Parsha Podcast with Ari Goldwag

Why does Moshe begin the redemption process, only to be faced with a setback that seems to makes things worse for the Jewish people? Why does the redemption process need to start with Rachamim-mercy that is clothed in Din-judgment? Why does Hashem have compassion on Moshe despite Moshe's challenge to Him? What is the idea behind the Din-judgment being directed at the Egyptians, and the Rachamim-mercy being directed at the Jewish people? Why does a great friend of the Jewish people have to experience such a downfall? How are we to approach the seemingly positive movement in our times toward a positive recognition of the Jewish people, contrasted with the seemingly impending reversal of all that good? How does the process described in the original redemption parallel how the ultimate redemption will play out? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is behind the future tense of the verse that says 'as per how much they were caused pain, so they will become great and so they will expand?' What was the plan of the Egyptians in raising the quota of the Jews and causing them to sleep in the field? How did Hashem thwart this plan? How were the Jewish babies raised out in the field? Who was the mysterious 'Young Man' who took care of them? When did they 'see' the Young Man again? How do the words 'Zeh Keili' (This is my God) refer to the idea that He believes in me? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the amazing power of Yosef's forgiveness for his brothers? What is Yosef's consolation to them and how does he explain that he could never and would never want to harm them? How does this parallel the future consolation that Hashem will console the Jewish people before the advent of the age of Moshiach? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the verse refer to the fact that Yosef 'appeared' to his father when they finally met after 22 years of separation? What was unique about the focus of Yosef when he reunited with his father? What is the result when a person focuses on his own benefit when performing mitzvos? What is the proper focus? Where do we see the different levels of doing for Hashem's sake in the evolution of Yosef? Why was Pharaoh willing to give Yosef so much power? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is unique about the 'hope of Yakov?' Why did Yakov use the word 'shever' to mean food, when usually the word used is 'ochel?' What is the meaning of the word shever/sever? Why does the same word denote both brokenness and hope? What is meant by the midrash when it says that Yakov was aware of Yosef being in Egypt, whereas the brothers did have this awareness? What is the unique 'gift' that we 'give back' to Hashem in our lighting of the candles of Chanukah? What is the message of this lighting that millions of Jews have done for over 2000 years throughout the entire world? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why is Yakov afraid when he 'sees the mighty ones of Esav?' Why is he comforted by Yosef in this regard? Why is Yakov referred to as a 'blacksmith' while Yosef is referred to as a 'goldsmith?' What is the idea behind Yosef being the 'reason for all the other offspring of Yakov?' What is the the depth of the idea that the sea split because of Yosef - it 'ran away' just as Yosef 'ran away' from Potifar's wife? What is the significance of his 'running away?' What is the conncection between the essence of Yosef and the essence of Chanukah? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah emphasize the eight kings of Edom that reigned before there was a king in Israel? Why were there no kings in Israel before that point? What happened to the kings of Edom when kings reigned over Israel? Why was Haman (from Esav) demoted and replaced with Mordechai? What is the idea behind the analogy of the chaff, the straw and the wheat arguing about for whom the field was planted? What is the great battle between Esav and Yakov about, and how does it apply to our own personal struggles? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why are the Jewish people blessed to be like 'the dust of the earth?' What is the 'water' that causes the growth of the 'dust' of the Jewish people? How are we compared to dust-earth in our relationship with the Nations of the world? Why are we trampled and how do we ultimately triumph? What is the concept of the expansion 'west-east-north-south' that is the result of this? What is the idea of the Shabbos observer being blessed to receive an 'inheritance without borders?' What is the analogy of the story of 'Yosef Mokir Shabbos' who had great regard for the Sabbath? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why were Yitzchak's eyes clouded over? What was the evil of Esav that he was not meant to see? Why were the angels crying at the binding of Yitzchak? Why did it take almost 80 years for those tears to have an effect and cloud his vision? What is the connection between the Akeida (binding) and Yaakov stealing the blesings? Why do the righteous people cry at the advent of Moshiach, as the ego-Evil Inclination is slaughtered? What do those tears have to do with the tears of the angels? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

This week's Podcast is dedicated in the memory of Mazel Tova bas R' Meir Dan. What is the concept of 'planting early and late?' How does it apply to planting, literally? How does it apply to the Torah one learns, the charity one gives, the students one teaches and the children one conceives? What is the idea behind the multiplication that occurs on that which is secondary, as opposed to what seems to be primary? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why do the angels who visit Avraham - and bring out the Chesed-kindness of their host - also arrive in Sodom and bring out the evil intent of the people there? What is the idea behind the last 25 years of the existence of Sodom and Hashem's attempts to bring them to Teshuva? What is the concept of Hesech Hada'as (pause in thought) and how does it relate to Moshiach, finding a lost item, and getting stung by a scorpion? What brought about the bravery of my Great Grandfather, R' Yosef Yitzchok Streisand, leading him to stop the fire in the Synagogue at the risk of great personal danger? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the idea behind Malchizedek's blessing to Avraham Avinu? What did he mean when he said that Hashem was 'Migen' the oppressors of Avraham? How does this word relate to the concept of a wheel and the evil machinations of Avraham's enemies? How does this word relate to the concept of Mangina-song? Why does King David sing his song in the night? Why does Hashem destroy our enemies in the night time? Why was the building burning and how does this relate to Avraham's experience of the world which lead to Hashem revealing Himself to Avraham? From whom does Hashem 'acquire' the world? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the idea behind the Medrash's statement that before the flood, 'they would plant but not harvest?' What is the depth behind the fact that previous to the flood there were no distinct seasons, that people could travel long distances in a moment, and that there was no fear of wild animals? Why did this all change after the flood? Why did the world become a world of cycles and challenges? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why did Hashem consult with the angels before creating the human being? What is the essence of man's advantage over an angel? Why did Hashem ask Adam to name the animals? What is the idea behind the name being related to its essence? Why did man refer to himself as Adam from the word Adama-earth? Why did Adam need to notice that all the other animals had a mate in order to ask for his own mate? What is behind the concept of Hashem wanting us to want? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the idea behind Moshe being called a 'Man of God?' How can one be 'a man' - human - and also be Godly? Why is this a prerequisite in order for him to bless the Jewish people? Why does the Torah stress that he is blessing them before his death? What is the depth behind the idea of the Jewish people being an 'Am Levadad' - a lonely nation? How does this correspond to Hashem's oneness? What is the depth of the teaching that Hashem has a special festive meal alone with the Jewish people on the last day of Succos (ie Shmini Atzeres)? Why do the blessings come from this 'loneliness?' Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.