Parsha Podcast with Ari Goldwag

What is the concept of the willow branch? Why is it taken separately on Succos? Why does Hashem 'ride on the willows?' Why do the souls of Sodom return before the Messiah comes? Why does King David's soul and Moshiach's soul descend from an illicit union? Why are Reuven and Yehuda placed next to each other for their blessings? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the difference between Dibbur-speech and Amirah-speech? Why is dibbur used for the heavens, and amirah used for the Earth? What are the two approaches for the intellect and the emotions? How does one transition from the days of Awe to the holiday of Succos, which is a time of intense joy? How does this connect to the Heavens and Earth which were created in Genesis? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the special mitzvah of Hakhel (gathering) apply immediately after Shmitah (sabbatical year)? Why is it referred to as being in the Shmitah year, even though it's in the following year? What is the parallel here between Shmitah and Shabbos? What is the special power of atonement intrinsic to Yom Kippur? What is the deep lesson of Yehudah and Tamar? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah seem to indicate that the main relationship and covenant with Hashem is through the congregation as a whole? Why does the Torah later seem to imply that the relationship is forged within the heart of the individual? What is the resolution of these two seeming opposites? What is the concept of the quorum of ten that is required for prayers? How can someone be brought to repentance by the simple act of someone thinking a positive thought about them? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah speak at length about the curses, and only cursively about the blessings? Why does this parsha start off with the obligation of bringing the first fruits, which is only an obligation in Israel, only for the seven special species, and only to be brought to the Temple to a Kohen? Why does Rabbi Akiva laugh at the sight of the Temple Mount plowed over? Where is the deepest revelation of Godliness to be found? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the concept of sending away the mother bird? How does it relate to the idea of Binah - intuition? What is the depth of the reward of 'long days?' How can one reach a goal if one is overwhelmed by the goal? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

How can we be assured that God will be with us when we go out to war? Why does the Kohen use the phrase 'Shema Yisrael' - Hear O Israel - when he introduces his speech to the cavalry? Why is the concept of the heart repeated so many times? What is the concept of hearing and how does it relate to the heart and to the idea of Binah/intuition? What is the concept of Hashem's throne? How does this connect to the sound of the Shofar? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the deeper concept of the three festivals? What is the idea of the seven months that they span? How does Elul represent the concept of both preparation and culmination? What is the concept of the number six? How does six attach to seven? What do our sages mean when they speak of Elul as a time of relationship? Why does Elul not have any holidays? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

How does one approach the problem of becoming confused and believing that he has accomplished on his own? How does one realize that it is really Hashem who has given the advice to his heart? Why does the Torah repeatedly refer to the merit and love Hashem has for the forebears of the Jewish people? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does Moshe preface his request to enter Israel by appointing Yehoshua to lead the Jewish people into Israel? Why does Moshe form his prayer as a "תחינה" - a supplication asking for a free gift? What is the difference between the experience of spirituality outside of Israel as opposed to the experience inside of Israel? How does one bring himself into a place of deeper truth? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why do we always read Devarim on Parshas Chazon - the Shabbos before Tisha B'av? Why do we comfort mourners with a reference to a consolation from Hashem as 'hamakom' - the place? Why do the angels search for Hashem's 'place?'What is the concept of the word "איכה" - in our parsha, in the story of Adam, in the book of Lamentations? What is the connection between Adar and Av? What is the connection between crying and laughing? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah speak only briefly about the vows of a man, and then speak at length about the vows of women? What is the deeper understanding of the Torah's teaching that are women's vows beholden to their father or husband? What is the greatest manifestation of Hashem in our world? How do we align ourselves with His humility? What is the balance between giving space and still seeking a relationship? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What are the two approaches to guiding the Jewish people? When is it appropriate to be zealous? When is it appropriate to be patient? What is the significance of the fact that the stories of both Pinchas and Eliyahu center around the concept of the Bris, which alternately represent the covenant with God, as well as the concept of circumcision? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Bilam seems to be a good guy. Why do chazal paint him in such a bad light - Bilam Harasha!Why do we have this funny interaction where the donkey knows about the malach even before Bilam? What is the point of the malach standing there if it won't end up killing Bilam anyway? What is Bilam's fundamental character flaw? The midrash stresses that Bilam spoke to Hashem in a dream at night, thus indicating his inferior quality of prophecy. But lemaaseh, he experiences prophetic moments with his poetry during the day - so what is the meaning of it? What is the significance of the comparison between Bilam and Avraham? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the concept of the well? When was the song of the well sung? Who sang the song? Why was there a song connected to the water? Why was it specifically the merit of Miriam that was the cause of the miracle of the well? What was underlying the sin of Moshe when he struck the rock? What is the general concept of water? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.