Monday, July 31, 2017

Vaeschanan - Balancing Inclinations

How does one Love and serve Hashem with both the Good and Evil inclinations? What does the word 'crouching' mean in the context of the Evil inclination? How does each inclination pull a person toward or away from Hashem? How does one strengthen the power of the Good Inclination? What is the difference between instant gratification and actions that require patience?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 23:40

Friday, July 28, 2017

Devarim - Humble Blessings

What is the idea behind the fact that Hashem promises to reveal His 'two letter' name, but ultimately reveals the 'name of 72?' Why do the righteous 'say a little and do a lot?' Why did Hashem not reveal the concept of the Manna to Abraham? How could the Jewish people make the claim that they had eaten the Manna during their servitude to Pharaoh? Why does King David ask that he not have grievances to the Jewish people, and they not have grievances toward him? Why does he ask that they 'hear' or listen to him?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 26:44

Friday, July 21, 2017

Matos-Masei - Creating With Speech

What is the power of speech? How is one able to create with speech? What is the idea of God speaking when He creates - with whom was He communicating? What is the idea of speech without communication? How is it expressed in the idea of a vow?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 25:29

Friday, July 14, 2017

Pinchas - Spiritual Patience

What was the great wisdom of the daughters of Tzelafchad? Why did they wait until they were in their forties to get married? What is the concept of inheritance and how does it relate to one's personal purpose in life? Why did Moshe have to wait 40 years to rectify a mistake he made? What is the idea that the 'son is an extension of the father?'

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 26:20

Friday, July 7, 2017

Balak - Getting Hashem's Hint

The Parsha Podcast celebrates its 10 year anniversary - 10 years of podcasts every week! How was R' Yochanan able to understand the hint of the angel and go on to greatness? What was the difference between Moshe and Yaakov vs. David and Mordechai when it came to getting the hint? Why did Bilaam get open and subtle hints? How do we recognize Hashem's hints for us?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 25:30

Friday, June 30, 2017

Chukas - Serving with Awe and Love

What was the depth of the sin of Moshe in hitting the rock instead of speaking to it? What would have happened had he not done so? How does this idea parallel the way we learn Torah? Why is the study Torah analogous to water? What is the difference between a relationship of awe and a relationship of love? What will our relationship with Hashem look like in the times of Moshiach?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:21

Friday, June 23, 2017

Korach - Organic Leadership

What is the Torah's approach to leadership? Why did Hashem create a concept of hierarchy? What was the mistake of Korach's rebellion? What is the depth behind the obligation to give a tithe to the Levites and the Kohanim? What was the mistake of the Jewish people in asking for a king in the times of Shmuel (Samuel)?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 21:03

Friday, June 16, 2017

Shlach - Running Thread

What was the root of the sin of the spies? Why were they only able to see the negative side of Eretz Yisrael? What is the connection between that event and the commandment of tzitzis? What is the idea behind the obligation of Tzitzis? What is the meaning of the statement of our sages that the blue of the tzitzis is to remind us of the throne of Hashem's glory? Why are the tzitzis specifically worn during prayer? How do they remind us of all of the commandments?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:56

Friday, June 9, 2017

Behaaloscha - Shining Hashem's Light

What is meant when the verse refers to the 'light of God which guides us?' How do the sun and moon 'guide us?' What is the concept of the 'face of God?' Why does the word 'face' in Hebrew also refer to the inner aspect of the person? How was Bezalel able to intuitively construct the Menorah-candelabra? What is the significance of the 7, 8 and 10 stringed instruments of the Levites? Why do certain individuals need to go through great tests before they can fulfill their unique roles in life?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 28:57

Friday, June 2, 2017

Nasso - Maintaining Inspiration

What is the idea behind the gift of the 12 princes of wagons to the tabernacle? What is the depth of what is going on with the repetitious listing of their offerings? Why does it follow the Priestly blessings? Why do both these events occur on the eighth day of the Tabernacles dedication? What is the connection between the numbers 50 and 8? Why does the Torah ask us to count to 49 and seemingly to 50, if we only count to 49? How do we hold onto the inspiration we have received? 

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:15