Emor - Questions and Silence

What is the concept of the 'seventh' month - Tishrei, which hosts the day of Rosh Hashana? How does the word Shevi'i-Seventh relate to the word Shevuah-Oath? Why was an oath necessary when Avraham completed his challenge with the binding of Yitzchak - wasn't that a time of love - why did Hashem make an oath, as it were? What is the idea behind Avraham's silence in the face of Hashem's request to do the unthinkable - sacrifice Yitzchak, and with him, the future of the Jewish people? How does that elicit an oath for Hashem to have compassion on His people even when they sin throughout the generations? What is the concept of the shofar which is blown on the seventh month, and the pause that it brings in our thinking?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:36 

Acharei-Kedoshim - Leadership and Responsibility

Why is the command for the service of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) on Yom Kippur prefaced with the mention of the death of Aharon's sons? Why was this command given six months before it was to be performed? In the order of the parshas, starting with Vayikra, why do we interrupt the description of the sacrifices and dedication of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) with the concept of Tzara'as (spiritual leprosy)? How does one balance the honor received from leadership with the responsibility it brings?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:27 

Tazria-Metzora - Transforming Curses to Blessings

What is the idea behind the spiritual disease of Tzara'as-Leprosy? What is the concept of the Tzara'as-infected house? Why does the Torah preface this description with speaking of when the Jewish people enter the land of 'Canaan?' Why was Israel first referred to as the land of Canaan? How was Eliezer, the offspring of Canaan, able to change his cursed status to one of being blessed? How did Hashem thwart the plan of the Canaanites who hid their treasures in the walls of their homes so the Jews would not find them? What does this teach us about finding the treasures in our lives and turning our personal curses into blessings?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:29

Shmini - Balancing Vessels and Light

Why did Nadav and Avihu drink wine as they entered the Holy of Holies when the Tabernacle was finally completed? Why did Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon) marry the daugther of Pharaoh when he completed the building of the Beis Hamikdash (Temple)? Why did he drink wine at that time? What is the depth of the idea that Hashem decided to destroy the Mikdash at that moment when He saw that Shlomo rejoiced more with his marriage to the daughter of Pharaoh than he rejoiced with the building of the Mikdash? What are the 1000 songs that she sang him that night? Why did he wake up late in the morning and cause the daily sacrifice to be brought late?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 28:40

Pesach - Revelation of the Sea

Why are the Jewish people referred to as Yordei Hayam - "Those who went down into the sea?" Why was their revelation greater than that requested by Moshe on Har Sinai? When will we experience that type of revelation again? Why are the angels unable to have the kind of direct experience that we are able to have? Why does Hashem restrict His voice to only be heard from between the Keruvim (Cherubs) on the Aron? Why is a person able to have the full experience of Hashem at his death?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 29:08