Chayei Sarah - Death and Rebirth

What does the midrash mean when it says that Esther became queen over 127 provinces paralleling the 127 years of Sarah's life? Why did Esther go through a similar experience to Sarah in becoming young again after becoming old? How does that parallel the state of the Jewish people at the time? Why does Sarah's death coincide with Rivka's birth? Why does the binding of Yitzchak coincide with the birth of Rivka? Why are Sarah, Rivka and Esther all taken by kings?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:02

Lech Lecha - Fame and Fortune

Why does Hashem stress to Avraham that he will become a great nation and have great fame? Is fame something that is positive from a spiritual perspective? What is the greatness of Hashem's promise to Avraham that he will have a great nation descend from him - didn't Noach have 70 nations descend from him? Why is the event of Sarah and Avraham's youthfulness returning at an advanced age such a pivotal one? What does it mean that that event is depicted on a coin, which subsequently made Avraham and Sarah famous? What is the significance of the coins that were minted for Joshua, David and Mordechai, which made each of them famous as well?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 23:50

Noach - Of Doves and Olive Branches

What is the Torah's teaching about the dove Noach sent to find dry ground? What is the significance of the olive branch in this context? Why is the Jewish Nation compared to a dove? Why is the tzaddik compared to a dove? Who was the woman who gave birth to 600,000 children? Why is that teaching found in the context of the dove? What is the significance of the numerical value of the Hebrew word for dove, which is 71? How does the dove provide light, and how does it parallel the Jewish Nation providing light?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 26:38