Friday, December 26, 2014

Vayigash - Joining As One

What is the significance of Judah's stepping up to Joseph? How does that affect and parallel future events that occur to the Jewish people? Why is the separation needed? Why is this parsha always read this time of year at the beginning of the month of Teves and after Chanukah? What is the concept of the fourth aspect - Netsach/Victory?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 25:35

Friday, December 19, 2014

Mikeitz - The End of Time

What is the concept of the 'keitz' - the end of time? How does that relate to the end of Yosef's incarceration, and the end of the exile? What is the connection between the keitz (end) and the kotz (crown)? How does one access the transcendent temporal realm and draw it down 'faster' so that the world will transcend to that state permanently?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 23:51

Friday, December 12, 2014

Vayeshev - Light in the Darkness

In this week's parsha podcast, we explore R' Nosson's teaching about the way of Yosef HaTzadik, who followed in the footsteps of Yaacov - bringing those who were mired in darkness back to the light.

Click Here to listen!

Running Time: 19:11

Friday, November 14, 2014

Chayei Sarah - Retrieving Holiness

Why did Avraham feel it was so important to pay for the Cave of Machpela (cave of the patriarchs)? Why couldn't he receive it as a gift? What is the significance of that specific burial plot? Why did King David do the same thing when purchasing the Temple Mount upon which the Temple would be built? What is the true spiritual perspective on money?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 22:16

Friday, November 7, 2014

Vayeira - Shining the Light of Truth

In this week's parsha podcast, we talk about the idea that the forces of evil surround the entranceway to Holiness, covering it in darkness. Only the light of simple Truth can remove the darkness and show us that gate which we thought was not there.

Click Here for this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 18:17

Friday, October 31, 2014

Lech Lecha - At The Threshold

Why do the Jewish people need to go through exile? Why do the forces of evil attack them there? How does Hashem's promise in regards to the Egyptian exile apply to the other exiles? What is the 'great wealth' that the Jews receive as they leave exile?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:18

Friday, October 24, 2014

Noach - Revealing Hidden Kindness

What is the difference between Noach and Moshe? Why is Moshe's generation saved while Noach's is destroyed? What is the concept of the secret hidden kindness of Hashem that keeps the world functioning despite people's distance from Him? How does one access that kindness?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 18:53

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Breishis - The Real Truth

Where do we see that the foundation of the creation of the world is Truth? What is the difference between Truth and the Real Truth? What is the lie inherent in the Truth? How does one access the Real Truth?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 15:24

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Succos - Full Reflection

What is the difference between the approach on Succos as opposed to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? How is that reflected in the moon's appearance? What is the parallel between the s'chach that covers the succah and the aravos? What is the concept of the cloud?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 17:35

Friday, October 3, 2014

Yom Kippur - Renewing Commitment

Why is the death of Nadav and Avihu the preface to the High Priest's service on Yom Kippur? How does one relate to the transgressions one has done, and the distance he has created between himself and God? How does one use the power of commitment to move past the 'seven falls' and 'stand up?'

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:14

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Haazinu-Rosh Hashana - Silence of the Moon

Why do the seventy nations of the world seem to get a portion in the Earth, while the people of Israel do not? What does it mean that the Jewish people are Hashem's portion? Why does Rosh Hashana occur at the beginning of the month, when the moon is absent? Why do we celebrate the conception of the world, and not its actual birth?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 23:18

Friday, September 19, 2014

Nitsavim-Vayelech - Song of the Heart

How does one access one's higher will - one's true will? What is the secret of 'Today?' What does it mean that the Torah is not far away, that it is 'in your mouth and heart?' What is the concept of the song of the Torah?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:12

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Ki Savo - Begin Again!

What is the depth behind the mitzvah to bring an offering of the first fruits of one's field? How can we reconcile the fact that sin causes great spiritual damage, and yet we can begin anew and enter into a relationship with Hashem no matter what? What are the spiritual forces that pull a person away from Hashem, and how can they be faced and conquered?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:33

Friday, September 5, 2014

Ki Seitze - Good Brings Good

What is the concept behind our sages' statement that a good deed brings another good deed, and a negative deed brings another negative deed? Why are we enjoined to completely destroy the nation of Amalek? How do the people of Israel and the people of Amalek function in parallel ways? What is the force of Israel and Amalek within each human being?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:47

Friday, August 29, 2014

Shoftim - Quiet Protection

What is the concept of the prohibition against extending one's borders into that of one's fellow? How does that apply to the spiritual borders that define a person's purpose in the world? How does that apply to the personal relationship one has with Hashem?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:11

Friday, August 22, 2014

Re'eh - Climbing God's Mountain

Why does the Torah command the people of Israel to place the blessings and curses on mountains? What is the concept of a mountain? What is the connection between ratzon-will and shemo-God's name? How does  a false prophet have the ability to perform a true miracle? How does one use that power in its proper way - in one's service of Hashem?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:26

Friday, August 15, 2014

Ekev - Inheriting the Land


When it comes to inheriting the land of Israel, why does the Torah repeatedly stress that it is not in the merit of anything that the Jewish people have done? What does it mean that we are redeemed and given Israel 'for the sake of Hashem's name?' What does it mean that the fruit trees in Israel and in the wilderness would grow and produce fruit in one day?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 23:02

Friday, August 8, 2014

Vaeschanan - Expanding and Defining Borders

Why is Moshe not allowed to enter into Eretz Yisrael despite his 515 entreaties? What is the concept of him looking into the land? Why do we switch out of mourning on the 9th of Av and straight into joy and relationship? What is the parallel between the month of Tammuz that seems to extend until the 9th and 10th of Av, and Elul, which extends until the 10th of Tishrei - Yom Kippur? What are the concepts of four, five and six?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 15:01

Friday, August 1, 2014

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

Friday, July 25, 2014

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

Friday, July 18, 2014

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

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

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

Friday, July 4, 2014

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

Friday, June 27, 2014

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

Friday, June 20, 2014

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

Friday, June 13, 2014

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

Friday, June 6, 2014

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

Friday, May 30, 2014

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

Friday, May 23, 2014

Bimidbar - Counting Names

What is the concept of counting the Jewish people? How is it connected to counting from Pesach to Shavuos? Why do we specifically count the names of the Jewish people?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:56

Friday, May 16, 2014

Bechukosai - Vision of Greatness

When do the blessings described in the beginning of this parsha take effect? What is the vision of greatness that the Torah has for us, and when is it fulfilled?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:48

Friday, May 9, 2014

Behar - losing oneself in unity

What is the concept of the Shemitah year where one gives up ownership on one's own land? How does this relate to what happens on Shabbos? What is the significance of the sixth and seventh aspects in this context? When is it appropriate to 'lose oneself' in the greater Unity of God and spirituality? What is the aspect of servitude as opposed to the aspect of being a child?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 20:27

Friday, May 2, 2014

Emor - Counting from Pesach to Shavuos

What is the difference between Pesach (Passover) when we only eat Matza, as opposed to Shavuos when there is a special offering of Chametz (leavened bread)? What is the significance of the contrast between the haste of leaving Egypt versus the slow countdown to Shavuos? How does one find God even in places that seem distant from Him?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 20:04

Friday, April 25, 2014

Kedoshim - Love Your Neighbor, Love Yourself

How does one find balance between one's own talents and the talents of others? How does one come to appreciate and learn from others, without losing one's own unique spiritual role? How does one approach others who do not seem to be going on the straight and narrow?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 18:21

Friday, April 11, 2014

Acharei Mos and Pesach - From Egypt to Canaan

Why does the Torah preface the concept of illicit relations with a mention of 'the ways of Egypt and Canaan?' What is the concept of the process leading from Egypt to receiving the Torah, and ultimately to arrival in Israel? What is the deeper hidden root of this process? Why was it necessary for the Jewish people to experience the exile of Egypt? Why is Egypt compared to an 'idolatrous nursemaid' in the analogy of the midrash? What can we learn from all of our personal experiences in exile?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:50

Friday, April 4, 2014

Metzora - Process of Return

What is the power of the Torah that can penetrate into the deepest darkness? How does one access that light even in a state of distance from Hashem and one's felow man? What is the significance of the seven days that are part of the atonement process of the metzora?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 18:37

Friday, March 28, 2014

Tazria - Later and Earlier

In describing the birth of a child and the circumcision on the eighth day, why does the Torah bother to tell us about the conception as well as the impurity of the mother for seven days following birth? What is the connection between this verse and the verse in psalms which speaks of God fashioning Man 'later and earlier?' What is the concept of Man being created originally as a composite of both Male and Female? What does it mean that Adam was created in a state where he filled all of reality?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:31

Friday, March 21, 2014

Shmini - Talent and Torah

What was the sin of Nadav and Avihu that caused their death? What is the connection between being married and bringing the ketores-incense offering? Why is the Hebrew word for marriage 'kiddushin' which also means holiness? What is the proper approach to using one's talents?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 16:14

Friday, March 14, 2014

Tzav and Purim - North and South

Why is the korban olah (fully burnt sacrifice) related to the north, while the shelamim (partly burned, partly eaten) is related to the south? Why are the concepts of exile, Gog and Moshiach related to the north, while redemption, Gog's fall, and the rebuilding of the Temple related to the south? Why can't a northerly and southerly wind blow at the same time? What does it mean that both will blow in the future time? Why can't a groom enter the house before he is invited by his bride?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 26:27

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Step by step


Quote of the Day - Charles Atlas - "Step by step and the thing is done."

This popped up on top of my screen in my gmail.

We want it now.

...or yesterday.

nah, rather it now.

We want our way, and we know what's best.

And we have no idea. We think that we were wronged. We think that we have a right.

And we were, and we do.

And we don't.

That's Yosef. He says to his brothers - yes, I had a right to do with you as I wish.
And I chose to connect to something so much deeper and so much higher.
And I chose forgiveness.
Yes, you wronged me.
Yes, you destroyed me.
Yes, you took away my rights and you trampled them and sold me into slavery and I ended up in jail for 12 years.

But that was all Hashem.

Don't you see where I am?

My mouth is speaking to you. Don't you see? My mouth = malchus. I am king.

not despite what you did to me.

Because of what you did.

Really, what you didn't do.

What He did. For all of us.

Step by step and the thing is done.

This story isn't over yet.

Just wait. Just wait. Just wait.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Vayikra - Soul Desire

Why does the Torah refer to the one who brings a flour offering as 'one who offers his soul?' What is the difference between an animal offering and a flour offering? How is the concept of ratzon-desire related to nefesh-soul? How can one come close to God if he has no good deeds to show for himself?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:36

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Pekudei - Spiritually Infused Livelihood

Why does the Mishkan seem to construct itself? Why does the Torah use similar language in regards to the way the Mishkan was constructed and the way that work is to be done during the six days of the week? How does one infuse one's livelihood with this aspect of the mishkan, where it is done on its own?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:58

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Dovid, Yosef, the sixth hour and the seventh hour


I thought that title would get your attention. And, to boot, this is post number 607. Cool. Someone recently left a comment on the blog that they miss my moshiach messages. I wrote back that the messages are still there, you just have to know how to hear them.

I don't need to say too much, but I will say that if you listen carefully to this parsha podcast, you will get a good idea of where we are holding and we are headed. It also has the potential to explain a lot of what is going on now. But you will have to put all the old pieces together to get it. If you listen carefully, you will understand why I don't blog or speak too much about Moshiach anymore. But I explained that before. Review is good.

In any event, here's how the podcast appears everywhere else I've put it up:

Vayakhel - Moshiach, Mishkan and Shabbos (21:42)
What is the significance of the fact that all that was done in constructing the Mishkan (tabernacle) is the foundation of the prohibitions on Shabbos? What is the difference between the service of Hashem through the Mishkan as opposed to Shabbos? How is Shabbos connected to Dovid and Moshiach ben Dovid, as opposed to the Mishkan, which is connected to Yosef and Moshiach ben Yosef? Why is the Mishkan the atonement for the sin of the Golden Calf? What is the depth of the fact that the sin occurred at the end of the sixth hour, when Moshe was late in returning? What was at the root of the sin of the Golden Calf?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Ki Sisa - Light Your Unique Flame


What is the concept of the counting of the Jewish people? Why are we to be counted if it entails danger? Why, indeed, is there danger in counting Jewish people? What is the concept of the 'flame of one's heart' that is somehow an expression of the light of Hashem? How does one balance his own light with the light others are meant to shine?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:51

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Tetzaveh - Do We Have Free Will?

If God is all-knowing, how do we have free will? What is the significance of the miracle of the western candle of the menorah that always stayed lit? Why did the kohen gadol start lighting and end lighting there? What is the significance of the fact that Moshe could not succeed in forming the menorah? What is the relationship between the number seven - as represented by the seven-armed menorah - and the numbers eight and fifty?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:54

Friday, January 31, 2014

Terumah - Drawing Down Holiness

What is the difference between the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and the Mikdash (Holy Temple)? What is the significance of the connection of the Mishkan to Yosef, as opposed to the Mikdash which is connected to Yehudah/David? How does this tie in to the concept of the month of Adar?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 15:55

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Mishpatim - Redeeming Truth From Darkness


Why does a thief have to pay double if he steals, and four or five times if he slaughters and sells the animal he stole? How does falsehood dress itself up as truth? What is the amazing power of Truth to dispel the darkness? How does one access Emes L'amito - the True-Truth?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:24

Friday, January 17, 2014

Yisro - Number Three and Relationships


What is the significance of the fact the Torah was given in the third month - the month of Sivan? Why is the Torah not given immediately after the Jews leave Egypt? What is the significance of the number three? What is the significance of the zodiac signs of Nissan - the sheep, Iyar - the ox, and Sivan - the twins? What do the twins have to do with the aspect of three and the giving of the Torah?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 23:29

Friday, January 10, 2014

Beshalach - Transcendent Song


Why does the Torah refer to the song that was sung at the sea of reeds in both past tense and future tense? What is the concept of the Hebrew word 'az' - then? Why does the Exodus climax with a song? What does Rashi mean when he says that Moshe's heart was inspired to sing when he saw the miracle?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 16:37

Friday, January 3, 2014

Bo - Finding Spiritual Alignment


What is the significance of the commandment of sanctifying the new moon being the first of the commandments? What does it mean that the Torah should have begun with this commandment? What is the connection between this mitzvah and God's gift of Israel to the Jewish people? Which is the main part of the lunar month - when the moon is full or when it wanes completely? What is the concept of the extra month that is added in a Jewish leap year? What is the secret of true spiritual alignment?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 22:46