Toldos - Simplicity and Trickery

Why did Yakov need to obtain the blessings of Esav through trickery? How do we understand this in light of Yakov's unique attribute being Emes-Truth? What is the idea of Yakov's appearance being the same as Adam's? Why is the snake described as being 'crafty?' How does one properly employ the ideas of simplicity and trickery?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 22:12

Vayeira - Shining the Light of Truth

In this week's parsha podcast, we talk about the idea that the forces of evil surround the entranceway to Holiness, covering it in darkness. Only the light of simple Truth can remove the darkness and show us that gate which we thought was not there.

Click Here for this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 18:17

Breishis - The Real Truth

Where do we see that the foundation of the creation of the world is Truth? What is the difference between Truth and the Real Truth? What is the lie inherent in the Truth? How does one access the Real Truth?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 15:24

Mishpatim - Redeeming Truth From Darkness

Why does a thief have to pay double if he steals, and four or five times if he slaughters and sells the animal he stole? How does falsehood dress itself up as truth? What is the amazing power of Truth to dispel the darkness? How does one access Emes L'amito - the True-Truth?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:24

Vayishlach - Truth of the Soul

Why does Yaakov return for the pachim ketanim - the small jugs? Why does the angel fight with him at that very moment? What is the difference between Esav's statement 'yesh li rav,' - I have a lot - and Yaakov's statement, 'yesh li kol,' - I have it all? Why is Yaakov's name changed to Yisrael at this point, after all his children are born? What is the concept of 'Yisrael' in this context? What is the difference between the enumeration of Esav's progeny as 'nefashos' - souls, as opposed to Yaakov's progeny as 'nefesh' - one soul?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 18:07

Vaeschanan - Resonating with Truth

Why does Moshe preface his request to enter Israel by appointing Yehoshua to lead the Jewish people into Israel? Why does Moshe form his prayer as a "תחינה" - a supplication asking for a free gift? What is the difference between the experience of spirituality outside of Israel as opposed to the experience inside of Israel? How does one bring himself into a place of deeper truth?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 21:48

Balak - Truth and Will

Bilam seems to be a good guy. Why do chazal paint him in such a bad light - Bilam Harasha!Why do we have this funny interaction where the donkey knows about the malach even before Bilam? What is the point of the malach standing there if it won't end up killing Bilam anyway? What is Bilam's fundamental character flaw? The midrash stresses that Bilam spoke to Hashem in a dream at night, thus indicating his inferior quality of prophecy. But lemaaseh, he experiences prophetic moments with his poetry during the day - so what is the meaning of it? What is the significance of the comparison between Bilam and Avraham?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 30:05

Shelach vort 2 - Deeper truth

I had two thoughts this week on the parsha. The first was the official 'studio' recording podcast. This is the second which I presented in my parsha shiur this morning in Beis Medrash Ahavas Shalom.

Presented is the very beautiful and deep concept of R' Nachman, as expounded by R' Nosson, which is the concept of truth and true truth.

Click here to download the second version of the parsha podcast.

Runnning time: 17:47