The Parsha Podcast

Shiurim

• Vayeitzei – Cornerstones of the Nation

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Throughout the parsha, there are many references to a stone or stones. Jacob surrounds himself with stones for protection; he pours oil on a stones; he consecrates a stone for the Temple; a large stone is covering a well, and Jacob removes

• Beshalach – Exhilarating Exodus (Rebroadcast)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Parshas Beshalach begins with the Exodus from Egypt. This begins a spiritual transition for the Jewish people. For the duration of the 40 years in the wilderness, the Jews are going to be eating heavenly manna and drinking water from a rock

• Vayeilech – Career Capstone (5782)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  On the last day of Moshe’s life, he accomplished a lot. He wrote 13 copies of the Torah, one per tribe and one to be permanently stationed in or near the Ark, he spoke words of comfort to the people, and he formally passed the baton of lead

• Parshas Acharei & Kedoshim (Rebroadcast)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  This week’s double-parsha contains a smorgasbord of mitzvos. The three chapters of Parshas Acharei cover three general categories. First we read about the Yom Kippur sacrifices and procedures; then we learn about the prohibitions against th

• Shelach – Rogue Ten

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The consequences of sending 12 spies to scout out the Land for 40 days were catastrophic. 10 of the 12 spies returned with a slanderous report about the Land. The Nation was on the precipice of conquering the land, and this report deflated

• Toldos – Bad Influences

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Rebecca was surrounded by bad influences. Her father, brother and community were all sinners. How did she manage to not learn from their ways and what can we learn from this? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider spons

• Lech Lecha – A Lot of Testing (5783)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Abraham was the most consequential human in all of history. He began the process of fixing the world and humanity. Amid a cesspool of idolatry, Abraham emerged as a beacon of faith. When the entire world had forgotten about its Creator, Abr

• Bereishis – You are Adam (5781)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  As we begin year 7 of the Parsha Podcast, we are excited and overjoyed to share the plan for this year, with the help of the Almighty: each Sunday, we will release the rebroadcast episode that covers the entire Parsha in about an hour. On T

• Parshas Shemos

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Book of Exodus begins with the Egyptians cunningly enslaving their Hebrew subjects: mandating that they work in backbreaking labor, killing their male sons, and trying to stamp out their spirit and curb their population. But God heard t

• Lech Lecha – Go West, Young Man

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Abraham is the Torah’s first protagonist. The entirety of this parsha and the subsequent one are following the forefather of our nation. Why does the Torah spend so much time telling the story of this ancient figure? In this life-changing e

• Parshas Nitzavim & Vayeilech (Rebroadcast)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  On the final day of Moshe’s life, he gathered the entire nation – men, women, children, and according to the Talmud, all souls of future Jews – to pass them through a final covenant with God. The parsha also contains the prophetic predictio

• Bechukosai – Self-Assembly Kit

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Why was our soul sent to this world? What was lacking for it in Heaven? That is not an easy question to answer. There are other hard questions to ponder: why are we so obsessed with Torah? How is Torah beneficial for mankind? In this superb

• Toldos – Smoking Camels (5784)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Two very different boys are born in this week’s Parsha. Esau, the older one, is ruddy and hairy and looking for trouble. Jacob, the younger one, is wholesome and righteous. The beginning of our Parsha describe the unusual events surrounding

• Parshas Devarim (Rebroadcast)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  5 weeks before his passing, Moses gives a three-parsha-long speech to the nation, which constitutes his last will and testament. He begins with a retrospective of the history of the nation over the past 40 years since the Exodus – subtly re

• Shemos – True Kinship

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In this special edition of the Parsha Podcast, we read through Ramban’s introduction to the Book of Exodus, and we examine the special fraternal relationship of Moses and Aaron by contrasting it with the relationships of siblings in Genesis

• Behaaloscha – Honeymoon Phases

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  After nearly a year at Sinai, the nation is on the move: in perfect formation, each tribe perfectly positioned and oriented, the nation finally departed the site of the Sinai Revelation. Following the cloud, the nation traveled. In this ver

• Korach – How to Have Strife-Free Arguments

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Korach 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 argu

• Yisro – A Kingdom of Priests and A Holy Nation (Rebroadcast)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Parshas Yisro is a tale of two stories: The first is the episode of Yisro the father in law of Moshe. He abandons his post as the priest of Midian to join the people and provide valuable insight to the judicial process. The latter half of t

• Shelach – Despising Limitations

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The nation was on the cusp of entering the Land. After about a year at Sinai, the nation was ready to conquer Canaan. The invasion and war of conquest was imminent. Then catastrophe struck. Moshe sent 12 spies to reconnoiter the Land and re

• Parshas Va’Eschanan

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  This week’s parsha continues Moshe’s monologue to the nation in the weeks preceding his passing. He begins by recounting his repeated efforts in trying to convince God to rescind His decree that Moshe not enter the Land; Moshe then begins t

• Vayikra – Infectious Spirituality

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  With the help of the Almighty, we begin a new Book, the Book of Leviticus, Sefer Vayikra. In this special edition of the Parsha Podcast, we read the Ramban’s introduction to the Book, and also analyze a very interesting subject contained wi

• Reeh – Making Dough

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Parsha ends with a delineation of the festivals. When discussing Passover, the verse notes that for 7 days we eat matzah because we left Egypt within great haste. The Exodus was so rapid and frantic, that the dough that we had been prep

• Vezos Habracha – Antidotes to Mediocrity (5781)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In the Torah’s final Parsha, and indeed, in its final words, we say goodbye to the greatest human to have ever lived. With the passing of Moshe, the Torah ends, and on Simchas Torah- the day that we finish the yearly Torah cycle – we roll t

• Vayeira – The Struggle Is Real (5783)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  How do we respond when we are faced with challenges? What are we supposed to think when the path before us seems unsteady and laden with dangers? Our Parsha contains some of the most memorable and iconic stories of the whole Torah. It begin

• Terumah – Etched in Stone (5783)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Of the various materials needed for the construction of the Tabernacle were Shoham and Miluim stones. These stones were inlaid into the brackets in the Kohein Gadol’s Choshen (decorative breastplate containing twelve precious stones) and Ep

• Chukas – Between a Rock and a Wet Place (5782)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Parshas Chukas contains some of the most interesting and iconic sections of the Torah. It begins with the mysterious red cow, a blush bovine whose burnt ashes are part of the cleansing cocktail needed to purify the impure. Afterwards, we re

• Korach – A Cousin’s Rebellion

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Korach 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 im

• Beshalach – Songworthy Sequels

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Exodus marked the severing of the Jewish people from their former masters, the Egyptians. With plagues and miracles, the Almighty extracted the Israelites from bondage. That all happened in last week’s Parsha. You would expect that our

• When God Positions Man: A Yahrzeit Tribute to Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  This Pesach marks the 17th yahrzeit of my grandfather, Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe. Because this week is Pesach and does not feature a new Parsha, I recorded a special tribute to my grandfather of righteous memory. May we all be inspired to emulate

• Terumah – Cherub-Picking (5784)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Tabernacle was a portable Temple in which the presence of God dwelled. Our Parsha begins with the fundraising effort to be conducted in the Wilderness where the nation was asked to donate the required materials for the construction of t

• Parshas Bechukosai

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In two chapters in the Torah (Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28) we read about the positive consequences of obeying the Torah and heeding its laws; and the terrible, painful consequences of disobeying the Law. Though reading this week’s Torah po

• Terumah – The Mystery of the Menorah (5782)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  This week’s Parsha marks the beginning of the Torah’s detailing of the Tabernacle and its vessels and operations. This subject makes up the bulk of the remaining narrative of Exodus, and Leviticus contains much of the laws related to the Ta

• Bamidbar – Autopsy of Giants (5782)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Our Parsha recounts – for the third time hitherto in the Torah – the episode of the untimely death of Aaron’s two eldest sons, Nadav and Avihu. These two young priests were destined for greatness. Moshe believed that they were in fact great

• Parshas Emor (Rebroadcast)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Parshas Emor contains a staggering 56 mitzvos, nearly all of them relating to either to the Kohanim, the priests, or to the Festivals, and the parsha ends with a very unusual episode that happened at Sinai. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Vaeira – The Endurance Expedition

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  As the tag team representing God in the Exodus, Moshe and Aaron pull off some incredible miracles and feats in this week’s Parsha. When they are formally introduced and their pedigree is laid out, a very interesting praise is bestowed upon

• Vayeira – Sodium and Gomorrah

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Abraham was the paragon of faith. He was also the paragon of kindness and hospitality. When he was 99 years old and only three days removed from a very painful and debilitating circumcision surgery, Abraham launched into a frenzied act of s

• Acharei Mos – A Consequential Life (5782)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The verse in our Parsha makes a big promise: if you adhere to the Mitzvos and statutes and laws of the Torah you will be granted life. Life is what we all so deeply covet. Torah and Mitzvos are the ways to get it. But it doesn’t seem to bea

• Ki Sisa – Counting and Duking the Nation & Annual Fundraiser (giveTORCH.org)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Please support The Parsha Podcast and the annual TORCH fundraiser at giveTORCH.org Every donation will be TRIPLED Show your support for TORCH and the Parsha Podcast and donate to the annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org – – – – – – – – – – –

• Lech Lecha – Three and a Half Men

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Our nation has three forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and four foremothers, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah. The Book of Genesis principally orients around these people. The the narratives of a Adam and Noah are but pitstops along t

• Chukas – Blissful Ignorance

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The 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? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Vayakhel Pekudei – On Giants’ Shoulders feat. Akiva Wolbe (5781)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Bezalel was the architect of the most consequential building project of all time. He was tasked with the responsibility of building the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, the dwelling place for God on this earth. What special skills did Bezalel have

• Haazinu – Trees with 70 Branches

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Parshas Hazinu is one of the most fascinating, poetic, and richly profound Parshas in the Torah. It is also arguably the most mysterious one. The majority of the Parsha is the Song of Haazinu, an intricate tapestry of prophecies that encaps

• Eikev – Count Your Blessings

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  One 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 powe

• Mikeitz – From Prisoner to Viceroy (Rebroadcast)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Parshas Mikeitz tells the dramatic transformation of Joseph from lowly prisoner to exalted viceroy of Egypt, his oversight of Egyptian preparation for famine and how he related to his brothers who sought grain. The topics discussed in this

• Parshas Vayikra (Rebroadcast)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In Parshas Vayikra, the first Torah section in The Book of Leviticus, we learn about the processes and procedures of many different varieties of sacrifices: There are three different types of elevation offerings; three types of peace-offeri

• Parshas Ki Sisa (Rebroadcast) + Annual TORCH Fundraiser

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Please support The Parsha Podcast and the annual TORCH fundraiser at giveTORCH.org Every donation will be TRIPLED Show your support for TORCH and the Parsha Podcast and donate to the annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org – – – – – – – – – – –

• Toldos – Abraham’s Torah (5782)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Was Abraham the first Jew? Did Abraham observe the laws of the Torah? The Torah dedicates a huge amount of attention to Abraham and his family. The laws of Torah were conveyed at Sinai to Moshe, Abraham’s great-great-great-grandson. How muc

• Chukas & Balak – Methods of Transformation

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In the first of this week’s double parsha, we read about the death of two giants: Miriam and Aaron, Moshe’s older sister and brother, pass away. Our sages tell us that the death of the righteous serves as an atonement in a way similar to sa

• The Secret of Parshas Shekalim With Rabbi Shmuly Botnick

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Please support the annual TORCH fundraiser at giveTORCH.org Every donation is DOUBLED. Our organization, TORCH, runs one annual fundraiser, and it is happening right now at giveTORCH.org . We need your support – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Parshas Shoftim

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  This week we learn the laws governing all kinds of leaders: The parsha begins by detailing the laws of judges, the jurisdiction of the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court, and what happens to rebellious judges; we read about the unique laws relate

• Vayigash – Definition of Life (5783)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Jacob relocates in our Parsha. Leaving Canaan once again, Jacob gathers his family and the possessions that he had acquired in Canaan and descends to Egypt to reunite with Joseph. In this Parsha Podcast we discover an unusual curiosity abou

• Noach – The Flood and The Fish

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Please take the short one-question Parsha Podcast Survey https://forms.gle/LkCDUJhCYCnnYasS6 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – The Flood was a disaster for all the Earth’s inhabitants, humans and animals alike. With the exception

• Va’Eschanan – Preparing the Nation

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Parshas 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

• Mattos & Masei – Promised Land Pending (Rebroadcast)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The 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 R

• Parshas Shoftim (Rebroadcast)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  This week we learn the laws governing all kinds of leaders: The parsha begins by detailing the laws of judges, the jurisdiction of the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court, and what happens to rebellious judges; we read about the unique laws relate

• Eikev – Hidden Mechanisms

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Several themes seem to be repeating themselves again and again throughout the Book of Devarim. For example, the nation is repeatedly encouraged to not be fearful of the formidable Canaanite Nations waiting for them on the other side of the

• Haazinu – Injustice In Justice

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The high holidays are days of judgment. On Rosh Hashanah, every single person stands before God in judgment and their verdict is written, but left unsealed until the great and awesome day of Yom Kippur, when it is finalized and sealed. We t

• Parshas Vayechi (Rebroadcast)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Parshas Vayechi is the final portion of the Book of Genesis. Jacob is about to die and he tends to his affairs: He assures that he will not be buried in Egypt and will instead be interred in the Cave of Machpelah, he blesses Joseph and his

• Ki Sisa – Aaron’s Calculus (5783)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The most calamitous, catastrophic, disastrous event in Jewish history – and arguably the most devastating event in all of human history – happens in our Parsha. A mere 40 days after the exultant, euphoric, transcendental Revelation at Sinai

• Vayeira – Exodus From Sodom

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  For the third time in the Torah, we read about destruction. Previously, the Flood destroyed the world save Noah and family, and the Dispersal ended the universal civilization, and in our parsha we read about the overturning of Sodom and Gom