Shows / The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
The 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…
Episodes
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Toldos – Intrauterine Cosmic Struggle (Rebroadcast)
Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode: Praying As Response to Infertility –…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Chayei Sarah – The Best Kind of Kindness
In Parshas Chayei Sarah, Eliezer devises a test to determine the suitability of a prospective spouse for Isaac that teaches us about marital compatibility and…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Chayei Sarah – Unselfish Spouses (Rebroadcast)
Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode: The Death, Bereavment and Burial of…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Vayeira – Finishing the Job
The most difficult test of Abraham’s Ten Tests was the commandment to sacrifice Isaac for God. Rashi comments that had Abraham failed in his test, the other…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Vayeira – Reconciling Kindness and Child-Sacrifice (Rebroadcast)
Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode: Kindness Superseding Prophecy –…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Lech Lecha – The Essence of Bris Milah (Circumcision)
The mitzvah of Bris Milah (circumcision) is unique of several fronts. It is the first mitzvah given to Abraham and the first done to a Jewish child; it is the…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Lech Lecha – (Rebroadcast + New Podcast: Eternal Ethics)
Begining this week, we will, God-willing, upload two weekly Parsha Podcast episodes, the one orginally recorded last year on the whole Parsha and a shorter…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Noach – Lessons from an Enigma
For last year’s podcast on Parshas Noach click HERE. In this podcast we draw three lessons from the Torah’s chracter assesments of Noah. – – – – – – – – – – –…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Bereishis – Adam and the Fruit Fly
Welcome to Year 2 of the Parsha Podcast. This year’s cycle will differ from last year’s in that we will only pick an angle or an idea from the parsha but will…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Vezos HaBracha – A Torah Retrospect (Speech at Celebration of Completion of the Torah)
Over the past year we have studied the entire Torah, the five books of Moshe. In this podcast, we try to identify the underlying theme that strings throughout…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Maximizing Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is associated with prayer and liturgy that we may not understand, very long services and, of course, fasting. Unfortunately, most people are unaware…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
The Core Theme of Rosh Hashana
Rosh Hashana is the anniversary of the creation of man. It is also the Day of Judgement. What are the various elements and themes of the day and how do they…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Ha’azinu – The Song of History
On 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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Nitzavim & Vayeilech – Eternal Exhortations
In the last few days of Moshe’s life, he gathers the entire nation, men women and children, and presents to them his final, departing message. – – – – – – – –…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Ki Savo – Consequences of Closeness
A 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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Ki Seitzei – Lessons for Living (Recorded Amid Hurricane Harvey)
Though Hurricane Harvey is slamming the Houston area, flooding its highways, homes, and business, inundating its rivers and bayous, and causing catastrophic…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Shoftim – Righteous Justice
In 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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Re’eh – An Attitudinal Shift
Parshas 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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Eikev – A Unique Path to Greatness
Parshas Eikev continues Moshe’s grand Speech to the Nation. In it we learn about how Torah is food for life, and how to love, and about reward and punishment…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Va’Eschanan – Preparing the Nation
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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Devarim – Moshe’s Speech
Parshas 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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Mattos & Masei – Promised Land Pending
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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Pinchas – Legacies of Great Leaders
Pinchas 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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Balak – Greatness Gone Awry
Bilaam 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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Chukas -Repentance of the Red Heifer
Parshas 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?…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Korach – A Cousin’s Rebellion
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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Shelach – The Sad Saga of the Spies
In 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 Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Behaaloscha – Trouble in Paradise
After nearly a year encamped at Sinai, the Jews begin their journey to Canaan in Parshas Behaaloscha. With the Tabernacle completed, the Levites consecrated…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Nasso – Temporary Insanity
Parshas 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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Bamidbar – Stature of a Nation
The 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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Behar & Bechukosai – Consequences of Closeness
In 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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Emor – Festivals of Hashem
In 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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Acharei & Kedoshim – How to be Holy
This 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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Tazria & Metzora – Lessons in Purity and Impurity
Parshas 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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Shemini – Following Orders
After 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 Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Special Pre-Pesach-Podcast: Explaining Exodus via Genesis and Deuteronomy
The Exodus is the most oft-referenced event in Jewish life. Twice daily we invoke it in the Shema, and every Shabbos holiday is characterized as “a remembrance…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Tzav – Scaling the Rungs of Greatness
Parshas Tzav continues the instructions relating to the Tabernacle and its sacrifices. We learn more details regarding some of the sacrifices mentioned earlier…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Vayikra – Sacrificial Repentance
The Book of Leviticus begins with Parshas Vayikra. In this section we learn about the processes and procedures of many different varieties of sacrifices. What…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Vayakhel & Pekudei – Rectifying the Golden Calf
Parshiyos 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 Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Ki Sisa – Tragedy at Sinai
Parshas 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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Tetzaveh – Holy Vestaments
In 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 Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Terumah – A Dwelling Place for God
Parshas Terumah records the Almighty’s directive to Moshe to fundraise the raw materials needed to build the Mishkan and its vessels and the instruction to…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Mishpatim – Jewish Jurisprudence
The Torah is generally perceived as addressing matter of religion and the spiritual. In Parshas Mishpatim we see how it is an exhaustive guide to life in every…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Yisro – A Kingdom of Priests and A Holy Nation
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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Beshalach – Exhilarating Exodus
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…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Bo – Climactic Exodus
The Ten Plagues reach their crescendo in Parshas Bo. After Pharaoh’s repeated intransigence, he undergoes a series of humbling miraculous plagues that prompt…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Vaeira – Educational Plagues
In Parshas Vaeira we see the humbling of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. We learn about the first seven of the Ten Plagues and their purpose and significance. More…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Shemos – The Iron Crucible
The book of Exodus begins with the enslavement of the Jewish people in Egypt. Interestingly, when Abraham was selected to be the father of the Chosen People he…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Vayechi – Deathbed Priorities
Parshas Vayrchi is oriented around the illness and death of Jacob. The Jewish family is growing and establishing roots in Egypt. Their spiritual leader and…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Vayigash – A Family Descends
Parshas Vayigash begins with Joseph’s dramatic revelation to his brothers and ends with the descent of Jacob and his descendents to Egypt, where they will…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Mikeitz – From Prisoner to Viceroy
Parshas Mikeitz tells the dramatic transformation of Joseph from lowly prisoner to exalted viceroy of Egypt, his oversight of Egyptian preparation for famine…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Vayeishev – Strange Paths to Redemption
Parshas Vayeishev marks the dramatic descent of Joseph, from Jacob’s favorite son to alleged attempted rapist languishing in an Egyptian prison. In retrospect…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Vayishlach – Twin Tussles
Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode: Jacob’s Preparation for the…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Vayeitzei – Nation Building
Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode: Jacob’s Dream – [0:00] Jacob’s…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Toldos – Intrauterine Cosmic Struggle
Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode: Praying As Response to Infertility –…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Chayei Sara – Unselfish Spouses
Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode: The Death, Bereavment and Burial of…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Vayeira – Reconciling Kindness and Child-Sacrifice
Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode: Kindness Superseding Prophecy –…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Lech Lecha – A Covenant of Greatness
Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode: Abraham, the Most Transformative…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Noach – Treating the Symptoms of Sin
A synopsis of the parsha and insights and lessons and themes from it. The topics discussed in this epsode: The 120 Year Grace Period for Mankind – [0:00] The…
- The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Bereishis – The Ominous Beginnings of Man
This is the first of a series on the entire Torah. Every week will feature a new episode that begins with a synopsis of the parsha and insights and lessons and…