Category Archives: Parsha

Vayechi – Deathbed Priorities

Parshas Vayrchi is oriented around the illness and death of Jacob. The Jewish family is growing and establishing roots in Egypt. Their spiritual leader and guide is going to pass, and they will ease into Egyptian life, culminating in their eventual enslavement. In his waning moments, Jacob gathers his children, blesses them, and provides them with insight that will illuminate their lives in the darkness to come.

The topics discussed in this episode:
Why there is no break between Vayigash and Vayechi – [0:00];
Jacob’s Request from Joseph – [8:30];
Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Menasheh – [27:07];
Jacob’s Blesses his Children– [35:36];
Joseph Asks Pharaoh for permission to bury Jacob in Canaan – [54:27];
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Contact:

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Twitter: @RabbiWolbe;
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Podcasts Links iOS:

This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics;
The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish People;
The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parsha;
TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah

Podcast Links Android:

This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics;
The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish People;
The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parsha;
TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah

Vayigash – A Family Descends

Parshas Vayigash begins with Joseph’s dramatic revelation to his brothers and ends with the descent of Jacob and his descendents to Egypt, where they will spend the next several hundred years burgeoning into a great nation.

The topics discussed in this episode:
Joseph reveals his True Identity – [0:00];
The Brothers Silence in the Face of Truth – [5:30];
Jacob is Rejuvenated with the Knowledge that Joseph is still Alive; Has Nighttime Prophecy– [16:31];
70 Descendents; Remedy Precedes Wound – [24:05];
Jacob and Joseph Reunite – [32:36];
Jacob and Pharaoh’s Conversation; Joseph’s Dedication to Task – [38:24];
– – – – – – – – – – – – –
Contact:

Website: RabbiWolbe.com;
Twitter: @RabbiWolbe;
Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe;
Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com.

Podcasts Links iOS:

This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics;
The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish People;
The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parsha;
TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah

Podcast Links Android:

This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics;
The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish People;
The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parsha;
TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah

Mikeitz – From Prisoner to Viceroy

Parshas Mikeitz tells the dramatic transformation of Joseph from lowly prisoner to exalted viceroy of Egypt, his oversight of Egyptian preparation for famine and how he related to his brothers who sought grain.

The topics discussed in this episode:
Joseph’s Ascension to grandeur – [0:00];
Joseph’s Suggestion: Seek a wise person – [10:08];
Joseph enshrined as viceroy, implements his plan and has a family– [19:55];
Joseph as Leader; Forced Circumcisions – [29:06];
Jacob Sends Sons to Procure Provisions; Brothers dont Recognize him; Joseph plays games with them – [33:13];
Joseph’s Ruses – [43:12];
– – – – – – – – – – – – –
Contact:

Website: RabbiWolbe.com;
Twitter: @RabbiWolbe;
Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe;
Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com.

Podcasts Links iOS:

This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics;
The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish People;
The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parsha;
TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah

Podcast Links Android:

This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics;
The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish People;
The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parsha;
TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah

Vayeishev – Strange Paths to Redemption

Parshas Vayeishev marks the dramatic descent of Joseph, from Jacob’s favorite son to alleged attempted rapist languishing in an Egyptian prison. In retrospect, this Parsha tells the beginning of the founding of the Jewish nation and the back story to the nation’s most prestigious family.

The topics discussed in this episode:
Jacob’s Favoritism towards Joseph – [0:00];
Joseph’s Dreams of Grandeur and the Prophecy in Dreams – [6:09];
Jacob’s Response to Joseph’s dreams – [16:55];
The Brothers Betray Joseph – [18:52];
Reuben and Judah try to save Joseph – [27:20];
Joseph’s Descent into Egypt; Judah is Demoted; the Episode of Judah and Tamar – [31:00];
Joseph in Egypt; His Resistance to Sin – [49:42];
Joseph is Framed and Imprisoned – [55:33];
Joseph Relies on the Cupbearer  – [1:01:22].
– – – – – – – – – – – – –
Contact:

Website: RabbiWolbe.com;
Twitter: @RabbiWolbe;
Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe;
Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com.

Podcasts Links iOS:

This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics;
The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish People;
The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parsha;
TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah

Podcast Links Android:

This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics;
The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish People;
The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parsha;
TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah

Vayishlach – Twin Tussles

Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode:

Jacob’s Preparation for the Encounter with Esau – [0:00]
Jacob’s Fears: Of Loss of Merits, Of Esau and Of Esau’s “Brotherly Love” – [9:09]
The Bribe – [13:29]
Jacob Hid Dina to Shield her from Esau – [16:06]
Jacob’s night-long Struggle with the Angel, Dislocated his Hip and the Mitzvah of the Gid Hanasheh – [21:13]
Jacob is Renamed as Israel – [29:57]
The Encounter with Esau – [39:42]
The Episode of Dina – [49:04]
The Death of Rebecca  – [59:24]
The Episode of Reuben and Bilhah – [1:02:24]
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If you enjoy this podcast please subscribe and check out my other podcasts: This Jewish Life – long form deep dives into critical Torah topics and The Jewish History Podcast – telling the remarkable story of the Jewish People.

Contact:

Website: RabbiWolbe.com

Twitter: @RabbiWolbe

Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

Vayeitzei – Nation Building

Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode:

Jacob’s Dream – [0:00]
Jacob’s Ladder – [9:10]
Jacob’s Pledge compared to God’s Promise – [13:59]
On the Meaning of Stones in the Parsha; The Power of Inspiration – [19:00]
Jacob Meets Rachel – [22:54]
Seven Years in Exchange for Rachel’s Hand in Marriage– [33:57]
Laban’s Deception and the Dynamics of Jacob’s Relationships with his Wives – [38:12]
Rachel Bears Joseph – [46:47]
Jacob’s Flight – [50:42]

If you enjoy this podcast please subscribe and check out my other podcasts: This Jewish Life – long form deep dives into critical Torah topics and The Jewish History Podcast – telling the remarkable story of the Jewish People.

Contact:

Website: RabbiWolbe.com

Twitter: @RabbiWolbe

Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

Toldos – Intrauterine Cosmic Struggle

Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode:

Praying As Response to Infertility – [0:00]
God Answers Isaac’s Prayer – [4:52]
Jacob and Esau intrauterine Struggling; Esau Pining for Idolatry; The Cosmic Struggle between the Two Worlds – [10:16]
Jacob Seizing the Ankle of Esau and their Childhood; Isaac’s Love of Esau – [30:06]
The Sale of the Birthright – [37:56]
Isaac in the Prism of Abraham – [47:22]
Jacob Usurping the Blessings – [56:30]

If you enjoy this podcast please subscribe and check out my other podcasts: This Jewish Life – long form deep dives into critical Torah topics and The Jewish History Podcast – telling the remarkable story of the Jewish People.

Contact:

Website: RabbiWolbe.com

Twitter: @RabbiWolbe

Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

Chayei Sara – Unselfish Spouses

Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode:

The Death, Bereavment and  Burial of Sarah – [0:00]
The Cave of the Machpelah – [14:23]
Eliezer’s Oath, Eligibility Test for a prospective Spouse for Isaac– [23:26]
Eliezer’s Encounter with Lavan and Rebecca’s family and the Corruptive Forces of Bias – [39:11]
The Shelf Life of Inspiration – [54:56]
Isaac and Rebecca’s Marriage and Love – [58:37]
The Death and Burial of Abraham – [1:05:11]
If you enjoy this podcast please subscribe and check out my other podcasts: This Jewish Life – long form deep dives into critical Torah topics and The Jewish History Podcast – telling the remarkable story of the Jewish People.

Contact:

Website: RabbiWolbe.com

Twitter: @RabbiWolbe

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Vayeira – Reconciling Kindness and Child-Sacrifice

Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode:

Kindness Superseding Prophecy – [0:00]
Deconstructing Abraham’s Kindness with the Three Strangers – [9:57]
Abraham’s Intercession on Behalf of Sodom – [25:23]
Abraham’s Unsuccessful Kindnesses: How Kindness and Faith are Correlated and How Lot’s Kindness differed from Abraham’s – [34:48]
Sodom’s Perversion and Lot’s Warped Kindness – [41:56]
The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and its Aftermath, the Pillar of Salt and Lot’s Merit– [51:47]
Birth of Isaac, Banishment of Ishmael and Binding of Isaac – [1:02:39]
Understanding the Binding of Isaac and Abraham’s Apparent Cruelty – [1:08:22]

If you enjoy this podcast please subscribe and check out my other podcasts: This Jewish Life – long form deep dives into critical Torah topics and The Jewish History Podcast – telling the remarkable story of the Jewish People.

Contact:

Website: RabbiWolbe.com

Twitter: @RabbiWolbe

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Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

Lech Lecha – A Covenant of Greatness

Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode:

Abraham, the Most Transformative Human of All Time – [0:00]
Abraham’s Ten Tests and the Test of Lech Lecha– [2:48]
The Souls that they made in Charan – [19:45]
Israel, Godly Promises and the Egypt Episode – [24:53]
Lot, Sand & Stars, Abraham’s Great Fear – [37:14]
Abraham Marries Hagar – [54:00]
Circumcision – [1:02:03]

If you enjoy this podcast please subscribe and check out my other podcasts: This Jewish Life – long form deep dives into critical Torah topics and The Jewish History Podcast – telling the remarkable story of the Jewish People.

Contact:
Website: RabbiWolbe.com
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Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

Noach – Treating the Symptoms of Sin

A synopsis of the parsha and insights and lessons and themes from it. The topics discussed in this epsode:

The 120 Year Grace Period for Mankind – [0:00]
The Enigmatic Character of Noah – [4:35]
The Ark as Refuge; Ark’s Dimensions – [13:25]
Fiting everyone into the Ark – [18:45]
A Personal Flood And a Personal Ark for refuge – [26:35]
A Seeming Inconsistency in the Number of Kosher Animals – [30:00]
Separation of men and women in Ark – [35:07]
The lacking of Noah’s faith – [40:10]
Four Events that happened in Broad Daylight – [45:32]
The Legacy of the Dead, Life on the Ark, The Aftermath of the Flood – [50:48]
The Ham Debacle – [1:01:36]
Nimrod and The Tower of Babel – Rebellion With Willful Intent – [1:06:33]
Abraham’s Backstory and the Two Types of Miracles – [1:14:02]

If you enjoy this podcast please subscribe and check out my other podcasts: This Jewish Life – long form deep dives into critical Torah topics and The Jewish History Podcast – telling the remarkable story of the Jewish People.

Contact:
Website: RabbiWolbe.com
Twitter: @RabbiWolbe
Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

Bereishis – The Ominous Beginnings of Man

This is the first of a series on the entire Torah. Every week will feature a new episode that begins with a synopsis of the parsha and insights and lessons and themes from it. The topics discussed in this epsode:

Parsha Overview – [0:00]
The World Was Created with Ten Utterances – [6:46]
Hell Created on Day Two – [11:36]
The Demotion of the Moon – [15:43]
Why Adam was Created on Day Six –  [20:20]
Why no “And behold it was good” for Adam? – [25:32]
Adam and Eve: Model Marriage? – [28:46]
The Test and the Sin – [32:27]
Adam was Created Circumcised – [39:00]
“The Torah Begins and Ends with Kindness”/Adam to Moses Continuum – [41:48]
The Punishment and Repurcussions of the Sin – [48:07]
Cain and Abel: Impact of Actions – [01:00:29]
Deterioration of Mankind – [01:09:46]

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If you enjoy this podcast please subscribe and check out my other podcasts: This Jewish Life – long form deep dives into critical Torah topics and The Jewish History Podcast – telling the remarkable story of the Jewish People.

Contact:
Website: RabbiWolbe.com
Twitter: @RabbiWolbe
Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com