How does Hashem draw the people of Israel after Him? What is the understanding of the paradox of the 'chains of love?' Why do the People of Israel need to experience exile and subjugation to the nations of the world? What is the ultimate end of the great arc of Israel's history? How does this parallel the personal life of Yosef, as representative of the leaders of Israel? How do we see a certain sweetening of the judgment despite Yosef's being forcibly brought down to Egypt? How is this reflected in Yakov being brought down? How is this reflected in the idea that the Shechina (Divine Presence) accompanied Yosef into his exile? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Vayeshev - Israel and the Arc of History

Religion & Spirituality

Other

Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

Why does the Torah enumerate the avos in reverse order - Yakov, Yitzchak then Avraham - in speaking of Hashem remembering His covenant? How does this relate to the idea of the grapevine, which rests upon older wood from trees no longer alive? How do the people of Israel parallel the grapevine, whose main body is close to the ground, yet its branches extend far away? How do we understand the parallel of the lowly grapevine whose watchman sits above it, as opposed to other trees who tower above the watchman of their orchards? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Bechukosai - Israel is Hashem's Garden

What is the prohibition of Ona'as Devarim-Causing pain through our words? What is the prohitibiton of Ona'as Mamon-Causing pain through our money? Why does Hashem appear to the prophet Amos in front of a 'balanced wall' holding a builders 'balance tool?' Why does the Anach-Balance tool have the same root as the word Ona'ah-Pain? How does the pain and challenge that we experience bring us back into balance? What is the Ibur-Anger that we experience in the Ibur-Leap year? What can we work on when we see that Hashem's anger is manifest in our world? What is the idea of the anger which is like a pregnant women? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Behar - Times of Judgment, Times of Balance

Why does the Torah require that an animal be eight days old before being used as a Korban (sacrifice)? How does this parallel the human being who needs to be eight days old to be given a bris (circumcision)? What is the concept of our desire to be 'drawn after Hashem' like an animal is 'drawn after its master?' In the comparison of a righteous individual to a mighty mountain, why is he sometimes compared to a grassy mountain, and sometimes to a mountain that has fruit trees? How do we use these tools - the animal and the righteous individual - to climb the mountain of Hashem? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Emor - Hashem Saves the Humans and Beasts

How does planting a tree in Israel constitute the fulfillment of a mitzvah - a commandment? What is the idea of Yishuv Ha'aretz - settling the land of Israel? How does waiting three years before eating from a new fruit tree rectify the sin of Adam? If everything was already prepared for us when we originally entered Israel and took over the homes and vineyards of the previous inhabitants, why does the Torah instruct us to plant more? How do we understand the 'tree' that is planted in the context of the Torah being referred to as a tree? How does the support of Torah guarantee we will win in battle, without even trying very hard? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Kedoshim - Planting Our Lives in Israel

How is Rebecca, our matriarch, compared to a rose among thorns? How was she able to remain steadfast despite being surrounded by charlatans and liars? Why was it so difficult for Hashem, as it were, to take 'one nation out from another nation' at the Exodus? How are the people of Israel like a Rose among thorns? How was the Jewish people's receiving the Torah like a 'rose among thorns' that Hashem enjoyed 'smelling' as they said 'we will do and we will hear?' Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast. This week's podcast is sponsored anonymously. May it be a merit for the sponsor  family.

Vayeshev - Israel and the Arc of History

Download our free app to listen on your phone