Matos-Masei - Creating With Speech

What is the power of speech? How is one able to create with speech? What is the idea of God speaking when He creates - with whom was He communicating? What is the idea of speech without communication? How is it expressed in the idea of a vow?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 25:29

Pinchas - Spiritual Patience

What was the great wisdom of the daughters of Tzelafchad? Why did they wait until they were in their forties to get married? What is the concept of inheritance and how does it relate to one's personal purpose in life? Why did Moshe have to wait 40 years to rectify a mistake he made? What is the idea that the 'son is an extension of the father?'

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 26:20

Balak - Getting Hashem's Hint

The Parsha Podcast celebrates its 10 year anniversary - 10 years of podcasts every week! How was R' Yochanan able to understand the hint of the angel and go on to greatness? What was the difference between Moshe and Yaakov vs. David and Mordechai when it came to getting the hint? Why did Bilaam get open and subtle hints? How do we recognize Hashem's hints for us?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 25:30

Chukas - Serving with Awe and Love

What was the depth of the sin of Moshe in hitting the rock instead of speaking to it? What would have happened had he not done so? How does this idea parallel the way we learn Torah? Why is the study Torah analogous to water? What is the difference between a relationship of awe and a relationship of love? What will our relationship with Hashem look like in the times of Moshiach?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:21

Korach - Organic Leadership

What is the Torah's approach to leadership? Why did Hashem create a concept of hierarchy? What was the mistake of Korach's rebellion? What is the depth behind the obligation to give a tithe to the Levites and the Kohanim? What was the mistake of the Jewish people in asking for a king in the times of Shmuel (Samuel)?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:03

Shlach - Running Thread

What was the root of the sin of the spies? Why were they only able to see the negative side of Eretz Yisrael? What is the connection between that event and the commandment of tzitzis? What is the idea behind the obligation of Tzitzis? What is the meaning of the statement of our sages that the blue of the tzitzis is to remind us of the throne of Hashem's glory? Why are the tzitzis specifically worn during prayer? How do they remind us of all of the commandments?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:56

Behaaloscha - Shining Hashem's Light

What is meant when the verse refers to the 'light of God which guides us?' How do the sun and moon 'guide us?' What is the concept of the 'face of God?' Why does the word 'face' in Hebrew also refer to the inner aspect of the person? How was Bezalel able to intuitively construct the Menorah-candelabra? What is the significance of the 7, 8 and 10 stringed instruments of the Levites? Why do certain individuals need to go through great tests before they can fulfill their unique roles in life?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 28:57

Nasso - Maintaining Inspiration

What is the idea behind the gift of the 12 princes of wagons to the tabernacle? What is the depth of what is going on with the repetitious listing of their offerings? Why does it follow the Priestly blessings? Why do both these events occur on the eighth day of the Tabernacles dedication? What is the connection between the numbers 50 and 8? Why does the Torah ask us to count to 49 and seemingly to 50, if we only count to 49? How do we hold onto the inspiration we have received? 

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:15

Bamidbar - Counting the Uncountable

How does counting the Jewish people express Hashem’s love for us? How can we be counted if we are ‘uncountable?’ Why are there different analogies for this uncountability - stars, sand, dust? Who refers to us in each of these ways? How are we both in this world and above it? How does the reality of the Jewish people parallel the Oneness of Hashem? What are the different types of being uncountable?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 29:06

Trump & Yesod ShebeYesod

We all know who's coming to Israel tomorrow. To Jerusalem no less.

I saw someone message my wife earlier today that she was going to Kever Yosef tonight and it hit me that tonight is yesod she'beyesod. Which is Yosef's day.

For those who are not familiar, yesod is the aspect of Yosef Hatzadik - the tzadik yesod olam. Yesod of Yesod is the concentration of that power (just as Lag b'omer is the concentration of the power of Hod - Hod of Hod). The power of the Tzadik is in controlling his passions - hence Yosef's overcoming the temptation of Potifar's wife. His control over his passions gives him dominion over the world - Egypt of that time; and, of course, the Jewish people.

How ironic that the president of the US, who is arguably a perfect example of the opposite of this mastery (by his own admission - see his books) - would come to Israel on that very day of Yosef's power! And of all places, come to Jerusalem, which is the Yesod of the world!

The Yesod is the point that connects the male and female aspects, and in a cosmic sense, Jerusalem is the point that connects the Heavenly spheres (male) to the Earthly spheres (female).

I can not say that I fathom the significance of this, but it is surely remarkable and noteworthy.

Let us all continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Amen.