Friday, January 25, 2013

Beshalach - Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Cloud

What is the significance of the three verses in a row that have 72 letters? What is the significance of the fact that the total amount of letters is 216, which is the same numerical value as the word גבורה - withholding kindness? What is the concept of the pillar of fire? What is the concept of the pillar of cloud? Why did they stand between the Jewish people and the Egyptians? Why does the fire shine and yet, at the same time, it is dark? What is the significance of the Jewish people being comparable to a child held on the shoulders of his father? Why will the Jewish people be led only by a pillar of cloud in the future redemption?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 22:20

Friday, January 18, 2013

Bo - Willingness vs Defiance

Why does the Ramban say that the plague of Locusts is the one we are to tell over to our children? Why does Hashem describe this plague as the one which shows how He has made a mockery of Egypt? What is the lesson of Pharaoh's defiance? Why does Moshe find it difficult to understand the law of the sanctification of the new moon? What is the significance of Hashem showing Moshe with His 'finger?' What is the connection to the impure crawling animals and the Menorah?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 19:52

Friday, January 11, 2013

Vaera - Raising the cup of Salvation

What is the difference between the name Kel Shakai and Hashem (Yud Kei Vav Kei)? Why does Hashem tell Moshe to tell the Jewish people of their imminent redemption if they don't have the capability to hear it? What is the connection between the four languages of Geulah and the four cups that were in the dream the cupbearer told Joseph? What is the concept of the 'cup of salvation' - why does the cup connect to salvation and redemption?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 24:18

Friday, January 4, 2013

Shemos - Firmness, Patience and Compassion

Why does Moshe stay away from Egypt for the lengthy time of sixty five years? Why is the classic story with Moshe and the runaway sheep so essential to his becoming the redeemer? What is the difference between the two different interactions Moshe has with Doson and Aviram? What is the understanding of the interaction between Moshe and Hashem at the end of the parsha?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 18:42