The Mitzvah Podcast

Shiurim

• Pesach Offering (#5-8, 13-17, 89-90, 486-487)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Pesach offering is one of the most important mitzvos in the Torah, and there are many details of the procedure that are enumerated as standalone mitzvos. This podcast will cover 13 different mitzvos that relate to this sacrifice. – – –

• Limits to Shabbos Strolls (#24)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  This mitzvah is arguably the least known one that we have hitherto encountered. In the Book of Exodus we read how we mustn’t depart too far from our home base on Shabbos. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consi

• Conjecture in Court (#82)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  A court is tasked with verifying the validity of the claims of the witnesses and rendering a ruling. What kinds of testimony are admissible in court? What are the extrajudicial carveouts for the defendants who are clearly guilty but get off

• Ashes of the Altar (#131)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The first activity performed in the Temple each day was the removal of the ashes from the previous day’s sacrifices. Before today’s sacrificial schedule can commence, the Altar must be cleared from the ashes of yesterday’s sacrifices. – – –

• Sorcery (#62, 511)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Torah commands us to not keep sorcerers alive. Sorcery is prohibited on pain of death. What exactly is sorcery and why is it banned? Please email me at rabbiwolbe@gmail.com with any questions or comments TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover

• Thou Shall Not Covet (#38, 416)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The last of the Ten Commandments makes a big – and on the surface quite infeasible – demand that we don’t desire or covet the nice things that belong to others. How can we reasonably fulfill that and what is the underlying lesson? – – – – –

• Salt in Sacrifices (#118-9)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  One of the many processes and rituals done with sacrifices in the Temple is the mandatory salting of all sacrifices. Both animal sacrifices and meal offerings must be salted before brought upon the altar. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Kosher Signs (#153, 155, 158, 470)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Some animals, birds, grasshoppers, and fish are kosher, some are not kosher. How do we know which animals are kosher and which are not? For that we have signs. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: Please consider sup

• Sensitivity to Converts (#63-4, 431)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Is Judaism a religion or a nation? That is a tricky question to answer because the correct answer is a bit of both. We are a nation and therefore if your pedigree is Jewish you are Jewish whether you like it or not. You can be baptized 100

• Uncertain Guilt Offerings (#128)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  This sacrifice is offered when someone is uncertain if they violated a sin or not. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educati

• Shemittah (#84, 112, 326-9)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Torah tells us that the land must lay fallow every 7th year. For an entire year, all the farmers in Israel must cease operations. Moreover, they must relinquish ownership on the land. Just as Shabbos on a weekly schedule, the Shemittah

• Misappropriation of the Sacred (#127, 447)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Misappropriating Temple property is a very bad idea. The sacrifices, the animals, the vessels, the property, the money used for update and maintenance – all items that are included in the temple coffers cannot be misused. – – – – – – – – –

• Special: An Interview About My New Book, Upon A Ten-Stringed Harp

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In conjunction with our annual fundraiser this week at giveTORCH.org (every donation is tripled), we are releasing a special interview conducted by the TORCH Board President, Dan Kullman, about my new book, Upon A Ten-Stringed Harp. Please

• Holy Matrimony and Unholy Dalliances (#61, 552, 557-8, 570)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Marriage is the centerpiece of the Jewish family. But what happens when people want to take shortcuts, and fulfill their carnal desires without the hassle of marriage? Please email me at rabbiwolbe@gmail.com with any questions or comments T

• Circumcision (#2)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In Genesis Chapter 17 we read about the second mitzvah in the Torah, and the first one commanded to our forefather, Abraham, is to circumcise all Jewish males. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsor

• Loaning the Needy (#66)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Even greater than the mitzvah of giving charity, of helping the needy by giving them a handout, is the mitzvah of loaning them money in their time of financial despair. Although charity may solve a pauper’s problem, a timely loan may preven

• The Showbreads (#97)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Three vessels resided in the Tabernacle’s/Temple’s Sanctuary: The Menorah, the Golden Alter, and the Table. The top of the table were two stacks of showbreads, six breads on either stack for a total of 12. These breads were ever present ato

• Anointment Oil (#107-9)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Before the inauguration of the Tabernacle, Moshe was told to concoct a special anointment oil to be used for the anointment of Aaron and his priest sons and for all the Temple components, vessels, and accoutrements. – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Majority Rules (#76, 78)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  We have a Heavenly Torah, but it is up to us fallible humans to adjudicate it. What do we do when there is uncertainty? How do we resolve doubts? The Torah provides us with several tools at our disposal for us to do just that. In this podca

• Tri-Annual Pilgrimages (#88, 488-90)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  When our nation was fortunate enough to have a Temple, the highlight of the year was the tri-annual pilgrimage to the Temple on the Three Festivals. Throngs of Jews from every corner of the globe would stream to Jerusalem to celebrate and g

• Tithes (#72, 395, 473-4, 507) + TORCH Fundraiser

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

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

• Not to Kidnap (#36)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In two separate instances the Torah warns us against stealing. With the understanding that the Torah contains no redundancies, the Talmud explains that one refers to stealing money or possessions, and the other refers to stealing people, i.

• Poles of the Ark (#96)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Ark was the most iconic of the vessels of the Temple. Housed in the Holy of Holies, visited only once a year by the High Priest on Yom Kippur, the Ark represents the epicenter of holiness of our people. A series of nested boxes containi

• Monetary Disputes (#57-60, 336)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  One of the pillars of a functioning society is a fair judiciary that respects private property and adjudicates monetary disputes fairly. The Torah delineates four types of custodians with differing laws governing each of them. In this podca

• Thou Shall not Murder (#34)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Torah dedicates a grand total of two words to the prohibition of not murdering. Seems straightforward. Cut and dried. Yet the Talmud contains voluminous content regarding this mitzvah. What are the various types of murder, what are some

• The Female Jewish Slave (#43-45)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Torah allows a father to sell his minor daughter as a servant, and the new master can opt to marry her or wed her to his son, but he cannot restrict her from redeeming herself prior to the conclusion of her term and he cannot sell her t

• Washing Extremities (#106)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Before the priests walked into the Temple Sanctuary and before they performed any holy service, they were required to wash their hands and feet, typically from the copper Laver that was situated between the outer Altar and the entrance to t

• Impurity and Unfathomable Mitzvos (#159)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Not all mitzvos made sense to us. When it comes to the sprawling laws of purity and impurity, we are basically clueless. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donati

• Refraining from Work on Shabbos (#32, 85, 114)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Torah warns us no less than twelve times not to work on Shabbos. What constitutes work and why are its laws so comprehensive and draconian? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by

• Kohanic Offering Consumption (#102, 134)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Sacrifices are a great mystery to us. We have never seen the Temple in action and we have never witnessed a sacrifice being processed. Yet sacrifices and their myriad laws comprise a large portion of Torah law. This Mitzvah orients around t

• Leaven and Honey in Offerings (#117)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Meal offerings brought in the Temple must not include – with some exceptions – leaven or honey. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Mitzvah Podcast is sponsored by my dear friend and study partner Shaya Gamzon in honor of Rabbi

• Heralding the Shabbos (#31)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Shabbos is a mitzvah that is equal to all 613 mitzvos combined. It is a the fountain of blessing; the epicenter of the week; it is vitally important for the Jewish soul. Therefore we are commanded to remember it and acknowledge it in attent

• Introduction to The Mitzvah Podcast

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The greatest gifts that the Almighty gave the Jewish People are the 613 mitzvos (commandments of the Torah). In The Mitzvah Podcast we will survey these 613 mitzvos in the order in which they appear in the Torah, and for each outline the ba

• Not to Curse (#69, 71, 231)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Speech is the quintessential human ability. The ability to converse verbally is man’s superpower. In these three mitzvos we are told how man can negatively affect other people with words. This podcast also contains a mind-blowing interpreta

• Milk and Meat (#92, 113) & TORCH Fundraiser (giveTORCH.org)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

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

• Variable Sin Sacrifice (#123)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Most sacrifices follow a designated protocol which remains unchanged irrespective of the financial wherewithal of the person bringing the sacrifice. This mitzvah is the exception. There are some sins regarding whom the sacrifice brought ato

• Forbidden Fats (#147) + Annual Fundraising Drive

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  TORCH Fundraiser — support the Mitzvah Podcast Our organization, TORCH, does only one fundraiser a year, and that is happening right now at giveTORCH.org . This is a matching campaign and every donation will be DOUBLED. Please support the M

• Equitable Judgment (#74)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The most critical characteristic of a judge is impartiality. A judge who favors one of the litigants is disqualified to judge. This mitzvah shows us the extent that a judge go to avoid biases. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Spo

• Justice for All (#79, 233-5)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  A judge adjudicating matters of Torah law is God’s representative. When a judge renders a ruling, they must be very certain that they are faithfully representing God in the matter. This podcast discusses four distinct mitzvos regarding the

• Theft (#54, 130, 224, 228-9, 522)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Torah has different laws governing surreptitious theft of money, done in a stealth fashion that the owner is unaware of and brazen, flagrant robbery. What are the differences and why is there that distinction? TORCH Shabbat Light Switch

• Bribes and Palm-Greasing (#83)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Judgment is the ultimate partnership between us and God. Litigants who come to a Jewish court are coming to hear the will of the Almighty on the case. Consequently, the judges have to be very meticulous in being impartial and neutral in jud

• Against Consumption of Sciatica (#3)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  After an unusual nocturnal confrontation between Jacob and an angel, the Torah relays the third commandment and the final one of Genesis limiting the parts of animals that can be eaten. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorshi

• Sin Sacrifices (#120-1)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  There are many different types of sacrifices featured in Temple-era Jewish life. A communal or an individual sin sacrifice is the subject of this Mitzvah. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please consider supporting the po

• Aiding Animals (#80, 540-1)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The mitzvah covered in this podcast episode is one of the most interesting and wide-ranging ones that we have yet covered. In this podcast we discover an astounding teaching in the Talmud regarding what the fundamental end that Torah and Mi

• Sensitivity to Widows and Orphans (#65, 591)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Almighty is described in Scripture as the “Father of orphans and Judge of widows.” In His Torah, he instructs us to not oppress widows and orphans. The consequences: If you oppress them, He pledges to make your wives widows and your chi

• We Have Been Blessed With a Baby Boy

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  With deep appreciation to the Almighty for all the goodness that He has bestowed upon us, I’m happy to share that my wife, Chaya, and I were blessed with a beautiful baby boy on Monday, March 14. Thank God, both Mom and baby are doing fabul

• Not making, bowing, or worshipping foreign gods (#27-29)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Beyond believing in idols, the Ten Commandments instruct us to not construct, prostrate, or worship any idols. When we examine some of the pagan idols of yore we find out just how kooky and outlandish some of their practices were. – – – – –

• Meal Offerings Of/For the Kohein (#134-7)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Meal offerings are a central part of the daily Temple offerings. These Mitzvos cover the Kohanim’s relationship with meal offerings. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a don

• Priestly Decorum (#149-152)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  priests are held to a higher standard. Clergymen are not like everyone else. Especially while working in the Temple/ Tabernacle. They must be on a much more elevated and dignified plane. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to

• Matzah and Leavened Bread on Pesach (#9, 11-12, 19, 20, 485)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  For the duration of Pesach (Passover) Jews are commanded to eat matzah and to refrain from Chometz (Leavened Bread). This episode is extra crunchy! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcas

• Oil and Frankincense in a Sinner’s Meal Offering (#125-6)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  A sinner’s meal offering is a bit different from a typical meal offering: Oil and Frankincense, integral ingredients in most meal offerings, are omitted. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please consider supporting the pod

• Processing Sacrifices Protocols (#138-141)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  There are many different types of sacrifices brought in the temple. Each sacrifice follows the prescribed protocol. There is zero tolerance for deviation from the protocol. In this podcast, we learn about the requirement for the priests to

• Kindling the Menorah (#98)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Menorah is the vessel of the Temple that we are most familiar with. The seven-branched candelabra, engraved with intricate embellishments, was lit each night in the Temple. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please

• Judicial Proceedings (#77)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In a Jewish court of law, capital crime cases are distinct from civil or monetary ones. In this Mitzvah we outlines some of the hurdles facing the court seeking a capital crime conviction. It turns out that although there are many commandme

• Judging A Crook By It’s Cover (#81)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Imagine you are a judge and two litigants come before you for justice. One of the people is a righteous, pious, trustworthy person. The other one is a crook. How must you navigate such a situation and what does it reveal to us about the rol

• Capital Punishment (#47, 50, 261, 555)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Torah requires that the most severe sinners are executed in a Jewish court of law, provided that the draconian technicalities governing capital punishment are met. What are the four different methods of execution and what are some of th

• Definite Guilt Offering (#129)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Unlike the previous mitzvah that required a sacrifice for an uncertain violation, in this mitzvah, we learn about a guilt offering for someone who definitely violated a transgression. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Plea

• Sacrifice Leftovers (#142-3, 382, 486)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  There is not an indefinite amount of time to consume a sacrifice. Each sacrifice has its specific protocol and time frame in which it must be eaten. What happens with the leftovers? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORC

• Honoring Parents (#33, 48, 212, 260)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  There are no people to whom we owe a greater debt of gratitude than our parents. If not for them we would not exist. They tended to us as children; fed us; drove soccer practice – they raised us into becoming the person we are. Even if a pe

• Maintaining a Calendar (#4)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The first mitzvah of the Book of Exodus and the first one commanded to us as a nation is the requirement to maintain a calendar consisting of lunar months and solar years. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please cons