The Mitzvah Podcast

Shiurim

• Priestly Garments (#99-101)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Visiting the Temple was an experience of a lifetime. The vessels, the holiness, the songs of the Levites, the sacrifices that atone and cleanse, and the priests – direct descendants of Aaron – bedecked in all their resplendent glory. These

• Impure Sacrifices (#145-6, 167) + TORCH Fundraiser

  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

• Mocking Idolatry (#86)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  There are many mitzvos in the Torah around idolatry, 51 according to Rambam’s delineation. This mitzvah tells that we may not utter the names of idols, not in an oath and not reverentially, nor may we cause others to do so. Instead, we are

• Half-Shekel (#105)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In Temple times, every military-age male Jew was required to contribute a half shekel coin to the Temple coffers each year. These donations would fund the yearly supply of communal sacrifices and other related expenses in the Temple. The an

• Mincha Offering (#116)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The second category of sacrifices featured in Leviticus is actually not one that deals with animal sacrifice. Meal offerings are brought from flour and oil. Not including meal offerings that accompanied animal sacrifices, there are 12 diffe

• First Fruits (#91, 606)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  When the Temple was extant, there were many more mitzvos that were applicable above what we can do today. One of these mitzvos is the requirement to bring the first fruits to Jerusalem and to give it to the Kohen. The procedure of this mitz

• Not believing in foreign gods (#26)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The second of the Ten Commandments is really four distinct mitzvos related to idolatry. The first one is a prohibition against believing in foreign gods, a miztvah upon which all of Torah hinges. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Bird Sin Sacrifice (#124)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The bird sin sacrifice, brought by a person who cannot afford to bring a more expensive sacrifice, is processed and slaughtered in an unusual fashion. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcas

• Consuming Blood (#148)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Most of us are not tempted to taste blood. We find it repugnant and revolting. Nevertheless, in seven different verses, the Torah bans the consumption of blood. We must look elsewhere for our protein and iron. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Belief in God (#25)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The first of the Ten Commandments instructs us to believe in God who extracted us from the land of Egypt. Though some commentators argue that faith is a prerequisite for mitzvos and therefore cannot be included in the tally, there are still

• Kosher Animals and Their Derivatives (154, 156-7, 471)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Eating certain animals are harmful for your body and for your soul. It is wise to obey the Torah’s guidance. You are what you eat – make sure you eat good to be good. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: Please consi

• Truthful Testimony (#37, 122, 589)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The bedrock of any flourishing society is a functioning judicial system, and a judicial system can only operate when witnesses come forth and offer impartial, truthful testimony. The Torah contains 8 mitzvos that relate to testimony, and in

• Procreation (#1)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The first mitzvah in the Torah is found in Genesis 1:28: “And God said to them: Be fruitful and Multiply.” What are the parameters of procreation? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast

• Canaanite Policy (#93-4, 425, 528)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Our nation has some enemies. The arch foe of our people are the Amalekites. That nation is hellbent upon our destruction. The ancient Canaanites were cut from the same cloth. These barbarous, idolatrous nations spelled an existential threat

• Not Taking God’s Name in Vain or Falsely (#30, 227)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The Third of the Ten Commandments is the prohibition against taking God’s Name in vain. What is wrong with swearing needlessly and why is it considered such a severe sin? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Mitzvah Podcast is s

• Marital Rights and Responsibilities (#46)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  A healthy and harmonious marriage cannot be sustained by love alone. The Torah teaches the responsibilities and obligations of a husband that constitute the framework in which their relationship can flourish. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Against Adultery (#35, 188)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Our society has trivialized adultery. In ancient times it was an absolute no-no even in societies that did not abide by other mitzvos; but in modern times it is tolerated and condoned. The Torah has a very strict prohibition against adulter

• Olah Sacrifice (#115)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Sacrifices constitute and important part of Jewish life and practice. Absent the Temple, we cannot offer sacrifices, but we can study them. In this episode we look at the Olah (Elevation) sacrifice. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Retelling the Exodus Story (#21)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  During the Passover Seder, Jewish families worldwide gather together to fulfill the mitzvah of retelling the story of the Exodus. Do you know any other 3,000+ year old story that has been so faithfully maintained and widely retold? – – – –

• The Jewish Slave (#42, 344-346)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The concept of slavery is – for very good reasons – unpalatable to modern sensibilities. Yet the Torah seems to condone slavery, or servitude, to some extent. What is the nature of slavery as outlined in the Torah and what are some of its l

• Three Post-Sinai Laws (#39, 40, 41)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Immediately after the Sinai Revelation, the Torah commands three, seemingly distinct, mitzvos: Not to make statues even if their sole function is to beautify; Not to use metal implements to hew the stones of the Altar; Not to ascend the Alt

• Damages (#49, 51-53, 55, 56)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Every functioning society must have property rights and justice. People cannot be allowed to damage and injure each other with impunity. In this podcasts we share an overview of the various Torah mitzvos relating to damages, both personal a

• Sanctification of Firstborn Animals (#18, 22-23, 393, 445)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  In the aftermath of the final plague of the Exodus, the Death of the Firsborn, holiness was conveyed on all firstborns, both human and animal. The five mitzvos in this podcast outline what you must do with (some of) your firstborn animals.

• Piggul (#144)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Our thoughts matter. This is especially true when it comes to sacrifices. The thoughts of those who are processing the sacrifices must be aligned with the protocols of the sacrifices. Or else, they are rejected – they are Piggul. – – – – –

• Loan Servicing (#67-8, 343, 476, 572-3)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Loaning money to others in their time of need is one of the greatest mitzvos. But how do you properly service those loans? The Torah outlines some very surprising rules for how we must treat our debtors. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Disqualified Witnesses (#75)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  To serve as a witness in a Jewish court of law is no simple matter. Our Sages detail ten different people who are disqualified from offering testimony. In this mitzvah we scour that long list and learn about what it takes to testify in a Je

• Idolatrous Wine (#111)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Of the many laws related to idolatry is a law governing wine and other items used for idolatrous practices. Said items to not be consumed. The Sages extend this prohibition in manifold ways. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This

• Not Enticing Idolatry (#87, 457-62)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The worst criminal in the Jewish system of courts is someone who tries to entice others to worship idolatry. Our sages tell us that such a crime is worse than murder. The way such a criminals treated is different than any other criminal Tor

• Glatt Kosher (#73, 472)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  When you compare identical cuts of kosher and non-kosher meat at the supermarket, the only discernable difference is the price. Kosher meat is much pricier, often 5-10 more expensive than it’s non-kosher counterparts. Why is kosher meat so

• TORCH Fundraiser: A Conversation with our Board President, Dan Kullman

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

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

• Incense (#103-4,110)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The most satisfying aroma ever experienced in the history of humanity was the product of the incense offered in the Temple twice every day. A concoction of 11 different spices, mixed with precise proportions and with an irreplicable formula

• Fire On the Altar (#132-3)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Steady fires were always present atop the Altar. At all times, even when sacrifices were not being processed in the Tabernacle and the Temple, a steady fire was maintained on the Altar. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Pl

• Thanks a Million!

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  Of all the episodes that I have recorded over the years, this will be perhaps the most unique one. For one, it will be released simultaneously on all 6 channels that I am fortunate enough to host: The Parsha Podcast, The Jewish History Podc

• Building a Temple (#95)

  Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

  The epicenter of Jewish life is the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. In the Temple, the presence of God was palpable and undeniable. Ever since the Sinai Revelation, our nation has had a Mitzvah to build a temple to God in our midst. Even today, w