Bereishis/Genesis With Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

1

Understanding the strange story of Yaakov and Esav

Nov 25, 2022

31:18

A Torah class by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan on the strange story of Yaakov and Esav! Originally aired at 11:15 AM EST on 91.1 CHIN FM Radio with Martin filling in for Zelda Young. Also broadcast via Rabbi Kaplan’s Facebook live.

2

The Jewish Werewolf Transformation

Dec 13, 2021

50:55

Parsha Curiosities: Parshat Vayechi Cracking the Code on mysterious themes & ideas in the weekly Parsha! ?: Why does Jacob bless the righteous Benjamin as a wild wolf? How is this blessing a virtue? Discover a spiritual take on the positive skin-shifting traits of Binyamin.

3

Final Verses Of Parshat Vayechi

Dec 31, 2020

1:20:48

Parsha Climax The Final Verses of: Parshat Vayechi The entire Book of Genesis ends with Yosef's death, mummification, and burial. Learn why the Torah chooses to end on a seemingly morbid note, and why that is especially relevant as we reel from continuing COVID challenges!

4

The Final Verses of Parshat Vayigash

Dec 24, 2020

1:01:35

Parsha Climax The Final Verses of: Parshat Vayigash Yaakov and family comfortably settle in Egypt. Was this a necessary prelude for the inevitable devolution into harsh exile, bondage and slavery or could things have ended very differently. An ancient narrative with very timely lessons.

5

The Final Verses of Parshat Miketz

Dec 17, 2020

1:08:43

Parsha Climax The Final Verses of: Parshat Miketz Yosef cunningly frames his brothers: will they abandon Binyamin to slavery? Yehudah initially says “we will all be slaves, but quickly changes his tune. Reveal the backstage story in this dramatic episode of loyalty and betrayal!

6

The Final Verses of Parshat Vayeishev

Dec 10, 2020

1:18:36

Parsha Climax The Final Verses of: Parshat Vayeishev Unfairly incarcerated, Yoseph sees the serendipitous dreams of the Butler as his ticket to freedom. Yet those clusters of hope quickly soured resulting in an unforeseen delay. Discover remarkable lessons encoded into this story.

7

Parsha Curiosities: The Secret of the Colorful Coat

Dec 7, 2020

59:45

Parsha Curiosities: Parshat Vayeishev Cracking the Code on mysterious themes & ideas in the weekly Parsha! In the divisive episode of Joseph and his brothers, the Torah highlights time and again the special jacket Joseph receives from his father. A deeper look uncovers how this coat captures the essence of the entire saga.

8

THE FIRST KING - Parshat Vayishlach

Dec 3, 2020

1:25:49

Exploring the weekly Parsha’s curious conclusions! The Final Verses of Parshat Vayishlach Before moving into the narratives of Yaakov’s family who will now form the foundation of the future Jewish People, the Torah quickly details the evolution of Esav’s descendants climaxing in the ruling powers of Rome! What is the Lesson?!

9

WELCOME HOME

Nov 27, 2020

1:13:41

Parsha Climax The Final Verses of: Parshat Vayeitzei Decades after leaving, Jacob, finally returns to Canaan. He is welcomed home by extraterrestrial messengers who transcend their natural orbit to greet him! Be astounded by this little-known story and its incredible, relevant lessons!

10

MY FIRST SON — The Final Verses Of Parshat Chayai Sara

Nov 13, 2020

1:31:12

Chumash Climaxes: Exploring the weekly Parsha’s curious conclusions MY FIRST SON tells the story of the Final Verses of Parshat Chayai Sara Avraham had deep heartache over his first son Ishmael’s abandonment of his monotheistic morality and spiritual legacy. Yet he was assured that he too would found a great nation, and in the end mend his errant ways. We’ll delve deeply into the verses that attest to its fulfillment!

11

From The Ashes

Nov 6, 2020

1:21:37

Parsha Climax The Final Verses of: Parshat Vayeira The Final Verses of Parshat Vayeira: Passing the test of Akaida, Avraham names the stony site “G-d will Select” invoking its eternal legacy as our source of spiritual energy that powers our nation. Mining these verses we unearth the profound impact Mount Mariah would, and continues to, have on future generations!

12

Pain And Glory A New Take On Circumcision And Cannabis!

Oct 30, 2020

1:25:38

Parsha Climax The Final Verses of: Parshat Lech Lecha : ! The Final Verses of Parshat Lech Lecha tell us of the the very day Abraham turned 99 and Ishmael turned 13 they were both circumcised. A fascinating Midrash cuts into painful details. Penetrating analysis serves to slices open and reveal profound truth about life, purpose and relationships and marijuana too!!

13

Death Of A Salesman

Oct 22, 2020

51:41

The Climax of Parshat Noach! : Why did Abraham abandon his father to old age? Abraham births Monotheism and abandons his idol-worshiping father. Torah prematurely report on his death Why, and what can it teach us?

14

Freedom Of Choice Vs Divine Destiny & Does G - D Decide To Change

Oct 16, 2020

1:07:33

Parsha Climax: The Final Verses of Parshat Bereishit & - ? Humankind’s Corruption: G-d’s Regret. G-d created People, and then regretted it and decided to destroy them. But Didn’t G-d know how things would be from the beginning? How are we to understand this narrative and what can it teach us?

15

Tribal Blessing Roundup!

Jan 9, 2020

24:13

Tribal Blessing Roundup! Concluding class on Parshat Veyechi

16

When Jacob Sought to Spill the Beans!

Jan 8, 2020

25:11

! Parshat Vayechi, 4th Portion (Genesis 49:1-49:18)

17

?

Jan 8, 2020

1:15:30

Making Good Better Kabbalah On Parshat Vayechi Revealing layers of Torah truth and Kabbalah secrets that will ignite your imagination, and open your eyes to amazing new vistas! ? Jacob’s last years, spent in Egypt were the very best of his life; filled with true satisfaction and happiness. Whilst it’s not hard to understand that being reunited with Joseph, and seeing his family united and loyal to his hallowed ideals, would be a source of profound joy; there’s something decidedly unsettling about the prime Patriarch being happiest in a place filled with pernicious immorality and spiritual corruption. The Rebbe’s final rumination on this widely discussed subject is revolutionary in its novel approach and leads us into mind-expanding Kabbalistic ideas shedding new light on the age-old question: can people change?!

18

Jacob vs Joseph — Showdown over Blessings!

Jan 7, 2020

16:06

Showdown over Blessings! Parshat Vayechi, 3rd Portion (Genesis 48:17-48:22)

19

Joseph’s Fishy Blessings

Jan 6, 2020

23:41

Discover why Jacob’s blessings to Joseph’s were couched in Fishy Terminology! Parshat Vayechi, 2nd Portion (Genesis 48:10-48:16)

20

Famine’s Arrival; Joseph’s Demands!

Dec 25, 2019

31:32

Famine’s Arrival; Joseph’s Demands! Parshat Mikeitz, 4th Portion (Genesis 41:53-42:18)

21

Meteoric Monarchy: The Rise of Joseph!

Dec 24, 2019

23:11

Meteoric Monarchy: The Rise of Joseph! Parshat Mikeitz, 3rd Portion (Genesis 41:39-41:52)

22

Haircut of Distinction

Dec 23, 2019

20:54

Haircut of Distinction Parshat Mikeitz, 2nd Portion (Genesis 41:15-41:38)

23

By the Grace of G-d: Joseph’s Climb up the Corporate Ladder of Slavery!

Dec 19, 2019

22:24

Joseph’s Climb up the Corporate Ladder of Slavery! Parshat Vayeishev , 5th Portion (Genesis 39:1-39:6)

24

When The Empty Cistern is Filled with Meaning

Dec 17, 2019

28:31

When The Empty Cistern is Filled with Meaning Parshat Vayeishev, 3rd Portion (Genesis 37:23-37:36)

25

Joseph’s Meeting with Destiny

Dec 16, 2019

27:03

Was it a Guardian Angel or Phantom Passerby? Parshat Vayeishev, 2nd Portion (Genesis 37:12-37:22)

26

Jewish Vigilantes: Question of the Ages?

Dec 12, 2019

34:54

Is Vigilante Justice Ever Justified?!? Parshat Vayishlach, 5th Portion (Genesis 34:1-35:11)

27

A Surprising Torah Response to Anti-Semitism!

Dec 11, 2019

28:52

A Surprising Torah Response to Anti-Semitism! Parshat Vayishlach, 4th Portion (Genesis 33:6-33:20)

28

Taming the Chaos - Getting Your Life In Order!

Dec 11, 2019

1:25:04

Revealing layers of Torah truth and Kabbalah secrets that will ignite your imagination, and open your eyes to amazing new vistas! Kabbalah On Parshat Vayishlach - ! Fleeing Laban, now Jacob confronts the evil Esau; enroute with murder in mind. Seeking to inhibit his brother's baleful intent; he sends a mollifying message – its literal elucidation is our initial point of departure. Then piercing the veil, the biblical characters are recast as cosmic spiritual paradigms, as profound mystical ideas are revealed. With broad brush strokes, the Kabbalistic panorama is outlined, as we laser into the teachings of the Chassidic Masters, with specific emphasis on a particular late 20th century discourse. The take away? We can all learn to create order out of chaos to live better and more fulfilling lives today!

29

Kiss of an Anti-Semite!

Dec 10, 2019

27:38

Kiss of an Anti-Semite! Anatomy of the surprising “Kiss” of a Hater Parshat Vayishlach, 3rd Portion (Genesis 32:31-33:5)

30

The Paradox of Jacobs’ High’s and Lows’

Dec 9, 2019

24:14

The Paradox of Jacobs’ High’s and Lows’ Parshat Vayishlach, 2nd Portion (Genesis 32:14-32:30)

31

What Jacob’s Flocks can teach us about facing antisemitism

Dec 5, 2019

24:28

What Jacob’s Flocks can teach us about facing antisemitism in our modern day and age! Parshat Vayeitzei, 5th Portion (Genesis 30:28-31:16)

32

Honesty, Integrity and Where G-d Dwells!

Dec 4, 2019

28:57

Honesty, Integrity and Where G-d Dwells! Parshat Vayeitzei, 4th Portion (Genesis 30:14-30:27)

33

Pursuing Peace to Make Your Good Life Better!

Dec 4, 2019

55:03

Kabbalah On Parshat Vayeitzei ! How the Perfect Patriarchal Promulgation of Peace Can Create Promote Inner Peace and Tranquility

34

Lessons from Antiquity

Dec 3, 2019

28:37

Lessons from Antiquity Parshat Vayeitzei, 3rd Portion (Genesis 29:18-30:13)

35

The Mother of Israel’s Chariot!

Dec 2, 2019

25:10

Jacob Meets Rachel: Her Secret Power Revealed! Parshat Vayeitzei, 2nd Portion (Genesis 29:1-29:17)

36

Why Hate Not Overt Equals Anti-Semitism at its Worst!

Nov 28, 2019

32:20

Why Hate Not Overt Equals Anti-Semitism at its Worst! Parshat Toldot, 5th Portion (Genesis 26:30-27:27)

37

The “Original” Art of the Deal!

Nov 20, 2019

29:16

The “Original” Art of the Deal! Parshat Chayei Sarah, 4th Portion (Genesis 24:27-24:52)

38

How Inner Balance equals Happiness!

Nov 20, 2019

1:29:02

Making Good Better Revealing layers of Torah truth and Kabbalah secrets that will ignite your imagination, and open your eyes to amazing new vistas! Kabbalah On Parsha Chayei Sarah ! The biblical narrative of “Isaac meets Rebecca” isn't exactly a romantic courtship. A servant, appointed matchmaker is given access to unlimited funds to convince the “right” girl to marry a man without ever seeing him. To thicken the plot, this “match made in heaven” seems entirely incompatible and doomed from the get go. The unnecessary repeated details only provoke more questions. This profoundly mystical presentation reveals a vast new perspective; overwhelmingly dissolving all questions, and providing a compelling blueprint for achieving inner balance that equals personal satisfaction and happiness in life!

39

The Power-Praying Loyal Servant

Nov 19, 2019

38:18

The Power-Praying Loyal Servant Parshat Chayei Sarah, 3rd Portion (Genesis 24:10-24:26)

40

Did Abraham Age Well or was he Well-Aged?

Nov 18, 2019

30:07

Did Abraham Age Well or was he Well-Aged? The answer will blow you away! Parshat Chayei Sarah, 2nd Portion (Genesis 23:17-24:9)

41

A (Jewish) Star is Born. The Covenant is Cut!

Nov 14, 2019

28:29

A (Jewish) Star is Born The Covenant is Cut! Parshat Vayeira, 4th-5th Portions

42

The Compelling Crack in the Wall

Nov 13, 2019

23:49

The Compelling Crack in the Wall The day the destiny of a nation was written on the wall! Parshat Vayeira, end of 4th Portion (Genesis 19:21-21:4)

43

Make Good Relationships Better!

Nov 13, 2019

1:15:36

Making Good Better Revealing layers of Torah truth and Kabbalah secrets that will ignite your imagination, and open your eyes to amazing new vistas! Kabbalah On Parshat Vayeira ! Almost incidental of a primary biblical narrative, in what might be termed a moment of “divine candor,” G-d “drops the curtain” sharing the secret of why he so loves Abraham. It seems reasonable to say that the importance of this verse cannot be overstated – as it's nothing short of an extraordinarily revealing statement by our Creator about how to best nurture our relationship with Him. And in turn, we can learn how to best cultivate and maintain our personal relationships as well!

44

Anatomy of Sodomite Destruction

Nov 12, 2019

24:47

"Anatomy of Sodomite Destruction" Raging Fires Destroy Soddom and Gomorow — in the presence of both the sun and the moon — Find our Why! Parshat Vayeira, 3rd Portion (Genesis 19:1-19:20)

45

The Sin of Sodomite Silence

Nov 11, 2019

23:43

"The Sin of Sodomite Silence " Do we have the “right to remain silent” when a society’s ugliness mushrooms before us? Is there truth to “ignorance is bliss” and can I just “hear no evil and see no evil?” A timely and important lesson from ancient Sodom & Gomorra!! Parshat Vayeira, 2nd Portion (Genesis 18:15-18:33)

46

Abrahamic Amore ~ Was it for Love or Money

Nov 7, 2019

26:19

Abrahamic Amore ~ Was it for Love or Money Parshat Lech-Lecha, 5th Portion (Genesis 14:21-15:6)

47

How The Shield of Abraham can Make [your] Good [life] Better

Nov 6, 2019

1:15:00

Kabbalah On: Parshat Lech-Lecha Make Your Daily Life Better Revealing layers of Torah truth and Kabbalah secrets that will ignite your imagination, and open your eyes to amazing new vistas! How The [Kabbalah of the] Shield of Abraham can Make [your] Good [life] Better! Responding to unspecified anxieties, G-d's word comes to Abraham: “Do not fear, I am your Shield.” The backstage narrative frames the divine statement as specific to concerns relating to unwanted violent and conflict. Yet, an array of rabbinic sources, as well as our daily prayer liturgy, casts this passage as anything but incidental. The introduction of related yet enigmatic Zoharic statements, viewed through the illuminating prism of Chasidic teaching, reconciles the seeming contradiction and reveals its deepest essence. This all becomes the foundation for practical spiritual wisdom that we can all use to make our good life's better!

48

Abraham’s Date with Destiny

Nov 5, 2019

25:56

"Abraham’s Date with Destiny" Fascinating discoveries about Our Father Abraham: Find out how he... in “Dating Destiny” he “Found True Love” and then went on to “Set the Stage” for his offspring as he “Prepared the Ground” and “Sank Deep Roots” from which many “Tall Cedars” and “Absolute Alters” would rise!! Parshat Lech-Lecha, 3rd Portion (Genesis 13:5-13:18)

49

Selling Sara or Spousal Support?

Nov 4, 2019

26:41

Selling Sara or Spousal Support? Was Father Abraham guilty of objectifying and trying to profit from his wife’s beauty, OR was he the first the believe that his wife was the source of his successes? Parshat Lech-Lecha, 2nd Portion (Genesis 12:14-13:4)

50

The Rainbow Reality

Oct 31, 2019

26:04

The Rainbow Reality Parshat Noach, 5th Portion (Genesis 9:8-9:17)

Bereishis/Genesis With Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

Bereishis/Genesis With Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

More by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan