Toldos – Jacob’s Heist (5785)

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#108: The Second Pathway to Faith: Jewish History

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The history of the Jewish people is unmatched by any other nation. The highs of our nation exceed those of other nations, and our nadirs are likewise unparalleled. It’s a riveting, dramatic story accompanied by all sorts of twists and turns. Studying the history of the Jews can be a fruitful endeavor. There’s no way to study it without arriving at the conclusion that God oversees and manages His nation. In the previous episode, we began our studies in my grandfather’s book, Ohr LaShav, and we learned about how studying the world can serve as a pathway to faith. The second pathway to faith is the exploration of Jewish history.

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Charity or Piracy (3:8)

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Why do we give charity? Is there a cap of 20% to how much we can give? In this mishna we learn about a striking rationale for charity, answer these questions, and contrast the two types of givers.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 13, 2019

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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 Toldos (Rebroadcast)

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In Parshas Toldos we meet twin boys that are polar opposites: Esau, beloved by his father Isaac, is a man of the fields; while Jacob is loved by his mother Rebecca and prefers to dwell in the tents of scholarship. These two children will spawn nations and ideals that diverged from each other even before they were born.

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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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Summoning God (3:7)

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In Jewish literature, Torah is called the Word of God. In this mishna we learn about its ability to bridge the gap between man and his Creator.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Jan 7, 2019

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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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Chayei Sarah – Who Was Ishmael?

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Ishmael’s story is told at great length in the Torah. We read about his unusual parentage, the dramatic circumstances of his birth, and how Abraham was 86 when he was born. We read about Abraham training him to be hospitable as a lad, circumcising him as a teen, and banishing him as an adolescent. Ishmael’s life hits a nadir when he and his mother are sent away from Abraham’s home. In the home where everyone – from idolaters worshiping the dust on their feet to the sinners of Sodom and Gomorrah – was welcome, Ishmael was unwelcome. He and his mother went back to Egypt, and he married an Egyptian woman and became an archer. But Ishmael underwent a dramatic rebirth. He was restored to Abraham’s good graces. He repented. He became righteous. The story of Ishmael is not merely the analysis of a character in antiquity. Ishmael is still enormously relevant today. The Ishmaelites number in the hundreds of millions. They are indeed innumerable, and our relationship with the Ishmaelites is still riven by conflict. Who was Ishmael? What did he stand for? What lessons can we learn from his dramatic story? He is our personage of the week, and we learn all the answers.

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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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Living on a Supernatural Plane (3:6)

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What rules govern what happens in our lives? In this mishna we find that there are really three different realms, and that it is possible to upgrade the plane on which we operate.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Dec 19, 2018

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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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Chayei Sarah – Reverse Repentance (5785)

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Sarah was Abraham’s life partner. She was his superior as a prophetess. She accompanied him in all his journeys. In the aftermath of the Binding of Isaac, she died. How did the Binding contribute to her demise? What exactly was Saran’s role in orchestrating her sudden death? In this Parsha Podcast we explore the very interesting phenomenon of “acts of Satan” that threaten to destabilize people after great achievements. We also study Eliezer’s flawed prayer and his urgency in fulfilling his mission.

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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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Nocturnal Opportunities (3:5)

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Rabbi Chananya ben Chakhinai says: One who stays awake at night, and one who wanders on a road alone, and turns his heart to idleness, behold he is liable with his life.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Nov 25, 2018

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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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#107: Pathways to Faith

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The Jewish soul is very special. It innately seeks to ascend, to connect with the Creator, to cleave to God Almighty. Once this soul is awakened, it must choose a pathway to faith. There are many different pathways through which a person can connect with God. In this very interesting episode, the first in our exploration of the wondrous book “A Light to the Returnee,” (אור לשב) we study the first pathway to faith.

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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 Chayei Sarah (Rebroadcast)

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Some of the highlights of this week’s parsha: Immediately after the Binding of Isaac, Sarah passed away at the age of 127, and soon afterward Abraham had to procure a burial spot for her. In addition, Abraham sent his trusted confidante, Eliezer, to his hometown to find a spouse for Isaac.

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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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Paging the Divine Presence (3:3-4)

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In successive teachings, our Sages share with us a way to usher ourselves into the Presence of the Almighty. It really is that simple.

This Ethics Podcast was originally released on the Ethics Podcast on Nov 18, 2018

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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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