The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

Moshe’s father in law Yisro is arguably the most unusual character in the Torah. His arrival comes at a very crucial time – sandwiched between the major founding events of our nation – and his contribution is somewhat marginal, yet he is given prime real estate in the Torah: In the run-up to the most significant episode of the Torah, the Revelation at Sinai, we read about Yisro, his sacrifices, his festive banquet, his goosebumps, his declarations, his theological backstory; we discover that he has 7 names. The Torah focuses on his story at length. Why does Yisro matter? What eternal lesson does he impart? TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe:Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.orgTwitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEBFacebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH CentreEmail: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com.Podcasts Links:This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher;The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher;The Parsha Podcast  – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher;TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher;Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher.The Mitzvah Podcast – Surveying the 613 Mitzvos of the Torah with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts

After centuries of subjugation and servitude, our nation was redeemed from Egypt and taken out by God on the wings of eagles. How long, exactly, were we in Egypt? That is actually quite a tricky question to answer. In this parsha we read how the Egyptian enslavement lasted for 430 years but in Genesis, God promises Abraham that the enslavement will only last 400 years. To make matters more confounding, Rashi gives us three different durations of the enslavement: 210, 193, and 117 years respectively. How long were we there and what is the lesson of all these contradicting figures? TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast  – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher. The Mitzvah Podcast – Surveying the 613 Mitzvos of the Torah with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts

In our parsha we read about the first seven of the eventual ten plagues that precipitated the Exodus. But a fundamental question needs to be asked: Why were we enslaved to begin with? What’s the purpose of enslavement and what’s the purpose of the redemption? Why did our people need to undergo this period of torment, suffering, and enslavement before we could be formed as a nation? Our nation was founded at the Exodus – why couldn’t there be another way? TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Parsha Podcast is sponsored by Joseph Hiller in loving memory of his grandparents, Rella bas Tovi and Eliezer ben Avraham. May their souls merit an elevation and an ascension in Heaven Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast  – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher. The Mitzvah Podcast – Surveying the 613 Mitzvos of the Torah with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts

In this special edition of the Parsha Podcast, we read through Ramban’s introduction to the Book of Exodus, and we examine the special fraternal relationship of Moses and Aaron by contrasting it with the relationships of siblings in Genesis and by demonstrating how their close could have imperiled the Exodus from Egypt. TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This parsha podcast is dedicated in honor of our cousins, Jason and Reesa Friedman. Thank you for your support, friendship, and encouragement! Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast  – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher. The Mitzvah Podcast – Surveying the 613 Mitzvos of the Torah with Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Apple Podcasts

In this special edition of the Parsha podcast, we share several observations and insights on the parsha relating to pedagogical theory and the lengths to which the righteous conceal the misdeeds of others, we ask an interesting question on the episode of Jacob crossing over his hands when blessing his grandsons, and discuss a theme with valuable lessons that appears twice in the Parsha. TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Parsha Podcast is dedicated In honor of Yehuda Savitsky’s 90th birthday. Yehuda is a dear personal friend and a longtime friend of TORCH, and we all wish him many happy returns! Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher. The Mitzvah Podcast – Surveying the 613 Mitzvos of the Torah: Apple Podcasts

This unique podcast was recorded live at the Aish Thornhill Community Shul on the third day of Chanukah 5780. In the talk we suggest a cogent and unified explanation of the festival of Chanukah, and specifically, of the menorah candles. We begin by noting the many differences between the Chanukah candles and the other rabbinic mitzvah related to candles, the Shabbos candles. We then observe some interesting and surprising citations in the Torah literature relating to Chanukah and the menorah. And finally, we propose a novel explanation that reconciles all the questions and provides illumination to the festival in general. – – – – – – – – – – – This podcast is sponsored by Michael and Galit Friedmann, in loving memory of George Friedmann, Shlomo Ben Aryeh Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher. The Mitzvah Podcast – Surveying the 613 Mitzvos of the Torah: Apple Podcasts

A reappearing theme of this week’s parsha is garments: Joseph’s brothers envy is engendered by a garment; the brothers deceive Jacob by presenting him with a garment; When mourning, Jacob and Reuben rip their garments; Tamar disguised herself by swapping her garment; Joseph is imprisoned when he loses his garment. In this podcast we suggest a way of stringing together these threads into a very useful and powerful insight. Is it true that clothes make the man? TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Parsha Podcast is sponsored by Jeremy Love in loving memory of his mother, Myra Rousso, Miriam bat Chaim v’Sarah, whose first yahrzeit is the 21st of Kislev. May her soul merit an ascension in Heaven. Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher. The Mitzvah Podcast – Surveying the 613 Mitzvos of the Torah: Apple Podcasts

This week’s parsha podcast features three powerful ideas: One relating to God giving Jacob a very unusual nickname; one that follows the aftermath of the episode of Dinah; and one relating to the different names assigned to Esav’s wife. TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher. The Mitzvah Podcast – Surveying the 613 Mitzvos of the Torah: Apple Podcasts

Throughout the parsha, there are many references to a stone or stones. Jacob surrounds himself with stones for protection; he pours oil on a stones; he consecrates a stone for the Temple; a large stone is covering a well, and Jacob removes the stone; and at the parsha’s end, Jacob and Laban strike a deal and erect a stone monument and a stone mound. In this podcast, we try to decipher the meaning behind all these stone references and draw out the lessons that they contain. TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher. The Mitzvah Podcast – Surveying the 613 Mitzvos of the Torah: Apple Podcasts

Parshas Vayeitzei follows Jacob as he is fleeing from his murderous brother Esau and travels to Charan to the house of Laban, his wily and deceptive uncle, and marries multiple wives and fathers 12 children. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Parsha Podcast is dedicated in honor of Alan and Phyllis Kritz. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and friendship. Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Websites: Personal: RabbiWolbe.com; TORCH: Torchweb.org Twitter: Personal: @RabbiWolbe; TORCH: @TORCHWEB Facebook: Personal: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; TORCH: TORCH Centre Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – A Podcast About Jewish Philosophy: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – The podcast telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly podcast of analyzing and Exploring the Parsha: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – A Podcast about the Divinity of Torah and the relationship between the Written and Oral Torah: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – The Pirkei Avos Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Android, Stitcher. The Mitzvah Podcast – Surveying the 613 Mitzvos of the Torah: Apple Podcasts