Parsha Podcast with Ari Goldwag show

Parsha Podcast with Ari Goldwag

Summary: This unique Parsha podcast is filled with machshava, deep philosophical Jewish thought, based on traditional sources, from the ancient to the recent. All of the ideas are rooted in Torah tradition, filled with a spiritual message that is potent and poignant for the times.

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Podcasts:

 Vayakhel - Israel's Source of Light | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 27:48

Why does the Torah refer to the creation of the Ark of the Covenant by Betzalel in the singular, seeming to imply he did it on his own? What was created first - the spiritual light of Creation or the Heavens and the Earth? What was Betzalel able to deduce from the creation of the light first? How does the Aron represent this light? What was the 'additional wisdom' of Noach and how did Betzalel use a similar kind of wisdom in deducing that the Aron should be created first, before the rest of the structure of the Mishkan? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

 Ki Sisa - The Artist's Many Names | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 30:03

Why does Hashem ask Moshe to 'look at the name' of Betzalel? Where was Betzalel's name to be seen? How was it that Betzalel was able to manifest such exquisite artistry if the Jewish people had been slaves and he had no chance to study his art? What is the significance of the 'many names' of Eliyahu and of Betzalel? Why does the Torah sometimes mention the person's name and also his parents' names and the name of his location? What are the many aspects that go into a person's personality and his ultimate purpose in the world? Why does Hashem have Betzalel, from the tribe of Yehuda, work alongside Oholiav, who is from the tribe of Dan? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

 Tetzaveh - Israel's Secret Weapon | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 29:42

Why does the Torah use the word 'davar' - 'thing' or 'matter' in introducing the order of initiating Aharon and his sons into their Kohen service in the Mishkan-Tabernacle? What are the two 'matters' that can be used to atone and bring salvation when we do not have the ability to bring sacrifices? How do words of Torah and heartfelt prayer bring about the revelation of Hashem in the world? Why is Haman referred to as both an oppressor and an enemy? Why does Mordechai return to his sackcloth, fasting and prayer even after he is 'raised up' and clothed with king's garments and rides the king's horse? What is it that ultimately provides atonement for Aharon for having facilitated the sin of the Golden Calf? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

 Terumah - Israel is G-d's Child | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 27:59

How do we 'take an example from Heaven' in the construction of the Tabernacle? What are the many parallels between the 'throne room' of Hashem above, and the place of His Presence here on earth? What do each of these elements represent? What is the significance of Hashem calling the gold and silver of the Mishkan his? How do the Tabernacle and Beis Hamikdash (Temple) manifest the relationship between Hashem and the people of Israel - Shepherd to flock, Watchman to vineyard, and Father to son? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

 Mishpatim - Creating Angels | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 23:33

Why does the Torah place the concept of the inclined ramp of the altar right next to the concept of the laws? Why is there concern of immodesty walking up the ramp if the Kohanim had undergarments to prevent immodesty? What is the concept of 'walking with small steps' versus 'walking with large steps?' How are angels created from the commandments we perform, and how do they serve to protect us? What is the concept of the order of first creating the angels, then being accompanied by the Shechinah, then having our prayers answered? What is the danger of 'rebelling against the angel' that is involved with the secret of having our prayers answered? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

 Yisro - Israel Receives the Torah | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 29:15

Why does it speak of Moshe 'going up' to receive the Torah, if Hashem 'came down' with all His hosts, as it were, to give the Torah? How was Moshe's previous battle with angels now helpful in his current mission, to capture the Torah from the hands of the angels? What was the ultimate merit that Moshe used to bring the Torah to the people of Israel? What is the deeper lesson of the Midrash's teaching that Moshe's faced changed so that he looked like Avraham? Why did the angels need to acquiesce when they saw Avraham's face? How does the merit of our righteous ones and the forefathers help us when we are not righteous? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

 Beshalach - Israel Has Nowhere to Turn But to G-d | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 27:51

Why is Egypt compared to a fox, while the four great Kingdoms of Israel's exiles were all compared to great animals? What was Egypt's crafty plan for survival from the growing menace of the Israelite population in their midst? Why did it involve throwing the babies in water, as opposed to using fire or the sword as a means of destruction? Why did Hashem 'bring the Egyptians to the deluge' as opposed to bringing the deluge to the Egyptians? How were the people of Israel able to survive if they, like the Egyptians, were surrounded on four sides by the waters of the sea? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

 Bo - Israel - Miraculous Nation | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 23:53

What is the meaning of the sign that Moshe gave Pharaoh when the staff was thrown down and turned into a snake? Does Hashem need to prove that 'He is right' or is His ultimate desire that the wicked turn back to Him? Why did the righteous individuals - Noach, Chizkiya, Chananya, Mishael and Azaryah all ask for signs from Hashem, and what did they show? How does this parallel the sign that Pharaoh requested and what is showed? How does Hashem use the Jewish people as a tool for his justice? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

 Vaera - Signs of Salvation and Justice | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 29:40

What is the meaning of the sign that Moshe gave Pharaoh when the staff was thrown down and turned into a snake? Does Hashem need to prove that 'He is right' or is His ultimate desire that the wicked turn back to Him? Why did the righteous individuals - Noach, Chizkiya, Chananya, Mishael and Azaryah all ask for signs from Hashem, and what did they show? How does this parallel the sign that Pharaoh requested and what is showed? How does Hashem use the Jewish people as a tool for his justice? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

 Shemos - Israel's Relationship with G-d | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 28:24

What is behind Moshe's (Moses') question to G-d as to what His name is? What is the understanding of Hashem's response in saying 'I will be that I will be?' Why is the language at first doubled, and then singular? What is behind the different names of Hashem in different contexts? What three special times are hinted to in the three mentions of the fact that 'Hashem will be?' What is the difference between the individual and the people of Israel as a whole in regards to how Hashem interacts when they have gone astray? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

 Vayechi - Children of Israel, Gather | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 26:24

When Yakov calls his sons to bless them, to Whom Else does he call? What is the calling that we do on Rosh Hashana and what is decided on Yom Kippur? How does this parallel the blessings Yakov gave to his sons? Why are the people of Israel referred to as 'Jews' which derives from the name of Judah? Why does Yakov call his sons - the children of Israel - to gather? How does Yakov ask Hashem (G-d) to be manifest in the lives of his children, on through the end of days? How does the unity of the people of Israel bring about redemption and the destruction of Gog? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

 Vayigash - Unity in Israel | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 29:08

What does the story of Yosef and Yehuda and the brothers coming together represent, beyond the simple understanding of the verses? How do these two great paragons of leadership return to a state of unity alongside all the children of Israel? Why did we read the story of Shlomo Hemelech (King Solomon) with the two women fighting over a baby in last week's haftarah? Where was Yosef trying to lead his brothers through this whole challenge he put them through? In what way did Yehuda bow to Yosef's leadership, and in what way was Yehuda able to press Yosef to bow to his own will? How does this parallel the unity of the people of Israel today and the future coming together of all the disparate elements of the Jewish people?

 Mikeitz - Destruction and Hope | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 28:10

Why does the verse say that Yakov 'sees' that there is food in Egypt, but then say that Yakov 'heard' there is food in Egypt? Why did Yakov lose his Ruach Hakodesh (Divine Inspiration), and what was his experience as it was about to return? Why does the Torah use the unusual word 'shever' to mean food, when ordinarily it uses the word 'ochel?' What is the 'sever' - hope - that Yakov has, without realizing it? What were the words that the fallen soldier, R' Elisha Loewenstern asked me to write a song to? How are we to look at the shever-breaking with sever-hope? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

 Vayeshev - Israel and the Arc of History | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 24:48

How does Hashem draw the people of Israel after Him? What is the understanding of the paradox of the 'chains of love?' Why do the People of Israel need to experience exile and subjugation to the nations of the world? What is the ultimate end of the great arc of Israel's history? How does this parallel the personal life of Yosef, as representative of the leaders of Israel? How do we see a certain sweetening of the judgment despite Yosef's being forcibly brought down to Egypt? How is this reflected in Yakov being brought down? How is this reflected in the idea that the Shechina (Divine Presence) accompanied Yosef into his exile? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

 Vayishlach - Sacrificing for Israel | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 27:46

As Rochel was about to die in childbirth with the birth of Binayamin, what was the consolation the midwives offered with the statement, 'don't worry, this too is a boy?' Why did the two students of R' Yehoshua dress in Greek garb if they were truly Bnei Torah (students of Torah)? How did they respond to the Greek general who discovered them? Why did each of his challenges to them seem to imply that it is better to join the Hellenist movement rather than remain connected to Torah, and yet he himself acknowledged the implication of the Torah which is that spiritual pursuits are greater? Why does Hashem 'stand in judgment' in one place, and elsewhere He 'sits in judgment?' Why does it seem praiseworthy in the verse in Mishlei (Proverbs) to work the land? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

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