Devarim & Tisha b'av - Stars and Fire

What is the difference between the light of stars and the light of fire? Why does the verse mean when it says that we will be like the stars and also numerous? How will the Jewish people be like Hashem in the future, and how do we access that light now? What is the central theme of Tisha B'av? Is its purpose to look at all the times that we have been victims, or to build from the ashes?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:50

Masei - Warring for Israel

Why do the thirty one kings desire to fight in the war on Sisera's side against the people of Israel? Why are they willing to do it for free? What does it mean that they 'thirst to drink of the waters of Israel?' Why did Jacob, Moses and King David run away from their enemies? When is it time to run, and when is it time to fight? What is the secret power of the Jewish people when they reach the amount of 600,000?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:14

Matos - Fighting for God's Sake

What is the difference between Bilam's use of God's name and Pinchos' use of God's name, especially in light of the fact that they both are able to come before God's throne of Glory? What is the special power of the small army force that Pinchos leads in battle against Midian? What is the significance of the fact that the wealth of the Midian's was given to the tribes of Reuven and Gad?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:32

Pinchas - 7 Year Podcast Anniversary!

Why is there no prohibition to destroy the fruit-bearing trees of the Midianites? What is the deeper significance of the fact that the woman of the generation of the wilderness were not involved in the sins of the Golden Calf and the Spies? Why does Hashem ask Moshe seven times to be his messenger to redeem the Jewish people? What does all this have to do with the seven years I have been putting out the Parsha Podcast every week?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 23:39

Balak - Threshold Immorality

After 540 years of existence as the Jewish people, why do they face such a great test in licentious behavior just as they are entering Israel? What is parallel to Avraham and his interaction with Sodom as he is about to conceive Isaac? What is the concept of the 'Shittim River' which causes those who drink of it to be involved in licentious behavior? Why was there a special desire for this type of behavior immediately before the rebuilding of the Second Temple?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 25:11

Chukas - Transcendent Statute

Why is the concept of the Red Heifer referred to as a statute? What is the paradox of this commandment? Why were only Moshe and R' Akiva privy to an understanding of it? Why did R' Akiva have more of an understanding than Moshe? What is the idea of a chok-statute? How and why does the concept of seven times seven play a role in the concept of the Red Heifer?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 25:25

Korach - Hierarchy and Equality

Why does the Torah place the concept of tzitzis and techeles right before the story of Korach? Why does Korach's argument center around the concept of Techeles? What is the significance of Moshe's response that includes the word 'Boker' - morning? What is the healthy approach to hierarchy and equality?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:11

Shlach - Letting Go Of Results

Why is the rectification for the sin of the spies forty years in the wilderness which correspond to the forty days they traveled through Israel? How does this fit the crime? What was behind the spies assumption that the Jewish people could not overcome the inhabitants of Israel? How does the concept of humility play itself out in this story?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:55

Behaaloscha - Shining God's Light

Why does Hashem command the Jewish people to light candles in the Tabernacle if God does not need our light? What is the significance of the 'pure olive oil' that is used to light the menorah? Why does Moshe have to find it so difficult to form the shape of the menorah from gold? How does the lighting of the menorah serve to impress the nations of the world?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:27

Nasso - Power of Commitment

What is at the root of the issue of the Sotah and the Nazir? How does one fill the hole in one's soul? What is the concept of a commitment? How does it work to strengthen a person's relationship with Hashem?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:41