Matos-Masei - Good Subsumes Evil

Why did Joshua only live to be 110 years old as opposed to Moshe who lived until 120? Why did Moshe want to see the 'revenge' of the Jewish people on Midian before his death? What does the word nekama (revenge) really mean? What is the difference between seeing and hearing?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 25:19

Pinchas - Leadership by Example

Why does Bilaam direct Balak to cause the Jewish people to sin through immoral behavior with the daughters of Midian? What was the character of the leadership of Doson and Aviram in the rebellion of Korach? How does the same principle apply for good, as expressed in the leadership of Joshua?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 18:24

Pinchas - Leadership of Yosef and Levi

What is the connection between Pinchos, inheriting the land, the daughters of Tzlafchad, and the appointment of Yehoshua? Why do the Jewish people face a test in the area of licentious relations as they are entering Israel? Why is the leadership in the midbar solely from the tribe of Levi, and entering Israel it is balanced between the tribes of Levi and Yosef? How does the tzaddik guide people to their portion in the land, as well as in their purpose in the world? What is the difference between the leadership of Levi and Yosef?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:45

Pinchas - Zealous Patience

What are the two approaches to guiding the Jewish people? When is it appropriate to be zealous? When is it appropriate to be patient? What is the significance of the fact that the stories of both Pinchas and Eliyahu center around the concept of the Bris, which alternately represent the covenant with God, as well as the concept of circumcision?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 23:27

Pinchas - Shmini Atzeres and Pinchas

What is the connection between Pinchas and Shmini Atzeres? What is the connection between Shmini atzeres and Shavuos? What is the connection between Shmini atzeres and Chanukah?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 19:53

Vayeshev - Shimon and Yosef

Why was it specifically Shimon that wanted to kill Yosef? What was the difference between the roles of Shimon and Levi? How was that reflected in Zimri and Pinchos? Why did Dina want to specifically marry Shimon? Why was it specifically Shimon that was incarcerated when Yosef accused his brothers of being spies? What is the significance of the fact that the tribe of Shimon provided the teachers of children for the Jewish people?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 14:58

Matos-Masei - The Midyan war

Why is the war with Midyan prefaced with the laws of vows? Why is Moshe told that he will die immediately after this war? Why does Pinchas lead them in battle, and not Yehoshua? Why did Pinchos bring back so many Midianites and why did Moshe adamantly demand their death? Why does the Torah give us such a detailed description of the spoils in this war? What is the significance of the fact that all of the spoils were passed through either fire or water?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Pinchas - The Pinchas-Eliyahu connection

Why does Eliyahu/Pinchas appear and disappear throughout history? Why is Eliyahu involved in giving over the secrets of the Torah through all generations? What is the deeper message of the genealogy of the daughters of Tzelafchad that is recorded all the way back to Yosef? What is the deeper connection of this idea to the story of Eliyahu/Pinchas?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Pinchas - Spiritual balance

What is the connection between the story of the daughters of Tzlafchad, the appointment of Yehoshua, and the korban Musaf?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.