Toldos - Clothes of Dominion

What were the special clothes that Rivka made sure Yakov wore when he stole the blessings from Esav? Why did wild animals become docile when they saw these garments? Why did Esav wear them whenever he served his father? How were they connected to Adam's naming of all the animals? Why did they give Adam dominion over all of the creations in the world? Why does Adam name all the animals right in the middle of the Torah's account of Hashem's creation of Eve? Why is Yakov sent to marry immediately after he receives the blessings? Why does Yakov include animal descriptions in his blessings of his children?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:58

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

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

Chayei Sarah - passing the mantle

What is the connection between the death of Sarah and the marriage of Yitzchak and Rivka? What is the progression from the akeidah to the purchase of land in Chevron to their marriage? Why do our chazal seem to paint a picture of Rivka taking the place of Sarah? What is the deeper meaning of the fact that Hashem blessed Avraham with 'everything?' What does it mean that he gave 'everything' to his son Yitzchok? What were the seeds that Avraham was planting with his purchase of the cave?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 19:45