Chayei Sarah - Transforming the Physical

What was so special about the Cave of Machpela that sparked both Avraham and Yaakov to go to such great lengths to acquire? What is the idea behind Avraham discovering the cave while in the midst of performing his kindness toward his guests? Why were Adam and Chava in the cave 'sleeping with a light above them and amidst a beautiful fragrance?' How is it possible to purify the physical body to the point that it shines with the light of the soul? How does the Cave of Machpela parallel this very concept?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 25:32

Vayera - Spreading Revelation

What is unique about the revelation of Hashem to Avraham immediately before Yitzchok is to be born? What is the idea behind the statement of the midrash that Avraham sat and 'Hashem stood?' What was Avraham's concern about the fact that visitors seemed to have stopped coming after he performed the bris? What is the idea behind Hashem's reassurance to Avraham - that He Himself came now? What does Avraham mean in his statement that if not for all the converts who also performed the bris, and if not for his speedy fulfillment of the command to perform the bris on his servants, that Hashem would not have revealed Himself in the same way?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 23:25

Lech Lecha - Through the Fire

Why does Hashem command Avraham in a seemingly reverse order - to leave his country, his family, his father's house? What is the analogy to the burning building which seems to have no one to care for it and douse the flames? What is Hashem's response when Avraham asks if He has forsaken mankind? Why is Avraham sent specifically to the land of Israel? Why was Avraham referred to as 'one who mends the tear?' How did Hashem decide that a nation would be built from him? What is the spiritual power of self sacrifice?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 22:21

Noach - Right Intentions

Why does the Torah speak of the children of Noach in the context of describing him as righteous? Why were the wicked of the generation of the flood so totally destroyed - what was their fundamental flaw? Why are intentions so important and how do they show up in the fruit or product of what one is producing later on? How is this expressed in one's children and the place one has in the World to Come?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 22:57

Breishis - World Foundations

Why does the Torah begin with the word 'Breishis,' which means the beginning of - without telling us the beginning of what it is talking about? What is the idea behind the Torah preceding the world by 2000 years? What are the four levels of it having been hidden and protected by Hashem in that time? What is the depth of the classic concept that Hashem used the Torah as a blueprint for creation? What is the significance of the name of the author of the Midrash, and how it is hinted to in the very first verse quoted in the midrash?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 23:15

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