Vayishlach - Distorted Reflections

Why are the three locations that the midrash says clearly belong to the Jewish people all currently being claimed by the Arabs? When we do not understand a word in Hebrew, why do we turn to other languages to understand that word? What is the significance of the city of Shechem? Why is it given to Joseph? What is the significance of its numerical value of 360? Why does the story there revolve around an issue of connection between male and female? Why does the Torah stress that Jacob came there first on his way into Israel? Why does he buy property there?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 25:58

Vayeshev - Light in the Darkness

In this week's parsha podcast, we explore R' Nosson's teaching about the way of Yosef HaTzadik, who followed in the footsteps of Yaacov - bringing those who were mired in darkness back to the light.

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Running Time: 19:11

Vayetzei - Yakov's dream, Yosef's dreams

What is the concept of Yakov's dream, and dreams in general? Why is Yakov's dream global, while Yosef's seems to be personal? Why does Yosef's involve people, while Yakov's involves angels? Why does Yakov have his dream after being chased by Esav, while Yosef has his dream before being chased by his brothers? What is the fundamental difference between Yakov's work in this world, as opposed to Yosef's?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:07

Vayechi - Blessings and Prayers

What is the general concept of a blessing? Why do I need to go to a tzaddik to get a bracha? What does a bracha do for me more than I already have, and why can’t I access it myself? When Yaakov gives the brachos, is he just stating a fact as to the nature of that person, or his he drawing down some spiritual reality upon that person? Why do these brachos come when the tzaddik is about to die, as we also see with Yitzchak? What is the deeper concept of prayer? How is prayer connected to blessings?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 22:05

Noach - Illusion and Reality

If water is a creative force, why is the world being destroyed by water? What is the connection between the cooling of the waters and cooling of the anger of Achashverosh in the story of Purim? What is the parallel between the water's destruction here, and the water's destruction of the Egyptians as the Jews made their exodus? What is the significance of the Jewish people traversing 'dry land in the midst of the sea?' Why is Noach called 'Ish Ha'adamah' - isn't this the opposite of the concept of tzaddik who we would equate with water?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 19:31

Korach - Understanding the Tzaddik

What is the superficial view behind the rebellion of Korach? What is the special character of Aharon that is being challenged? How does this story parallel the story of Yosef and his brothers? What is the parallel to Amalek and the Jewish people? What is the concept of the staff of Aharon that flowers and blossoms, producing fruit? What does the cryptic medrash mean when it says that Aharon's staff swallowed the staffs of the other tribes, as it did to the staffs of Pharaoh's necromancers? How many staffs were there? What is the general concept of the staff? What is the connection between the staff and the tzaddik?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 30:11

Bimidbar - Reflecting Hashem's Love

What is the concept of counting the Jewish people? How does it show Hashem's love for us? Why is it necessary to involve the heads of the tribes in the count? What is the significance of the midrash telling us how each tribal leader was connected to the original progenitor of the tribe? What is the job of the true tzaddik?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 20:31

Vayechi - Lesson of Beit Shemesh

Why does Yakov wait until he is about to die to give his sons rebuke? What is the power of the tzaddik? What is the true nature of the town of Beit Shemesh? What is the power of focusing on good points?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 21:19