Parsha Podcast with Ari Goldwag

What is the superficial view behind the rebellion of Korach? What is the special character of Aharon that is being challenged? How does this story parallel the story of Yosef and his brothers? What is the parallel to Amalek and the Jewish people? What is the concept of the staff of Aharon that flowers and blossoms, producing fruit? What does the cryptic medrash mean when it says that Aharon's staff swallowed the staffs of the other tribes, as it did to the staffs of Pharaoh's necromancers? How many staffs were there? What is the general concept of the staff? What is the connection between the staff and the tzaddik? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the deeper idea behind the story of the spies? What was the great sin of the Jewish people in this story? Why does Hashem seem so angry with them, to the point that He is ready to destroy them? How does one access the power of spiritual resonance? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the command to light the Menorah in the sanctuary immediately follow the sacrifices of the Nesi'im of the tribes? What is the underlying concept of those sacrifices? What is the underlying concept of the lighting of the Menorah? What is the great praise of Aharon that he 'did as he was told?' What is the deeper connection between the Menorah and Shabbos? What is the secret of will which is found in Shabbos? How does one tap into his true will, to do what he truly wants, as opposed to what he 'feels' like doing? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah place the concept of the encampments next to the idea of Metzora? The midrash tells us that the Jewish people were cured of this type of ailment at Mount Sinai, and that it returned after the sin of the Golden Calf - Why is this only significant now, almost a year later? Why does the midrash seem to imply that the counting and encampments are the solidification of the relationship of Hashem and Klal Yisrael? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the concept of counting the Jewish people? How does it show Hashem's love for us? Why is it necessary to involve the heads of the tribes in the count? What is the significance of the midrash telling us how each tribal leader was connected to the original progenitor of the tribe? What is the job of the true tzaddik? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah speak so forcefully in the Tochacha (Admonition)? Why does it seem so negative? What is the concept of different dimensions of truth? How does one access deeper truth? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah place the concept of Shemitah directly after the Mekalel (one who cursed Hashem)? What is the depth of the concept of Shmitah and Shabbos? Why is the song of Shabbos a song of thanks? What was the mistake of the Mekalel? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah place so many strictures on the Kohanim? What is the concept of the 'Kohen Gadol' - the High Priest? What is the concept of Gedulah - greatness? What is the connection between Avraham and the Kohen Gadol? Why does the medrash say that the Kohen Gadol must be physically beautiful, wealthy, and wise? What is the concept of counting? Do we count forty nine or fifty days from Pesach to Shavuos? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why is the service of the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur prefaced with the death of Nadav and Avihu? What is the connection between Pesach and Yom Kippur? What is the depth of the idea of the Holy of Holies both taking up space and being beyond space? What is the depth of the concept of our Free Will? What can we learn from a dream? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why is the pain of birth followed by the pain of separation from relationship? What are the stages of birth and rebirth? What is the parallel between the birth process and the redemption process? How does this parallel the stages of growth we all experience? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why is the mishkan completed on the same day as the creation of Man? What is the significance of the fact that it is both the sixth day of creation and the eighth day of the mishkan? What is the deeper concept of the numbers six, seven, and eight? How is the sadness of this day rectified? Where do we see these three numbers in the last day of Pesach? What is the significance of the silence of the Jewish people in the face of their Egyptian pursuers? How does the first day of Nissan connect to the 21st day of Nissan? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why is it necessary for the Jewish people to be enslaved in Egypt? What does Egypt represent? What is the concept of the Jewish people leaving Egypt with great riches? Why is the Mishkan and Beis Hamikdash bedecked with silver and gold? What is the significance of the parallel idea in the future redemption? What is the concept of money? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the dedication of the sanctuary begin in Adar and finish in Nissan? Why does the creation of the world start in Adar and end in Nissan? What is the connection between Purim and Pesach? Why does Purim continue to be celebrated after Moshiach comes, whereas Pesach is not? What is the significance of Adar being connected to laughter, while Nissan is connected to speech? What is the meaning of the statement of our sages that the Mishkan will last forever? How does the Mishkan parallel Moshiach ben Yosef, while the Temple parallels Moshiach ben Dovid? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the concept of the sacrifices? What is the connection between sacrifice and prayer? Why are both of these concepts called 'avodah' - service? What is the difference between service of Hashem and the service of idolatry? What is the deeper reason why the sacrifices were completely consumed by the body with no waste, like the manna? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the deeper connection between Shabbos and the Mishkan? How did all of the parts of the Mishkan come together seamlessly if they were made by so many different people? How were the artisans able to avoid haughtiness from their work? How does working provide the tikkun for Adam's sin? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.