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The Jewish holiday of Shavuot, when Jewish people celebrate the gift of the Torah – the Hebrew bible, was marred by violence as eight people were attacked Sunday in Boulder. Attorney General Phil Weiser provided an update on the latest developments. Then, have immigration protocols shifted from finding criminals to stopping those following the current guidelines? Later, oil companies aren't always complying with fracking laws. Plus, how cancelling millions of dollars in grants has impacted addressing environmental inequities. Also, a look back as Pride 2025 kicks off, and the evolution of street art.
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In the longest parsha in the Torah by verses, we continue to read about the Levite families and their responsibilities, we learn about the three tiers of the Nation's encampment, the laws of a suspected adulteress, the laws of the Nazir, the Priestly blessings, and we read a very wordy account of the gifts of […]
In the longest parsha in the Torah by verses, we continue to read about the Levite families and their responsibilities, we learn about the three tiers of the Nation's encampment, the laws of a suspected adulteress, the laws of the Nazir, the Priestly blessings, and we read a very wordy account of the gifts of the tribal leaders during the weeks following the Tabernacle's inauguration.– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –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!– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletterrabbiwolbe.com/newsletter– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe's PodcastsThe Parsha PodcastThe Jewish History PodcastThe Mitzvah Podcast This Jewish LifeThe Ethics PodcastTORAH 101 ★ Support this podcast ★
Daily Halacha Podcast - Daily Halacha By Rabbi Eli J. Mansour
It is customary to read the first chapter of Yehezkel (Ezekiel) as the Haftarah on Shabuot, a section known as Ma'aseh Merkava – the vision of the Divine Chariot. This profound and mysterious prophecy was revealed to Yehezkel while in exile by the River Kevar in Babylon. Despite being in galut, the Shechina appeared to him, teaching us that Hashem's presence remains with us even outside the Land of Israel. The imagery in the Haftarah is highly symbolic: four-faced angels, wheels of fire, and a glowing chariot representing the heavenly realms. The four faces—human, lion, ox, and eagle—symbolize dominion over different realms of creation. Above them all sits the Divine presence, symbolizing Hashem's supremacy over all. According to the Zohar, the human face seen in the vision is that of Yaakov Avinu , whose spiritual greatness earned him a place under the Heavenly Throne. The Haftarah is read on Shabuot because the revelation at Sinai was similarly accompanied by clouds, lightning, and thunder. Just as Matan Torah revealed Hashem's glory, so too does this vision reflect a celestial dimension of His presence. Although the details are esoteric and not meant to be publicly expounded, practical lessons emerge: Angels are stationary – they do not grow spiritually. Their legs are straight and fixed, teaching us that only humans can elevate themselves spiritually through effort, Torah, and mitzvot. Shabuot is the perfect time to recommit to personal growth. Angels of judgment travel slowly , while angels of mercy travel instantly. From this, we learn to pause before reacting in anger or judgment , giving ourselves time to calm down and choose a better path. Acting with patience brings mercy into our decisions. The vision also hints that the Shechina was departing from the Beit HaMikdash, a symbolic warning that without spiritual substance, even a holy building becomes just bricks and stone. Despite the complexity of this Haftarah, the overarching message is clear: Hashem is with us in every generation, in every place—even in exile—and our mission is to grow, learn, and draw closer to Him through Torah .
In this special post-Shabbat sermon recorded for Shavuot, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath takes us on a profound journey through the remarkable history of the Sassoon Codex and the legendary Crown of Aram Tzova. Woven into this tale of ink and parchment is a modern miracle: the voice of a mother reaching her daughter in captivity, reminding us that the Torah is not just a relic, but a living pulse of our people.From ancient scribes in Tiberias to secret hiding spots in Aleppo, from destruction to redemption, from loss to legacy, Rabbi Bernath reveals how the Jewish People have never just studied the Torah, we've carried it. We've risked our lives to protect it. And today, as we stand at the foot of Sinai once more, we are called to do the same.Key Takeaways:The Torah is Not History… It's Memory: Unlike history, which belongs to the past, memory shapes the present. The Torah is our collective memory and it calls us to live with responsibility and purpose.The Crown is More Than a Book: The story of the Crown of Aram Tzova reflects the Jewish people's fierce dedication to Torah. It symbolizes dignity, identity, and spiritual sovereignty.Miracles Happen When We Stay Connected: Agam Berger's story reminds us that even in darkness, light can pierce through. The Torah isn't just letters on parchment, it's a lifeline, a soul-connector.Torah is Our Crown—But We Must Guard It: Just as communities once locked the Crown in an iron chest, we too must fiercely protect our values, our faith, and our unity.Shavuot is Our Coronation Day: Every year, we place the crown back on our heads. Torah is not a heritage we visit, it's a legacy we live.#Shavuot #shavuos #Jewish #aleppocodex #sassooncodex #Torah #Sermon #Bible #jewishunity #Judaism #JewishHistory #jewishstories Support US and Win BIG www.ndgraffle.comSupport the showGot your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath's work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi
Send us a textIn this special post-Shabbat sermon recorded for Shavuot, Rabbi Yisroel Bernath takes us on a profound journey through the remarkable history of the Sassoon Codex and the legendary Crown of Aram Tzova. Woven into this tale of ink and parchment is a modern miracle: the voice of a mother reaching her daughter in captivity, reminding us that the Torah is not just a relic, but a living pulse of our people.From ancient scribes in Tiberias to secret hiding spots in Aleppo, from destruction to redemption, from loss to legacy, Rabbi Bernath reveals how the Jewish People have never just studied the Torah, we've carried it. We've risked our lives to protect it. And today, as we stand at the foot of Sinai once more, we are called to do the same.Key Takeaways:The Torah is Not History… It's Memory:Unlike history, which belongs to the past, memory shapes the present. The Torah is our collective memory and it calls us to live with responsibility and purpose.The Crown is More Than a Book:The story of the Crown of Aram Tzova reflects the Jewish people's fierce dedication to Torah. It symbolizes dignity, identity, and spiritual sovereignty.Miracles Happen When We Stay Connected:Agam Berger's story reminds us that even in darkness, light can pierce through. The Torah isn't just letters on parchment, it's a lifeline, a soul-connector.Torah is Our Crown—But We Must Guard It:Just as communities once locked the Crown in an iron chest, we too must fiercely protect our values, our faith, and our unity.Shavuot is Our Coronation Day:Every year, we place the crown back on our heads. Torah is not a heritage we visit, it's a legacy we live.#Shavuot #shavuos #Jewish #aleppocodex #sassooncodex #Torah #Sermon #Bible #jewishunity #Judaism #JewishHistory #jewishstories Click HERE to purchase a raffle ticket www.ndgraffle.comSupport the showGot your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath's work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi
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Jewish Faith & Jewish Facts with Rabbi Steven Garten. Aired: June 1, 2025 on CHRI Radio 99.1FM in Ottawa, Canada. For questions, email Rabbi Garten at rabbishg@templeisraelottawa.com For more CHRI shows, visit chri.ca
Learning Lessons in Tanya chapter 34 climaxes the essential importance of joy in all aspects of Inner Avodas Hashem. Kabalat HaTorah is the inner Luchos aka Tablets of Joy & Bitterness, learnt from Dovid Hamelech zya, the Baal Shem Tov, the strength of Rus to convert toviling in the deep waters of Efrat to bring out this inner Joy of Moshiach. Cover pic
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Accepting the Torah Every Year with Simcha (Bamidbar 5785)
À partir du Don de la Torah, les Bné Israël s'engagent vis-à-vis de D.ieu et réciproquement. Ils deviennent alors le peuple juif, qui s'élève au-delà des lois de la nature et qui n'est pas soumis au Mazal. Le peuple d'Israël puise sa puissance et son existence de la Torah divine qui est sa source de vie. Lorsque le peuple juif se comporte d'après les prescriptions de la Torah, il vit. Dans le cas contraire, il subit des désastres qui l'amènent à faire Téchouva et ainsi de suite, tout au long de l'histoire juive. À Chavou'ot, on reçoit à nouveau de D.ieu la vie, en acceptant Sa Torah et Ses lois. On rencontre à nouveau Hachem, comme nos ancêtres l'ont vécu au Mont Sinaï, en écoutant les Dix commandements lors de la lecture de la Torah.
À travers deux histoires, ce cours montre comment la sainteté de la Torah élève la matière, et même la chair humaine.
Comparing and contrasting “The Prince of Egypt” by Dreamworks Animation with scriptures from The Torah, The Holy Bible, and the Qur'an. This podcast contains certain copyrighted works that were not specifically authorized to be used by the copyright holder(s), but which we believe in good faith are protected by federal law and the fair use doctrine (Section […] The post CSO 19b – The Prince of Egypt Part 2 first appeared on Cinema Story Origins Podcast.
What is an oath of testimony for which one is obligated to bring a sliding-scale sin offering? Anyone who cannot testify is excluded from responsibility, including women. The Gemara asks from where in the Torah is it derived that women cannot testify. They bring various braitot that all prove from the same verse, Devarim 19:17, each using a different drasha, that women cannot be witnesses. They learn other laws from that same verse regarding court cases, i.e. who stands and who sits, and requirements of the judges to be fair and balanced. What types of exceptions are made if a talmid chacham is being judged in the court?
Daily Halacha Podcast - Daily Halacha By Rabbi Eli J. Mansour
The Torah was given in a pattern of threes —a recurring theme that carries deep meaning. The Talmud teaches: the Torah (which itself has three parts—Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim) was given to a people divided into three groups (Kohanim, Levi'im, Yisraelim), through the third child of Amram (Moshe), in the third month (Sivan), on the third day (after three days of preparation). Why so many "threes"? The answer reflects the essence of Torah and mitzvot. The Bnei Yissaschar explains that every mitzvah is made up of three components: Action – physically performing the mitzvah. Speech – reciting a beracha, or saying the source verse. Thought – having kavana (intent) and awareness of why we're doing the mitzvah. This three-part formula also aligns with: The body : lower body (action), chest/lungs (speech), head (thought). The soul : nefesh (action), ruach (speech), neshama (thought). Spiritual development : ibur (embryo—action), yenika (nursing—speech), mochin (intellect—thought). Shabuot also commemorates the three stages of Jewish growth: Yetzias Mitzrayim – physical birth (action). Marah – first exposure to Torah laws (speech). Matan Torah – full spiritual maturity (thought and understanding). Even creation itself reflects Torah's structure. On the third day of creation , two Torah-like principles emerged: The grass obeyed a Torah-style kal vachomer and chose to grow "according to its kind," though not explicitly commanded—showing initiative in following Torah logic. The trees , however, failed to follow a potential hekesh (a Torah logic tool), producing fruit without making their trunks edible as commanded. Because of this, grass is honored in our synagogues on Shabuot with greenery—but trees are not included , as per the Vilna Gaon, who also rejected their use due to Christian associations. And finally, it was Moshe Rabbenu who made the famous hekesh —a Torah principle—on his own, delaying the giving of the Torah from the 6th of Sivan to the 7th so that the three-day preparation would be complete. In the Diaspora, where we keep two days of Yom Tov, the second day of Shabuot actually aligns with the true day of Matan Torah ! Summary: Shabuot celebrates a Torah of "threes"—a reflection of how we must serve Hashem with action, speech, and thought; body, soul, and spirit. From creation to redemption to revelation, the pattern of three teaches us how to elevate our lives and deepen our connection to Torah.
The Mission 50 and Rus' Return
What if the future of Judaism depended not on scholars or sages, but on the sippy cups and crayon-covered siddurim of our children?This powerful class dives into one of the most striking Midrashim about the giving of the Torah: when G-d demanded a guarantor, our ancestors suggested the elders, the prophets, the leaders and were rejected. Only when they offered the children did G-d say: Now we have a deal.But why children? Why not the tzaddikim, the scholars, the sages? And what does it mean that our children were the only "acceptable" security on the Torah?Together, we'll explore a deeply moving interpretation shared by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 5712 (1952), tracing how this Midrash contains the blueprint for Jewish continuity and our most urgent modern-day call to action.Through Torah, history, poetry, and tears, this class reminds us: if we want Judaism tomorrow, we must invest in our children today.KEY TAKEAWAYS:G-d Doesn't Want Retirement Religion:Torah isn't just for the nostalgic elderly or even for the rabbis, it's for every Jew, of every age and stage.Children Are the True Guarantors:When young hearts taste the sweetness of Torah, it becomes a lifelong imprint—and they end up teaching us.Jewish Education is National Security:Teachers are the true defenders of our people. Want to protect the Jewish future? Start by elevating Jewish schools.From Silence to Ruckus:After the Holocaust, there were no children left to make noise in shul. Today, we must cherish every giggle, every running step, every whispered Shema because that is the sound of eternity.Show Up at Sinai—Again:The custom of bringing children to hear the Ten Commandments on Shavuos is not symbolic it's covenantal. Without them, we can't receive the Torah anew.Support US and Win BIG www.ndgraffle.comSupport the showGot your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath's work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi
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Send us a textWhat if the future of Judaism depended not on scholars or sages, but on the sippy cups and crayon-covered siddurim of our children?This powerful class dives into one of the most striking Midrashim about the giving of the Torah: when G-d demanded a guarantor, our ancestors suggested the elders, the prophets, the leaders and were rejected. Only when they offered the children did G-d say: Now we have a deal.But why children? Why not the tzaddikim, the scholars, the sages? And what does it mean that our children were the only "acceptable" security on the Torah?Together, we'll explore a deeply moving interpretation shared by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 5712 (1952), tracing how this Midrash contains the blueprint for Jewish continuity and our most urgent modern-day call to action.Through Torah, history, poetry, and tears, this class reminds us: if we want Judaism tomorrow, we must invest in our children today.KEY TAKEAWAYS:G-d Doesn't Want Retirement Religion: Torah isn't just for the nostalgic elderly or even for the rabbis, it's for every Jew, of every age and stage.Children Are the True Guarantors: When young hearts taste the sweetness of Torah, it becomes a lifelong imprint—and they end up teaching us.Jewish Education is National Security: Teachers are the true defenders of our people. Want to protect the Jewish future? Start by elevating Jewish schools.From Silence to Ruckus: After the Holocaust, there were no children left to make noise in shul. Today, we must cherish every giggle, every running step, every whispered Shema because that is the sound of eternity.Show Up at Sinai—Again: The custom of bringing children to hear the Ten Commandments on Shavuos is not symbolic it's covenantal. Without them, we can't receive the Torah anew.#Judaism #Shavuot #Jewish #jewishholiday #chabad #holocaust #Rebbe #Torah #shavuos #jewisheducation #therebbe #sinai #Torah #TorahLessons #Jewishfuture Click HERE to purchase a raffle ticket www.ndgraffle.comSupport the showGot your own question for Rabbi Bernath? He can be reached at rabbi@jewishndg.com or http://www.theloverabbi.comSingle? You can make a profile on www.JMontreal.com and Rabbi Bernath will help you find that special someone.Donate and support Rabbi Bernath's work http://www.jewishndg.com/donateFollow Rabbi Bernath's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/ybernathAccess Rabbi Bernath's Articles on Relationships https://medium.com/@loverabbi
What is an oath of testimony for which one is obligated to bring a sliding-scale sin offering? Anyone who cannot testify is excluded from responsibility, including women. The Gemara asks from where in the Torah is it derived that women cannot testify. They bring various braitot that all prove from the same verse, Devarim 19:17, each using a different drasha, that women cannot be witnesses. They learn other laws from that same verse regarding court cases, i.e. who stands and who sits, and requirements of the judges to be fair and balanced. What types of exceptions are made if a talmid chacham is being judged in the court?
In this shmooze, delivered at Mevaseret Mishmar, Rav Burg explains the inner connection between the cutting of the grain and Shavuos. On Shavuos Hashem gives us the Torah but it is up to us to take responsibility for receiving the Torah.
Comparing and contrasting “The Prince of Egypt” by Dreamworks Animation with scriptures from The Torah, The Holy Bible, and the Qur'an. This podcast contains certain copyrighted works that were not specifically authorized to be used by the copyright holder(s), but which we believe in good faith are protected by federal law and the fair use doctrine (Section […] The post CSO 19a – The Prince of Egypt Part 1 first appeared on Cinema Story Origins Podcast.
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Long strings of numbers don't typically make for riveting radio or podcasts. Many of us feel our eyes glaze over when we read seemingly meaningless batches of numbers and a series of calculations. To the untrained eye, our Parsha - with its censuses, depiction of encampment layouts, and delineation of Levite responsibilities in the transportation of the Tabernacle and its vessels - appears bereft of deep meaning. But when we examine the Parsha more deeply, we discover that the entire Parsha is all about the positioning of the individual amidst a great nation. We all have an innate desire to accomplish something unique and special. We all want to make our mark. In our Parsha we learned about about the uniqueness of each individual and how they can find their role, their letter in Torah.– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –This Parsha Podcast is dedicated in loving memory and leilui nishmas Richard Reingold, Nattan Mordechai ben Henschel Reuven, who passed away suddenly this week. Richard was a dear friend of ours, a very special soul with an ever present smile and upbeat attitude. May his soul be elevated in Heaven.– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –DONATE: 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!– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletterrabbiwolbe.com/newsletter– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe's PodcastsThe Parsha PodcastThe Jewish History PodcastThe Mitzvah Podcast This Jewish LifeThe Ethics PodcastTORAH 101 ★ Support this podcast ★
The Mishnah in Pirkei Avot teaches us how deeply beloved we are to Hashem — not only did He give us His precious Torah, but He also expressed His immense love by telling us just how valuable that gift is. Shavuot is a time to appreciate the Torah as our guiding light and to reflect on the responsibility that comes with such a gift. The pasuk in Tehillim states: " טוֹב לִי תוֹרַת פִּיךָ מֵאַלְפֵי זָהָב וָכָסֶף " — "The Torah of Your mouth is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces" (Tehillim 119:72). The mefarshim are puzzled: how can something eternal like the Torah be compared to something as finite and physical as gold and silver? One explanation is that, as physical beings, we naturally place high value on material wealth. The pasuk is providing a relatable point of comparison. To us, there is no greater earthly treasure than vast amounts of gold and silver — and yet, the Torah tells us its value pales in comparison to the Torah's worth. Hashem instilled within us an affinity for wealth specifically so we could begin to grasp, on our own terms, just a fraction of the Torah's true value. Yet, there lies a danger. Sometimes we become so enamored by the mashal that we lose sight of the nimshal — the deeper truth it's meant to teach. The Magen David explains this with a parable: A king wanted his subjects to appreciate his glory, so he adorned his officers in every province with the finest clothing, using wealth from the royal treasury. He hoped people would say, "If the officers are dressed like this, how much greater must the king be!" But instead, people fixated on the officers and forgot the king entirely. This is what happens when we glorify physical wealth and forget that it's merely a tool to help us appreciate the infinitely greater glory of Torah. Another pitfall comes when people view mitzvot as mere tools to achieve physical rewards. For example, someone may take on a 40-day acceptance to refrain from lashon hara in hopes of achieving a personal salvation. In such cases, the mitzvah becomes a means to an end — the salvation is the focus, not the growth. But this perspective is flawed. Physical rewards are minor side effects of the real reward — the mitzvah itself. No worldly pleasure could ever equal the spiritual elevation one receives from performing even the smallest mitzvah. If someone doesn't receive the outcome they were hoping for, they should still rejoice in the merit of having fulfilled a mitzvah. And if the desired outcome is granted, it should not diminish the value of the mitzvah, nor should one think it was only worthwhile because it "worked." The mitzvah brings a person closer to Hashem, elevates the neshama , and yields eternal benefit. The Chatam Sofer writes, to truly benefit from a mitzvah, one must first value it. Chazal tell us that tzitzit protect a person from sin — yet some wonder why they don't feel that protection. One reason might be a lack of appreciation for the mitzvah itself. If we don't value our mitzvot, we don't engage with them fully — and we miss out on their spiritual power. The same is true for all mitzvot. If a teacher of Torah to children understood that the world stands in the merit of what he is doing, he would never interrupt his class to check a message. If he truly internalized what the Kav HaYashar teaches — that 18,000 angels gather the words spoken by children learning Torah — he would not trade his role for anything in the world. Every word of Torah we learn is more precious than any material success this world can offer. Let us take the time to appreciate what we are privileged to do each day and thank Hashem for the indescribable zechut of sharing in His most precious gift — the Torah.
Back by popular demand, Rabbi Shira and Hanna cap off this season with a Shavuot celebration and Torah study Back by popular demand, Rabbi Shira and Hanna cap off this season with a Shavuot celebration and Torah study. They help a young listeners preparing for his Bar Mitzvah and lead us us through Sh'lach L'cha, which Rabbi Shira loves because it's one of the stories that has the most to teach us about our lived experience today.Read Sh'lach L'chaSupport Chutzpod!Submit a questionContact Chutzpod!Subscribe to ChutzstackFollow Hanna on InstagramFollow Shira on InstagramFollow Shira on FacebookFollow Chutzpod on FacebookFollow Chutzpod on Instagram Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices