Vayakhel - Giving and Taking

How is the concept of giving and taking in the Torah's eyes different from our normal understanding? What is the understanding of the spiritual principle that when we give we actually receive? How does this apply to running toward or away from honor? How does one overcome the issue that when one knows they are running away from honor it follows them - so in essence they are not running away? How does one get to the most inner level of ahava and yiras Hashem?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 25:36

Ki Sisa - Calculated Commitment

What was the state of Adam before the sin? What is the nature of the human being as a result of his sin? How did the Jewish people reach back to Adam's previous state at Mount Sinai? How was the Satan able to cause them to sin if they were on such a high level? What did they do to repent and gain back that level? How can we use this in our own lives?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 31:44

Tetzaveh - From Mind to Heart

Why did the Jewish people need the Divine Presence in order to remember that Hashem took them out of Egypt if they had just experienced it? How does one move the experiences that make an impression intellectually into one that is also felt emotionally? Why did Elijah pray that the Jewish people be affected positively by the miracles they were about to witness? How does the belief in one's teacher help bridge the gap from mind to heart?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 22:53

Terumah - Serving Hashem with Awe and Love

What is the idea behind the two types of donations to the Mishkan-Tabernacle - one being an obligatory amount, the other being open-ended? What is the difference between someone who serves Hashem because they are commanded, versus someone who serves Hashem despite not being commanded? How does this relate to the concepts of serving Hashem out of Love and Awe? Why was the half shekel silver used as part of the foundation of the Tabernacle, as opposed to the open-ended donations being used for the rest?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 27:08

Mishpatim - Can We Understand Mitzvos?

What is the difference between Mishpatim-Laws and Chukim-Statutes? What is the idea of doing a mitzvah because Hashem commanded it, not just because we understand it? What is greater - a righteous person who does what's right because it's natural to him or someone who desires sin, but resolutely turns away from it despite the desire? How does one find the balance between fulfilling the mitzvos because it makes sense to us and fulfilling them because of Hashem's command? How does one strike a balance between emotions and intellect?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 26:41

Yisro - Results Belong to Hashem

What is the essence of the concept of Shabbos? Why is Shabbos so intertwined with the Mon (Manna)? Why is the rest of Shabbos related to the work of the six days of the week? Why is rest a positive creation of Hashem?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 28:06

Beshalach - Glorifying Hashem

What is the concept of the verse, 'this is my God and I will glorify Him? What was special about the revelation of Hashem at the sea? Why does that revelation result in the necessity to 'glorify Him?' What is the idea behind 'beautifying the mitzvos' as an expression of Glorifying Hashem? What is the idea behind 'imitating Hashem's ways' in this vein?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Runing time: 28:09

Shemos - Love and Respect

Why did Moshe cover his face at the sight of the burning bush? Was this the right thing for him to do? Why did some sages see this as something he was punished for? Why did some sages see this as something he was rewarded for? How does one find the balance between Love and Respect for Hashem, and one's fellows?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:06

Vayechi - Will Into Action

Why does Yakov want to reveal the Ketz-end of times? Why does he only reveal each of his sons' special character traits? What is behind their response of Shema Yisrael? What does the gemara mean when it tells us that Hashem says that if we come to His house, He will come to our house? What is the idea that the 'feet of a person are guarantors who lead him where he is meant to go?' What is the meaning of the skull of the drowned man that floated upon the water?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:51

Vayigash - Mind and Heart

What is the difference between the kingship of Yosef and the kingship of Yehuda? What is the difference between the conscience of the mind and the conscience of the heart? What is the ideal dynamic between these two aspects and how they motivate us in our service of Hashem? What is represented by Yehuda stepping toward Yosef?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 27:41