Parsha Podcast with Ari Goldwag

What is behind the accounting that Moshe makes for all that the collected donations were used for? What is the concept of the 'trustworthy person' who has 'many blessings in his hand?' What are the blessings - when there is more than enough, or when there is exactly enough? How does this contrast with Korach, who never has enough and wants far beyond his share? Why does Moshe appoint others to help in the accounting? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the concept of a good name? How does one get a good name? Why is a 'good name better than oil?' What does oil represent? What is the difference between a superficial appointment to power, versus a leader who is connected to his spiritual essence? Why are the words shemo-name, mekor-root, and ratzon-desire all the same gematria, and what is their connection? Why is 'the day of death greater than the day of birth?' What was the difference between the great prophets and Aharon's sons, Nadav and Avihu? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the idea of Hashem counting the Jewish people? What is behind the analogy of the Jewish people being compared to wheat/seeds? Why does a farmer count his seeds before planting, and then count again after he sees the full yield? What is the argument between the wheat, the chaff and straw all about? How does this parallel the conversation between the Jewish nation and the nations of the world? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

How does the pure olive oil of the Mishkan-Tabernacle correspond to the essence of the Jewish people? What is unique about the process of creating the olive oil, as opposed to other fruits, and how does it relate to the process the Jewish people go through in exile? What is unique about the properties of oil as opposed to other liquids, and how does that relate to the uniqueness of the Jewish people? What is the power of the Mishkan and Beis Hamikdash that purifies a person and allows one's light to shine out? Why do the nations of the world all acknowledge the beauty and light of Jerusalem and the Beis Hamikdash, and follow that very light which shines from the Jewish people? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the concept behind 'taking' in relationship to the giving of contributions to the Mishkan-tabernacle? What are the amazing properties of the Torah, which is likened to a 'purchase' which is greater than silver and gold? What is the incredible value of the Torah, as indicated by the light of Moshe's face? What is the idea behind the statement of the Midrash that when we acquire the Torah, Hashem Himself, as it were, comes along with it? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the idea of 'giving the strength to Hashem?' What is the contrast between Nevuchadnetzar, king of Babylonia, versus King David, and their approach to honor and power? Why does Hashem give the power of true Justice to the Jewish people, as represented by the mishpatim-laws of our parsha? Why does Hashem ask the Jewish people to wait until the End of Time in order to see the Justice that will be meted out on the world of Edom and those who miscarried Justice on the Jewish people? Why is it that only King David can lead the Birkas Hamozon (Grace after Meals) in the great meal for the righteous in the End of Time? What is the concept of the Cup of Retribution which is used in this Midrash and in the Pesach Seder? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the fundamental difference between Yisro and Esav? Why are we instructed to attach to Hashem, our 'Friend,' and to veer away from our 'brother?' What is at the root of the many contrasts between the friendship of Yisro and the hatred of Esav toward the Jewish people? Why is Esav's gift for Moshiach rejected in the end of time? How can we join in the joy of others and steer away from antagonism? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the concept behind the punishment of Pharaoh as it coincides with the Jewish People's redemption from Egypt? How does this parallel the punishment of Pharaoh in Genesis and the accompanying redemption of Avraham and Sarah at that time? What is the depth behind the statement of our sages that the difficulty of a person's livelihood is on par with the difficulty of the splitting of the sea? Why do we specifically read this special praise of Hashem - that He gives food to each creature - on the night of the Pesach Seder? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the idea behind the heaviness or difficulty for Hashem, as it were, when it comes to dealing with those who defy him, in comparison to the lack of difficulty in creating the mountains and valleys? Why are the Jewish people compared to a stone? Why are we compared to the sand? What happens when the Jewish people do not fulfill their role? How does Hashem use our enemies in order to save us and bring about our redemption? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does Moshe challenge Hashem by bringing up the difficulty the Jewish people have endured since he spoke to Pharaoh, if Hashem had told him that He would harden Pharaoh's heart? What was the mistake of Shlomo Hemelech (King Solomon) in believing that he could take many wives despite the Torah's command that a king limit the amount of wives he marries? Why does Hashem respond to Moshe at first with judgment and firmness and then switch to compassion and mercy? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What was the unique power that Yaakov bequeathed to his children, such that all twelve of them were righteous, and such that they could survive the difficult Egyptian exile? What mistake did Avraham make with his son Yishmael, and what mistake did Yitzchak make with Esav? How can we survive the desperate challenge that surrounds us in the Western world, a world with no boundaries? How can we raise our children with a healthy balance of love and boundaries? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah leave no space between the current and previous parsha's? What is the thread that runs through the three different explanations? Why was Yakov unable to reveal the End of Days? What happens when the End is revealed, for example, in the case of Yosef and his brothers? What is the reason for not mentioning a person's own death? When is it appropriate to contemplate the day of death? How does this apply to the revelation of the final redemption and the process we are currently experiencing in the world? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the danger of making commitments? Why does the Midrash seem to encourage us to steer clear of commitments? What is the idea behind the opposite suggestions, which involve 'peace between man and his fellow?' What was the result of Yehuda's commitment - was it positive or negative? What is the lesson that we can learn in regards to the importance and danger of commitments? How does this relate to the concept of being motivated by less powerful motivations? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What is the idea behind the keitz-end? Can the power of evil continue forever? What is the darkness that comes to an end for the Jewish people, nationally, and for Yosef personally? What is the idea behind the verse that encourages us to 'increase sadness' and 'decrease our speech?' What is the great joy in taking on challenges and limiting the 'easy' things in our lives? How does this relate to the subtle light of Chanukah, and the Menorah which represents the Torah? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

What was the special power of the ingathering of Yaakov and his sons - both into the Land of Israel, as well as in their unique prayer for protection? What was the reason that Esav and his mighty sons left Israel to settle elsewhere? What is the idea underlying the deal of getting 100 lashes in exchange for 100 golden coins? Why does Esav run away from the challenges? Why does Yaakov embrace those challenges? What is the unique power that we have, as children of Yaakov, to chase away our enemies? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.