The Parsha Podcast · Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

851

Korach – The Legendary Malcontents

Jun 25, 2020

31:53

Dathan and Abiram appear in Scripture for the first time in this week’s parsha as conspirators in Korach’s insurrection, but according to the Midrash this is not nearly their first rebellion against Moshe and Aaron. In fact, since Moshe was a young lad, Dathan and Abiram were thorns at his side, resisting him at every […]

852

Shelach – Benefiting from Blunders

Jun 19, 2020

33:36

Mistakes are endemic to the human condition. We all make mistakes. Even the titans of our history like Moshe, Aaron, and Joshua made mistakes. In this hastily prepared podcast we speculate that mistakes are not incidental to greatness but are absolutely pivotal. Without mistakes there can be no greatness. Please email me at [email protected] with […]

853

Behaaloscha – The Eyes of the People

Jun 12, 2020

30:34

Our parsha contains an unusual sequence: The nation is about to leave Sinai, and Moshe makes a prolonged, and unsuccessful, appeal to his father in law, Jethro, to remain with him. Then there is the strange episode of the backwards-facing NUNs. Then the nation commits two grievous sin back to back. Moshe then tells God […]

854

Nasso – How to Find Your Life-Mission

Jun 3, 2020

37:06

A central tenet of Jewish philosophy is that every individual is unique – a world onto their own – and is entrusted by God with a unique, tailored mission. That principle is found several times in our parsha. But how do we discover what our mission is? In the past, that question would be addressed […]

855

Bamidbar and Shavuos: The Indispensability of each Jew

May 21, 2020

56:24

Parshas Bamidbar is the Torah portion that we read immediately prior to Shavuos, the Festival of the Giving of the Torah, each year. In this special episode, we offer a mind-bending idea to ponder the connection between Shavuos and Parshas Bamidbar. To aid with visualizing the contents of this unique episode, please download the accompanying […]

856

Emor – The Addiction Challenge

May 7, 2020

30:43

Among the many laws found in our parsha, are the laws governing the Festivals and holidays. Given that we are currently in middle of the Counting of the Omer period spanning from Pesach to Shavuos, in this special episode we presented various ways to maximize this period. We also made a specific challenge to the […]

857

Spiritual Opportunism: A Special Shiur for Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe’s Yahrtzeit

Apr 12, 2020

26:14

It has been 15 years since my illustrious grandfather, Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, passed away, on the first day of Chol HaMoed Pesach 2005. In this special shiur to mark his yahrtzeit, we speculate the ways that he became great and take a very valuable lesson on how to become great ourselves during this coronavirus pandemic. […]

858

Special Pesach Episode – The Seder Night: How to Maximize the Year’s Most Powerful Night

Apr 6, 2020

59:35

The first night of Pesach – the second night as well is the Diaspora – is arguably the most important nights of the year. On this night we were redeemed from Egypt, this is the night of the Exodus, this is the night of the death of the firstborn; tonight we became a nation. This […]

859

Tzav – Essential Oxygen

Apr 3, 2020

34:27

Among the many sacrifices discussed in the Book of Leviticus, the Korban Todah, the Thanksgiving Sacrifice stands out. The Midrash teaches us that in the future, all sacrifices will cease, with the exception of the Thanksgiving sacrifice. Similarly, all prayers will be discontinued, but the thanksgiving prayer will endure. What is so unique about giving […]

860

Vayikra – Infectious Spirituality

Mar 26, 2020

33:12

With the help of the Almighty, we begin a new Book, the Book of Leviticus, Sefer Vayikra. In this special edition of the Parsha Podcast, we read the Ramban’s introduction to the Book, and also analyze a very interesting subject contained within the Book that mirrors the events dominating the world today. This Parsha Podcast […]

861

Vayakhel & Pekudei – Sequestered with God

Mar 20, 2020

40:27

This week’s double-Parsha begins with a stern warning against desecrating the Shabbos in order to build the Tabernacle. Absent the verse, I would have thought that you must even work on Shabbos to erect the Tabernacle. Why would I think so? Also, why indeed does it not override the Shabbos? In this special edition of […]

862

Ki Sisa – Coronavirus: Three Lessons from the Torah

Mar 12, 2020

39:29

The deadly coronavirus (COVID- 19) is dominating the world’s attention. Our Sages teach us that when danger strikes, we must ponder our behavior and search for lessons. We believe that this virus is a message from God. What is the message? What is He telling us? Of course, only prophets can answer that question definitively, […]

863

Purim: Toasting your Troubles

Mar 10, 2020

25:46

Purim contains arguably Judaism’s strangest custom. On the day that we celebrate our nation’s triumph over Haman and his evil plot, we are required to drink and become so drunk that we forget about Haman’s treachery. What is the meaning behind this unusual custom? TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your […]

864

Terumah – Apex Holiness

Feb 27, 2020

32:10

Our parsha features the greatest bargain in human history: God instructs us to erect a Mashkan, a Tabernacle, for Him, and provided that we follow the rules to a tee, He will dwell amongst us. At Sinai, the nation became God’s Chosen People. What exactly was missing after Sinai that necessitated building the Tabernacle? TORCH […]

865

Yisro – Spiritual Metamorphosis

Feb 14, 2020

27:41

Moshe’s father in law Yisro is arguably the most unusual character in the Torah. His arrival comes at a very crucial time – sandwiched between the major founding events of our nation – and his contribution is somewhat marginal, yet he is given prime real estate in the Torah: In the run-up to the most […]

866

Bo – 11 Dimensions of Exile

Jan 30, 2020

39:29

After centuries of subjugation and servitude, our nation was redeemed from Egypt and taken out by God on the wings of eagles. How long, exactly, were we in Egypt? That is actually quite a tricky question to answer. In this parsha we read how the Egyptian enslavement lasted for 430 years but in Genesis, God […]

867

Vaeira – The Object of Exile

Jan 24, 2020

35:55

In our parsha we read about the first seven of the eventual ten plagues that precipitated the Exodus. But a fundamental question needs to be asked: Why were we enslaved to begin with? What’s the purpose of enslavement and what’s the purpose of the redemption? Why did our people need to undergo this period of torment, […]

868

Shemos – True Kinship

Jan 17, 2020

31:58

In this special edition of the Parsha Podcast, we read through Ramban’s introduction to the Book of Exodus, and we examine the special fraternal relationship of Moses and Aaron by contrasting it with the relationships of siblings in Genesis and by demonstrating how their close could have imperiled the Exodus from Egypt. TORCH Shabbat Light […]

869

Vayechi – The Unexpected Hero

Jan 9, 2020

31:56

In this special edition of the Parsha podcast, we share several observations and insights on the parsha relating to pedagogical theory and the lengths to which the righteous conceal the misdeeds of others, we ask an interesting question on the episode of Jacob crossing over his hands when blessing his grandsons, and discuss a theme […]

870

Kindling the Jewish Soul: Understanding the Deeper Meaning of the Menorah: (Recorded Live in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada)

Dec 26, 2019

53:57

This unique podcast was recorded live at the Aish Thornhill Community Shul on the third day of Chanukah 5780. In the talk we suggest a cogent and unified explanation of the festival of Chanukah, and specifically, of the menorah candles. We begin by noting the many differences between the Chanukah candles and the other rabbinic mitzvah […]

871

Vayeishev – Earning Your Stripes

Dec 19, 2019

33:21

A reappearing theme of this week’s parsha is garments: Joseph’s brothers envy is engendered by a garment; the brothers deceive Jacob by presenting him with a garment; When mourning, Jacob and Reuben rip their garments; Tamar disguised herself by swapping her garment; Joseph is imprisoned when he loses his garment. In this podcast we suggest […]

872

Vayishlach – Getting A Divine Deposit

Dec 12, 2019

34:10

This week’s parsha podcast features three powerful ideas: One relating to God giving Jacob a very unusual nickname; one that follows the aftermath of the episode of Dinah; and one relating to the different names assigned to Esav’s wife. TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch […]

873

Vayeitzei – Cornerstones of the Nation

Dec 5, 2019

33:31

Throughout the parsha, there are many references to a stone or stones. Jacob surrounds himself with stones for protection; he pours oil on a stones; he consecrates a stone for the Temple; a large stone is covering a well, and Jacob removes the stone; and at the parsha’s end, Jacob and Laban strike a deal […]

874

Parshas Vayeitzei (Rebroadcast)

Dec 1, 2019

1:03:40

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. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

875

Toldos – Breaking Barriers

Nov 27, 2019

28:12

After nearly two decades of infertility, Isaac and Rebecca conceive, but something does not feel right. Whenever Rebecca passes a house of Torah, she feels her baby stir and get all excited as if he wants to be born. Seemingly, her child is drawn to holiness. Yet when Rebecca passes a temple of idolatry, the […]

876

Parshas Toldos (Rebroadcast)

Nov 24, 2019

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 […]

877

Chayei Sara – The Four Ways to Die

Nov 22, 2019

26:53

This podcast contains two ideas on Parshas Chayei Sara. First, we examine the Torah’s unusual description of Sarah’s location of death. Then we probe the identity and nickname of Abraham’s second wife, Keturah. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

878

Parshas Chayei Sara (Rebroadcast)

Nov 18, 2019

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. – – – – […]

879

Vayeira – Abraham’s Failures?

Nov 15, 2019

33:41

A casual reading of our parsha would give the impression that Abraham fails at everything he tries: He tries to feed guests, yet we find out that they are angels who need no food; He tries valiantly to save Sodom and Gomorrah, yet God overturns the city nonetheless; He tries to find safety and sustenance; yet […]

880

Lech Lecha – How Small Steps Yield Huge Results + New TORCH Initiative

Nov 7, 2019

27:53

This week’s Parsha orients around our patriarch, Abraham, and more specifically his 10 tests that formed his spiritual makeup, and more broadly the spiritual fabric of our nation. In this podcast, we dwell on the first of those tests – when Abraham is commanded to abandon his homeland and travel to Canaan/Israel. To participate in the […]

881

Noach – How to Become a Tzadik

Oct 31, 2019

29:01

Only one man is classified by the Torah as a “Tzadik”, the eponymous hero of our Parsha, Noah. “Tzadik” is generally translated as “righteous” or “upstanding”. Why doesn’t the Torah apply that appellation to other great figures, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, or Moses? – – – – – – – – – – – […]

882

Bereishis – Ramban’s Introduction to the Torah

Oct 25, 2019

30:25

In his introduction to Torah, Ramban discusses some of the most critical questions about the Torah: He discusses the Torah’s authorship and its writing process; the nature of its content; and the various dimensions of the Torah. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

883

Parshas VeZos HaBeracha + Plans for Year 4 of the Parsha Podcast

Oct 20, 2019

53:23

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. At the beginning of this episode, we also detail the plans for the fourth year of the Parsha […]

884

Parshas Ha’Azinu

Oct 10, 2019

58:07

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 […]

885

Book of Jonah: Studying the Yom Kippur Reading on a Deeper Level (Chapter 1)

Oct 6, 2019

1:10:35

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 […]

886

Parshas Vayeilech

Oct 4, 2019

50:54

Moshe is 120 years old to the day. He was born on the seventh of Adar and now it is the seven of Adar 120 years later. Today is his last day before his passing and he is taking leave from the nation and handing over the reins to Joshua. – – – – – […]

887

Insights from the Rosh Hashana Torah Reading (2nd day – Genesis Chapter 22: The Binding of Isaac)

Sep 29, 2019

55:01

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 […]

888

Parshas Nitzavim

Sep 25, 2019

53:21

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: […]

889

Insights from the Rosh Hashana Torah Reading (1st day – Genesis Chapter 21)

Sep 23, 2019

1:03:28

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 […]

890

Parshas Ki Savo

Sep 19, 2019

56:04

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 […]

891

Parshas Ki Seitzei

Sep 11, 2019

1:01:58

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. […]

892

Parshas Shoftim

Sep 6, 2019

1:00:55

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 […]

893

Parshas Re’eh

Aug 29, 2019

1:01:21

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. – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

894

Parshas Eikev

Aug 22, 2019

60:00

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 […]

895

Parshas Va’Eschanan

Aug 16, 2019

1:05:41

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 […]

896

Parshas Devarim

Aug 6, 2019

50:28

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 […]

897

Parshas Mattos & Masei

Jul 30, 2019

1:01:16

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; […]

898

Parshas Pinchas

Jul 23, 2019

52:17

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. – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

899

Parshas Balak

Jul 18, 2019

1:01:55

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 […]

900

Parshas Chukas (Recorded Live in Jerusalem)

Jul 10, 2019

1:02:17

In this week’s parsha, we read about a high;y 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 […]

The Parsha Podcast · Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

The Parsha Podcast Â - הרב יעקב וולבה

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