Succos - Pesach, Lulav and Hallel

What is the parallel between Pesach and Succos, and between the Pesach sacrifice and the Lulav? What is special about these two mitzvos that engenders a recital of Hallel - the song of praise of Hashem? What month did the exodus take place, and when were the Jewish people actually freed from slavery? What is represented by the 4 species that include the lulav and esrog? What is indicated by the many different explanations of their parallels? How do we know that we have 'won the judgment' when we faced off with the Nations of the World on Rosh Hashana?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 27:04

Haazinu-Succos - Rain of Torah

What is the theme of the period we are entering now from Yom Kippur through Simchas Torah - where we receive the second luchos (tablets) on Yom Kippur, and complete the Torah on Shmini Atzeres? How does this theme of Torah carry through all of Succos, as well? Why is the Torah compared to rain and dew? What is the concept of the Torah as it paralells the Succah in its protection of the Jewish people through our wanderings in galus (exile)?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 23:57

Vayelech-Yom Kippur - The King's Gifts

What is behind Hashem's statement to Moshe that his time has come, and that it is time for the leadership of Yehoshua to begin? Why does the midrash stress the greatness of Moshe - his ability to battle the angels and easily sway Hashem, as it were - and contrast that with his weakness in these areas as he is about to die? What is the take home of this sobering message for us during the 10 days of repentance, navigating from Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur? What is the correct perspective on the gifts we are endowed with, and the limitations on the impact we can personally have on those around us?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Nitsavim-Rosh Hashana - Prayer and Repentance

What is the concept of prayer, and specifically a prayer for forgiveness? What is the idea behind the statement of the medrash that 'Prayer is very great in front of Hakadosh Baruch Hu (G-d)? What is the idea behind the limitation of the punishment of Kayin (Cain) which split his decree in half through his prayer? Why was his punishment to be a wanderer? What is the idea of Hashem 'carrying our sin?' What is the lesson of the prayer of Chizkiyahu Hamelech (King Hezekiah)?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 25:06

Ki Savo - Affirming Hashem's Reality

What is the concept of the word 'Amen?' What are the three contexts of the use of this word, and the theme of all three? Why is it that if we 'say Amen in this world, we will say Amen in the next?' Why is there a parallel concept in regards to the study of Torah? Why will we 'hear the voice of the bride and groom' with the advent of the age of Moshiach if we 'hear the voice' of the Torah now?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:17

Ki Seitze - 'Floating' to Redemption

What is the deeper concept behind the obligation of circumcision? Why is it done on the eighth day? How does this relate to Hashem's compassion? In what way does Hashem show compassion for the animals and the birds? Why do we send away the mother bird when we take the baby birds? How do these two concepts connect? Why is it Tziporah, whose name means 'bird' who does the circumcision of Moshe's son? What is the significance of the root of the word tzipor-bird, which is tzaf, which means to float? Why is the description of the sunrise 'metzaftzefes' - floating, which represents the redemption process? How does this relate to the words letzapos-to wait - which is used in waiting for redemption; and matzpun-conscience?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 26:42

Shoftim - Foundation of the World

What is the idea behind a father being forbidden from serving as a judge in his son's court case, and vice versa? What is the role of the Kohen as judge? Why is the concept of proper judgment a foundational precept for the entire world's existence? What happens to the social structure when courts do not fulfill their proper role? What is the importance of hierarchy in human interaction and in society as a whole?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 23:38

Re'eh - Preparing for Tishrei

This week's podcast is dedicated l'ilui nishmas Sara bas Yosef; and for the hatzlacha of her children Mimi & Yitzchak Sadowsky.

Thank you to their daughter Elisheva for her contribution to Torah

How does a person merit blessings? What is the singular mitzvah (commandment) that includes all the other ones? Why does that single commandment precede the concept of receiving blessings? What are the negative spiritual forces we need protection from, and how do we get that protection? What is the concept of the sixth and seventh as it relates to Elul (6) and Tishrei (7)? How do we start preparing to make Hashem our King?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:27

Ekev - It's All a Miracle

How can we be assured that Hashem will fulfill His promise to give us the land of Israel if we are far from deserving of that? How do we know that we will merit miracles and that Hashem will defeat our enemies in a way that is beyond our natural ability? What is the concept of the blessing on water - that 'all was brought into being with His word?' How does that relate to the many miracles that the Jewish people experienced with water?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 25:27

Vaeschanan - Making Him King

What is the concept of 'Krias Shema' - the reading of Shema? Can we also apply the other meaning of kriah - calling? Why is it important to say the words carefully? Who are we calling to when we say 'Hear O Israel' - ourselves? The people of Israel as a whole? How does this verse represent the concept of proclaiming Hashem as our King? What is the depth behind the midrash's teaching that Hashem prefaced the ten commandments with the words 'Shema Yisrael' - Hear O Israel? What was behind the Jewish people's response that 'Hashem our God, Hashem is One?' Why did Moshe respond to this by saying 'baruch Shem' - 'blessed is the Name?' Why do we say this very line on Yom Kippur when the Kohen Gadol announces Hashem's name in the Beis Hamikdash?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 23:35