Mikeitz and Chanukah - Stepping Up (18:33)

Why is Mikeitz always read on Shabbos Chanukah? Why does the story stop at the moment before Yosef reveals himself? Or more precisely, as Yehuda is about to step up? If the victory of Chanukah was so short lived, why do we have such a stark celebration?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 18:33

Vayeshev - Unconditional Love and Judgment

What was at the root of the animosity the brothers had toward Yosef? If Yosef was a tzaddik, who represented the concept of Hashem's unconditional love, why did that love not seem to extend to his brothers - why did he speak negatively of them instead of finding their good points? Why was Reuven the one who was uniquely able to speak on Yosef's behalf? The mesorah seems to clearly hold all of the brothers responsible (except for Reuven) for the sale of Yosef. Why would the children of Bilhah and Zilpah also have been part of this if Yosef stood on their side? What changed in Yosef from before he was sold until his brothers returned much later and he showed such absolute compassion? Does one need to be forced to do the right thing, or is love potentially a more powerful motivational force?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:32

Vayishlach - Yakov, Yosef and the Sod Ha'ibbur

What is the concept of the 'additional' revelation of Hashem to Yakov in this week's parsha? What is the blessing he receives? How does this relate to the land of Israel? What is the concept of the secret of the Ibbur? How does it relate to this blessing? What is the aspect of the addition to the year - 'hashana?' What is the concept of the month - 'hachodesh?'

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:59

Vayetzei - Yakov's dream, Yosef's dreams

What is the concept of Yakov's dream, and dreams in general? Why is Yakov's dream global, while Yosef's seems to be personal? Why does Yosef's involve people, while Yakov's involves angels? Why does Yakov have his dream after being chased by Esav, while Yosef has his dream before being chased by his brothers? What is the fundamental difference between Yakov's work in this world, as opposed to Yosef's?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:07

Toldos - Spiritual Power

Why does the Torah preface the story of Yakov (Jacob) and Esav with the statement that Abraham birthed Isaac? What is the significance of the fact that Isaac was forty years old when he got married? What is the spiritual power of the circumcision of Ishmael at age thirteen? What is the spiritual power of Isaac's binding? What is the spiritual inheritance that Jacob is given and in turn gives to us?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 23:53

Chayei Sarah - Spiritual Roots

Why does Avraham reject the daughters of Aner, Eshkol and Mamrei, even though they are righteous? Why does he send Eliezer back to his own family, if they seem to be far from righteous? What is the concept of Baruch-blessed as opposed to Arur-cursed? Why are Haman and Amalek referred to as cursed if they come from the progeny of Yitzchak and Rivkah?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 18:16

Vayera - Chamber of Exchanges

Why does Hashem reveal Himself to Avraham in the fields of Mamrei? Who are Aner, Eshkol and Mamrei? Why do they join Avraham in his fight to retrieve his nephew Lot? Why do the people of Canaan occupy the land of Israel before it is promised to Avraham and his progeny? What is the concept of the chamber of exchanges?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:36

Lech Lecha - Find Your Voice!

Why does Hashem use such an usual instruction which literally means 'go to you' when instructing Abraham to go to Israel? What is the unique point of truth that resides in every person? Why must Abraham leave 'his land, the place of his birth, and his father's home?' What are the tools one can employ to find one's special God-given role in the world?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:36

Noach - Of Floods and Dispersions

What's the difference between the sin of the generation of the flood vs. the generation of the dispersion? What is the similarity between the generation of the flood and the people of Sodom? What is the difference between Avraham and Noach? What does it mean when it says that Hashem is sad? What does Hashem accomplish by destroying the people with the flood if they return to sinning?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:29

Simchas Torah & Breishis - Full Circle

Why do we immediately return to the beginning of the Torah as we complete it? Why is the 'party' on the eighth day of Succos - the one that is just for the Jewish people - so small? Why does the Torah spend only a few verses on the blessings, while it spends many verses on the curses? What is the secret of the circle?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 17:56