Vaera - Recognizing the Source

Why was the Nile and all the water of Egypt struck first with the plague of Blood? Why did Hashem warn them first before the plague? What is the mistaken understanding of reality that is intrinsic to all idol worship? How did the plagues come to rectify that? Why did Moshe need to show gratitude toward the Nile if it was Hashem Himself who had caused the Nile to be calm when he was an infant floating in its waters? What is the idea behind the teaching that all of the waters would turn to blood for the Egyptians unless they paid to buy it from the Israelites?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast. (audio)

Running time: 24:40

Ki Sisa - Receiving the 7th in the 6th

Why is the concept of Shabbos the introduction to the story of the Golden Calf? Why does Moshe study the Torah for forty days diligently, only to forget it and then receive it as a gift in the end? Why do the Jewish people use the Manna in their idolatrous worship of the Golden Calf? Why do they create the calf at the very moment Hashem is preparing the tablets of the law? What is the concept of extending the Sabbath - the 7th day - into Friday - the 6th? What is the concept of the number forty as it relates to six and seven weeks?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 28:15

Noach - Invisible Unity

Why does the Torah leave out most of the story of generation of the dispersion without even giving details about their sin? Why does the Torah leave out the beginnings of Abraham and his philosophical war with the idolators of his generation? Why does Abraham begin his preaching by smashing the idols into pieces? Why is dispersion the appropriate punishment for that generation's rebellion against God?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:52

Masei - Coverings and Contrasts

What is the concept of the Succah? How does it remind us of the Divine Presence? Why does the same force of protection of the Jordan river have the potential to destroy us? Why must we remove the nations of Canaan? What is the root of the word and concept of idolatry? How does that contrast with the concept of the Shechinah?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 21:17

Re'eh - Understanding idolatry

Why is it so essential to uproot idolatry as a prerequisite to fulfilling the Torah? Why do our sage say that one who denies the validity of idolatry is considered as if he has fulfilled the entire Torah? What is the significance of the mountain in spiritual practice? Why were the blessings and curses placed on mountains?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

(Running time: 22:03)