Friday, October 30, 2015

Vayera - Formed Through Fire

Why does the Torah deem it important for us to hear the story of Sarah's abduction? Why does it happen immediately before she conceives with Yitzchok? Why does the story repeat itself on two different occasions, and what is the significance of each? Why does intense good need to be preceded by intense challenge?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 23:25

Friday, October 23, 2015

Lech Lecha - Abraham's War and the Final War

What is the importance of the story of the war of the five kings vs. the four kings? What do our sages mean when they say that the war was about killing Abraham? Why does Abraham not accept the people of Sodom into his own care? What is the connection between this and the story the midrash tells about R' Eliezer ben Hurkenus? How does that war parallel the final war of Gog Umagog?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 25:23

Friday, October 16, 2015

Noach - Invisible Unity

Why does the Torah leave out most of the story of generation of the dispersion without even giving details about their sin? Why does the Torah leave out the beginnings of Abraham and his philosophical war with the idolators of his generation? Why does Abraham begin his preaching by smashing the idols into pieces? Why is dispersion the appropriate punishment for that generation's rebellion against God?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:52

Friday, October 2, 2015

Succos - Waters of Appreciation

What is the concept of water? Why does it come into play so much during Succos? How does it relate to the clouds of glory? How does it relate to the Lulav and the Succah (schach)? What is the connection between drawing the water to be offered on the mizbe’ach and ‘drawing’ Divine Inspiration? How does being engulfed in the Divine Presence create love? How is that reflected in Moshe’s bracha to Binyomin in v’zos habracha?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:42