Tazria - Later and Earlier

In describing the birth of a child and the circumcision on the eighth day, why does the Torah bother to tell us about the conception as well as the impurity of the mother for seven days following birth? What is the connection between this verse and the verse in psalms which speaks of God fashioning Man 'later and earlier?' What is the concept of Man being created originally as a composite of both Male and Female? What does it mean that Adam was created in a state where he filled all of reality?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:31

Shmini - Talent and Torah

What was the sin of Nadav and Avihu that caused their death? What is the connection between being married and bringing the ketores-incense offering? Why is the Hebrew word for marriage 'kiddushin' which also means holiness? What is the proper approach to using one's talents?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 16:14

Tzav and Purim - North and South

Why is the korban olah (fully burnt sacrifice) related to the north, while the shelamim (partly burned, partly eaten) is related to the south? Why are the concepts of exile, Gog and Moshiach related to the north, while redemption, Gog's fall, and the rebuilding of the Temple related to the south? Why can't a northerly and southerly wind blow at the same time? What does it mean that both will blow in the future time? Why can't a groom enter the house before he is invited by his bride?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 26:27

Step by step

Quote of the Day - Charles Atlas - "Step by step and the thing is done."

This popped up on top of my screen in my gmail.

We want it now.

...or yesterday.

nah, rather it now.

We want our way, and we know what's best.

And we have no idea. We think that we were wronged. We think that we have a right.

And we were, and we do.

And we don't.

That's Yosef. He says to his brothers - yes, I had a right to do with you as I wish.

And I chose to connect to something so much deeper and so much higher.

And I chose forgiveness.

Yes, you wronged me.

Yes, you destroyed me.

Yes, you took away my rights and you trampled them and sold me into slavery and I ended up in jail for 12 years.

But that was all Hashem.

Don't you see where I am?

My mouth is speaking to you. Don't you see? My mouth = malchus. I am king.

not despite what you did to me.

Because of what you did.

Really, what you didn't do.

What He did. For all of us.

Step by step and the thing is done.

This story isn't over yet.

Just wait. Just wait. Just wait.

Vayikra - Soul Desire

Why does the Torah refer to the one who brings a flour offering as 'one who offers his soul?' What is the difference between an animal offering and a flour offering? How is the concept of ratzon-desire related to nefesh-soul? How can one come close to God if he has no good deeds to show for himself?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:36

Pekudei - Spiritually Infused Livelihood

Why does the Mishkan seem to construct itself? Why does the Torah use similar language in regards to the way the Mishkan was constructed and the way that work is to be done during the six days of the week? How does one infuse one's livelihood with this aspect of the mishkan, where it is done on its own?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:58

Dovid, Yosef, the sixth hour and the seventh hour

I thought that title would get your attention. And, to boot, this is post number 607. Cool. Someone recently left a comment on the blog that they miss my moshiach messages. I wrote back that the messages are still there, you just have to know how to hear them.

I don't need to say too much, but I will say that if you listen carefully to this parsha podcast, you will get a good idea of where we are holding and we are headed. It also has the potential to explain a lot of what is going on now. But you will have to put all the old pieces together to get it. If you listen carefully, you will understand why I don't blog or speak too much about Moshiach anymore. But I explained that before. Review is good.

In any event, here's how the podcast appears everywhere else I've put it up:

Vayakhel - Moshiach, Mishkan and Shabbos (21:42)
What is the significance of the fact that all that was done in constructing the Mishkan (tabernacle) is the foundation of the prohibitions on Shabbos? What is the difference between the service of Hashem through the Mishkan as opposed to Shabbos? How is Shabbos connected to Dovid and Moshiach ben Dovid, as opposed to the Mishkan, which is connected to Yosef and Moshiach ben Yosef? Why is the Mishkan the atonement for the sin of the Golden Calf? What is the depth of the fact that the sin occurred at the end of the sixth hour, when Moshe was late in returning? What was at the root of the sin of the Golden Calf?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Ki Sisa - Light Your Unique Flame

What is the concept of the counting of the Jewish people? Why are we to be counted if it entails danger? Why, indeed, is there danger in counting Jewish people? What is the concept of the 'flame of one's heart' that is somehow an expression of the light of Hashem? How does one balance his own light with the light others are meant to shine?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:51

Tetzaveh - Do We Have Free Will?

If God is all-knowing, how do we have free will? What is the significance of the miracle of the western candle of the menorah that always stayed lit? Why did the kohen gadol start lighting and end lighting there? What is the significance of the fact that Moshe could not succeed in forming the menorah? What is the relationship between the number seven - as represented by the seven-armed menorah - and the numbers eight and fifty?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:54

Terumah - Drawing Down Holiness

What is the difference between the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and the Mikdash (Holy Temple)? What is the significance of the connection of the Mishkan to Yosef, as opposed to the Mikdash which is connected to Yehudah/David? How does this tie in to the concept of the month of Adar?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 15:55