Moment of Redemption

What is the secret of the three verses in a row that have exactly 72 letters each? What is the idea of the cloud that leads the Jewish people serving as a separation between them and the Egyptian oppresors? Why is there darkness on the side of the Egyptians and light for the Jewish people? Why does a strong wind blow and seem to separate the waters of the Yam Suf? Why do the Egyptians blindly follow after the Jewish people and right into the hands of their own destruction? What is the defining factor of the final moment of redemption?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 22:26

Bo - Exodus and Emunah

Why do we need to constantly remember the Exodus from Egypt? What is behind Chavakuk's statement that the entire Torah comes down to the mitzvah of Emunah-Faith? What is the idea of Emunah as opposed to Bitachon? How does Emunah-Faith translate into action in our lives? Where does Emunah apply in our actual Mitzvah observance?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Va'era - Seize the Moment

What is meant in the verse when it says to command the Israelites to let them out of Egypt? Why are they being commanded at this time for something that will not be practical for another 54 years? Why is the idea of releasing one's Israelite slaves during Shmitah so much more severe because it was commanded at the point of leaving Egypt? How can we take moments of inspiration and hold on to them for ourselves?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Shemos - Appreciating Life

Why did Iyov receive such great difficulties for doing something better than Bilaam, who received a quick death? How can we appreciate the amazing good fortune Hashem bestows upon us in that He gives us life? How can we face our challenges with positivity, and even thank Him for those difficulties? What do our sages mean when they say that a moment in this world doing repentance and good deeds is greater than all the world to come?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 27:47

Vayechi - Exile and Redemption

What is represented by the fact that Yakov is unable to reveal the End Times to his children? Why do they respond by saying 'Shema Yisrael?' Why does the Gemara Berachos begin with the concept of saying Shema? Why specifically does the Torah speak first of saying Shema at night? What is the idea behind the 'roaring' of Hashem in the night, when He laments the exile of his children? How does Shema rectify this? What is the difference between Hashem's lament in the night time as opposed to what He says when the Jewish people gather in synagogues and study halls to praise Him?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Vayigash - Shechina in Exile

What is the idea of Hashem's assurance to Yakov that He will accompany him into the exile? Why does Onkelos uncharacteristically translate Hashem's descent literally, as opposed to referring to Hashem's honor? How do we understand the dichotomy of the exile being a place where Hashem's presence is hidden, and yet the Divine Presence and Providence is increased? What is the idea behind the special Providence that only Yosef received, being the first of the Jewish people to enter exile?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 23:49

Mikeitz - Waiting for Justice

What is the idea behind all the injustices Yosef must endure, despite his great righteousness? What is the end result of Potifar's treachery to his faithful servant Yosef? Why is Yosef able to recognize his brothers, but they do not recognize him? What is the end result of Yosef's commitment to absolute truth in the face of years of seeming injustice?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 24:03

Vayeshev - Chanukah and Yosef

Why does the Torah repeat the theme of a beautiful person experiencing a challenge as a result of their beauty - be it Sarah, Rivkah, Dina or Yosef? What is the difference between all other cultures in the way that they show their prominence as opposed to the Jewish culture? How does the story of Yosef parallel this idea? What is the idea behind the candles of Chanukah?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 22:42

Vayishlach - Following Examples

Why did Ovadya separate the 100 prophets he was saving into two groups? Why is it important that he followed the example of Yakov in our parsha? Why do we find this theme in a number of places in the Gemara? Why do we find this also in regards to the behavior of the Amoraim and tana'im, where they followed the example set by the Rabbis of previous generations?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 21:23

Vayetzei - Twelve Stones

Why did Yakov take twelve stones and see if they would combine into one? If it was indicative of the fact he would have twelve children, why didn't he take one stone and see if it would separate into twelve? What is the difference between the twelve princes of Yishmael as opposed to the twelve tribes of Israel? What is the concept of the thirteenth aspect and the leap month added to the lunar calendar year? Why did Yakov specifically do this test with a stone?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 24:37