Ki Seitze - Great Goals

Why is the situation of the ben sorer umoreh so problematic? Why is he 'judged now for his ultimate end?' What is the concept of Teshuva-return? What is the difference between making change and having a vision? What does it mean to 'return to Hashem' - 'return to His throne?'

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 25:29

Vayelech - Song of Return

Why does Hashem invite Moshe and Yehoshua to the entrance of the Tabernacle? What is the song that He teaches them? What is the idea of the song? Why is the 'stiff necked' nature of the Jewish people the very reason Hashem chose us? What is the power of a song? Why are the Jewish people meant to learn this song? What purpose does it serve? Why is there a melody without words that is interspersed throughout the song?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 18:11

Vaeschanan - Hashem Answers Prayers

What is the meaning of the verse that says 'What great nation has a God so close each time they call to Him?' Does Hashem answer every prayer? What is the difference between prayer and repentance? What is unique about the wars of the Jewish people? How long does it take for Hashem to answer our prayers?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 25:40

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

Succos - Joy of Submission

What does the midrash mean when it says that we leave our homes and enter the Succah to atone for the deserved punishment of exile? How does the mitzvah of Succah relate to the command to do teshuva (repent)? What does going into exile accomplish? What is the special joy of Succos? Why do we use the 'leftovers of the granary and the winery' to create our succah?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 28:07

Nitsavim-Vayelech - Return to Paradise

Why does the Torah preface the commandment to repent (Teshuva) with a description of what life will be like after the Messiah's arrival? What is the difference between our state at present, and the way it will be when the Messiah arrives? What is the concept of the orlas halev (barier on the heart)? How does one do Teshuva? What is the effect of doing Teshuva (repenting)?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 26:58

Nitsavim-Rosh Hashana - Breaking Barriers

In the verse speaking about the fact that the Torah and mitzvah of repentance are not distant from us, the Rabbenu Bachai says that there is a hint to the concept of circumcision - what does these concepts have to do with each other? How are we able to correct our behavior of the previous year, upon which we are being judged, if we are already standing in the new year after Rosh Hashana? What does the Torah mean when it says that the mitzvos and the concept of Teshuva are 'very close to you - in your mouth and your heart to do it?' How do we remove the barriers upon our hearts and mouths which prevent us from having a full relationship with Hashem, ourselves and others?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:39

Shemos - Meriting Redemption

What does it mean that Hashem redeems us for the 'sake of His name and the sake of His covenant?' What is the difference between 'seeing' and 'knowing?' Why does Hashem 'see' our sins, but 'know' about our good deeds? How can we be redeemed in the merit of something we will do in the future? What is the idea of Teshuva-repentance? How can we be redeemed in the merit of something our patriarchs did?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:15

Yom Kippur - Renewing Commitment

Why is the death of Nadav and Avihu the preface to the High Priest's service on Yom Kippur? How does one relate to the transgressions one has done, and the distance he has created between himself and God? How does one use the power of commitment to move past the 'seven falls' and 'stand up?'

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:14

Behaaloscha - Holiness Amidst Impurity

In this week's parsha podcast, we study the lesson of R' Nosson on the verses which speak about the Pesach Sheni - the second chance at bringing the Passover sacrifice, which was revealed through the request of those who were impure, and therefore unable to bring the Pesach sacrifice in its correct time. This is an analogy to how we can call out to God from wherever we are, even if we are mired in darkness and impurity.

Running time: 15:59

Vayelech - Giving it all to Hashem

Why does the special mitzvah of Hakhel (gathering) apply immediately after Shmitah (sabbatical year)? Why is it referred to as being in the Shmitah year, even though it's in the following year? What is the parallel here between Shmitah and Shabbos? What is the special power of atonement intrinsic to Yom Kippur? What is the deep lesson of Yehudah and Tamar?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 19:42

Return Again

I would like to share a podcast that I made about four years ago, called 'the gates of return.' It was a one episode podcast for no reason other than the fact it was a bit challenging to make. I recently had more than one request for another episode for the aseres yemei teshuva, so I offer a second episode here as well. It runs a little under fifteen minutes, and is a mix of music and inspiration.

I hope you enjoy.

Episode 1

Episode 2