

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

Oct 12, 2023 • 1h 9min
Bereishis – Microcosm of History
Today is a bittersweet day. Although we are very excited to embark on year 8 of the Parsha Podcast, we are only a few days after the terrible attacks in Israel, where hundreds of our brethren were massacred. In light of the terrible atrocities perpetrated against our people and the war that is sparked, we begin this season of the Parsha Podcast with addressing the situation from a Torah perspective. We proceed to discuss the first parsha of the Torah: Bereishis. In keeping with this years theme of DAD – deep and deeper – of trying to see a bit deeper – to read not just the text but also the subtext of the parsha – we talk about three subjects in the parsha: the Genesis narrative and it’s overarching message, the unusual source for the dust of which Adam’s body was created, and an interesting observation about the birth of Noah.
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Support Israel
Matan Beseter Bambi – Food and Provisions for Displaced families
Mishmar LA — Soldier Equipment – Givati
Equipment for paratrooper elite reconnaissance unit 55
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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!
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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com
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SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
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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

Oct 11, 2023 • 48min
Bereishis – Making Partner (5782)
As we begin year 8 of the Parsha Podcast, we are excited and overjoyed to share the plan for this year, with the help of the Almighty: each Sunday, we will release the rebroadcast episode that covers the entire Parsha in about an hour. On Tuesday, we will re-release the corresponding episode from the 6th cycle of the Parsha Podcast, from two years ago, 5782, that included the famed Exquisite Insight segment. On Thursday, with the help of the Almighty, we will release a brand new episode with the theme of DAD — deep and deeper. We hope you enjoyed this year’s offerings and thank you for your listenership and friendship.
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What connection do we have with Genesis? In our parsha, God creates the world in six days and ceases to create of day seven, on Shabbos. What exactly does this have to do with us is a great mystery. In this inaugural edition of the sixth cycle of the Parsha Podcast , we share two fascinating, interconnected ideas that will radically reshape our understanding of Torah and Mitzvos and put into perspective what the purpose of creation and Genesis is all about. I assure you that I am not overselling it. Listen and you will agree.
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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!
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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com
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SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter
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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

Oct 10, 2023 • 1h 13min
Parshas Bereishis (Rebroadcast)
With praise and appreciation to the Almighty, we begin year 8 of the Parsha Podcast (5784). This year, we will re-upload the Parsha Rebroadcast episode which covers the entire Parsha each Sunday, re-release the 6th cycle’s episode (5782) for each respective Parsha each Tuesday, and we will, please God, record and release a new weekly episode each Thursday. Thank you for downloading and please share with a friend.
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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!
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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com
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SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
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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

Oct 5, 2023 • 53min
Vezos Haberacha – A Mission For Everyone
At the very end of Moshe’s life, he, like Jacob before him, blesses the tribes. When Jacob was about to pass, he blessed his sons, now Moshe is blessing the tribes that those sons spawned. These blessings were nor random, but very targeted blessings for each tribe so that they know what their particular tribe needs to contribute. In this podcast – the final Parsha Podcast of the seventh cycle of the Parsha Podcast, we examine the blessing given to the tribe of Levi. What we discover can materially transform our lives.
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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!
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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com
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SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
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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

Oct 4, 2023 • 45min
Vezos Habracha – Antidotes to Mediocrity (5781)
In the Torah’s final Parsha, and indeed, in its final words, we say goodbye to the greatest human to have ever lived. With the passing of Moshe, the Torah ends, and on Simchas Torah- the day that we finish the yearly Torah cycle – we roll the scroll back to the very beginning and begin Genesis anew. In this very special edition of The Parsha Podcast, we explore the end of the Torah and its beginning; we examine the path to greatness of Moshe and the six other giants who comprise the “Seven Shepherds” who faithfully led our people; we connect the message of Moshe with the Festival of Sukkos that we are currently amid, and we share the overarching message of The Parsha Podcast. We set out to accomplish something very ambitious, and I think we pulled it off.
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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!
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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com
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SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
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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

Oct 2, 2023 • 51min
Parshas Vezos Haberacha (Rebroadcast)
The final parsha of the Torah details the blessings that Moshe conveyed to the tribes of Israel immediately prior to his passing, and the Torah ends with the description of the death, burial, and eulogy of Moshe.
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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!
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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com
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SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
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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

Sep 22, 2023 • 2h 6min
Jonah: The Yom Kippur Reading on a Deeper Level (Rebroadcast)
On Yom Kippur afternoon, we read the 48-verse Book of Jonah, which tells of a renegade prophet, Jonah, who defies the directive of God and refuses to castigate the people of Nineveh and instead escapes from God to Tarshish – with mixed results. A simple reading of the story reveals a tale of repentance, both of the protagonist, Jonah, and of the people of Nineveh. But our Sages let us in on a secret that the Book of Jonah contains a hidden, kabbalistic story embedded beneath the story – which also teaches us powerful, topical messages for the Day of Atonement.
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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!
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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com
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SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
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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

Sep 21, 2023 • 42min
Haazinu – Antidote to Vacuousness
On the final day of Moshe’s life, he conveys the Song of Haazinu to the nation. In this masterful prophetic Song, the Torah overviews Jewish history, past, present, future, and Messiah. In this penultimate parsha podcast we focus on what happens afterwards. After the Song, Moshe shares a few pithy words about the nature of Torah. As we near the end of this cycle of Torah and prepare to embark on another, it is helpful and useful to hear how Moshe defines Torah. The lessons will forever transform our understanding.
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This Parsha Podcast is dedicated by Boris and Diana Poperny on the occasion of their 12th wedding anniversary – Happy anniversary from the entire Parsha Podcast family. And in the merit of a speedy recovery of Alla Bat Raya from her health problems. May she merit a complete and speedy recovery.
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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!
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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com
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SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
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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

Sep 19, 2023 • 43min
Ha’azinu – Small Step for Eaglet (5781)
The Song of Haazinu is a richly textured tapestry with layered meaning and subtleties. Our Sages tell us that it incorporates all of Jewish History. In its 613 words, it incorporates all of Torah as well. And it is arguably the most difficult Torah portion to decipher and unpack. In this special penultimate podcast of the fifth cycle of the Parsha Podcast, we examine a striking verse that compares the relationship between God and us to that of an eagle and its young. Upon initial assessment this seems like a strange comparison. W hen we explore the commentaries, however, we discover a life-changing perspective. This episode pairs perfectly with the upcoming holy day of Yom Kippur so give it a swig. Take it for a flight. It will be a joyous and thrilling ride.
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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!
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Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com
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SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter
rabbiwolbe.com/newsletter
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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

Sep 18, 2023 • 58min
Parshas Haazinu (Rebroadcast)
Still in the final day of Moshe’s life, he conveys to the nation a 43-verse Song predicting the contours of Jewish history, both past, present, and future. The patterns are familiar to the readers of Deuteronomy and even casual observers and students of Jewish history: The nation is recipients of tremendous divine goodness, yet they become corpulent and rebel against God. Consequently, God allows the nations to feast upon the people, but despite the harsh and painful torment and suffering, we continue to exist. The Song ends with a vivid description of the Messianic reclamation.
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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!
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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


