Parsha Podcast with Ari Goldwag

What is the concept of Holiness? Why are we enjoined to be holy because 'Hashem is Holy?' What is the idea that everything in reality is an expression of Hashem? How does one emulate Hashem's pure altruism? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Thoughts on Pesach

How do we offer a sacrifice to the Other Side on Yom Kippur? Why does the atonement occur at that point? Why do we offer the exact same type of animal to Hashem and seemingly to the Other Side? Is Yakov sincere in his gift to Esav and his admission that Esav should have the blessings? What does it mean that Esav will 'return' in the end? Why does the Satan not have power on Yom Kippur? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

In light of the destructive effect of Lashon Hara, we discuss the healing power of unconditional love.

What is the connection between the concept of circumcision and Lashon Hara, destructive speech? What is the power of words? Why is Man referred to as a 'speaking spirit?' Why does the Torah want us to constantly be speaking words of Torah? What does it mean that circumcision pushes away spiritual leprosy? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the connection between the joy of the first of Nissan and Hashem's joy with the creation of the world? Why was the joy of the mishkan marred with a remembrance of the Golden Calf with Aharon's offering? Why did they have a sacrifice at this point that atoned for the sale of Yosef? Why did the Shechina only come into the mishkan as a result of Aharon's service, but not with the service of Moshe of the previous seven days? Why was the incredible joy of the mishkan's dedication marred by the deep loss of Aharon's sons? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the concept of seventy and seven? What is the significance of the seventy years between the two temples? Why is the gematria of wine (יין) and secret (סוד) both seventy? What is the depth of the idea of the seventy nations and the seventy offspring of Yakov? Why does the story climax with the fifty cubit high gallows of Haman? Why are there seven days of the Santuary's inauguration, and why are they in Adar? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the concept of the atonement sacrifices? Why does the Torah seem to be so focused on sin? What is the concept of forgiveness? How can we look past the negative interactions in our relationships and forgive? How does one deal with pride? How can we forgive ourselves? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why was the mishkan only erected a few months after the parts were completed? Why was Moshe able to put it up, but not really able to? Why was it put up and then taken down numerous times? What does it mean that the mishkan will last forever? What is the concept of the parallel mishkan in heaven? What is the concept of the cloud of Hashem's glory? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does Shabbos introduce the mishkan? Why are the prohibitions of Shabbos based around the acts of creating the mishkan? Why is fire/cooking the one melacha singled out? Why is cooking referred to as making a fire and not simply cooking? Why is it permitted to cook on Yom Tov? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

How could Aharon Hakohen be involved in the making of the Golden calf? If he was the one who pursued peace and was concerned with relationships, how could he be a party to this violation of the Jewish people's relationship with Hashem? What is the connection to the story of Purim? What is the significance of the two sets of luchos in the Aron? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the significance of the special clothing of the kohanim? How does the Kohen gadol serve to atone for the entire Jewish people? What does it mean that his clothing atones for certain great sins of the Jewish people? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah go straight from the story of Moshe going up on Har Sinai into the commandment to build the mishkan? What do chazal mean when they say that "ויקחו לי" means that it should be taken "לשמי" - for My name's sake? Why is the Aron the first of the kelim mentioned if it is not the first to be built? Why is the Divine presence of Hashem, the Shechinah, referred to as the 'kavod' - honor - of Hashem? Why is the root of kavod "כבד" - weight? How does one create spiritual gravity? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why is the first of the Mishpatim specifically the law of the Jewish slave? What is the significance of the fact that his ear is pierced at the doorpost? Why is he reminded of what he 'heard' at Sinai, as opposed to what he 'saw?' How is he remember what he 'heard' if he wasn't there? What is the significance of his 'six' years of work? Why do the Jewish people accept the word of Hashem multiple times? Why does the first time only involve a statement of 'we will do,' as opposed to the second time where they also said, 'we will listen?' What is the significance of the twelve monuments? Why does Moshe go to sleep in the middle? What is the parallel to Yakov and his twelve sons? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the significance of the advice of Yisro to Moshe to delegate his responsibilities? Why is this advice specifically given by Yisro, someone who has tried every form of idolatry? Why is the Torah given in the darkness? What is the significance of the holiday of Tu b'shvat? Why do we celebrate the New Year of the trees in the dead of winter? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.