Friday, February 27, 2015

Tetzaveh - Moshe and Aharon

Why does the parsha of the menorah, which is lit by Aharon, as well as the clothing of the Kohen Gadol and Kohanim, immediately precede the parsha of Ki Sisa which speaks about the sin of the Golden Calf? If Aharon was involved in that sin, why was he allowed to serve in the mishkan? Why is Moshe's name not found in this week's parsha? What is the significance of the fact that the parsha centers around Aharon and leaves out Moshe? What is the significance of the clothes of the Kohanim?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 19:49

Friday, February 20, 2015

Terumah - Giving Back

Why did Hashem give righteous individuals gems alongside their Manna? What value were they to the righteous if they were just to be given as a donation to the Mishkan-Tabernacle? Why was it necessary for Jacob to instruct his children to prepare items which would be used more than two hundred years later in the construction of the Tabernacle? Why does a child learn the entire Torah in the womb, if that child will forget it all when he comes into the world?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running Time: 23:48

Friday, February 13, 2015

Mishpatim - Borrowing Power

Why does the Torah ask us not to charge interest when we lend money? What does the midrash mean when it says that all of Hashem's creations 'lend to each other?' Why does the midrash choose the many symbols it does, amongst them - moon and stars, day and night? What is the concept of money and lending of one's money?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:58

Friday, February 6, 2015

Yisro - All is One

Why does the Torah preface the Ten commandments with the statement that God spoke 'all' of these matters? What is the concept of kol - all? What does it mean that the entire Torah is included in the ten commandments and that all ten are included in the first commandment? How are we to understand the multiple facets of reality that seem to be both good and bad, yet are all included in God manifesting in reality?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:21