Tazria - Levels of Appreciation

Why does the verse mention the conception of the child, why doesn't it skip straight to the birth, if that is the subject of the verses? What is the idea of the verse in Job which speaks of 'raising the intellect to afar to appreciate the righteousness of our Creator?' When do we 'sing' Hashem's praises, and when do we 'speak of' His praises? What are the two levels of appreciation of Hashem's kindnesses?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:08

Beshalach - Stages of Redemption

Why do the sons of Efraim try to leave Egypt thirty years early? Why is the verse which speaks of moshe taking Yosef's bones out of sequence? Why is the depth of the idea of Moshe 'grabbing a commandment?' Why is there a double oath to take Yosef's bones out of Egypt? Why does Yosef want his bones to be 'returned' to Shechem? What are the two stages of redemption? How do we 'remember' the future?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 26:47

Vayera - Formed Through Fire

Why does the Torah deem it important for us to hear the story of Sarah's abduction? Why does it happen immediately before she conceives with Yitzchok? Why does the story repeat itself on two different occasions, and what is the significance of each? Why does intense good need to be preceded by intense challenge?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 23:25

Tazria-Metzora - Beyond Process

Why does the Torah skip the process between conception and birth - why mention conception at all? Why is the concept of the seven days the mother is impure immediately followed by the concept of the eighth day of the bris? Why is the creation of Adam so relevant to this idea, and what is the significance of his soul being created on day one, as opposed to his body on day six of creation? What is the depth of the idea that both originally and in the future, conception and birth will happen without a nine month process?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 24:15

Tazria - Later and Earlier

In describing the birth of a child and the circumcision on the eighth day, why does the Torah bother to tell us about the conception as well as the impurity of the mother for seven days following birth? What is the connection between this verse and the verse in psalms which speaks of God fashioning Man 'later and earlier?' What is the concept of Man being created originally as a composite of both Male and Female? What does it mean that Adam was created in a state where he filled all of reality?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:31