Behaaloscha - Songs for Hashem

What is the concept of the 7 stringed, 8 stringed and 10 stringed instruments of the Levites in the Temple? Why do they correspond to this world, the Messianic age and the World to Come? Why were they assigned by King David and the prophet Samuel? Why do we speak of stringed instruments when there are also monotonal wind instruments? Why are the Levites 'beloved to Hashem?' What is the idea of the unique aspect of the Levites of singing to Hashem?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:04

Naso - Protecting Our Land

What is the depth behind the vow of the Nazir who promises not to drink wine? What were the mistakes of the Northern kingdom of Israel and how did it contrast to the mistakes of the Southern kingdom of Judah? Why do the Jewish people lay claim to our great people - wealthy, wise and strong - in the face of the claims of the nations of the world? How do we protect our special and exalted Land of Israel of onslaught, and prevent the exile of our people? What is the message of the Nazir, who protects him or herself from the sins that can come with wine?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:42

Bamidbar - Of Mountains and Valleys

Why does the Torah go into such detail in describing the location and specific date that Hashem commanded Moshe to count the Jewish people? What is the idea that righteousness is associated with a mountain, while judgment and wickedness are associated with a pit of darkness? What is the relationship between the darkness that the wicked people seek to cloak their deeds and the darkness of this place of depth? Why does Hashem shroud the date of the destruction of the Temple with vagueness, while in contrast, bringing great detail to the date of the counting, which connotes the greatness of the Jewish people?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:27

Some Interesting Gematrias for 5781 (תשפ״א)

I know that you can find gematrias for any year relating to Moshiach.

But we need chizuk now. So I am posting these that I noticed.

כי בא כי בא לשפוט הארץ = תשפ״א

Right after the passuk in this past week's parsha (Bechukosai) that says וזכרתי את בריתי יעקב... the next passuk starts with the two words והארץ תעזב which is gematria תשפ״א (see the Ramban there if you want to be blown away)

Today I came across the passuk in Yeshaya talking about the battle of Yishmael and Esav אמר שמר אתא בוקר - the "Watchman" (Hashem) said that the morning is nigh (referring to geulah). אמר שמר = תשפ״א (See ישעיה פרק כ״א) 

And lastly, it's time to work on Bitachon. I find this song to be helpful. (I'm biased, it's mine...)

Behar-Bechukosai - Share the Wealth

What is so special about the regular talk of the people of Eretz Yisrael (Israel)? What is the unique message of the poor person who was once rich? What is the wrong approach to the poor person? What happens to the rich person who can't share his wealth and belittles the poor man? What is the proper approach when it comes to sharing the Torah and talent that one is blessed with?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:18

Emor - Questions and Silence

What is the concept of the 'seventh' month - Tishrei, which hosts the day of Rosh Hashana? How does the word Shevi'i-Seventh relate to the word Shevuah-Oath? Why was an oath necessary when Avraham completed his challenge with the binding of Yitzchak - wasn't that a time of love - why did Hashem make an oath, as it were? What is the idea behind Avraham's silence in the face of Hashem's request to do the unthinkable - sacrifice Yitzchak, and with him, the future of the Jewish people? How does that elicit an oath for Hashem to have compassion on His people even when they sin throughout the generations? What is the concept of the shofar which is blown on the seventh month, and the pause that it brings in our thinking?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:36 

Acharei-Kedoshim - Leadership and Responsibility

Why is the command for the service of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) on Yom Kippur prefaced with the mention of the death of Aharon's sons? Why was this command given six months before it was to be performed? In the order of the parshas, starting with Vayikra, why do we interrupt the description of the sacrifices and dedication of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) with the concept of Tzara'as (spiritual leprosy)? How does one balance the honor received from leadership with the responsibility it brings?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:27 

Tazria-Metzora - Transforming Curses to Blessings

What is the idea behind the spiritual disease of Tzara'as-Leprosy? What is the concept of the Tzara'as-infected house? Why does the Torah preface this description with speaking of when the Jewish people enter the land of 'Canaan?' Why was Israel first referred to as the land of Canaan? How was Eliezer, the offspring of Canaan, able to change his cursed status to one of being blessed? How did Hashem thwart the plan of the Canaanites who hid their treasures in the walls of their homes so the Jews would not find them? What does this teach us about finding the treasures in our lives and turning our personal curses into blessings?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:29

Shmini - Balancing Vessels and Light

Why did Nadav and Avihu drink wine as they entered the Holy of Holies when the Tabernacle was finally completed? Why did Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon) marry the daugther of Pharaoh when he completed the building of the Beis Hamikdash (Temple)? Why did he drink wine at that time? What is the depth of the idea that Hashem decided to destroy the Mikdash at that moment when He saw that Shlomo rejoiced more with his marriage to the daughter of Pharaoh than he rejoiced with the building of the Mikdash? What are the 1000 songs that she sang him that night? Why did he wake up late in the morning and cause the daily sacrifice to be brought late?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 28:40

Pesach - Revelation of the Sea

Why are the Jewish people referred to as Yordei Hayam - "Those who went down into the sea?" Why was their revelation greater than that requested by Moshe on Har Sinai? When will we experience that type of revelation again? Why are the angels unable to have the kind of direct experience that we are able to have? Why does Hashem restrict His voice to only be heard from between the Keruvim (Cherubs) on the Aron? Why is a person able to have the full experience of Hashem at his death?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 29:08