Podcasts about Torah

B”H Is Astrology part of Judaism? Are we allowed to use it? If so, how do we use it? In today's conversation we explore: What is kosher astrology, and of course, what isn't it? How can you use it to maximize your potential, and live a life of real alignment with your soul's mission? And of course — that leads us right into our money — can kosher astrology tell you how much money you or your business is going to make? No. But, don't give up on me just yet, because what astrology can do for you, is going to be so much more valuable; and might actually give you the push to unleash your earnings potential. Rabbi Yitzchok Pinkesz is the Author of Kosher Astrology: A Jewish Guide to Celestial Wisdom. Rabbi Pinkesz is a Torah-observant astrologer who has been practicing astrology in accordance with the Torah for over 15 years. His fascination with personal transformation led to extensive research in Jewish philosophy, psychology, and astrology. Buckle up because the topic of this conversation is on the one hand really out there, and on the other hand it can be something that really grounds us. So if you're going through a time where you feel like you're all over the place, or you’re stumbling, or feeling like you're fumbling in the dark, or you're being really challenged in a particular way, I think you will find this conversation really comforting. I never imagined saying those words about astrology. But, alas here we are. Here's Rabbi Yitzchok Pinkesz. You can find the book on Amazon or on his website kosherastro.com where you can also learn more, and even sign up for a Birth Chart Reading. The post 455: Kosher Astrology on Mazel, Mission & Money with Rabbi Yitzchok Pinkesz appeared first on Yael Trusch.

Rav Mordechai reinstates the original interpretation of Shmuel's limitation on the Mishna in Shekalim 7:7 - namely, that the court permitted the kohanim to use Temple salt for salting their sacrifices (for burning on the altar) but not for salting the meat of the sacrifices for consumption. This ruling of the court follows Ben Buchri's opinion that kohanim are not obligated to pay the half-shekel (machatzit hashekel) used to fund communal items in the Temple. Since they did not contribute to the fund, one might have assumed they were ineligible to benefit from Temple salt; therefore, the court issued a specific stipulation to permit it. The Mishna in Shekalim also mentions that the kohanim could use wood from the Temple for their private sacrifices. The source for this is derived from Vayikra 1:8, which mentions the wood "which is on the fire on the altar." The phrase "on the altar" is considered superfluous, indicating that the wood shares the same status as the altar itself; just as the altar is built from communal property, so too the wood must be communal. This teaching establishes that individuals are not required to bring wood from their own homes for their voluntary offerings. Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua defines the altar differently positing that the altar must be built using stones that have never been used. This requirement would also preclude individuals from bringing wood from their own homes. Consequently, the Gemara asks: what is the practical difference between these two opinions? The answer is that the latter opinion requires the wood to be brand new and never previously used, whereas the former does not. If a kometz, which contains one log of oil, is mixed with the mincha of a kohen or a mincha of libations, which contains three log of oil, there is a debate between the rabbis and Rabbi Yehuda. They disagree on whether the mixture may be burned on the altar or if the blending disqualifies both offerings. The concern is that the oil from the mincha becomes added to the kometz, potentially disqualifying both; the kometz would then contain an excessive amount of oil, while the mincha would be left with an insufficient amount. The Gemara cites a Mishna in Zevachim 77b featuring a debate between the rabbis and Rabbi Yehuda regarding whether two similar substances (min be'mino) can nullify one another. Rabbi Yochanan explains that both parties derive their respective positions from the Yom Kippur service, during which the blood of the bull and the blood of the goat are mixed together. Despite the volume of the bull's blood being significantly greater than that of the goat, the Torah continues to refer to the mixture as both "the blood of the bull" and "the blood of the goat"—indicating that the goat's blood remains distinct and is not nullified. The rabbis derive a broad principle from this: items designated for the altar never nullify one another, regardless of their type. Conversely, Rabbi Yehuda derives a different principle: blood does not nullify blood because they are the same type of substance (min be'mino). The Gemara raises challenges against both derivations, and they are left unresolved. Rabbi Yehuda's opinion in our Mishna appears to contradict his ruling in the Mishna in Zevachim; if two similar substances (min be'mino) do not nullify each other, then the oil of the mincha should not be nullified by (or absorbed into) the kometz. Rava resolves this contradiction by explaining that this case is an exception, as it is considered a situation where one substance "adds to" the other rather than merely mixing with it.

If a person is going through a hard time and his evil inclination is trying to get him to complain and question the way Hashem is dealing with him, he needs to give himself chizuk to accept what Hashem is doing with love. Besides the enormous spiritual value of having emunah during difficult times, this acceptance itself is a great zechut, one that may very well take the place of any further suffering. The Midrash Rabbah in Parashat Vayikra tells a powerful story. The great Tannaim, Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Yehoshua, and Rabbi Akiva, once went traveling to collect funds to support talmidei chachamim who were learning Torah. In one of the cities they visited lived a very wealthy philanthropist named Abba Yudin. At that time, however, he had just lost all of his wealth and felt deep shame that he was unable to give anything to the rabbis. His wife said to him that he still owned one field and asked why he did not sell half of it and give the proceeds to support the Torah scholars. Abba Yudin could have responded, "Hashem already took away all my money, and now I should give away half of what is left?" Instead, with joy and Emunah, he sold half the field and gave the money to support talmidei chachamim. The rabbis gave him a berachah for success and continued on their way. Abba Yudin then went out with his cow to plow the remaining half of the field. As he was working, the cow slipped into a hole in the ground, and its leg sank deep into it. It appeared that the leg was certainly broken. Abba Yudin did not complain. He did not say, "After such a heroic act of tzedakah, this is how Hashem repays me?" Instead, he accepted the situation wholeheartedly and began trying to pull the cow out of the ditch. At that moment, he noticed something buried in the ground: a hidden treasure filled with gold and pearls. Through this, he became wealthy once again. The difficulty of his cow's fall actually led him to the treasure, but the true source of the berachah was his acceptance of how Hashem dealt with him. Accepting difficulties with love is extremely hard, especially when a person is genuinely trying to do good and it seems that everything is going wrong. At those moments, we need to use our minds and hearts to look for ways to understand how what Hashem is doing is truly a chesed for us. If we can think of possible reasons and honestly internalize them, the merits that result are enormous. A man told me that about two years ago he had changed jobs after being promised a great opportunity with significant additional pay. After a few months, it became clear that he had been misled, and on top of that, the work environment was extremely hostile. Going to work each day was very painful, yet he continued to go with a smile, accepting that Hashem was doing what was best for him. As an aside, if someone is unhappy at a job for legitimate reasons, there is nothing wrong with trying to find another one. During that period, he and his wife had a child with a very complex medical condition that required two dangerous surgeries. They were warned that serious and unavoidable side effects were going to take place. Baruch Hashem, both surgeries went extremely well, with no side effects at all, something the doctors said they had never seen. Throughout that time, the situation at work only worsened, but for reasons he could not explain, he remained stuck there. He kept telling himself that it was all for the best. Eventually, when he was finally able to leave the job, he sent out his résumé, but no one responded. Around that time, his child needed another medical procedure that usually required a hospital stay. Once again, Baruch Hashem, it went so smoothly that the child was released just two hours after the procedure. That night, he said to his wife, "I think the two years of hardship at work were taking the place of the hardships that were meant to come from our child's condition. Baruch Hashem, we received it at work instead of through the child." They went to sleep filled with gratitude and acceptance. The very next day, he received a phone call out of the blue offering him a new job with more than thirty percent higher pay. Now, he could not be happier. Accepting wholeheartedly and honestly the way Hashem is dealing with a person is an enormous zechut.

Numerous sources emphasize the great importance and value of answering to Kaddish. In Masechet Berachot (6b), the Gemara teaches that when Hashem comes into the synagogue and sees that there are fewer than ten men present, "Miyad Hu Ko'es" – He immediately becomes angry. The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) raised the question of why the Gemara adds the word "Miyad" – "immediately." What is added by telling us that G-d's anger is aroused instantly? The Ben Ish Hai answers by suggesting that "Miyad Hu Ko'es" means that Hashem grows angry because of "Yad" – the letters Yod and Dalet. The letter Yod equals 10, alluding to the minimum of ten Kaddishim which one should hear and respond to each day, and Dalet equals 4 – referring to the four recitations of Nakdishach which a person should hear and respond to each day. When people do not come to the Minyan, Hashem becomes angry – even though the people can pray privately, because they cannot respond to Kaddish or Nakdishach. The Gemara in Masechet Sota (49a) states that although the world's condition has been worsening progressively since the Bet Ha'mikdash was destroyed, it is sustained in the merit of the "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" response to Kaddish, and of the recitation of the Kidusha De'sidra (a section of the U'ba Le'sion prayer). Moreover, the Gemara in Masechet Shabbat (119b, according to one version of the text) teaches that if a person was deemed worthy of seventy years of suffering, he can have the decree rescinded in the merit of responding "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" with all his strength. The Gemara further states that the merit of this response can bring a person atonement even for the sin of idolatry. Another passage there in the Gemara teaches that if a person responds "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" with all his strength, the gates of Gan Eden are opened for him. Similarly, the Sefer Hasidim (Rabbenu Yehuda Ha'hasid, Germany, 1150-1217) writes that one who regularly responds "Amen" in this world earns the privilege of doing so also in the world to come. This is alluded to in the verse in Tehillim (89:53), "Baruch Hashem Le'olam Amen Ve'amen" ("Blessed is G-d forever, Amen and Amen"). The phrase "Amen Ve'amen" alludes to the response of "Amen" both in this world and the next. Another important source is the Gemara's teaching in Masechet Berachot (3a) that when Jews gather in the synagogue and declare, "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba," Hashem exclaims, "Fortunate is the king whose subjects praise him this way!" The Bet Yosef cites the Zohar as explaining that Kaddish is recited in Aramaic, instead of Hebrew, because it has the unique power to oppose the Kelipot ("shells," the harmful spiritual forces). We use the inferior language, Aramaic, so we can attack the Kelipot in their language, as it were, and this has the effect of eliminating the forces of evil from the world. Tosafot (Shabbat 119b) cite a story from the Midrash about Rabbi Yishmael Kohen Gadol, who was shown how the dreadful punishments that are decreed upon Beneh Yisrael are avoided in the merit of the response of "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba." And the Zohar states that the sign of a great Torah scholar is if he fervently looks for opportunities to respond to Kaddish. If a person rushes out of the synagogue before the final Kaddish, then even if he is a scholar, he cannot be considered a true Talmid Hacham. The Gaon of Vilna (1720-1797) writes that those who answer "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" will be spared the suffering from the upheavals that will occur before the arrival of Mashiah. The Mishna Berura cites a passage from the Midrash describing Hashem's reaction when Jews assemble to learn Torah and then recite Kaddish – He turns to angels and exclaims, "See how My children praise me!" Importantly, however, Rav Moshe Zakuta (1625-1697) writes that one must respond "Amen" with Kavana (concentration). If a person answers mindlessly, without paying attention, then he is included, Heaven forbid, in G-d's warning, "U'bozai Yekalu" – that those who disgrace Him will be shamed (Shemuel I 2:30). It is told that Rav Mordechai Gifter (1915-2001), the esteemed Rosh Yeshiva of Telz in Cleveland, once traveled with eight students to Toronto for a wedding. They were altogether nine men, and thus could not form a Minyan, but they assumed that they would have time upon arriving in Toronto to join a Minyan for Minha. As it happened, however, the plane made an emergency landing in some small town between Cleveland and Toronto. The group needed to recite Minha there, despite not having a Minyan. To their astonishment, a worker in the airport approached them as they were starting to pray and informed them that he was Jewish and wished to join them. He could not even read Hebrew, but he told the group that he wanted to recite Kaddish, and he needed their help. They made a Minyan, and helped him recite Kaddish. Afterward, Rav Gifter spoke to him and asked why he, a Jew without any religious background, wished to pray and recite Kaddish. The man explained that his father passed away several days earlier. The night before he met this group in the airport, his father came to him in a dream and told him he needed him to recite Kaddish for him. The man asked his father how he could recite Kaddish, as he lived in a town without a Jewish community. "Don't' worry," his father said, "tomorrow I'll send you a Minyan so you can recite Kaddish." This story demonstrates how everything happens for a purpose, and that nothing is random – but additionally, it teaches us the importance of Kaddish, and the great benefit it brings to the soul of the deceased when the children recite Kaddish.

In this Jewish Inspiration Podcast episode (Day 120), Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe continues the Gate of Falsehood (Sheker) from Orchos Tzaddikim, exploring the second type of lie: the "white lie" or seemingly harmless falsehood (e.g., exaggeration for story enhancement, inconsequential fibs). Even when no one is hurt and no gain is sought, such lies are forbidden—because they stem from a desire to curry favor, build trust falsely, lower someone's guard, or gain advantage through deception.The rabbi cites King Solomon: a lying tongue is an abomination to kings—true leaders despise falsehood. The wise person weighs every statement carefully, rejecting even "small" lies that distort reality or make falsehood appear true. Sophisticated rationalizations often justify lies, but purging bad traits (arrogance, laziness, etc.) allows pure truth to emerge.The chapter stresses: falsehood distances one from Hashem (who is Emet/truth), harms others indirectly (steals dignity, causes pain/discord), and collapses over time (sheker has one leg; emet stands on two). The episode ends with a preview of the next types of falsehood (e.g., denying deposits, false testimony) and their double punishment.Recorded at TORCH Centre in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on July 8, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on February 2, 2026_____________This series on Orchos Tzadikim/Ways of the Righteous is produced in partnership with Hachzek.Join the revolution of daily Mussar study at hachzek.com.We are using the Treasure of Life edition of the Orchos Tzadikkim (Published by Feldheim)_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired! Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.Your support makes a HUGE difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#JewishInspiration, #Mussar, #MasterClass, #WhiteLies, #Truth, #Lies, #Rationalizations, #JewishEthics ★ Support this podcast ★

These classes teach the day's section of the weekly Torah portion. The lesson is taught using the original Hebrew text with the indispensable commentary of Rashi—both translated and elucidated so that anyone can follow along.

Philo of Alexandria (c. 20 BCE – c. 50 CE) was a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher and mystic who lived in Alexandria, one of the great intellectual centers of the ancient world. Deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures and equally fluent in Greek philosophy—especially Plato and the Stoics—Philo sought to show that true philosophy and authentic revelation were ultimately one.Philo's distinctive contribution lies in his mystical interpretation of Scripture. Reading the Torah allegorically, he taught that beneath its literal narratives lies a spiritual map of the soul's journey toward God. Biblical figures such as Abraham, Moses, and Jacob symbolize inner states of awakening, purification, and union. For Philo, the highest purpose of human life is not ethical conformity alone, but direct experiential knowledge of God. Central to his mysticism is the idea of ecstasy (ekstasis)—a state in which the soul transcends discursive thought and is lifted beyond itself into divine illumination. In this condition, the ordinary mind falls silent and the soul becomes receptive to God's presence. Philo insists that such knowledge cannot be grasped by reason or language, but is given through divine grace when the egoic self is relinquished.

A conversation about the nature of human desire, why we were each created with enormous wanting, and how to transform our desire to take into a desire to receive in order to give what we have.We talk about perfection as wholeness, not a lack of flaws, making sense of our relationship to materiality, and the deep, personal fulfillment that happens through merging our own desires with the divine will, through Torah and Mitzvot. This episode is part 2/3 of a series on the Introduction to the Zohar: The Wisdom of Truth by Rabbi Yehudah Leib Ashlag, co-hosted by Tonia Chazanow and Charlotte Broukhim. Find the book here: share.fund/zoharhhUse code ZOHARHH at checkout for 20% offCharlotte Broukhim is a Jewish mom from Los Angeles who explores the intersections of Jewish mysticism, science, and politics. She studied comparative religion at Harvard, and her upcoming Substack will share practical reflections and insights at the crossroads of ancient wisdom and today's world. Find her on instagram @cbroukhim and contact her at Charlottebroukhim@gmail.com.* * * * * * *EPISODE SPONSOR:Today's episode is sponsored by SHARE, a global initiative connecting individuals to the timeless teachings of the inner dimension of Jewish wisdom, known as Pnimiyut Hatorah. Their mission is to inspire soulful living and learning by translating ancient insights for the contemporary moment. You can learn more on Share.Fund.To inquire about sponsorship & advertising opportunities, please email us at info@humanandholy.comTo support our work, visit humanandholy.com/sponsor.Find us on Instagram @humanandholy & subscribe to our channel to stay up to date on all our upcoming conversations ✨Human & Holy podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms. New episodes every Sunday & Wednesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

In Matthew 9:1–17, Jesus exposes the Kosmos, the world system built by man and energized by Satan, and shows why it inevitably rejects Him. Even after proving His divine authority by forgiving sins and healing the paralytic, the religious leaders respond with accusation rather than worship. Grace threatens their control. When Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector condemned by the religious elite, the system reacts with outrage instead of celebration. The Kosmos has no category for mercy, repentance, or redemption. It only knows exclusion and self-righteousness. Jesus then explains that He did not come to patch up Pharisaic Judaism or fit His teaching into a works-based religious mold. Using the imagery of garments and wine, He reveals that His mission cannot be mixed with man-made religion. The Torah is good, but the Pharisaical system had distorted it. He came to fulfill God's Law, not validate their traditions. This passage shows a timeless reality. The world system rejects Jesus because it cannot coexist with grace, and it will always reject those who follow Him as well. #Matthew9 #TheRejectionOfTheKosmos #JesusIsGod #GraceNotWorks #NewWineNewWineskins #Pharisaism #FulfillmentOfTorah #KingdomOfGod #BiblicalChristianity #GospelOfGrace #FollowJesus #FaithOverReligion

Sponsored by the Kolatch Family in honor of the 10th Yahrzeit of Dr. Robin Goldman, Riza bas Tzvi Yaakov

What responsibility comes with being chosen? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Mike Feuer explore Parshat Yitro and the surprising choice to frame the revelation at Sinai through the presence of Yitro, an outsider. They examine how the Torah presents Jewish chosenness not as exclusivity, but as responsibility—calling Israel to become a mamlechet kohanim, a people devoted to serving God by serving the world. The conversation reflects on how particular covenant and universal mission are meant to work together.

In our first battle with Amalek - the perennial enemy of the Israelites that preys on the vulnerable - the Torah also gives us the tools to fight back. In this moment, we desperately need these tactics, strategy, and spiritual grounding for the fight ahead. It's going to take all of us. 

In this Jewish Inspiration Podcast episode (Day 119), Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe begins the Gate of Falsehood (Sheker) from Orchos Tzaddikim, emphasizing the Torah's command: "Distance yourself from falsehood" (midvar sheker tirchak). Falsehood is weighed like gold and silver—requiring careful discernment between truth and lies.The rabbi outlines types of falsehood: obvious lies (e.g., calling a tree gold), subtle forgeries (copper made to look like gold), and sophisticated rationalizations that make lies appear true. Wise people distinguish truth from falsehood in their hearts, rejecting self-serving justifications driven by negative traits (arrogance, laziness, anger, love/hate).The chapter warns that falsehood distances one from Hashem (who is truth: "Hashem Elokeinu Emet") and harms others (e.g., false testimony, slander causing pain or discord). Even when no personal gain exists, lying reflects "crookedness of heart." The rabbi stresses purging bad traits to attain pure truth—rationalizations often justify evil behavior.The episode concludes with the first category of liars (denying deposits, false testimony) and their double punishment: separation from Hashem and damage to others. Next time: deeper categories of falsehood.Recorded at TORCH Centre in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on July 8, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on February 1, 2026_____________This series on Orchos Tzadikim/Ways of the Righteous is produced in partnership with Hachzek.Join the revolution of daily Mussar study at hachzek.com.We are using the Treasure of Life edition of the Orchos Tzadikkim (Published by Feldheim)_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired! Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.Your support makes a HUGE difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#JewishInspiration, #Mussar, #MasterClass, #Falsehood, #Sheker, #Truth, #Lies ★ Support this podcast ★

These classes teach the day's section of the weekly Torah portion. The lesson is taught using the original Hebrew text with the indispensable commentary of Rashi—both translated and elucidated so that anyone can follow along.

Dennis Prager- What if You Had a Year to Live. Timeless Wisdom: Happiness Hour: A Year To Live Dennis Prager explores the importance of living life with intention and gratitude. He shares a thought-provoking idea: what if you had a year to live? How would you change your priorities and focus on what truly matters? Dennis delves into the concept of appreciating life's simple joys and letting go of trivial worries. He takes calls from listeners who share their personal stories and insights, including a caller who had a near-death experience and another who learned to appreciate life after a serious health scare. https://youtu.be/roL0RmF9mKc?si=My4COlY3C_O_uN35 The Dennis Prager Show 81.2K subscribers 429 views Jan 16, 2026 Timeless Wisdom with Dennis Prager ------------------------------------------------------------------------ For a great archive of Prager University videos visit- https://www.youtube.com/user/PragerUniversity/featured   Donate today to PragerU! http://l.prageru.com/2eB2p0h Get PragerU bonus content for free! https://www.prageru.com/bonus-content Download Pragerpedia on your iPhone or Android! Thousands of sources and facts at your fingertips. iPhone: http://l.prageru.com/2dlsnbG Android: http://l.prageru.com/2dlsS5e Join Prager United to get new swag every quarter, exclusive early access to our videos, and an annual TownHall phone call with Dennis Prager! http://l.prageru.com/2c9n6ys Join PragerU's text list to have these videos, free merchandise giveaways and breaking announcements sent directly to your phone! https://optin.mobiniti.com/prageru Do you shop on Amazon? Click https://smile.amazon.com and a percentage of every Amazon purchase will be donated to PragerU. Same great products. Same low price. Shopping made meaningful. VISIT PragerU! https://www.prageru.com FOLLOW us! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prageru Twitter: https://twitter.com/prageru Instagram: https://instagram.com/prageru/ PragerU is on Snapchat! JOIN PragerFORCE! For Students: http://l.prageru.com/2aozfkP JOIN our Educators Network! http://l.prageru.com/2aoz2y9 -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager   NATIONAL BESTSELLER "Dennis Prager has put together one of the most stunning commentaries in modern times on the most profound document in human history. It's a must-read that every person, religious and non-religious, should buy and peruse every night before bed. It'll make you think harder, pray more ardently, and understand your civilization better." — Ben Shapiro, host of "The Ben Shapiro Show" "Dennis Prager's commentary on Exodus will rank among the greatest modern Torah commentaries. That is how important I think it is. And I am clearly not alone... It might well be on its way to becoming the most widely read Torah commentary of our time—and by non-Jews as well as by Jews." — Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, bestselling author of Jewish Literacy Why do so many people think the Bible, the most influential book in world history, is outdated? Why do our friends and neighbors – and sometimes we ourselves – dismiss the Bible as irrelevant, irrational, immoral, or all of these things? This explanation of the Book of Exodus, the second book of the Bible, will demonstrate that the Bible is not only powerfully relevant to today's issues, but completely consistent with rational thought. Do you think the Bible permitted the trans-Atlantic slave trade? You won't after reading this book. Do you struggle to love your parents? If you do, you need this book. Do you doubt the existence of God because belief in God is “irrational?” This book will give you reason after reason to rethink your doubts. The title of this commentary is, “The Rational Bible” because its approach is entirely reason-based. The reader is never asked to accept anything on faith alone. As Prager says, “If something I write does not make rational sense, I have not done my job.” The Rational Bible is the fruit of Dennis Prager's forty years of teaching the Bible to people of every faith, and no faith. On virtually every page, you will discover how the text relates to the contemporary world and to your life. His goal: to change your mind – and then change your life.   Highly Recommended by ACU. Purchase his book at- https://www.amazon.com/Rational-Bible-Exodus-Dennis-Prager/dp/1621577724   The Rational Bible: Genesis by Dennis Prager  USA Today bestseller Publishers Weekly bestseller Wall Street Journal bestseller Many people today think the Bible, the most influential book in world history, is not only outdated but irrelevant, irrational, and even immoral. This explanation of the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, demonstrates clearly and powerfully that the opposite is true. The Bible remains profoundly relevant—both to the great issues of our day and to each individual life. It is the greatest moral guide and source of wisdom ever written. Do you doubt the existence of God because you think believing in God is irrational? This book will give you many reasons to rethink your doubts. Do you think faith and science are in conflict? You won't after reading this commentary on Genesis. Do you come from a dysfunctional family? It may comfort you to know that every family discussed in Genesis was highly dysfunctional! The title of this commentary is “The Rational Bible” because its approach is entirely reason-based. The reader is never asked to accept anything on faith alone. In Dennis Prager's words, “If something I write is not rational, I have not done my job.” The Rational Bible is the fruit of Dennis Prager's forty years of teaching the Bible—whose Hebrew grammar and vocabulary he has mastered—to people of every faith and no faith at all. On virtually every page, you will discover how the text relates to the contemporary world in general and to you personally. His goal: to change your mind—and, as a result, to change your life.   The Rational Bible: Deuteronomy: God, Blessings, and Curses by Dennis Prager Is the Bible, the most influential book in world history, still relevant? Why do people dismiss it as being irrelevant, irrational, immoral, or all of these things? This explanation of the Book of Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Bible, will demonstrate how it remains profoundly relevant - both to the great issues of our day and to each individual life. Do you doubt the existence of God because you think believing in God is irrational? This book will cause you to reexamine your doubts. The title of this commentary is The Rational Bible because its approach is entirely reason-based. The listener is never asked to accept anything on faith alone. In Dennis Prager's words, “If something I write is not rational, I have not done my job.” The Rational Bible is the fruit of Prager's forty years of teaching to people of every faith and no faith at all. In virtually every section, you will discover how the text relates to the contemporary world in general and to you on a personal level. His goal: to change your mind - and, as a result, to change your life.

This episode addresses the reaction that followed Nissim Black becoming Jewish. It also follows the discourse around how antisemitism intensified, including controversies involving Kanye West and Candace Owens. It looks at how those conversations spilled into everyday interactions, changing how people spoke, distanced themselves, or made assumptions. The focus is on identity, conversion, social consequences, and the choice to speak plainly rather than retreat or self-censor.Nissim's channels hereYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nissimblackofficial/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/04QgfIIHBRS0b6XiY3kYYy✬ SPONSORS OF THE EPISODE ✬► The Dream Raffle: Win a $1.2 Million Apartment in JerusalemHelp beautiful causes and also walk away with keys to a gorgeous - fully furnished - apartment in Jerusalem (if you win!)Use PROMO code: INSPIRE for $10 OFF + DOUBLE Tickets→ http://bit.ly/4nUg7gV► United Refua Healthshare: Spend Less, Save More, Get CareImagine healthcare that puts you first - and can save you thousands.Enroll here→ https://bit.ly/3MD9RN9→ 440-772-0700→ Eli's Kosher Money Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnNaMEumWQg&t=4s► Woodmont College: Smart FutureThe right way to take your career seriously.More here→ https://bit.ly/43Vn8Xs► Wheels To Lease: #1 Car CompanyFor over 35 years, Wheels To Lease has offered stress-free car buying with upfront pricing, no hidden fees, and door-to-door delivery.Call today!→ CALL/TEXT: 718-871-8715→ EMAIL: inspire@wheelstolease.com→ WEB: https://bit.ly/41lnzYU→ WHATSAPP: https://wa.link/0w46ce► Torat Imecha Nach Yomi SiyumThousands of Jewish women just finished a two year journey through Nach.On February 15, the OU Women's Initiative is celebrating the completion of the third Nach Yomi cycle in Woodmere, NY.→ Details + locations: https://go.ou.org/p7UuxpG✬ IN MEMORY OF ✬This episode is in memory of:• Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima• Miriam Sarah bas Yaakov MosheHave a specific question? email us hi@livinglchaim.com #iftnLchaim.

Download the notes here:https://esm.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/01.29.26-Congregational-Notes-3.pdf*********************************Website: esm.usPastor Mark BiltzMission Statement: (https://esm.us/about/)El Shaddai Ministries exists to take Torah to the nations by restoring the Biblical and historical perspectives that have been lost over the last 2000 years, uncovering replacement theology, and healing our Christian-Jewish relationships.Statement of Beliefs:https://tinyurl.com/4ks6eznu

Rabbi Pinchas Allouche, head Rabbi at Congregation Beth Tefillah in Scottsdale, and the host of the Rabbi Allouche podcast, joins Seth for the first hour of the show to talk about this week's Torah portion, known as Beshalach, the Song of the Sea, Gen-Z and relationships, diamonds, and more! The Rabbi and Seth also answer listener fan email commentary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These classes teach the day's section of the weekly Torah portion. The lesson is taught using the original Hebrew text with the indispensable commentary of Rashi—both translated and elucidated so that anyone can follow along.

Welcome to the first episode of Season 5 on The Promise Perspective Podcast! This episode marks a shift in how we approach the gospel—and how we read the Scriptures as a whole.Rather than beginning with conclusions, this conversation/episode/podcast season invites you to slow down and reconsider the foundations: how the Hebrew Scriptures, the words of the prophets, and the testimony of Messiah all belong to one unified story moving toward fulfillment.In this episode, we will discuss:What Scripture actually means when it says “according to the Scriptures”Why Messiah said Moses wrote about HimHow the priesthood, sacrifices, and Torah functioned as shadowsWhat it truly means for Messiah to fulfill rather than abolishAnd why misunderstanding the word “fulfillment” has created confusion on both extremesThis season is not about reviving old systems OR dismissing them—it's about clarity. It's about learning how to honor what was given without returning to what has already reached its intended purpose.If you've ever felt tension between obedience and grace…If you've wondered why some commandments are no longer practiced physically…If you've sensed that the gospel is richer and more layered than what you've heard or been taught…Episode 1 is your invitation to join me in a brand new season, in which we will spend time reasoning through the Scriptures the way the apostles did—allowing Messiah to be revealed, not assumed.The shadows were real. The substance is greater. And we are being called to live in that reality.HalleluYAH!! Contact me: stephanie@promise-perspective.comVisit my website: www.promise-perspective.comFollow on Instagram: @the_promise_perspective  Follow on Facebook:   / promiseperspective    Donate on Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/stephanie-green0611Donate on PayPal: http://paypal.me/stephaniegreentppYour support is greatly appreciated ❤️Contact me: stephanie@promise-perspective.comSupport the show

Utopia is a necessary corollary of a God who is not only Omnipotent, but also Supremely Benevolent

The dispute between the Rabbis and Rabbi Shimon on whether pouring of the oil of a meal offering requires a kohen is based on different ways of interpreting the verses in Vayikra 2:1-2. The Rabbis maintain that the requirement for a kohen is only mentioned from the act of scooping, or kemitza, allowing a non-kohen to handle the pouring and mixing of the oil. Rabbi Shimon, however, views the connective language in the verse as a link that binds the entire process together, necessitating a kohen for every stage. At first the Gemara suggested that Rabbi Shimon's reasoning was based on "a phrase can relate to both the upcoming and previous action," but after showing that in a different issue, Rabbi Shimon did not employ that principle, they explain the "vav"("and") connects the previous section to the kohen. Rav explains that if the words torah and chukka appear in a verse, that signifies that a failure to perform a detail exactly as described invalidates the entire offering. Through a series of challenges involving the nazir, the metzora, and the service of Yom Kippur, the Gemara refines this: if either term is employed, it indicates it is an essential detail. However, after raising a difficulty from all sacrifices, Rav's statement is further refined: the term chukka is the primary indicator of indispensability, whereas torah on its own is not. Repetition serves as another marker of necessity in the eyes of Rav, who argues that when the Torah returns to a subject multiple times, it is to emphasize that the detail is essential. This leads to a clash with Shmuel about whether or not is it essential that the scooping (kemitza) be performed by hand. Rav considers the method essential because it is repeated in the context of the Tabernacle's inauguration. Shmuel, however, holds that a one-time historical event is not a binding source for future generations. A difficulty is raised against the principle of Rav that if something is repeated, it is indispensable, as the act of hagasha, bringing the mincha offering to the Altar, is repeated and yet is listed in the Mishna as not essential. The Gemara responds by explaining that the second mention is needed for a different purpose – to pinpoint the exact location on the Altar where the mincha offering is to be brought.

Josh Hammer analyzes the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategy through the role of Tom Homan, including the arrest of Don Lemon, before turning to the cultural fascination surrounding Luigi Mangione and what it reveals about America’s growing confusion over justice and the death penalty. Rabbi Pinchas Taylor then joins to discuss the week’s Torah portion and the importance of Jewish-Christian bridge-building, and Josh closes with an encouraging reflection from a Young America’s Foundation event in Florida, offering a rare white-pill moment about the next generation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are several different kinds of Kaddish, the first of which is commonly known as "Hasi Kaddish" – "half-Kaddish." The term "Hasi Kaddish" is actually a misnomer, as the text of this Kaddish is in fact the complete original text, composed either by the Ansheh Kenesset Ha'gedola (Men of the Great Assembly) at the beginning of the Second Commonwealth, or several generations later, by the Tanna'im. The prayers added to the other Kaddish texts were introduced later, during the period of the Geonim or the period of the Rishonim. These other texts are known to us as "Kaddish Titkabal," "Kaddish Yeheh Shelama," and "Kaddish Al Yisrael" (which is also referred to as "Kaddish De'Rabbanan"). "Kaddish Titkabal" includes a request that our prayers be answered, and it is recited after the Amida prayer, and after Shelihot. "Kaddish Yeheh Shelama" is said after the recitation of a text of Torah She'bi'chtab (Tanach), such as following an Arayat. Finally, "Kaddish Al Yisrael" is recited after a session of studying Torah She'be'al Peh (the oral Torah), such as Mishna or Gemara. This text contains a prayer for the wellbeing of the Torah scholars and their students (which is why this Kaddish is also known as "Kaddish De'Rabbanan" – the Rabbis' Kaddish). We recite this Kaddish in the morning after the Korbanot section, which includes the Mishnayot of "Ezehu Mekoman" and the Berayta of Rabbi Yishmael. It is recited again at the end of the prayer service, following the recitation of the Ketoret text which includes passages from the Gemara. This final "Kaddish Al Yisrael" after the Ketoret is known as "Kaddish Yatom" – the mourner's Kaddish, as it is recited by those in mourning for a parent. The Arizal taught that the recitation of this Kaddish by a mourner has the ability to extricate the parent from Gehinnom and bring him or her to Gan Eden. These final three Kaddish texts conclude with a prayer for peace and material blessings. The Rabbis explain that we first pray that "Yitgadal Ve'yitkadash Shemeh Rabba" – that G-d's Name should be glorified and become known throughout the world, before proceeding to ask for our personal needs. This is based on the concept that we must first pray for G-d's sake, so-to-speak, for the glory of His Name, and in this merit our personal requests will be granted. The Tur (Rabbenu Yaakob Ben Asher, Germany-Spain, 1269-1343) brings a teaching of the Midrash that if a person includes in his prayers the plea that Hashem should act for the sake of His Name ("Aseh Lema'an Shemecha, Aseh Lema'an Yeminecha…"), then he will be given the merit to greet the Shechina. We should pray not only for our own benefit, but also for the sake of the glorification of G-d's Name. This notion is alluded to in the first four words of Kaddish – "Yitgadal Ve'yitkadash Shemeh Rabba." These words begin with the letters Yod, Vav, Shin and Resh, which have the combined numerical value of 516. The Sages teach that Moshe Rabbenu prayed 515 times for the privilege of entering the Land of Israel, whereupon G-d commanded him to stop praying. Some commentators explain that Moshe was told to stop because if he had recited a 516 th prayer, then his prayer would have been accepted (and it was decreed that Moshe must not go into the land). Moshe prayed solely for the purpose of "Yitgadal Ve'yitkadash Shemeh Rabba," for the sake of the glorification of the divine Name, and not for his personal benefit, and his prayer therefore would have deserved to be accepted. When our intentions are sincere, when we pray for our needs so we can succeed in our mission in the world, the mission of bringing honor to the Almighty, then we are worthy of having our prayers answered.

Hearing Hashem's Voice

Israel Daily News website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://israeldailynews.org⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@israeldailynews?si=UFQjC_iuL13V7tyQ⁠⁠⁠⁠Israel Daily News Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shannafuldSupport our Wartime News Coverage: https://www.gofundme.com/f/independent-journalist-covering-israels-warLinks to all things IDN:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://linktr.ee/israeldailynews⁠

These classes teach the day's section of the weekly Torah portion. The lesson is taught using the original Hebrew text with the indispensable commentary of Rashi—both translated and elucidated so that anyone can follow along.

Wherever you have the word "torah" (meaning, law, not the Torah in total) and the word "chukah" (meaning, statute) - then the capacity to invalidate the offering kicks in . But does that mean either/or or both? It certainly sounds like both - but the Gemara tracks it through and either/or sounds better by the end... Plus, the list of occasions or specific categories of people for which these terms are present in context in the Torah. Also, scriptural repetition about the requirements of the grain-offering establishes those details (where the repetition takes place) as essential. But the offering itself must be a permanent one for this essential status. Until the case where temporary status seems not to be a problem, in light of the number of repetitions...?

In this Parshas Beshalach review, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe focuses on the splitting of the Red Sea—the ultimate miracle of the Exodus—and its profound lessons for daily life. The parsha recounts the Jewish people's escape from Egypt, Nachshon's leap of faith into the raging waters (reaching his nostrils before the sea split), and the dry land amid the sea.The rabbi contrasts two phrasings in the Torah: "they crossed in the midst of the sea on dry land" vs. "they walked on dry land amid the raging sea." This teaches that we must recognize miracles even within chaos—the world is always a "raging sea" of challenges, yet Hashem provides dry land (miracles) constantly. Failing to notice open miracles (e.g., recent Israeli survivals despite missiles) makes ordinary miracles fade into routine.Everything is from Hashem: health, livelihood (manna-like), technology (discoveries, not inventions), and survival. We must live with awe—never let miracles become ordinary. Daily mitzvot (Shema, blessings, Shabbos) remind us of the Exodus and Hashem's constant hand. The rabbi urges gratitude for life itself ("life is the miracle, not death") and seeing the divine in all creation._____________This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa FriedmanDownload & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on January 27, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 30, 2026_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Exodus, #Shemos, #Beshalach, #SplittingTheSea, #RedSea, #Miracle, #HashemControls, #DailyAwe, #Mindset ★ Support this podcast ★

Today in History: The memorial of Reverend William Hechler (of blessed memory), a Christian Zionist pioneer who died in 1931 CE (5691). Hechler was an Anglican minister who helped Theodor Herzl, the famous Jewish leader of modern Zionism. Herzl called him the “first Christian Zionist.” The two remained friends and Hechler recorded Herzl's last words, “Greet Palestine for me. I gave my heart's blood for my people.”This week's portion is called Beshalach (When he sent)TORAH PORTION: Exodus 16:11–36GOSPEL PORTION: Mark 9:33–50What verse spoke to you most today and why?Did you learn something you need to do in your life?Daily Bread for Kids is a daily Bible reading podcast where we read through the Torah and the Gospels in one year! Helping young Bible-readers to study God's Word, while also discovering its Jewish context!THE KIDS' JOURNAL is available from ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://arielmedia.shop⁠⁠⁠⁠BUSY MOMS who want to follow the Daily Bread readings on podcast for adults, can go to ⁠⁠https://dailybreadmoms.com⁠⁠The Bible translation we are reading from is the Tree of Life Version (TLV) available from the Tree of Life Bible Society.INSTAGRAM: @dailybreadkids @arielmediabooks @dailybreadmomsTags: #DailyBreadMoms #DailyBreadJournal #BibleJournaling #Messianic #BiblePodcast #BiblicalFeasts #Journal #biblereadingplan #Messiah #JewishRoots #Yeshua #GodIsInControl #OneYearBible #MomLife #MotherCulture #FaithFilledMama #BiblicalWomanhood #Proverbs31woman

News and commentary for Thursday, 29 January, 2026.

Trapped between the sea and a charging army, most of us freeze. We revisit that iconic crossroads and ask the uncomfortable question Ibn Ezra raises: why didn't 600,000 people fight when they could have? The answer isn't about weapons or odds. It's about identity. A slave doesn't just fear—he forgets he has options. That insight becomes a mirror for the places where we stall today, certain the tide will never turn, waiting for a miracle to carry us where courage should.From there, we shift the battlefield inward. The “inner Pharaoh” isn't a mythic villain; it's the voice that sounds like a friend, the impulse that calls and we come. We unpack how the yetzer hara blends into our habits, turning gentle nudges into quiet control, and how to break that spell by building a pause, reclaiming agency, and running toward the right fights. Confidence, we argue, isn't a feeling you wait for. It's a strategy you choose.David and Goliath become our blueprint. David rejects heavy armor, selects tools that fit his training, and runs to close the distance. That run matters. It turns intent into momentum and strips fear of its authority. We translate that pattern into clear steps: reframe the enemy, script a first move, act quickly, and track progress. Along the way we challenge the victim label, replace vague hope with disciplined action, and show how a lifted spirit—nefesh gevoha—opens doors that numbers alone never will.If you're ready to stop ceding ground to old narratives, this is your invitation to pick the battlefield, lift your posture, and sprint. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs this push, and leave a review with one fight you're choosing to run toward this week.Support the showJoin The Motivation Congregation WhatsApp community for daily motivational Torah content!------------------Check out our other Torah Podcasts and content! SUBSCRIBE to The Motivation Congregation Podcast for daily motivational Mussar! Listen on Spotify or 24six! Find all Torah talks and listen to featured episodes on our website, themotivationcongregation.org Questions or Comments? Please email me @ michaelbrooke97@gmail.com

Rashi's commentary is an indispensable part of a person's daily studies. His explanation of Chumash, the first five books of the Torah, clarifies the "simple" meaning of the text so that a bright child of five could understand it. At the same time, it is the crucial foundation of some of the most profound legal analysis and mystical discourses that came after it.

The Mishneh Torah was the Rambam's (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) magnum opus, a work spanning hundreds of chapters and describing all of the laws mentioned in the Torah. To this day it is the only work that details all of Jewish observance, including those laws which are only applicable when the Holy Temple is in place. Participating in one of the annual study cycles of these laws (3 chapters/day, 1 chapter/day, or Sefer Hamitzvot) is a way we can play a small but essential part in rebuilding the final Temple.

The Mishneh Torah was the Rambam's (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) magnum opus, a work spanning hundreds of chapters and describing all of the laws mentioned in the Torah. To this day it is the only work that details all of Jewish observance, including those laws which are only applicable when the Holy Temple is in place. Participating in one of the annual study cycles of these laws (3 chapters/day, 1 chapter/day, or Sefer Hamitzvot) is a way we can play a small but essential part in rebuilding the final Temple.

The Mishneh Torah was the Rambam's (Rabbi Moses ben Maimon) magnum opus, a work spanning hundreds of chapters and describing all of the laws mentioned in the Torah. To this day it is the only work that details all of Jewish observance, including those laws which are only applicable when the Holy Temple is in place. Participating in one of the annual study cycles of these laws (3 chapters/day, 1 chapter/day, or Sefer Hamitzvot) is a way we can play a small but essential part in rebuilding the final Temple.

The dispute between the Rabbis and Rabbi Shimon on whether pouring of the oil of a meal offering requires a kohen is based on different ways of interpreting the verses in Vayikra 2:1-2. The Rabbis maintain that the requirement for a kohen is only mentioned from the act of scooping, or kemitza, allowing a non-kohen to handle the pouring and mixing of the oil. Rabbi Shimon, however, views the connective language in the verse as a link that binds the entire process together, necessitating a kohen for every stage. At first the Gemara suggested that Rabbi Shimon's reasoning was based on "a phrase can relate to both the upcoming and previous action," but after showing that in a different issue, Rabbi Shimon did not employ that principle, they explain the "vav"("and") connects the previous section to the kohen. Rav explains that if the words torah and chukka appear in a verse, that signifies that a failure to perform a detail exactly as described invalidates the entire offering. Through a series of challenges involving the nazir, the metzora, and the service of Yom Kippur, the Gemara refines this: if either term is employed, it indicates it is an essential detail. However, after raising a difficulty from all sacrifices, Rav's statement is further refined: the term chukka is the primary indicator of indispensability, whereas torah on its own is not. Repetition serves as another marker of necessity in the eyes of Rav, who argues that when the Torah returns to a subject multiple times, it is to emphasize that the detail is essential. This leads to a clash with Shmuel about whether or not is it essential that the scooping (kemitza) be performed by hand. Rav considers the method essential because it is repeated in the context of the Tabernacle's inauguration. Shmuel, however, holds that a one-time historical event is not a binding source for future generations. A difficulty is raised against the principle of Rav that if something is repeated, it is indispensable, as the act of hagasha, bringing the mincha offering to the Altar, is repeated and yet is listed in the Mishna as not essential. The Gemara responds by explaining that the second mention is needed for a different purpose – to pinpoint the exact location on the Altar where the mincha offering is to be brought.

Numerous different theories have been advanced to explain why the Kaddish prayer was written in Aramaic, and not in Hebrew. One reason given is based on the tradition that angels do not understand Aramaic. Kaddish is such a precious and valuable prayer that the angels would feel envious if they heard us recite it and they understood its meaning. This prayer was therefore composed in a language which the angels cannot understand. The Mahzor Vitri (Rabbenu Simha of Vitri, France, d. 1105) questioned this explanation, noting that there are many other beautiful and precious prayers which we recite that were written in Hebrew, without any concern that the angels might become envious. (We might also question how angels, which are perfect beings, can experience jealousy, a human flaw. Perhaps, envy over spiritual achievements is a laudable quality, and this feeling can be experienced by angels.) A second theory is that Kaddish is written in Aramaic as a reminder of the Babylonian exile. We emphasize to Hashem that He destroyed the Bet Ha'mikdash and drove us into a foreign land, where we spoke a foreign language, and we hope that this will lead Hashem to regret His decision and bring us back. If the angels understood this prayer, they would respond by pointing out our misdeeds, arguing that we are unworthy of redemption, and so we recite Kaddish in a language which the angels do not understand. Another reason given is that many of the people who would attend Torah classes were simple laymen who did not understand Hebrew. Therefore, the Kaddish recited after Torah classes was written in Aramaic for their benefit, so they would understand this prayer. It seems that according to this reason, the other Kaddish recitations were modeled after the Kaddish recited after Torah classes. The Maharam Me'Rotenberg (c. 1215-1293) suggested that we recite Kaddish in Aramaic to express our grief over the destruction of the Bet Ha'mikdash. Just as a mourner changes out of his fine garments and wears simple clothing as an expression of mourning, we, too, change the language from Hebrew, the sacred tongue, to the inferior Aramaic, as an expression of anguish. (Incidentally, some sources explain similarly why we begin the Haggadah at the Seder in Aramaic, reciting "Ha Lahma Anya." As we sit down to the Seder, we are cognizant of the fact that we are meant to celebrate this occasion in Jerusalem, with the Korban Pesach. We therefore begin the Seder in a foreign language, expressing our grief that we observe Pesach in exile.) Rabbi Binyamin Ben Abraham (Italy, 13 th century), as cited by his brother, the Shiboleh Ha'leket (Rabbi Sidkiya Ha'rofeh), suggested that the gentile authorities at a certain point forbade the Jews from reciting Kaddish. The Jews therefore began reciting it in Aramaic, so the authorities would not realize that they were reciting this prayer. The Kolbo (anonymous work from the period of the Rishonim) offered two explanations, one assuming that Aramaic was widely known at the time of Kaddish's composition, and one assuming that it was not. If it was widely known, he writes, then Kaddish may have been written in this language specifically for the purpose of spreading its message far and wide, to demonstrate to the entire world, including the gentiles, our belief in our ultimate redemption, when Hashem's Name will be glorified throughout the world. Conversely, if Aramaic was not widely known, then perhaps it is recited in Aramaic because the angels might otherwise understand the prayer and thus prosecute against us. The Kaddish speaks of the time of the future redemption, and at that time, the righteous will be granted a greater position of stature than the angels. Since we human beings must struggle against our evil inclination to faithfully observe G-d, those who succeed and serve G-d properly deserve far more reward than the angels, who are created perfect, without sinful impulses. If the angels would understand the Kaddish, which speaks of the time of the final redemption, they might proceed to prosecute against us to ensure that the righteous would not be given a more distinguished position in the future. Kaddish is therefore recited in Aramaic, a language which the angels do not understand.

These classes teach the day's section of the weekly Torah portion. The lesson is taught using the original Hebrew text with the indispensable commentary of Rashi—both translated and elucidated so that anyone can follow along.

What is the prominence of idolatrous warnings in our chapter?Why do we hear - twice - a list of abhorrent sexual practices?And how does this relate to "Hukot Hagoy" - the notion of the ambient culture of Canaan.Today we explain the unit of ch.18-20 and what it seeks to say about the Torah's ethical lifestyle in contrast to the degenerate ways of the Canaanite nations.

In this Ask Away #28 episode of Everyday Judaism, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe answers live and emailed questions on practical halacha and deeper Jewish life:Netilat yadayim technique — One continuous flow is ideal; your wrist-to-fingers method is fine if uninterrupted.Running water / faucets — Requires human force (koach gavra); turn faucet on/off repeatedly so first spurt washes each hand.Morning blessings order — Body needs first (restroom), then wash hands + Al Netilat Yadayim, Asher Yatzar, Elokai Neshama (attach them); Modeh Ani immediately upon waking.Aliyah in current times — Massive wave of aliyah is real and prophetic; if livelihood transfers easily, move (great mitzvah—every moment/step in Eretz Yisrael is a mitzvah); if not, stay and be intentional (e.g., spread Torah, as Rabbi does in Houston). Cultural/language barriers for children over 6 are real; prepare spiritually (Torah growth, closeness to Hashem) for Moshiach—have a "go bag" ready.Tattoos & henna — Tattoos forbidden biblically; henna generally permitted (ask rabbi); neither blocks hand-washing unless substantial chatzitzah.Infidelity & King Solomon — Torah forbids casual intimacy outside marriage; Solomon's 1,000 wives/concubines is a cautionary tale—he later warns against it. Rabbinic decree limits men to one wife at a time. Modern promiscuity/infidelity rises with internet; use filters/accountability, delete temptations, prioritize emotional depth via niddah laws.Shabbat automatic toilets — Triggering sensors is problematic (creative labor); if unavoidable, some poskim permit as gram/indirect; best avoid or use manual options.Finding a rabbi — Pursue actively (run after them); persistence (e.g., persistent voicemails) works; rabbi guides halacha/life; don't wait for one to chase you.The rabbi shares personal stories (mikvah healing soul-leaving sensation, persistent rabbi outreach) and stresses intentional Judaism, community, and using modern tools for good while guarding against harm.Please submit your questions at askaway@torchweb.org_____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #82) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on January 4, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 29, 2026_____________Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Everyday Judaism PodcastApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-judaism-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1600622789Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3AXCNcyKSVsaOLsLQsCN1CShare your questions at askaway@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#AskAway, #Torah, #Halacha, #Q&A, #Jewish, #Halacha, #NetilatYadayim, #HandWashing, #Mikvah, #Rabbi, #Tzedakah ★ Support this podcast ★

This week's portion is called Beshalach (When he sent)TORAH PORTION: Exodus 15:27–16:10GOSPEL PORTION: Mark 9:14–32What verse spoke to you most today and why?Did you learn something about God?Daily Bread for Kids is a daily Bible reading podcast where we read through the Torah and the Gospels in one year! Helping young Bible-readers to study God's Word, while also discovering its Jewish context!THE KIDS' JOURNAL is available from ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://arielmedia.shop⁠⁠⁠⁠BUSY MOMS who want to follow the Daily Bread readings on podcast for adults, can go to ⁠⁠https://dailybreadmoms.com⁠⁠The Bible translation we are reading from is the Tree of Life Version (TLV) available from the Tree of Life Bible Society.INSTAGRAM: @dailybreadkids @arielmediabooks @dailybreadmomsTags: #DailyBreadMoms #DailyBreadJournal #BibleJournaling #Messianic #BiblePodcast #BiblicalFeasts #Journal #biblereadingplan #Messiah #JewishRoots #Yeshua #GodIsInControl #OneYearBible #MomLife #MotherCulture #FaithFilledMama #BiblicalWomanhood #Proverbs31woman

Even with all of the challenges in the world today Jewish education must strive to emphasize the joy and celebration of what it means to be Jewish in today's world. The Bible Players are experts at bringing laughter and joy to Jewish education, from using improvisation to teach mitzvot, to playing their own version of Rock, Paper, Scissors (“Candle, Cup, Challah, Bless”) to teach the order of Shabbat.  This week, enjoy a conversation between David Bryfman and Andrew Davies, co-founder of The Bible Players, and recipient of The Jewish Education Project's Young Pioneers Award and The Covenant Foundation's Pomegranate Prize. Hear from Andrew on why holding both the “joy” and the “oy” is essential in Jewish education, and how he brings that balance to their learners. To learn more about The Bible Players, visit thebibleplayers.com.Learn more about The Jewish Education Project at jewishedproject.orgThis episode was produced by Miranda Lapides and Rina Cohen Schwarz. The show's executive producers are David Bryfman, Karen Cummins, and Nessa Liben. This episode was engineered and edited by Nathan J. Vaughan of NJV Media. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star rating and review, or even better, share it with a friend. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be the first to know when new episodes are released. To learn more about The Jewish Education Project visit jewishedproject.org where you can find links to our Jewish Educator Portal and learn more about our mission, history, and staff. We are a proud partner of UJA-Federation of New York. 

Rabbis Lebovitz and Feinstein discuss everyone's favorite Torah portion, Tazria-Metzora, and its modern day application to our daily lives.

Freedom doesn't always make people braver. Sometimes it makes them afraid. From ancient Egypt to modern politics, moments of success often trigger a dangerous instinct to retreat into familiar but destructive ideas. Drawing on history and the Torah's account of the Red Sea, Rabbi Dunner explores why even when regression feels good, resisting it is the real test of moral maturity.

God doesn't change people. And we shouldn't try to. In this week's episode, we see just how central this principle is to Torah. And then we think about how important it ought to be to us. Sources: Ex. 13:17, Guide 3:32, Avot 2:4