

The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
TORCH
The Parsha Podcast with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe was started in 2016 with the goal of making the weekly Parsha accessible and useful. Every Sunday, the Parsha Podcast will feature an hour-long podcast outlining the story, narratives and major themes of that week’s Parsha and offer a selection of valuable and interesting insights from it. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, two more episodes that focuses on one idea, theme, or comment on the Parsha will be released. Please send comments or questions to rabbiwolbe@gmail.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 14, 2023 • 60min
The Secret of Parshas Shekalim With Rabbi Shmuly Botnick
Please support the annual TORCH fundraiser at giveTORCH.org
Every donation is DOUBLED.
Our organization, TORCH, runs one annual fundraiser, and it is happening right now at giveTORCH.org.
We need your support
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
This week marks the first of the four special Parshiyos, the 4 weeks where we read a special citation from the Torah in addition to the weekly Parsha. After the conclusion of the Torah reading for Parshas Mishpatim, we read six verses from Exodus chapter 30 that discussed the annual fundraising effort for the Temple coffers. In honor of the annual TORCH fundraiser going on right now at giveTORCH.org, we invited the legendary Rabbi Shmuly Botnick to discuss the secrets and mysteries of this Torah reading. He did not disappoint.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
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 Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts
The Parsha Podcast
The Jewish History Podcast
The Mitzvah Podcast
This Jewish Life
The Ethics Podcast
TORAH 101

Feb 14, 2023 • 48min
Mishpatim – Crowning Achievement (5781)
The end of our Parsha revisits the Sinai Revelation of Parsha Yisro and recounts some of the preparations for the Ten Commandments. In the negotiations and deliberations in the runup to Sinai, the Nation declares that they will do and they will listen to all the commandments. This statement, we will do and we will listen, became the rallying cry of our people. Our Nation committed itself to God before we knew what that entailed. In this special edition of the Parsha Podcast, we explore this very powerful and consequential declaration.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
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 Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts
The Parsha Podcast
The Jewish History Podcast
The Mitzvah Podcast
This Jewish Life
The Ethics Podcast
TORAH 101

Feb 12, 2023 • 59min
Parshas Mishpatim (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Mishpatim marks a stark change in the rhythm and pace of the Torah narrative. The preceding 17 Parshas contained a total of 41 mitzvos; this week we begin learning the Torah laws en masse. In this single parsha alone we have 53 mitzvos (only three parshas have more mitzvos). Beyond the varied laws, this parsha contains a prophetic promise and guidance regarding the conquest of Canaan, and the completion of the Sinai narrative that began in last week’s parsha.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
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 Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts
The Parsha Podcast
The Jewish History Podcast
The Mitzvah Podcast
This Jewish Life
The Ethics Podcast
TORAH 101

Feb 9, 2023 • 51min
Yisro – Sinai Sales Pitch
Our Parsha contains the most significant event in all of human history: the Revelation at Sinai. An entire nation comprised of millions of people heard the Almighty directly. The nation heard the Ten Commandments and lived to tell the tale. This momentous event kick started our nation: thenceforth, we are bound by the laws of the Torah. The Almighty will do His part too: He will treasure us and cherish us. Prior to the Revelation, the Nation is pitched on the terms of this Covenant. By analyzing the sales pitch we discover the power and potency of Torah.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
This Parsha Podcast is dedicated in loving memory of John Magness. 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 Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts
The Parsha Podcast
The Jewish History Podcast
The Mitzvah Podcast
This Jewish Life
The Ethics Podcast
TORAH 101

Feb 7, 2023 • 39min
Yisro – Jethro’s Epiphany (5781)
The protagonist of our parsha, Jethro, underwent a long and fruitful spiritual journey. When the journey began, Jethro was a idolater who worshipped every pagan deity in the world. At its conclusion, Jethro was give great distinction as a believer in God and a purveyor of His Torah. What went into that transformation? What is the anatomy of Jethro’s change? In this special; episode of The Parsha Podcast we demonstrate the three vital components to Jethro’s transformation.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
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 Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts
The Parsha Podcast
The Jewish History Podcast
The Mitzvah Podcast
This Jewish Life
The Ethics Podcast
TORAH 101

Feb 5, 2023 • 1h 6min
Parshas Yisro (Rebroadcast)
The most significant event in all of human history is the Revelation at Sinai, which occurs in Parshas Yisro. Prior to that monumental experience and the conveyance of the Ten Commandments, Moshe’s father in law, Jethro, arrived at the camp and makes an important suggestion for improving the efficiency of the judicial process.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
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 Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts
The Parsha Podcast
The Jewish History Podcast
The Mitzvah Podcast
This Jewish Life
The Ethics Podcast
TORAH 101

Feb 2, 2023 • 54min
Beshalach – First Mover Advantage
After the Exodus, the Jewish people left Egypt, with no plans to return. But the Egyptians followed them in hot pursuit, and seven days later the nation was surrounded, encircled by their enemies, with their backs against the sea. God gave the command: Go. The Talmud tells us that there was one man who leapt in before anyone else. When the waters reached his nostrils, the sea split. For this act of bravery, he was awarded with the eternal rights of the monarchy. Who was this man? What is so significant about his leap? Why does leaping into the water qualify a person to be a king? In this very interesting episode of the Parsha Podcast recorded in the TORCH Centre, we learn all about Nachshon Ben Aminadav and the power of his bravery.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
This Parsha Podcast is dedicated in loving memory and leilui nishmat Shlomo ben Avraham z”L, who passed away this week. He was a remarkably sweet and good man, and he will be missed by his family and all those who knew him. 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 Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts
The Parsha Podcast
The Jewish History Podcast
The Mitzvah Podcast
This Jewish Life
The Ethics Podcast
TORAH 101

Jan 31, 2023 • 34min
Beshalach – Bread of Angels (5781)
Parshas Beshalach is arguable the most action-packed Parsha in the Torah. It starts with the Jews hightailing out of Egypt – only to have Pharaoh follow in hot pursuit, and it ends with the nation’s first war. In between these two bookends, there are all kinds of interesting things that happen. In this special podcast episode, we explore the common denominator of the events in our parsha and demonstrate how they serve as a bridge connecting the Exodus of last week’s Parsha to the Revelation upcoming next week.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
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 Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts
The Parsha Podcast
The Jewish History Podcast
The Mitzvah Podcast
This Jewish Life
The Ethics Podcast
TORAH 101

Jan 29, 2023 • 1h 4min
Parshas Beshalach (Rebroadcast)
Parshas Beshalach may be the most action-packed parsha in the Torah. After the Exodus, God directed the people to not take the shortest route to the Land in order to facilitate the great miracle of the Splitting of the Sea and the final destruction of the Egyptians. After those unprecedented miracles, the trouble began: Twice they ran out of water, they ran out of food, and a ferocious enemy launched an unprovoked attack.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
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 Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts
The Parsha Podcast
The Jewish History Podcast
The Mitzvah Podcast
This Jewish Life
The Ethics Podcast
TORAH 101

Jan 26, 2023 • 1h 7min
Bo – The Bloods and The Crisp
The dramatic events of the Exodus reach a crescendo with the nation’s Exodus from Egypt. After 210 years of servitude and subjugation, the Almighty people leave Egypt with great miracles and fanfare. A very specific set of things had to happen to enable this redemption. Immediately prior to the Exodus, the nation circumcised en masse and brought the Pascal sacrifice, and our sages tell us that these two mitzvos, the blood of the circumcision and the blood of the Pascal sacrifice, were preconditions to the Exodus. Absent these two mitzvos, the nation would not be able to leave. What is so special about these two bloods? What do they reveal about the nation that was formed with the Exodus? In this delightful podcast we discover some answers.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
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 Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts
The Parsha Podcast
The Jewish History Podcast
The Mitzvah Podcast
This Jewish Life
The Ethics Podcast
TORAH 101


