Vaera- Balancing Fire and Ice

Why is the seventh plague - hail - the first that is performed by Moshe alone? Why is there a stress on the fact that he raises his hands 'to heaven?' What does it mean that Moshe has power over heaven and earth? Why does the hail coexist with fire? Why does Hashem's mercy join here with the Divine court of justice to produce this plague? Why is it stressed here that the purpose of the plagues was really to cause Pharaoh to repent? Why does Hashem make rules and then suspend the rules?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.
Running time: 26:38

Devarim & Tisha b'av - Stars and Fire

What is the difference between the light of stars and the light of fire? Why does the verse mean when it says that we will be like the stars and also numerous? How will the Jewish people be like Hashem in the future, and how do we access that light now? What is the central theme of Tisha B'av? Is its purpose to look at all the times that we have been victims, or to build from the ashes?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:50

Vayakhel - Active and passive relationship

Why does Shabbos introduce the mishkan? Why are the prohibitions of Shabbos based around the acts of creating the mishkan? Why is fire/cooking the one melacha singled out? Why is cooking referred to as making a fire and not simply cooking? Why is it permitted to cook on Yom Tov?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.