This unique Parsha podcast is filled with machshava, deep philosophical Jewish thought, based on traditional sources, from the ancient to the recent. All of the ideas are rooted in Torah tradition, filled with a spiritual message that is potent and poignant for the times.
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Why does the Torah stress that the clothes the Jews wore in the wilderness never wore out? Where did these clothes come from? How are they connected to the clothes of Yaakov which he wore when he came in to steal the blessing of Esav? What was special about the revelation at Mount Sinai and the angels who appeared with gifts for the Jewish people? How did the clothes still fit children who received them in their youth? What is the idea of them being Royal Blue or Purple? What is the concept of the 'good smell' that reaches from one end of the earth to the other? Find out in this week's Parsha
What is the fundamental spiritual mistake of someone who speaks Lashon Hara (gossip)? How is that hatred and Lashon Hara cause the Divine Presence to be repelled? What is the concept of the destruction of the ego in the beginning of the times of Moshiach? How does it relate to the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) and Shechinah (Divine Presence) that will be present on mankind in those times? How can we taste these aspects even today? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
What is the deeper concept of peace? What is the depth of the teaching about the peace that comes when Hashem returns the souls of the idol worshippers for another day of life despite their denial of Him? Why did R' Meir allow the woman to 'spit in his face' to satisfy her husband who was not allowing her to come home? Why is Jerusalem associated with the concept of peace? Why is the ultimate redemption connected so intimately with peace? What is the approach to peace and forgiveness with others who have hurt us? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
What is the concept of the blessings that come, and how do we access them? How do these blessings contrast with the verses from the end of the previous parsha that speak of victory over our enemies - when we love Hashem and keep the commandments? What is the spiritual power that we have against the 'mazikin'-demons, and how do we get the angels to protect us? What is the message of the story of Elisha and the battalions of Aram that he was able to defeat without a fight - only with the aid of angels? What is the elevated path that saves us from the depths of darkness that are represented by th
Why did Moshe pray 515 times even though Hashem already told him he would not be entering Eretz Yisrael? Why did he choose the type of prayer that was called a 'tachanun'-supplication? Why do some people have the merit for reward, while the great storehouse of 'free reward' is much larger? Why did Moshe at first not even feel the need to pray, and how did Hashem force him, as it were, to wake up and pray? What happens when a person sees that his prayer is flowing? Does this guarantee his prayer will be answered? How does one know if the prayer he is praying was inspired by Hashem? What is the
Why did Moshe pray 515 times even though Hashem already told him he would not be entering Eretz Yisrael? Why did he choose the type of prayer that was called a 'tachanun'-supplication? Why do some people have the merit for reward, while the great storehouse of 'free reward' is much larger? Why did Moshe at first not even feel the need to pray, and how did Hashem force him, as it were, to wake up and pray? What happens when a person sees that his prayer is flowing? Does this guarantee his prayer will be answered? How does one know if the prayer he is praying was inspired by Hashem? What is the
What does Moshe 'see' in the destruction of Sichon and Og, the enemies of the Jewish people? How does the horse and rider correspond to the nation and it's spiritual representative above? Who is the 'spiritual representative' of the Jewish people above? Why does R' Akiva laugh as his friends cry when they see the power of Rome and the destruction of the Temple? Why is R' Akiva confident that the desolation of the Temple will certainly result in the ultimate rejuvenation of the Jewish people in their return to Jerusalem and Israel? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
What was the mistake of the children of the tribes of Gad, Reuven and half of Menashe? What is the concept of Hashem taking away the wealth of the wealthy and giving it to the lowly? Why did the bull that was to be brought as a sacrifice to idolatry refuse to move without Eliyahu pushing it forward and giving it permission? Why did the ravens specifically go to the table of King Yehoshaphat in order to bring bread and meat to Eliyahu? What do we learn from the 'animals and birds?' Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
How was the problem of jealousy eliminated in the apportioning of the Land of Israel to the respective tribes? What were the unique miracles that made clear that each portion that was given out was precisely tailored for that particular tribe? How do these parallel the way we each seek our unique tafkid-purpose in the world? What is the lesson of the women of the wilderness, who were not involved in the sins of the golden calf and the spies? What is the lesson of the women's special ability to see the good of Israel? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
What is the special relationship between the Jewish people and the nations of the world? Why are the nations so obsessed with us, seeking our defamation and destruction? What is unique about theway the Jewish people counts the months of the year based on the lunar cycle, and how does it align with the Solar every 19 years? What is the significance of the fact that in the 8th year of the cycle the lunar calendar pushes ahead of the solar calendar? What happens as the lunar year lags behind the solar year? What is the concept of Israel as a nation alone, acting as a light unto the nations? Find
Why does Korach refer to Hashem as 'in the midst' of the Jewish people, while he refers to Moshe as 'raising himself above' the Jewish people? Why does Moshe refer to himself as 'in the midst' of the 600,000 of Klal Yisrael? What is Moshe's unique connection to the 600,000? How is the sin Moshe does by striking the rock to bring forth water connected to him being placed in the water as an infant? How does this relate to the blessing of Yosef's children to 'multiply like fish,' and the fact that Moshe is born in Adar, whose Zodiac sign is the fish? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
What was the core of the mistake of the spies? What made them unwilling to face the nations that inhabited Israel? Why did Korach accuse Moshe and Aharon of lifting themselves above the nation, if they were the epitome of humility, peace and love for Klal Yisrael? What is the concept of the light of Moshiach ben Yosef and his generation? Why does Moshiach need to be willing to be oppressed by the people of his generation? How does this parallel the interaction between the Jewish people and the nations of the world? How does each of these serve to atone for the very people that oppress them? Fi
What was the mistake that Miriam and Aharon made in speaking about Moshe in a negative light? What should the meraglim (spies) have learned from them? What would have been different if Moshe had sent women instead of men as spies? Why do women have a special capacity to see the good in Eretz Yisrael? What is the secret of the blue thread of the tzitzis? How does it parallel the concept of the blue covering of the Aron (Ark)? How does one use one's eyes to change how one feels? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
Why was the Torah specifically given in Sivan and not in Nissan or Iyar? Why did the king in the analogy consider parading his princess first on an elephant, then on a horse, and finally on the shoulders of a human being? What is the concept of the human being who 'talks, claps and dances?' Why did the heavenly hosts cry at the giving of the Torah, while those on earth were joyous? Why did Hashem ask the angel of darkness to step aside in Nissan, when the world was created, then invite him back in Iyar, and finally speak of the human being who could 'see both light and darkness?' Find out in t
Why was the Torah specifically given in Sivan and not in Nissan or Iyar? Why did the king in the analogy consider parading his princess first on an elephant, then on a horse, and finally on the shoulders of a human being? What is the concept of the human being who 'talks, claps and dances?' Why did the heavenly hosts cry at the giving of the Torah, while those on earth were joyous? Why did Hashem ask the angel of darkness to step aside in Nissan, when the world was created, then invite him back in Iyar, and finally speak of the human being who could 'see both light and darkness?' Find out in t
How was Elazar the Kohen able to carry so many items at once - the Oil of the Menorah, the incense ingredients, the flour of the daily offering and the oil of anointing? Why did the unlearned man scream out the kedusha prayer? Why did he then go on to become a great dignitary? What was the underlying theme in the contention between Dovid Hamelech and his wife Michal? Why did Dovid dance and 'crow' in front of the Aron Habris (ark of the convenant), and how was it appropriate for a person of his stature? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
What is the concept of the poor person that is 'with you?' Who is the dal-poor individual that we are enjoined by Dovid Hamelech to 'be wise' with? Why is the result of that wisdom that Hashem protects us? What is the 'city' with 'few inhabitants' that is besieged by a 'great king' and saved by a 'weak, wise man?' What is the power of making our Yetzer Tov (good inclination) to be the 'king' over our Yetzer Hara (evil inclination)? How do all of these reflect the concept of activating Hashem's kindness? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
What is the connection between the idea of the prohibition of speaking with the dead and the holiness of the Kohanim-priests? Why did Shaul Hamelech (King Saul) not receive a response from the prophets and the Urim VeTumim? What was the implication of his having disguised himself in regular clothes when he approached the woman and asked her to transgress by bringing up Shmuel Hanavi (Samuel the prophet)? Why was he ultimately killed in the battle with the Plishtim alongside his sons? What are the lessons we can take from this tragic story? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
Why does the Torah enjoin us to only bring sacrifices in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and not on public altars? What is meant by the altar being 'in front of the sanctuary of Hashem?' What is the use of the things in creation that seem to be useless? Why is the king a servant to those who work the earth? Why is property a better investment than merchandise? What is the best investment in spiritual terms when it comes to learning Torah? How does all this explain the reason why we are to only bring our sacrifices in the Mishkan? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
What is the concept of the rain that is split into separate streams as opposed to a single force which could cause a flood? How does this parallel the concept that each hair has it's own follicle and source of power? Why did the Kohen (priest) want to leave Israel, and how did his wife convince him otherwise, based on his own teaching? Why does a hair turn white when a person has the spiritual disease of Tzara'as (leprosy)? How does this parallel the spiritual disease of egotism and lashon hara (gossip) that precedes the advent of tzara'as? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
What happens to a person whose goal in life is to drink wine? How can we use the nature of goal focus in a positive way? What is the lesson of the drunk who was left in a cemetery and still found wine there - in a miraculous way? What is the function of will and the miracles it creates, and how do we direct it toward Hashem and spiritual goals? How did wine create a rift between Adam and Chava, Noach and his son, and between Aharon and his sons Nadav and Avihu? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
Which is the most important part of Pesach - the first day or the last day? Why does the first day have so many mitzvos attached to it, while the last day has none? What is the characteristic of youth, and how does it compare to that of being elderly? What was so important about the fact that Moshe first heard his heart inspire him to sing, and then he sang? Why does it turn out that all of the first six days of Pesach are actually a preparation for the last day, when we sang at the parting of the sea? How does the redemption from Egypt parallel the final redemption, and where is that hinted t
What is the concept of the Korban Shelamim? Why is it last in the list of the different sacrifices? How does the Shelamim relate to Shalom-peace? Why is the korban Todah (thanksgiving offering) the only type of sacrifice that will still be brought in the times of Moshiach? What is the lesson behind the erasure of Hashem's name in the context of Shalom Bayis (peace between man and wife)? Why did R' Meir allow a woman to spit in his face in order to keep peace between a man and wife? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
Why is Moshe chosen as the only one who can hear Hashem's voice speaking from the Ohel Moed (Tabernacle)? What is unique about Avraham that he is chosen? How is he able to destroy many kings in one night? Why is he chasing them if they've 'already' fallen? How is Dovid Hamelech chosen, in a parallel way? I he chosen because of something that he did, or is it just a kindness from Hashem? How can each of us become 'chosen,' and how does the fall of the enemies in those times parallel the fall of Israel's enemies today? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.
What is the idea of the 'wind' or 'spirit' that Hashem placed in Betzalel that inspired him to wisdom so that he could design the Mishkan-Tabernacle? How does this 'wind' parallel the wind that was present at the very moment of Creation? How does this wind animate and propel forward the creation of the world, and the parallel creation of the Mishkan? How does this power serve to move forward the Moshiach process as it prepares the way for the building of the Beis Hamikdash? How does it ultimately bring us 'back from the dead' and remind us of our true spiritual purpose? Find out in this week's
