Yaakov
Korach – You Can Have It All
Why does Korach indicate that he is looking for social equality, if he really wants to take over as high priest? Why does the midrash indicate that he wanted to be the prince of the family of Kehos, if Moshe seems to indicate he was after the high priesthood? Why does Moshe tell the Levites…
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 MoreVayechi – Hastening the End of Days
What is the goal of Yakov when he gathers his sons? Why is he unable to reveal the End? Why does his rebuke to Reuven, Shimon and Levi involve a directive to be careful about being hasty? What is the difference between Asifa-gathering and Kibbutz-gathering? How does waiting for the end paradoxically hasten its arrival?…
Read MoreMasei – Warring for Israel
Why do the thirty one kings desire to fight in the war on Sisera’s side against the people of Israel? Why are they willing to do it for free? What does it mean that they ‘thirst to drink of the waters of Israel?’ Why did Jacob, Moses and King David run away from their enemies?…
Read MoreMishpatim – Redeeming Truth From Darkness
Why does a thief have to pay double if he steals, and four or five times if he slaughters and sells the animal he stole? How does falsehood dress itself up as truth? What is the amazing power of Truth to dispel the darkness? How does one access Emes L’amito – the True-Truth? Find out…
Read MoreVayechi – Blessings and Prayers
What is the general concept of a blessing? Why do I need to go to a tzaddik to get a bracha? What does a bracha do for me more than I already have, and why can’t I access it myself? When Yaakov gives the brachos, is he just stating a fact as to the nature…
Read MoreVayishlach – Truth of the Soul
Why does Yaakov return for the pachim ketanim – the small jugs? Why does the angel fight with him at that very moment? What is the difference between Esav’s statement ‘yesh li rav,’ – I have a lot – and Yaakov’s statement, ‘yesh li kol,’ – I have it all? Why is Yaakov’s name changed…
Read MoreVayetzei – Synthesis of Opposites
What is the significance of the contrast between Rebecca coming to Israel to marry Isaac, as opposed to Jacob going to Charan to marry Rachel and Leah? Why is it as ‘hard’ for Hashem to create matches between men and women as it is for Him to split the sea? Why did Jacob remove the…
Read MoreToldos – Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov
How do we see a reference to all three patriarchs in the first verse of the parsha? What does the midrash mean when it says that Avraham was saved from the fire in the merit of his grandson Jacob? What does the midrash mean when it says that all of the patriarchs were referred to…
Read MoreMoshiach podcast 13 – Secret of Thirteen
We uncover the secret of the thirteenth aspect. There is a higher aspect of it, which is represented by Yaacov, and a lower aspect, as it is revealed in the lower realms, which is represented by Yosef. We explore how this applies to the tribes and the leap year, why it is necessary, and what…
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