Vayechi - Children of Israel, Gather

When Yakov calls his sons to bless them, to Whom Else does he call? What is the calling that we do on Rosh Hashana and what is decided on Yom Kippur? How does this parallel the blessings Yakov gave to his sons? Why are the people of Israel referred to as 'Jews' which derives from the name of Judah? Why does Yakov call his sons - the children of Israel - to gather? How does Yakov ask Hashem (G-d) to be manifest in the lives of his children, on through the end of days? How does the unity of the people of Israel bring about redemption and the destruction of Gog?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 26:24

Bitachon 141 - Israel's Special Providence

We continue our study in chapter 33 passuk 18 of Tehillim (Psalms) which speaks of the "Eye of Hashem," which denotes His Divine Providence, which is upon those who revere Him, on those who hope for His kindness. Among the ideas we discuss is the idea that there is a special Hashgacha-Providence that applies to the people of Israel.

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Running time: 21:35

Vayigash - Unity in Israel

What does the story of Yosef and Yehuda and the brothers coming together represent, beyond the simple understanding of the verses? How do these two great paragons of leadership return to a state of unity alongside all the children of Israel? Why did we read the story of Shlomo Hemelech (King Solomon) with the two women fighting over a baby in last week's haftarah? Where was Yosef trying to lead his brothers through this whole challenge he put them through? In what way did Yehuda bow to Yosef's leadership, and in what way was Yehuda able to press Yosef to bow to his own will? How does this parallel the unity of the people of Israel today and the future coming together of all the disparate elements of the Jewish people?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 29:08

Bitachon 140 - Levels of Divine Providence

We continue our study in chapter 33 passuk 18 of Tehillim (Psalms) which speaks of the "Eye of Hashem," which denotes His Divine Providence, which is upon those who revere Him, on those who hope for His kindness. We explore the contrast between times when the 'two eyes of Hashem' are upon us as opposed to when only 'one eye' is upon us.

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Running time: 24:35

Mikeitz - Destruction and Hope

Why does the verse say that Yakov 'sees' that there is food in Egypt, but then say that Yakov 'heard' there is food in Egypt? Why did Yakov lose his Ruach Hakodesh (Divine Inspiration), and what was his experience as it was about to return? Why does the Torah use the unusual word 'shever' to mean food, when ordinarily it uses the word 'ochel?' What is the 'sever' - hope - that Yakov has, without realizing it? What were the words that the fallen soldier, R' Elisha Loewenstern asked me to write a song to? How are we to look at the shever-breaking with sever-hope?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 28:10

Bitachon 139 - Good Things Are Coming

We continue studying the passuk in Tehillim ch. 32 passuk 10 and we explore a few different lessons, among them - that when we have Bitachon we can be assured that good things are coming. We also discuss the different approaches in regards to healing and doctors as opposed to relying on Bitachon.

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Running time: 22:26

Vayeshev - Israel and the Arc of History

How does Hashem draw the people of Israel after Him? What is the understanding of the paradox of the 'chains of love?' Why do the People of Israel need to experience exile and subjugation to the nations of the world? What is the ultimate end of the great arc of Israel's history? How does this parallel the personal life of Yosef, as representative of the leaders of Israel? How do we see a certain sweetening of the judgment despite Yosef's being forcibly brought down to Egypt? How is this reflected in Yakov being brought down? How is this reflected in the idea that the Shechina (Divine Presence) accompanied Yosef into his exile?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 24:48

Vayishlach - Sacrificing for Israel

As Rochel was about to die in childbirth with the birth of Binayamin, what was the consolation the midwives offered with the statement, 'don't worry, this too is a boy?' Why did the two students of R' Yehoshua dress in Greek garb if they were truly Bnei Torah (students of Torah)? How did they respond to the Greek general who discovered them? Why did each of his challenges to them seem to imply that it is better to join the Hellenist movement rather than remain connected to Torah, and yet he himself acknowledged the implication of the Torah which is that spiritual pursuits are greater? Why does Hashem 'stand in judgment' in one place, and elsewhere He 'sits in judgment?' Why does it seem praiseworthy in the verse in Mishlei (Proverbs) to work the land?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 27:46