Vaera - Silence Amidst Chaos

Why is the parsha split up in such a way that we get only the first seven plagues in this week's parsha? What is the significance of the numbers seven and ten? Why is it so important for us to know that the Jews were singled out and that the plagues did not touch their area in Egypt? Why is the Nile river turned into blood instead of just being dried up? What is the concept of blood, which is 'dam' in Hebrew, and what is the relationship to 'dom' in Hebrew, which means silence?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:04

Shemos - Foundations of Exile

What is the depth behind the concept of exile? Why do the children of Israel go through exile, while Yishmael and Esav do not? How and why does Hashem bring us gently down into exile? What was the difference between Yaacov and his forebears that created the reality that all his sons were righteous, while this was not true of the previous patriarchs?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 23:13

Vayechi - Finding Good Points

Why is Yakov unable to bless Yosef's sons? How is Yosef able to bring back the divine presence so Yakov can bless them? What is the difference between the approach of Yakov and Yosef? What is the concept of finding good points, even in those who are evil?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Vayigash - Love and Tears

What is the significance of Yosef's tears? Why does he only cry on the shoulder of Benjamin, whereas he kisses and cries with each of the other brothers? What is the significance of the numerical values of Yosef and Yakov's names? What is the concept of the kiss? What is the concept of tears?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time:  19:59

Mikeitz and Chanukah - Stepping Up (18:33)

Why is Mikeitz always read on Shabbos Chanukah? Why does the story stop at the moment before Yosef reveals himself? Or more precisely, as Yehuda is about to step up? If the victory of Chanukah was so short lived, why do we have such a stark celebration?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 18:33

Vayeshev - Unconditional Love and Judgment

What was at the root of the animosity the brothers had toward Yosef? If Yosef was a tzaddik, who represented the concept of Hashem's unconditional love, why did that love not seem to extend to his brothers - why did he speak negatively of them instead of finding their good points? Why was Reuven the one who was uniquely able to speak on Yosef's behalf? The mesorah seems to clearly hold all of the brothers responsible (except for Reuven) for the sale of Yosef. Why would the children of Bilhah and Zilpah also have been part of this if Yosef stood on their side? What changed in Yosef from before he was sold until his brothers returned much later and he showed such absolute compassion? Does one need to be forced to do the right thing, or is love potentially a more powerful motivational force?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:32

Vayishlach - Yakov, Yosef and the Sod Ha'ibbur

What is the concept of the 'additional' revelation of Hashem to Yakov in this week's parsha? What is the blessing he receives? How does this relate to the land of Israel? What is the concept of the secret of the Ibbur? How does it relate to this blessing? What is the aspect of the addition to the year - 'hashana?' What is the concept of the month - 'hachodesh?'

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:59

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

Toldos - Spiritual Power

Why does the Torah preface the story of Yakov (Jacob) and Esav with the statement that Abraham birthed Isaac? What is the significance of the fact that Isaac was forty years old when he got married? What is the spiritual power of the circumcision of Ishmael at age thirteen? What is the spiritual power of Isaac's binding? What is the spiritual inheritance that Jacob is given and in turn gives to us?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 23:53

Chayei Sarah - Spiritual Roots

Why does Avraham reject the daughters of Aner, Eshkol and Mamrei, even though they are righteous? Why does he send Eliezer back to his own family, if they seem to be far from righteous? What is the concept of Baruch-blessed as opposed to Arur-cursed? Why are Haman and Amalek referred to as cursed if they come from the progeny of Yitzchak and Rivkah?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 18:16