moon
Behaaloscha – Lighting Hashem’s Flame
Why is the idea of the mitzvah raising me up specifically taught in regards to the menorah? What is the connection between the soul and the flame/menorah? Why is Moshe unable to fashion the menorah even after precise instructions, while Betzalel is able to intuitively fashion it? What does it mean that Betzalel stands in…
Read MoreVayigash – Counting to Seventy
Why does the Torah tell us there were 70 people who made up the Jewish people as they came down to Egypt, if there are only 69 enumerated? What is the underlying theme between all of the individuals who are the missing 70th? What is the depth of the fact that Dan’s son Chushim was…
Read MoreMishpatim – Borrowing Power
Why does the Torah ask us not to charge interest when we lend money? What does the midrash mean when it says that all of Hashem’s creations ‘lend to each other?’ Why does the midrash choose the many symbols it does, amongst them – moon and stars, day and night? What is the concept of…
Read MoreSuccos – Full Reflection
What is the difference between the approach on Succos as opposed to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? How is that reflected in the moon’s appearance? What is the parallel between the s’chach that covers the succah and the aravos? What is the concept of the cloud? Find out in this week’s parsha podcast. Running Time:…
Read MoreHaazinu-Rosh Hashana – Silence of the Moon
Why do the seventy nations of the world seem to get a portion in the Earth, while the people of Israel do not? What does it mean that the Jewish people are Hashem’s portion? Why does Rosh Hashana occur at the beginning of the month, when the moon is absent? Why do we celebrate the…
Read MoreBo – Finding Spiritual Alignment
What is the significance of the commandment of sanctifying the new moon being the first of the commandments? What does it mean that the Torah should have begun with this commandment? What is the connection between this mitzvah and God’s gift of Israel to the Jewish people? Which is the main part of the lunar…
Read MoreTeves – month of Nesirah
Whenever one wishes to understand the character of a month, the first thing to examine is the holiday schedule of that month. Since each month represents a spiritual force coming into play, that force is most clearly expressed through the days of note that are present in that month. If we look at the structure…
Read MoreBereshis – Creation's resistance
Why does the Alef complain that the Torah began with a Beis? What is Hashem’s consolation? Why does the moon complain? Why do the trees complain? Why does there seem to be so much resistance in Creation? Find out in this week’s Parsha Podcast. Running time: 21:09
Read MoreKi Seitzei – War of the Soul
What is the analogy between the Evil Inclination’s general approach and the beautiful gentile woman captive? How does this connect to the concept of Shmitah? How does one develop a sense of abundance? What is the lesson of the diminished moon? Find out in this week’s Parsha Podcast. Running time: 22:52
Read MoreBo – Keser and Malchus
Why were the first nine plagues performed by Moshe or Ahron, but the plague of the firstborn was done by Hashem Himself? Why did the Jews have to do something active to be excluded from the plague, as opposed to the previous plagues where this was not necessary? What is the significance of the blood…
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