Parsha Podcast with Ari Goldwag

How do we understand the great disparity between Moshe receiving the Torah at the very moment the Jewish people are worshipping the Golden Calf? This is especially difficult in light of the fact that Moshe is the combining soul of the Jewish people. How does this connect to the miracle of Purim? What is the concept of the twelve and thirteen tribes and the twelve and thirteen months of the year? Why does the miracle of Purim occur in Adar? What is the significance of the fish as its zodiac sign? What is the spiritual concept of the fish? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah specify that the pure olive oil is to be brought to Moshe? How does one tap into the aspect of Lishma - pure motivation? How does one recognize one's true purpose and move out of jealousy of others? What is represented by the clothing of Aharon? How does this connect to the special coat of Yosef? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah refer to the donation to Mishkan as 'taking?' What is the concept of Lishma? Why do we refer to a pure motive as 'for the sake of Hashem's name?' Why is this a requirement specifically in regards to the commandment of building the Mishkan? Why is Hashem's name found in correlation to the concept of Love and Unity? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why is the narrative of the revelation at Sinai interrupted with the laws of Mishpatim? Were these laws given at this point? In light of the statement of Chazal that the Jewish people had returned to the state of Adam before the sin, why were did they receive commandments that seem inapplicable to them? Why doesn't the Torah wait until after the sin of the Golden Calf, when they fall from that state, to teach these laws? Why does the Torah begin with the tikkun aspect of the slave, instead of the sin that caused him to be sold into slavery? What is the connection between Adam Harishon and the Hebrew slave? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why is the story of Yisro the preface to receiving the Torah? What is the connection between the fifteenth of Shvat and the receiving of the Torah? Why do we eat fruit on this day, if it is not about the product, but about the first budding? What is the deeper meaning of the concept of 'the end product is in the first thought?' Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does Hashem allow the Jewish people's food to run out before providing them with the Manna? What is the significance of this happening in the month of Iyar? Why does this occur again with the water? Why do the Jewish people question if Hashem is in their midst? Why does the war with Amalek immediately follow, in the same place, Refidim? Why do these events take place in the interim period between the Exodus and receiving the Torah? What is the concept of the altar that Moshe calls 'Hashem nisi' - 'Hashem tested me,' or 'Hashem raised me up?' Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is special about the plauge of the firstborn? Why must the Jews remain inside for this plague? Why is the mitzvah of Tefillin given at this point? How does the Tefillin remind us of the exodus? Why is the Tefillin not referred to by name? Why does the Torah refer to the placement of the Tefillin as 'between the eyes,' if it really means on the head? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why are Moshe and Aharon both necessary for the redemption to take place? Why does it seem that Moshe is initially supposed to be the only redeemer? What is the special attribute of each of the brothers? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the plight of the Jewish people worsen with Moshe's revelation as redeemer? What is the reason for this pattern repeating in subsequent redemptions - before the second temple and in the final redemption? Why does Hashem reveal Himself in a bush? Why does the giving of the Torah immediately follow the Exodus, and why does it take place on Mount Sinai, in the wilderness, and not in Israel on Mount Moriah? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does Yakov wait until he is about to die to give his sons rebuke? What is the power of the tzaddik? What is the true nature of the town of Beit Shemesh? What is the power of focusing on good points? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the root of the problem that caused Yosef to go down to Egypt? What is the deep tikkun that is accomplished through the entire story? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does Yosef treat his brothers so harshly? Does he still bear resentment toward them? Why is he so intent on bringing Binyomin down to Egypt with them? Why does he seem to be playing God? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah stress that Yosef brought a negative report of his brothers to his father? Why does the midrash stress that all of his travails were a result of specifically this negative report? What is the meaning of the brothers' statement to Yosef, 'Will you be king over us?' Why is Yosef held to such a high standard when he asks Pharaoh's winebearer to remember him? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

How does one hold onto spiritual inspiration? How can one face the resistance of others, and oneself, when one is seeking that inspiration? What is the lesson of Yakov in his interaction with Esav? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What can we learn from the names Leah gave her children? What is the progression we observe? Why does she thank Hashem with Yehuda's birth? What is the connection between thanks and admission (surrender)? How does one surrender when the ego is strong? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.