Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchA Mystical Approach To The Rosh Hashana Readings ft. Rabbi Shmuly Botnick
As is true by Shabbos and all Festivals, on the two days of Rosh Hashana we read sections from the Torah and a supplemental reading from Tanach, the Haftorah. At first blush, the four readings of Ros…
Published on 4 years, 3 months ago
Parsha: Nitzavim – Drawbridge Of The Soul
With the entire nation gathered on his final day of life, Moshe warns the people against being seduced by idolatry. The nation, Moshe reveals, is particularly vulnerable to idolatry because of the pe…
Published on 4 years, 3 months ago
Mitzvah: Bribes and Palm-Greasing (#83)
Judgment is the ultimate partnership between us and God. Litigants who come to a Jewish court are coming to hear the will of the Almighty on the case. Consequently, the judges have to be very meticul…
Published on 4 years, 3 months ago
Rosh Hashana: Customs, Rituals, Ceremonies, and Practices
The two days of Rosh Hashana are two of the most important days in the year. These festival days are celebratory and joyous, but are also dedicated to prayer, to introspection, and repentance. Rosh H…
Published on 4 years, 3 months ago
Parsha: Parshas Nitzavim & Vayeilech (Rebroadcast)
On the final day of Moshe’s life, he gathered the entire nation – men, women, children, and according to the Talmud, all souls of future Jews – to pass them through a final covenant with God. The par…
Published on 4 years, 3 months ago
Parsha: Ki Savo – Maniacal Determination
Our parsha contains perhaps the most difficult Torah portion to read and digest: The Tochacha (Admonition). In it we are told the consequences of our deeds. If obey the Almighty and hearken to His co…
Published on 4 years, 4 months ago
Mitzvah: Conjecture in Court (#82)
A court is tasked with verifying the validity of the claims of the witnesses and rendering a ruling. What kinds of testimony are admissible in court? What are the extrajudicial carveouts for the defe…
Published on 4 years, 4 months ago
Parsha: Parshas Ki Savo (Rebroadcast)
As the Book of Deuteronomy draws to its conclusion, the narrative makes a transition: Moshe finishes conveying the mitzvos to the nation, and sets up his final parting message to the people. First, h…
Published on 4 years, 4 months ago
Parsha: Ki Seitzei – A Lifetime A Day
The Midrash in our parsha calculates that the Torah contains 613 mitzvos, 248 positive mitzvos, where the Torah commands us to do something proactive, and 365 negative mitzvos, where we are instructe…
Published on 4 years, 4 months ago
Ethics: Realms of Rage (5:14)
Anger is a sentiment that we all feel sometimes. What triggers our rage? What does our anger say about us? What is the connection between anger and faith? Why does the Talmud declare that getting ang…
Published on 4 years, 4 months ago