Category Archives: Podcasts

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Ladders to Heaven

Podcast: Download (Duration: 59:13 — 27.1MB)

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Is the objective of Torah to constrict us or to allow us to flower? Are we ultimately supposed to curb our uniqueness, our individuality, or are we supposed to find ways to have our uniqueness sprout forth and blossom? One may argue that the Torah is very regimented in its commandments. We are told how to dress and how to eat and much of our daily schedule is compelled upon us by the myriad commandments and plethora of Divine guidances. It seems that we are being told to restrain our uniqueness and instead adopt the way of God. In this fascinating podcast, we discover that, although that is true, that is only the beginning. In the beginning of a spiritual journey, we must firm our standing as a soldier of God. However, once we are secure as a soldier, we must find a ladder to heaven. What that ladder looks like and how to find it, and how to scale its many rungs – those are the questions that we ponder in podcast.

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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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Parshas Vayakhel & Pekudei (Rebroadcast)

Podcast (parsha): Download (Duration: 1:10:06 — 32.1MB)

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After the Torah delineates the instructions to assemble the materials for the construction of the Tabernacle in Parshas Terumah and the creation of the vestments of the high priest in Parshas Tetzaveh, Parshas Vayakhel outlines the implementation those plans: The massive fundraising efforts, and the actual building of the Tabernacle and its vessels under the auspices of Bezalel, and Parshas Pekudei wraps up the account of the construction of the Tabernacle, and its vessels and vestments. Again and again we read the refrain that everything was done precisely how God commanded Moses.

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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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Ep. 86: Chofetz Chaim: A Portrait

Podcast (history): Download (Duration: 1:09:09 — 31.7MB)

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The Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Hakohen Kagan, was one of the most renowned and influential Jews of modern times. He did not serve in any official capacity, and his influence reverberated the world over. His personal piety was legendary. He was a saint, a veritable angel walking amongst men. His literary contributions altered the landscape of Jewish life. The modern sensitivity to all to all forms of Lashon Hara can be attributed to him. His monumental Mishnah Berurah systematized and clarified and organized practical Jewish law. His many other writings were vitally important to help the Jews of his time, and their impact and influence continues until this day. This is the story of the life, piety, and works of the Chofetz Chaim.

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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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Tetzaveh – Careful What You Wish For

Podcast (parsha): Download (Duration: 55:10 — 25.3MB)

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Please support the Parsha Podcast by donating to our annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org

This is our only annual fundraiser.

Every donation is DOUBLED!

Support the TORCH Centre and the Parsha Podcast by visiting giveTORCH.org right now and making a generous donation!

This is the LINK for the Fundraiser.

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The high priest was bedecked in eight special garments. Two of the garments were adorned with precious stones: the breastplate contained 12 Stones, one for each tribe, and the Ephod had two shoulderpad stones, each one of them with the names of six sons of Jacob. In this special TORCH fundraiser edition of the Parsha podcast, we share two ideas related to the stones on the garments of the high priest, and a powerful and frightening insight related to the conspicuous omission of Moshe’s name throughout our Parsha.

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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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#91: The Purpose of Torah

Podcast (torah101): Download (Duration: 44:09 — 20.2MB)

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Why did God give us such a precious and holy and profound Torah? Wouldn’t it be enough to give us some simple rules to live by? Why is our nation chosen above all other nations? Shouldn’t all humans be the same? These are some very advanced question and one that our sages reveal deep insights about. In this Torah 101 podcast, we continue our exploration of the classic sources to talk about Torah philosophy and ideology and we continue with the magisterial introduction to Sefer HaChinuch.

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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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Tetzaveh – The Choshen People (5783)

Podcast (parsha): Download (Duration: 52:48 — 24.2MB)

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The High Priest was bedecked with garments of royalty. Our Parsha details the 8 special garments (vestments) of Splendor and Glory that the Kohen Gadol wore, and the Talmud delineates the various forms of atonement that each garment bestowed upon the nation. In this podcast we focus on the Breastplate, the Choshen, and assembling the various features and aspects of the Choshen, we offer a comprehensive theory of the Choshen and provide essential advice for The Choshen People.

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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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Parshas Tetzaveh (Rebroadcast)

Podcast (parsha): Download (Duration: 56:25 — 25.8MB)

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In a natural continuation to Parshas Terumah, in Parshas Tetzaveh we learn about the instructions to build the Tabernacle. Whereas last week the focus was on the edifice itself and its vessels, this week we will orient primarily on the special garments that the priests wore in the Tabernacle, and of course subsequently in the Temple.

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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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Terumah – Ark of History

Podcast (parsha): Download (Duration: 53:15 — 24.4MB)

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The Tabernacle and all its vessels were steeped in miracles. They Ark did not take up any space. The Showbreads upon the Table did not get moldy. The construction of the Menorah was miraculous: Moshe was first shown a fiery image of the Menorah projected upon the mountain and subsequently he was told to throw the hunk of gold into the fire and the Menorah, with all its intricate embellishments, emerged. The Tabernacle was ultimately made permanent in the Temple on Temple Mount, at the touch point of heaven and Earth, where the rules of the Earth don’t necessarily apply. In this sweeping Parsha podcast, we plumb the depths of the meaning and the symbolism of the Tabernacle and its vessels. Along the way we learn crucial and useful insights for how to develop a legacy and a destiny of our own.

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This Parsha Podcast is dedicated in loving memory and leilui nishmat Javaher bat Rafael, who recently passed away at nearly 100. May her Soul be elevated in Heaven.

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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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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

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Parshas Mishpatim (Rebroadcast)

Podcast (parsha): Download (Duration: 59:05 — 27.0MB)

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Parshas Mishpatim marks a stark change in the rhythm and pace of the Torah narrative. The preceding 17 Parshas contained a total of 41 mitzvos; this week we begin learning the Torah laws en masse. In this single parsha alone we have 53 mitzvos (only three parshas have more mitzvos). Beyond the varied laws, this parsha contains a prophetic promise and guidance regarding the conquest of Canaan, and the completion of the Sinai narrative that began in last week’s parsha.

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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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How to Raise Good Children

Podcast: Download (Duration: 55:29 — 25.4MB)

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It is incumbent upon parents to raise their children well, but how exactly do you do that? Babies are not born clutching parenting manuals. This is especially problematic for us Jews. We must raise our children to be upstanding, productive, stable, and healthy adults like all other parents. However, we have an additional responsibility: we must raise our children to be good Jews too. We must raise our children with a deep connection with the Almighty and His Torah. We must raise them with an awareness of their Jewish identity and a sense of mission and responsibility. How do we do that? That is a question that many young parents – and even veteran parents – struggle with. In this podcast, the first of a series of two, we will offer some answers. These are not specific answers to specific parenting dilemmas, rather they are heuristics that apply across the board in parenting. This podcast not be misconstrued as a claim of expertise or any special parenting ability. I am simply sharing ideas that are very well accepted and recognized as true.

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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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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

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Vayechi – Anti-Oxidance (5783)

Podcast (parsha): Download (Duration: 1:14:48 — 34.2MB)

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Immediately prior to his passing, Jacob gathered his sons with the intention of revealing to them what will happen at the end of days. With his 12 sons coalesced around him, Jacob was forced to pivot: the Almighty withdrew His Shechinah from him, and he was no longer able to be able to convey to them what would happen at the end of days. Instead, he began saying other things. Going through his sons one at a time, he highlighted their qualities, flaws, and destinies. When Jacob concluded these deathbed blessings, he passed. In this podcast we explore the nature of these blessings and the profound and indispensable lessons that they provide for 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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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

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SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts