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