rescind His decree that Moshe not enter the Land; Moshe then begins the retelling of the Torah; and we read many warnings and predictions about proper behavior […]
7755
Va’eschanan – Entry Denied
Va’eschanan – Entry Denied
Jul 21, 2021
59:32
Moshe was very desirous of entering the Land. The Midrash reveals that he prayed 515 separate prayers to petition God to revoke His ban on Moshe entering the Land. But God said no. You may not enter the Land, though He allowed Moshe to visualize the Land from atop a mountain. The dialogue between Moshe […]
7756
Parshas Eikev (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Eikev (Rebroadcast)
Jul 25, 2021
59:14
We pick up where we left off last week amid Moshe’s speech to the nation before his passing, and as in the previous few weeks, Parshas Eikev is jam packed with insights and timeless lessons. Moshe pivots between looking back on the conduct of the nation in the preceding 40 years and admonishing them for […]
7757
Eikev – Cheat Code for Life
Eikev – Cheat Code for Life
Jul 30, 2021
46:18
The Torah contains a lot of details regarding what the Almighty expects of us. A verse in our parsha purports to get to the bottom line of what – in one sentence – does God actually want of us. But after reading the verse we emerge with more questions than answers. While ostensibly touting simplicity […]
7758
Parshas Re’eh (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Re’eh (Rebroadcast)
Aug 1, 2021
1:00:30
This week’s parsha marks a transition in the Book of Deuteronomy: it is no longer primarily about admonishment and rebuke and warnings, instead we read a bevy of mitzvos – some repetitions and some new ones that have hitherto not been mentioned. – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
7759
Re’eh – Look at Me
Re’eh – Look at Me
Aug 4, 2021
50:36
Moshe begins our parsha by presenting the Nation with a choice: See, I have placed before you today blessing and curse. And he continues to state that the blessing is the steadfast observance of the commandments of the Almighty, while the curse is the repudiation of said commandments. In this special edition of the Parsha […]
7760
Parshas Shoftim (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Shoftim (Rebroadcast)
Aug 8, 2021
1:00:20
This week we learn the laws governing all kinds of leaders: The parsha begins by detailing the laws of judges, the jurisdiction of the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court, and what happens to rebellious judges; we read about the unique laws related to kings; there are more laws pertaining to the Kohanim; and we find the […]
7761
Shoftim – Gateways to Great Pursuits
Shoftim – Gateways to Great Pursuits
Aug 11, 2021
50:34
Justice is a virtue that we must vigorously pursue. Our Parsha begins by instructing us to establish a court system with judges and bailiffs throughout our gates and tribes. The judge is tasked with determining the merits of every case and the bailiff is in charge of implementation. This two-tiered model is not limited to […]
7762
Parshas Ki Seitzei (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Ki Seitzei (Rebroadcast)
Aug 15, 2021
1:01:03
In the parsha that contains the most mitzvos of any of the 54 Torah sections (a staggering 74 mitzvos), we read about the wayward and rebellious son, the requirement to build a fence around your roof to prevent tragedy, two episodes that we are mandated to remember, and many, many more interesting and insightful mitzvos. […]
7763
Ki Seitzei – A Lifetime A Day
Ki Seitzei – A Lifetime A Day
Aug 18, 2021
53:50
The Midrash in our parsha calculates that the Torah contains 613 mitzvos, 248 positive mitzvos, where the Torah commands us to do something proactive, and 365 negative mitzvos, where we are instructed to refrain from transgressing the Almighty’s will. These figures are not coincidental. They are precisely targeted to enable us to accomplish our life’s […]
7764
Parshas Ki Savo (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Ki Savo (Rebroadcast)
Aug 22, 2021
55:33
As the Book of Deuteronomy draws to its conclusion, the narrative makes a transition: Moshe finishes conveying the mitzvos to the nation, and sets up his final parting message to the people. First, he commands the nation to perform several elaborate ceremonies on the very first day that they cross the Jordan River; then he […]
7765
Ki Savo – Maniacal Determination
Ki Savo – Maniacal Determination
Aug 25, 2021
40:49
Our parsha contains perhaps the most difficult Torah portion to read and digest: The Tochacha (Admonition). In it we are told the consequences of our deeds. If obey the Almighty and hearken to His commandments, He will reward us with bountiful blessings. Should we deviate from Him and repudiate His Torah, however, He promises to […]
7766
Parshas Nitzavim & Vayeilech (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Nitzavim & Vayeilech (Rebroadcast)
Aug 29, 2021
1:42:13
On the final day of Moshe’s life, he gathered the entire nation – men, women, children, and according to the Talmud, all souls of future Jews – to pass them through a final covenant with God. The parsha also contains the prophetic predictions of the Messianic times, and it ends with a simple, binary choice: […]
7767
Nitzavim – Drawbridge Of The Soul
Nitzavim – Drawbridge Of The Soul
Sep 1, 2021
45:05
With the entire nation gathered on his final day of life, Moshe warns the people against being seduced by idolatry. The nation, Moshe reveals, is particularly vulnerable to idolatry because of the people whose land through which we have traversed. We saw the Egyptian fascination with idolatry. We saw the various other nations obsession with […]
7768
A Mystical Approach To The Rosh Hashana Readings ft. Rabbi Shmuly Botnick
A Mystical Approach To The Rosh Hashana Readings ft. Rabbi Shmuly Botnick
Sep 2, 2021
1:06:24
As is true by Shabbos and all Festivals, on the two days of Rosh Hashana we read sections from the Torah and a supplemental reading from Tanach, the Haftorah. At first blush, the four readings of Rosh Hashana have no direct connection to the Festival. One day one, the Torah portion that we read is […]
7769
The Rosh Hashana Torah Reading – Day One (Rebroadcast)
The Rosh Hashana Torah Reading – Day One (Rebroadcast)
Sep 5, 2021
59:55
The Torah readings for the two days of Rosh Hashana were not arbitrarily chosen. There are very good reasons why on the first day of Rosh Hashana we read Genesis chapter 21, which tells of the conception and birth of Isaac, and the banishment of Ishmael, his brush with death, and his salvation. In this […]
7770
The Rosh Hashana Torah Reading – Day Two (Rebroadcast)
The Rosh Hashana Torah Reading – Day Two (Rebroadcast)
Sep 6, 2021
54:36
On the second day of Rosh Hashana, we read the Torah section of Genesis chapter 22 that tells the very famous and quite troubling episode of the Binding of Isaac. Abraham – the same Abraham who railed against the ways of child sacrifice of the pagans – is instructed by God to take Isaac – the same Isaac […]
7771
Vayeilech – Man on a Mission
Vayeilech – Man on a Mission
Sep 10, 2021
37:39
Moshe has been the leader of the Jewish people since before the Exodus. Over the course of these forty years, Moshe has led the people through high times and low ones; through a split sea and the Sinai Revelation and countless rebellions. In our Parsha, Moshe hands off the reins of power to Joshua. The […]
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Parshas Ha’Azinu (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Ha’Azinu (Rebroadcast)
Sep 12, 2021
58:00
Still in the final day of Moshe’s life, he conveys to the nation a 43-verse Song predicting the contours of Jewish history, both past, present, and future. The patterns are familiar to the readers of Deuteronomy and even casual observers and students of Jewish history: The nation is recipients of tremendous divine goodness, yet they […]
7773
Jonah: Studying the Yom Kippur Reading on a Deeper Level (Rebroadcast)
Jonah: Studying the Yom Kippur Reading on a Deeper Level (Rebroadcast)
Sep 13, 2021
2:05:32
On Yom Kippur afternoon, we read the 48-verse Book of Jonah, which tells of a renegade prophet, Jonah, who defies the directive of God and refuses to castigate the people of Nineveh and instead escapes from God to Tarshish – with mixed results. A simple reading of the story reveals a tale of repentance, both of […]
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Ha’azinu – Small Step for Eaglet
Ha’azinu – Small Step for Eaglet
Sep 14, 2021
46:23
The Song of Ha’azinu is a richly textured tapestry with layered meaning and subtleties. Our Sages tell us that t incorporates all of Jewish History. In its 613 words, it incorporates all of Torah as well. And it is arguably the most difficult Torah portion to decipher and unpack. In this special penultimate podcast of […]
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Parshas Vezos HaBeracha (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Vezos HaBeracha (Rebroadcast)
Sep 19, 2021
51:22
The final parsha of the Torah details the blessings that Moshe conveyed to the tribes of Israel immediately prior to his passing, and the Torah ends with the description of the death, burial, and eulogy of Moshe. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
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Vezos Habracha – Antidotes to Mediocrity
Vezos Habracha – Antidotes to Mediocrity
Sep 26, 2021
46:17
In the Torah’s final Parsha, and indeed, in its final words, we say goodbye to the greatest human to have ever lived. With the passing of Moshe, the Torah ends, and on Simchas Torah- the day that we finish the yearly Torah cycle – we roll the scroll back to the very beginning and begin […]
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Parshas Bereishis (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Bereishis (Rebroadcast)
Sep 30, 2021
1:12:33
With praise and appreciation to the Almighty, we begin another year of Torah study and a new cycle of the Parsha Podcast. This year, we will reupload the previous year’s podcast which covered the entire Parsha in each episode each week, and we will, please God, record a second weekly episode that will delve deeply […]
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Bereishis – Making Partner
Bereishis – Making Partner
Oct 1, 2021
52:10
What connection do we have with Genesis? In our parsha, God creates the world in six days and ceases to create of day seven, on Shabbos. What exactly does this have to do with us is a great mystery. In this inaugural edition of the sixth cycle of the Parsha Podcast , we share two […]
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Parshas Noach (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Noach (Rebroadcast)
Oct 3, 2021
56:55
In this week’s parsha: Noah and his family build an Ark as a refuge from an extinction-level Flood brought by God to destroy the world’s sinners. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please email me at [email protected] with any questions or […]
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Noach – Company Loves Misery
Noach – Company Loves Misery
Oct 5, 2021
45:14
Our Parsha marks a nadir in the story of mankind. Humanity sunk to such spiritual lows that the Almighty decided to destroy the world and start over with just Noah and his family as humanity’s progenitors going forward. What were the conditions of the Flood’s survivors after spending a year in the Ark? In this […]
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Parshas Lech Lecha (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Lech Lecha (Rebroadcast)
Oct 10, 2021
1:02:06
In this week’s parsha, Abraham is instructed to move to Israel, is given divine promises that he will be the father of many nations; his children will be as numerous as the dust of the earth and the stars of the heaven, a son Ishmael is born, and he is commanded to circumcise his foreskin […]
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Lech Lecha – Applying for a Name Change
Lech Lecha – Applying for a Name Change
Oct 13, 2021
45:08
Abraham and Sarah undergo seismic changes in our Parsha. Their names get changed as does their destiny. Originally, they were barren, but in our Parsha, the founding Patriarch and Matriarch are told that they will bear a son, Isaac. The mechanics of how this transformation occurred, however, is a bit of a head scratcher. Our […]
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Parshas Vayeira (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Vayeira (Rebroadcast)
Oct 17, 2021
1:07:14
This week’s parsha features several iconic episodes: Abraham was visited by God as he was recuperating from his circumcision, and concurrently engaged in superlative kindness with three angels masquerading as pagan travelers; Abraham was informed that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were about to be destroyed and was unsuccessful in interceding on their behalf; […]
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Vayeira – Exodus From Sodom
Vayeira – Exodus From Sodom
Oct 20, 2021
56:50
For the third time in the Torah, we read about destruction. Previously, the Flood destroyed the world save Noah and family, and the Dispersal ended the universal civilization, and in our parsha we read about the overturning of Sodom and Gomorrah. The timing of Sodom’s destruction is really interesting. Our Sages said that it happened […]
7785
Parshas Chayei Sara (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Chayei Sara (Rebroadcast)
Oct 24, 2021
56:23
Some of the highlights of this week’s parsha: Immediately after the Binding of Isaac, Sarah passed away at the age of 127, and soon afterward Abraham had to procure a burial spot for her. In addition, Abraham sent his trusted confidante, Eliezer, to his hometown to find a spouse for Isaac. – – – – […]
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Chayei Sarah – The Transformation of Eliezer
Chayei Sarah – The Transformation of Eliezer
Oct 27, 2021
58:34
Eliezer was Abraham’s right hand man. He was in charge of all of Abraham’s affairs. According to the Talmud, Eliezer was the consummate student of Abraham, drawing from Abraham’s wellsprings of Torah and sharing it with others. In our Parsha, Eliezer was the central protagonist. Eliezer was conscripted by Abraham to travel east to Aram […]
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Parshas Toldos (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Toldos (Rebroadcast)
Oct 31, 2021
1:06:32
In Parshas Toldos we meet twin boys that are polar opposites: Esau, beloved by his father Isaac, is a man of the fields; while Jacob is loved by his mother Rebecca and prefers to dwell in the tents of scholarship. These two children will spawn nations and ideals that diverged from each other even before […]
7788
Toldos – Abraham’s Torah
Toldos – Abraham’s Torah
Nov 3, 2021
50:24
Was Abraham the first Jew? Did Abraham observe the laws of the Torah? The Torah dedicates a huge amount of attention to Abraham and his family. The laws of Torah were conveyed at Sinai to Moshe, Abraham’s great-great-great-grandson. How much of that, if any, did Abraham have? In this special edition of the Parsha Podcast […]
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Parshas Vayeitzei (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Vayeitzei (Rebroadcast)
Nov 7, 2021
1:03:08
Parshas Vayeitzei follows Jacob as he is fleeing from his murderous brother Esau and travels to Charan to the house of Laban, his wily and deceptive uncle, and marries multiple wives and fathers 12 children. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
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Vayeitzei – Fortune Favors the Bold
Vayeitzei – Fortune Favors the Bold
Nov 10, 2021
55:21
Jacob’s accomplishments in our Parsha are remarkable. At the onset of our parsha, Jacob is a 77 year old bachelor without a penny to his name. Having been robbed clean of all his possessions, Jacob undertook the grandest, most ambitious initiative in human history: the founding of the Jewish nation. In our parsha, he pulls […]
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Parshas Vayishlach (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Vayishlach (Rebroadcast)
Nov 14, 2021
1:00:57
After successfully escaping the clutches of his deceptive father in law, Laban, Jacob heads back west to the Land of Canaan, and back to his family. The journey back home was a lot more tumultuous and chaotic than anticipated. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
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Vayishlach – Not Reddy to Change
Vayishlach – Not Reddy to Change
Nov 17, 2021
45:01
Parshas Vayishlach is an action-packed parsha. After a tension-filled 20 years with Laban, Jacob has to dodge bullets for another parsha. Esau wants to kill him. The angel tries to strike at him the entire night. His daughter Dina is kidnapped and raped, and his sons slaughter the perpetrating city in rage. The bulk of […]
7793
Parshas Vayeishev (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Vayeishev (Rebroadcast)
Nov 21, 2021
1:06:01
Parshas Vayeishev contains two intersecting, seemingly scandalous, storylines, that after all the dust has settled we can see are harbingers of the Messiah and Redemption: Joseph is hated by his brothers, and is eventually sold by them as a slave after they nearly killed him. By Parsha end, Joseph is languishing in an Egyptian prison […]
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Vayeishev – Pebbles and Diamonds
Vayeishev – Pebbles and Diamonds
Nov 24, 2021
59:09
A pebble and a diamond are similar in one way: they are both rocks. That’s where the similarities end. A diamond is precious and valuable. Diamonds are things that we recite the poems over, and name, and write Wikipedia pages about, and adorn the crowns of Kings and Queens. Pebbles get stuck in your tires […]
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Parshas Mikeitz (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Mikeitz (Rebroadcast)
Nov 28, 2021
1:05:03
Parshas Mikeitz continues the narrative of Joseph in Egypt. We pick up his story two years after his failed attempt at earning a reprieve via his cellmate, Pharaoh’s butler, who was about to be reinstated to his post as Pharaoh’s side. Joseph is languishing in a dungeon for a crime he did not commit; after being […]
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Mikeitz – Joseph’s Crime
Mikeitz – Joseph’s Crime
Dec 2, 2021
1:04:38
Joseph is one of the all-time heroes of Jewish history. His strength of character was legendary, his faith was unflappable, and his storyline remains an inspiration for generations. Yet he was harshly criticized for making a huge blunder. The Midrash at the beginning of this week’s Parsha tells us that he relied to heavily on […]
7797
Parshas Vayigash (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Vayigash (Rebroadcast)
Dec 5, 2021
55:25
Twenty two years have passed since Jacob and Joseph were separated. Ever since Joseph was torn away from him, Jacob was bereft of prophecy and inconsolable. In Parshas Vayigash this long saga comes to an end and Jacob is finally reunited with his long-lost son. – – – – – – – – – – […]
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Vayigash – A Clash Of Kings
Vayigash – A Clash Of Kings
Dec 8, 2021
1:03:29
Amongst the sons of Jacob were two kings: Judah and Joseph. Joseph was viceroy of Egypt. He was a king in his lifetime. Judah was never crowned as King in his lifetime, but his descendants make up the monarchy of the Jewish people. David, Solomon, all the kings of Judah, and even King Messiah are […]
7799
Parshas Vayechi (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Vayechi (Rebroadcast)
Dec 12, 2021
52:31
Parshas Vayechi is the final portion of the Book of Genesis. Jacob is about to die and he tends to his affairs: He assures that he will not be buried in Egypt and will instead be interred in the Cave of Machpelah, he blesses Joseph and his sons, and he blesses/rebukes his twelve sons. – […]
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Vayechi – Brotherly Love: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Vayechi – Brotherly Love: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Dec 16, 2021
1:01:44
Family is everything. If you are fortunate enough to have siblings, parents, and children you know that there are bonds of kinship and brotherhood (and sisterhood, of course) between family members are strong and often unbreakable. This is not something new. When Jacob was on his deathbed he shared with his sons his final thoughts […]