Vayishlach - Truth of the Soul

Why does Yaakov return for the pachim ketanim - the small jugs? Why does the angel fight with him at that very moment? What is the difference between Esav's statement 'yesh li rav,' - I have a lot - and Yaakov's statement, 'yesh li kol,' - I have it all? Why is Yaakov's name changed to Yisrael at this point, after all his children are born? What is the concept of 'Yisrael' in this context? What is the difference between the enumeration of Esav's progeny as 'nefashos' - souls, as opposed to Yaakov's progeny as 'nefesh' - one soul?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 18:07

Vayetzei - Synthesis of Opposites

What is the significance of the contrast between Rebecca coming to Israel to marry Isaac, as opposed to Jacob going to Charan to marry Rachel and Leah? Why is it as 'hard' for Hashem to create matches between men and women as it is for Him to split the sea? Why did Jacob remove the rock covering the well and push it down into the earth? What does the rock represent? What is the 'wondrous work' that we thank Hashem for after we use the facilities?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 24:09

Toldos - Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov

How do we see a reference to all three patriarchs in the first verse of the parsha? What does the midrash mean when it says that Avraham was saved from the fire in the merit of his grandson Jacob? What does the midrash mean when it says that all of the patriarchs were referred to as Israel? What are the unique character traits of each of the patriarchs, and how do they relate to their experience in the land of Israel?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 22:09

Chayei Sarah - Developing Willingness

How does Eliezer, the servant of Avraham, overcome his internal struggle - the desire for his daughter to marry Yitzchak? How does he give himself completely to the task of finding a different girl for him? How does one overcome one's natural desires, and find the willingness to align himself with a Higher Will?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 21:25

Vayera - Kindness and Surrender

Why does Hashem separately reveal Yitzchak's birth to Avraham and then to Sarah? Why is the story Sodom being destroyed in the middle of Avraham and Sarah finding out about Yitzchak's birth? What is the significance of Avraham's kindness to the angels? What is the significance of Lot's kindness to the angels? What is the significance of Moshe having a speech impediment? Why does the Torah follow immediately with a story telling that Moshe had not given a circumcision to his son?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 20:28