What is the concept of the word 'Amen?' What are the three contexts of the use of this word, and the theme of all three? Why is it that if we 'say Amen in this world, we will say Amen in the next?' Why is there a parallel concept in regards to the study of Torah? Why will we 'hear the voice of the bride and groom' with the advent of the age of Moshiach if we 'hear the voice' of the Torah now?
Find out in this week's parsha podcast.
Running time: 21:17
What is the deeper concept behind the obligation of circumcision? Why is it done on the eighth day? How does this relate to Hashem's compassion? In what way does Hashem show compassion for the animals and the birds? Why do we send away the mother bird when we take the baby birds? How do these two concepts connect? Why is it Tziporah, whose name means 'bird' who does the circumcision of Moshe's son? What is the significance of the root of the word tzipor-bird, which is tzaf, which means to float? Why is the description of the sunrise 'metzaftzefes' - floating, which represents the redemption process? How does this relate to the words letzapos-to wait - which is used in waiting for redemption; and matzpun-conscience?
Find out in this week's parsha podcast.
Running Time: 26:42
What is the idea behind a father being forbidden from serving as a judge in his son's court case, and vice versa? What is the role of the Kohen as judge? Why is the concept of proper judgment a foundational precept for the entire world's existence? What happens to the social structure when courts do not fulfill their proper role? What is the importance of hierarchy in human interaction and in society as a whole?
Find out in this week's parsha podcast.
Running time: 23:38
This week's podcast is dedicated l'ilui nishmas Sara bas Yosef; and for the hatzlacha of her children Mimi & Yitzchak Sadowsky.
Thank you to their daughter Elisheva for her contribution to Torah
How does a person merit blessings? What is the singular mitzvah (commandment) that includes all the other ones? Why does that single commandment precede the concept of receiving blessings? What are the negative spiritual forces we need protection from, and how do we get that protection? What is the concept of the sixth and seventh as it relates to Elul (6) and Tishrei (7)? How do we start preparing to make Hashem our King?
Find out in this week's parsha podcast.
Running time: 22:27
How can we be assured that Hashem will fulfill His promise to give us the land of Israel if we are far from deserving of that? How do we know that we will merit miracles and that Hashem will defeat our enemies in a way that is beyond our natural ability? What is the concept of the blessing on water - that 'all was brought into being with His word?' How does that relate to the many miracles that the Jewish people experienced with water?
Find out in this week's parsha podcast.
Running time: 25:27
What is the concept of 'Krias Shema' - the reading of Shema? Can we also apply the other meaning of kriah - calling? Why is it important to say the words carefully? Who are we calling to when we say 'Hear O Israel' - ourselves? The people of Israel as a whole? How does this verse represent the concept of proclaiming Hashem as our King? What is the depth behind the midrash's teaching that Hashem prefaced the ten commandments with the words 'Shema Yisrael' - Hear O Israel? What was behind the Jewish people's response that 'Hashem our God, Hashem is One?' Why did Moshe respond to this by saying 'baruch Shem' - 'blessed is the Name?' Why do we say this very line on Yom Kippur when the Kohen Gadol announces Hashem's name in the Beis Hamikdash?
Find out in this week's parsha podcast.
Running time: 23:35
What is the purpose of exile - how does being sent away from a center of spirituality serve to return us to Hashem? Why is it guaranteed that no matter how far we are from Hashem that we will return? How did the forty years of wandering in the wilderness serve to return us to Hashem and enable us to enter Israel? How did king Menashe end up being saved miraculously after becoming so distant from Hashem and causing the Jewish people to sin grievously with the sin of idolatry?
Find out in this week's parsha podcast.
Running time: 29:10
What is the concept of a vow or oath that involves the name of Hashem? What are the the three characteristics necessary for a person to be able to use the name of Hashem in an oath? Why do these attributes give greater value to the mention of His name? Why can it be so destructive to use Hashem's name in an oath for mundane matters, even if it is a truthful oath? What is the difference between using Hashem's name in an oath versus using His name in a blessing?
Find out in this week's parsha podcast.
Running time: 22:03
What is the idea of Peace? Why is this blessing of peace given to Pinchas? How does his act of killing someone who is publicly desecrating Hashem's name create Peace? What are the 'Torah's paths of Peace?' Why do we ask of a person's peace on his return from a trip? Why is Peace the 'vessel that holds blessings?' How do we find Peace for ourselves? Why do the humble and the righteous receive Peace? How do we deny the Evil Inclination of his 'demands?'
Find out in this week's parsha podcast.
Running time: 28:43
What is the idea behind the 'little mitzvahs' that provide big protection? How does the 'little' mitzvah of washing one's hands provide long life? Why do we learn this lesson from such seemingly unlikely stories? Why did Bilaam realize he was unable to curse the Jewish people? How do we become partners with Hashem? Where do we see that His name is in our name?
Find out in this week's parsha podcast.
Running time: 23:18
