Toldos - Simplicity and Trickery

Why did Yakov need to obtain the blessings of Esav through trickery? How do we understand this in light of Yakov's unique attribute being Emes-Truth? What is the idea of Yakov's appearance being the same as Adam's? Why is the snake described as being 'crafty?' How does one properly employ the ideas of simplicity and trickery?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 22:12

Chayei Sarah - All the Blessings

What is the depth of the idea that Hashem blessed Avraham 'bakol' - 'in all?' Why is this the preface to Avraham sending Eliezer to find a wife for his song Yitzchak? What is the concept of 'all,' and how does it relate to the idea of blessing? What is the unique nature of the Jewish people's mission in the world? What is the idea that the Jewish people are first referred to as Hashem's daughter, then sister, then mother? How does this parallel the relationship between a father and son?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 27:04

Vayera - Hashem's Revelation

What is the idea of Hashem revealing Himself to Avraham after he performs the bris (circumcision)? Why does Hashem not seem to say anything? What are the problems with the Rambam's understanding that the entire interaction of Avraham with the angels was the revelation? When does one experience a vision of an angel? Is that at the same level as a revelation of Hashem Himself? What was the purpose of Hashem's revelation to Avraham at this time?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 23:58

Lech Lecha - The Land I Will Show You

What is the significance of Avraham's test to leave his birthplace? Why does Hashem not specify which land He is guiding Avraham toward? Does Avraham know where he is going? How is able to follow Hashem's command if he indeed does not know where he's headed? How can we know where Hashem is leading each of us individually?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:41

Noach - Avraham's Beginnings

Why did the sages include the beginning of Avraham's story in the end of Noach's story? Why does this type of crossover seem to happen often in the Torah portions? Why does the Torah start with the story of Adam instead of starting with the story of Avraham or Yaakov? Where is Avraham originally from? Why does Hashem refer to having taken Avraham out of Ur Kasdim in the same way as He says He took us out of Egypt? What are the different ways in which Hashem guides us?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 28:22

Breishis - Foundations

How was the Torah originally written and collated? Being that Moshe is the one writing the Torah, why doesn't he begin with a statement that Hashem told this to him, as we find by other prophets? What is contained in the Torah? Where are the secrets of the Torah to be found?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 26:22

Vayelech - Song of Return

Why does Hashem invite Moshe and Yehoshua to the entrance of the Tabernacle? What is the song that He teaches them? What is the idea of the song? Why is the 'stiff necked' nature of the Jewish people the very reason Hashem chose us? What is the power of a song? Why are the Jewish people meant to learn this song? What purpose does it serve? Why is there a melody without words that is interspersed throughout the song?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 18:11

Ki Savo - Commitment to Torah

What are the two aspects in any relationship? What is the idea of fear of Hashem? How do we retain our commitments in our relationships? What is the power of affirmation? What is the idea of 'upholding the Torah?' 

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:33

Ki Seitze - Avoiding Gossip

What does the midrash mean when it says that 'a person can not see their own blemish?' What are the primary causes of the tzora'as affliction? How does the negativity embodied in speaking gossip spread? How does speaking gossip lead to denying Hashem's existence? What is the rectification of this, and how does it lead us to the times of Moshiach?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:24

Shoftim - Finding the Center

Why is the highest court of the Jewish people found in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount? What does the verse mean when it says that we are to do as the judges tell us 'from that place Hashem shall choose?' What does the verse mean when it says not to turn away from their word neither to the right nor the left? Why is there a reference to the 'nations around them' in the verse speaking about the appointment of a king? What is the concept of his being 'chosen by Hashem' and how does it relate to the 'place chosen by Hashem' in the previous discussion?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:10