Friday, March 31, 2017

Vayikra - Servant Leadership

How is the average Israelite meant to approach the book of Leviticus which seems to contain mostly laws for Kohen-priests? What is the take home lesson for us when the midrash speaks about Moshe's special relationship with Hashem? What is the meaning of Hashem's reference to the Jewish people as 'His?' How can we relate to someone else's 'specialness' when we don't feel particularly special ourselves?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 27:03

Friday, March 24, 2017

Vayakhel-Pekudei - Nature and Nurture

Why is is it important for us to know the lineage of Betzalel - his father, his grandfather and his tribe? What is the reason for his greatness - his grandfather, his grandmother, his tribe or specifically Hashem filling him with inspiration? What does the midrash mean when it says that even the animals were filled with a spirit of wisdom in the creation of the mishkan-tabernacle? How can we learn from and contribute to the specialness of our family line and tribe?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:52

Friday, March 17, 2017

Ki Sisa - Choosing Greatness

What does it mean when the midrash says that 'Hashem reviews the material four times before teaching the Torah to the people of Israel?' What is the depth of the idea that those who have fear of Heaven merit to have offspring who embody Torah? What is the idea behind the book of generations that was shown to Adam and contains the names of every great person that would ever live? Why did Avraham see a vision of all of the ups and downs of the Jewish people throughout their history? Is greatness something that is chosen with free will or predetermined?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 28:27

Friday, March 10, 2017

Tetzaveh-Purim - Power of Prayer

What is the concept behind the special clothes of the Kohanim? What is the Torah referring to when it says 'this is the thing that you shall do to sanctify the Kohanim unto me?' Why did Mordechai return to his fasting, praying and sackcloth even after he saw that the tide was turning and the Jews were soon to be saved? How can we atone for our sins without the sacrifices of the Temple? What is the true power of prayer?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:53

Friday, March 3, 2017

Terumah - Shechinah Returning

What is the concept of the Mishkan-Tabernacle? How does it act as a continuation of the revelation at Mount Sinai? What is the depth of the concept of the Shechina leaving as a result of man's sins, and returning through the deeds of the righteous? How can we create a 'tabernacle' for our own revelations of Hashem in our lives?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:01