Category Archives: Mitzvos

Vayishlach – Esau Academy

Jacob lived a rough life. He perennially had to contend with hostile forces. He was paired with an evil twin Esau who wanted to kill him. He was compelled to flee his vengeful brother and was forced to contend with the wiliest fraudster of them all, his father-in-law two times over Laban. In our Parsha Jacob is heading back to encounter Esau who is still bursting with murderous rage. Along the way, the Torah recounts for us many narratives and storylines of these terrible people. In this very special podcast, we learn how studying these problematic personalities can be quite valuable and instructive for us. After a long and torturous semester in Laban Academy it is time for a semester in Esau Academy. Sharpen your pencils.

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This Parsha Podcast is dedicated in loving memory and leilui nishmas Aharon Ben Yosef who was the father of our dear friend Josh Hedaya. Aharon Ben Yosef’s yahrzeit is the 11th of Kislev, the day that this episode will be released. May his soul be elevated in heaven.

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Consuming Blood (#148)

Most of us are not tempted to taste blood. We find it repugnant and revolting. Nevertheless, in seven different verses, the Torah bans the consumption of blood. We must look elsewhere for our protein and iron.

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Forbidden Fats (#147) + Annual Fundraising Drive

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Forbidden fats – even Kosher animals can have parts that are not kosher. The forbidden fats – cheilev – may not be eaten. And the consequences are stiff.

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Impure Sacrifices (#145-6, 167) + TORCH Fundraiser

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Sacrifices, like many other things, can contract ritual impurity. When a sacrifice becomes ritually impure, it may not be consumed. Moreover, an impure person cannot consume any sacrifices. This is the first of many mitzvos related to purity and impurity.

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Piggul (#144)

Our thoughts matter. This is especially true when it comes to sacrifices. The thoughts of those who are processing the sacrifices must be aligned with the protocols of the sacrifices. Or else, they are rejected – they are Piggul.

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This Mitzvah Podcast is dedicated towards the complete and speedy recovery of Tzvi Simcha ben Fruma. May he merit a complete Refuah Sheleimah.

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Sacrifice Leftovers (#142-3, 382, 486)

There is not an indefinite amount of time to consume a sacrifice. Each sacrifice has its specific protocol and time frame in which it must be eaten. What happens with the leftovers?

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Processing Sacrifices Protocols (#138-141)

There are many different types of sacrifices brought in the temple. Each sacrifice follows the prescribed protocol. There is zero tolerance for deviation from the protocol. In this podcast, we learn about the requirement for the priests to follow the protocol to a t, and we end with an important perspective that makes this entire subject more salient and meaningful to us.

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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Meal Offerings Of/For the Kohein (#134-7)

Meal offerings are a central part of the daily Temple offerings. These Mitzvos cover the Kohanim’s relationship with meal offerings.

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Fire On the Altar (#132-3)

Steady fires were always present atop the Altar. At all times, even when sacrifices were not being processed in the Tabernacle and the Temple, a steady fire was maintained on the Altar.

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DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Ashes of the Altar (#131)

The first activity performed in the Temple each day was the removal of the ashes from the previous day’s sacrifices. Before today’s sacrificial schedule can commence, the Altar must be cleared from the ashes of yesterday’s sacrifices.

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DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Definite Guilt Offering (#129)

Unlike the previous mitzvah that required a sacrifice for an uncertain violation, in this mitzvah, we learn about a guilt offering for someone who definitely violated a transgression.

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DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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Uncertain Guilt Offerings (#128)

This sacrifice is offered when someone is uncertain if they violated a sin or not.

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DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

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