The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
586 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 days ago - ★★★★★ - 95 ratingsThe Parsha Podcast with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe was started in 2016 with the goal of making the weekly Parsha accessible and useful. Every Sunday, the Parsha Podcast will feature an hour-long podcast outlining the story, narratives and major themes of that week’s Parsha and offer a selection of valuable and interesting insights from it. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, two more episodes that focuses on one idea, theme, or comment on the Parsha will be released. Please send comments or questions to [email protected].
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Episodes
Parshas Lech Lecha
October 16, 2018 17:31 - 1 hour - 36.3 MBIn this week’s parsha Abraham is instructed to move to Israel, is given divine promises that he will be the father of many nations; his children will be as numerous as the dust of the earth and the stars of the heaven, a son Ishmael is born, and he is commanded to circumcise his foreskin […]
Parshas Noach
October 09, 2018 05:47 - 57 minutes - 33.3 MBIn this week’s parsha: Noah and his family build an Ark as a refuge from an extinction-level Flood brought by God to destroy the world’s sinners. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making […]
All New Parsha Series – Bereishis
October 04, 2018 17:42 - 1 hour - 46.8 MBWith praise and appreciation to the Almighty we begin another year of Torah study and another cycle of the Parsha Podcast. This year will revisit the format of year one of the Parsha Podcast where we will try to cover the entire Parsha in each episode each week. Thank you for downloading and please share […]
Sukkos: A Primer
September 19, 2018 11:00 - 42 minutes - 23.9 MB“’In a Sukkah shall you dwell for seven days’ – The Torah is instructing us to leave our permanent dwelling and move into a temporary dwelling.” (Talmud Sukkah 2a). A mere five days after Yom Kippur, we are instructed to abandon our permanent home and move into a makeshift hut and live there for seven […]
Ha’azinu – The Song of History (Rebroadcast)
September 16, 2018 10:48 - 1 hour - 37 MBOn the final day of his life, Moshe gathers the nation and sketches out the cycles of history both past and future in a poetic, song like way, all the while providing indispensable lessons. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Ten Days of Repentance: A Primer
September 12, 2018 10:08 - 52 minutes - 30 MBYom Kippur marks the final day of the Ten Days of Repentance. On this day all our efforts are focused on repenting and earning atonement for all our sins and getting sealed into the Book of Life for the upcoming year. In this podcast we analyze the notion of repentance in general, the difference between […]
Nitzavim & Vayeilech – Eternal Exhortations (Rebroadcast)
September 02, 2018 10:42 - 1 hour - 34.8 MB*Please note that this podcast was recorded last year when the Parshas Nitzavim and Vayeilech were together in a double parsha. This year Nitzavim and Vayeilech are separate and read over two weeks.* In the last few days of Moshe’s life, he gathers the entire nation, men women and children, and presents to them his […]
Rosh Hashana: A Primer
August 29, 2018 11:03 - 54 minutes - 30.7 MBRosh Hashana is both the day of judgement on our deeds of the previous year and the day of new hopes and new beginnings for the year to come. The responsibilities – and the opportunities – of the day are so significant that we must be ready and prepared for it. In this podcast we […]
Ki Savo – Consequences of Closeness (Rebroadcast)
August 26, 2018 11:01 - 54 minutes - 30.4 MBA central theme of Parshas Ki Savo is the idea that we are the Chosen People of God. Why were we chosen, what are we chosen for, and what are the benefits and consequences of being chosen? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Ki Seitzei – Lessons for Living (Rebroadcast)
August 19, 2018 11:01 - 49 minutes - 28.1 MBParshas Ki Sietzei maintains a continuous flow of mitzvos and guidance for the nation on the doorstep to Israel. Its beginning shares a powerful lesson as to how Torah and its mitzvos are the tools given to the Jewish nation to combat the world’s most formidable foe. – – – – – – – – […]
Shoftim – Righteous Justice (Rebroadcast)
August 12, 2018 11:01 - 1 hour - 36.1 MBIn Parshas Shoftim we learn about enactment of judges and a judicial system in Israel. We also learn about the Sanhedrin, its history, and its authority, and what happens when fallible human courts make blunders. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Re’eh – An Attitudinal Shift (Rebroadcast)
August 05, 2018 11:00 - 56 minutes - 51.7 MBParshas Re’eh marks a transition in Devarim. After four sections of Moshe inspiring the nation ahead of his death and their entrance to Israel, the nation is instructed with mitzvos related to their upcoming new world. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Eikev – Count Your Blessings
August 01, 2018 11:01 - 29 minutes - 16.5 MBOne of the many themes of Parshas Eikev is the mitzvah of blessings. In fact, the Talmud derives from our parsha a requirement to offer 100 blessings to God every day. In this podcast we offer several perspectives on the transformative power of blessings. – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Eikev – Earning God’s Eternal Promises
July 30, 2018 20:42 - 51 minutes - 27.3 MBParshas Eikev continues the themes of Devarim: Moshe is priming the nation for entering the Land of Israel and flourishing in it, and reveals the secret formula for our nations success. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider […]
Va’Eschanan – Preparing the Nation (Rebroadcast)
July 23, 2018 06:01 - 1 hour - 39.3 MBParshas Vaeschanan continues where Parshas Devarim left off. Moshe has about a month left to speak to the nation and prepare them for the challenges awaiting them in Canaan. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider making a […]
Tisha B’Av – The Silver Lining of Tragedy
July 18, 2018 11:00 - 32 minutes - 18.1 MBTisha B’av is the saddest day of the Jewish calendar. Over the millennia, scores of unfortunate events happened to our nation on this inauspicious day. Why is this day so totally designated for bad things, what is the significance of the Temples for us today living in 2018, and what are we supposed to feel […]
Devarim – Moshe’s Speech (Rebroadcast)
July 15, 2018 11:00 - 50 minutes - 37.9 MBParshas Devarim, and indeed the Book of Devarim, begins with a lengthy speech from Moshe to the nation about a month before his death. In it he subtly criticizes them regarding all the nation’s misdeeds over the duration of the 40 years in the Wilderness. – – – – – – – – – – […]
Mattos & Masei – Promised Land Pending (Rebroadcast)
July 08, 2018 11:00 - 56 minutes - 41.7 MBThe final two parshiyos of the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar) tell the laws and happenings leading up to the conquest of Canaan (Israel). We are taught the laws of vows, then a war is fought and its booty is divided, and the tribes of Gad and Reuven agree to a pact. – – – – […]
Pinchas – Legacies of Great Leaders (Rebroadcast)
July 01, 2018 11:00 - 59 minutes - 47.2 MBPinchas was a great hero who acted out of vengeance for God. In this Parsha, we read about the plaudits for his heroism, the Jews are counted again, a knotty inheritance question is settled, Moshe asked for a successor, and we learn about many sacrifices. – – – – – – – – – – […]
Balak – Greatness Gone Awry (Rebroadcast)
June 24, 2018 13:45 - 54 minutes - 28.8 MBBilaam was a gifted prophet on par with Moshe. Sadly, he chose to direct his powers towards a life of evil. In Parshas Balak, Bilaam is hired to curse the Jewish people, but it does not go as planned. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Chukas – Blissful Ignorance
June 21, 2018 18:09 - 49 minutes - 27.2 MBThe eponymous mitzvah of this week’s parsha, the Red Heifer, is the archetype of a mitzvah that is beyond human comprehension. What can we learn from a mitzvah that we can neither fulfill nor understand? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please […]
Chukas -Repentance of the Red Heifer (Rebroadcast)
June 17, 2018 11:00 - 1 hour - 45.6 MBParshas Chukas tells of the red heifer as an atonement from contamination of the dead. What is the meaning behind it and how does it relate to the Golden Calf? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider sponsoring […]
Korach – How to Have Strife-Free Arguments
June 13, 2018 11:00 - 49 minutes - 27.3 MBKorach and his comrades launched an insurrection against Moshe that ended catastrophically for them. Our Sages maintain that his mistake was in the underlying cause of his dissent and how he conducted it, not in the fact that he had an argument to begin with. By analyzing this sad episode we can learn the proper […]
Korach – A Cousin’s Rebellion (Rebroadcast)
June 10, 2018 11:00 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBKorach was Moshe’s envious first cousin who mounted an insurrection against Moshe and Aaron, even questioning their legitimacy. In this story we learn vital lessons about staying true to the role that the Almighty prepares for us and the importance of maintaining peace. – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Shelach – The Core of Mussar
June 06, 2018 11:00 - 27 minutes - 15.4 MBMussar is frequently translated as “ethics” or “character refinement”. In the debacle of the Spies found in this week’s parsha we see a definition of Mussar that can change our lives. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider […]
Shelach – The Sad Saga of the Spies (Rebroadcast)
June 03, 2018 11:00 - 59 minutes - 33.7 MBIn Parshas Shelach we read about the disastrous episode of the Spies. These 12 men were initially great leaders of the people, but their libelous report about the Land condemned the Nation to 40 years of wandering in the Wilderness. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Behaaloscha – Amplified Output
May 30, 2018 11:00 - 19 minutes - 11.1 MBIn a series of events at the end of this week’s parsha we gain a glimpse of how God dispensed reward and punishment. Moshe’s older sister Miriam is stricken with tzaras and thanks to an act that she did as a child, she merited that the entire nation inconvenienced themselves for her. – – – – – […]
Behaaloscha – Trouble in Paradise (Rebroadcast)
May 27, 2018 11:00 - 57 minutes - 31.8 MBAfter nearly a year encamped at Sinai, the Jews begin their journey to Canaan in Parshas Behaaloscha. With the Tabernacle completed, the Levites consecrated and readied, the road was paved for their swift entry into the Promised Land. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. – – – – – – – – – – […]
Nasso – Community and Individuality
May 24, 2018 11:00 - 19 minutes - 11.7 MBWhen detailing the gifts of the tribe leaders to celebrate the inauguration of the Tabernacle, the Torah contains what seems like a twelvefold repetition. Instead of listing the gifts once, the Torah laboriously repeats the exact same tribute 12 times, once per tribe head. In this podcast we offer an answer that gets to the heart […]
Nasso – Temporary Insanity (Rebroadcast)
May 22, 2018 05:15 - 1 hour - 35.5 MBParshas Nasso is the longest parsha in the Torah, 176 verses. It details the final preparations for when the Tabernacle is erected, the laws of Sotah and Nazir, and the detailing of the offerings of the tribal leaders. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Shavuos: A Primer
May 13, 2018 19:10 - 1 hour - 36.1 MBShavuos marks the time of the giving of the Torah and the climax of the nation building that began with the Exodus. In this podcast we offer a broad overview of the meaning of this Festival and its various themes. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Bamidbar – Stature of a Nation (Rebroadcast)
May 13, 2018 11:00 - 55 minutes - 31.1 MBThe book of Numbers begins with a national census conducted by Moshe and Aaron and the heads of the tribes, followed by informing of the encampment structure of the tribes and their flags, and tribe of Levi is counted and their tasks assigned. – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Behar & Bechukosai – Consequences of Closeness (Rebroadcast)
May 06, 2018 11:00 - 57 minutes - 28.5 MBIn the last two parshas of Leviticus we read what a nation subject to God’s dominion looks like. Our life is regulated by God – lending without interest, annulling loans, freeing slaves, returning rightfully purchased property, and ceasing to work every seventh year. We also learn what happens when Jews opt for rejecting the Almighty’s Torah. […]
Emor – Festivals of Hashem (Rebroadcast)
April 29, 2018 11:00 - 50 minutes - 28.1 MBIn Parshas Emor we learn more laws relating to the sanctity of Kohanim; we get a detailed account of the Jewish festivals; and read about the blasphemer and what happened to him. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please […]
Acharei & Kedoshim – The Love Formula
April 25, 2018 11:00 - 20 minutes - 11.1 MBIn the second of this week’s double parshas we encounter the Torah’s most famous mitzvah, and perhaps the most difficult one to fulfill. We read in Vayikra (19:18): “You shall not take revenge and you shall not bear a grudge against the members of your people; you shall love your fellow as yourself – I am […]
Acharei & Kedoshim – How to be Holy (Rebroadcast)
April 22, 2018 11:00 - 50 minutes - 28.3 MBThis week’s double parshas include perhaps the most famous verse in the Torah, “Thou shall love your fellow as yourself”, along with a bevy of mitzvos geared towards making a person holier and more similar to his Creator. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Tzaria & Metzora – A Diamond’s Blemish
April 18, 2018 11:00 - 18 minutes - 10.7 MBThese Torah portions in the middle of Leviticus seem foreign to modern ears and sentiments. In this podcast we offer a common theme for the laws of kosher, purity and impurity, and tzaraas (leprosy) that makes them more relatable and relevant. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Tazria & Metzora – Lessons in Purity and Impurity (Rebroadcast)
April 15, 2018 11:00 - 1 hour - 39.7 MBParshas Tazria and Metzora teach about various forms of purity and impurity, how they are contracted, the laws of a person who has them, and how they are remedied. In our podcast, we attempt to understand what purity and impurity mean and what practical lessons we can draw. – – – – – – – […]
Shemini – Aaron’s Stoicism
April 12, 2018 16:27 - 23 minutes - 13 MBOn the eighth day of the inauguration of the Mishkan, amid the joy and jubilation and ecstasy of having God dwell among the nation, tragedy and disaster strikes when the two sons of Aaron die suddenly. As a reward for not questioning God, Aaron is granted a Mosaic prophecy alone. How does Aaron’s stoicism fit […]
Pesach: A Primer
March 27, 2018 07:00 - 58 minutes - 32.8 MBPesach marks the foundational event of our nation’s history. The Exodus that happened on the days of Pesach is the rationale of the Jewish holidays nad festivals, including the weekly Shabbos, and is invoked in many mitzvos. In this podcast we explore the story of Pesach and discover what it says about what we stand […]
Shemini – Following Orders (Rebroadcast)
March 25, 2018 11:00 - 48 minutes - 26.1 MBAfter seven days of consecration, Aaron and his sons are promoted to being Kohanim, and after offering the sacrifices of day eight, the glory of God appears in the Tabernacle. Unfortunately, in the zenith of ecstasy, tragedy struck. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Tzav – Scaling the Rungs of Greatness (Rebroadcast)
March 18, 2018 11:00 - 50 minutes - 27.5 MBParshas Tzav continues the instructions relating to the Tabernacle and its sacrifices. We learn more details regarding some of the sacrifices mentioned earlier and also we are taught about some new sacrifices and procedures. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
How to be a Great Leader (and Spouse) – Recorded Live at the Kotel in Jerusalem
March 14, 2018 15:20 - 21 minutes - 12.7 MBIn the last portions of Exodus, the Torah details the incredible fundraising efforts to assemble the materials needed to build the Mishkan. It records that the nesi’im, the presidents of the tribes, donated the stones for the Kohein Gadol’s Choshen and Ephod, Breastplate and apron-like garment. Rashi notes that the Torah is also conveying a veiled criticism about these people […]
Vayikra – Sacrificial Repentance (Rebroadcast)
March 11, 2018 11:00 - 53 minutes - 27.6 MBThe Book of Leviticus begins with Parshas Vayikra. In this section we learn about the processes and procedures of many different varieties of sacrifices. What is the reason for sacrifices? Who benefits when a person takes an animal and slaughters it to God? – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Vayakhel & Pekudei – Blundering to Greatness
March 07, 2018 11:00 - 17 minutes - 9.93 MBIn this week’s double parsha we observe something unusual. Unlike its tendency to be concise and succinct and mince words, the Torah finds it necessary to exhaustively detail the implementation of the building of the Mishkan when a few shorts verses would suffice. In this podcast we propose an answer. – – – – – […]
Vayakhel & Pekudei – Rectifying the Golden Calf (Rebroadcast)
March 04, 2018 11:00 - 57 minutes - 27.9 MBParshiyos Vayakhel and Pekudei retell the implementation of the instructions to build the Tabernacle, its vessels and the vestments of the Kohen Gadol given in the Parshiyos of Terumah and Tetzaveh. Why is it necessary to belabor all the details once again? – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Purim – A Mitzvah to get Drunk
February 28, 2018 11:00 - 13 minutes - 7.59 MBBesides the four mitzvos of the day, the Talmud states that a person has to get drunk on Purim “until he does not know the difference between Haman is cursed and Mordechai is blessed”. What is the meaning behind this bizarre practice? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Ki Sisa – Tragedy at Sinai (Rebroadcast)
February 25, 2018 11:00 - 1 hour - 31.7 MBParshas Ki Sisa wraps up the instructions regarding the Tabernacle, and then tells the story of perhaps the most shocking and troubling episode in the whole Torah – the Golden Calf episode. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider […]
Purim – Love-Inducing Miracles
February 22, 2018 23:44 - 13 minutes - 7.9 MBThe Talmud (Shabbos 88a) teaches that in the aftermath of the Purim miracles the Jewish people re-accepted the Torah out of love. What was so special about the miracles of Purim that fostered this profound love and what lessons can we learn from it? – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Tetzaveh – Holy Vestaments (Rebroadcast)
February 18, 2018 11:00 - 38 minutes - 21 MBIn Parshas Tetzaveh the Torah outlines the various garments needed for the Kohein Gadol, the instruction to raise the funds for the oil for the Menorah, and the incense Altar. What are some practical lessons we can draw from these special clothes? – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]