The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

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

After nearly two decades of infertility, Isaac and Rebecca conceive, but something does not feel right. Whenever Rebecca passes a house of Torah, she feels her baby stir and get all excited as if he wants to be born. Seemingly, her child is drawn to holiness. Yet when Rebecca passes a temple of idolatry, the same thing happens. What is going on? To resolve her dilemma Rebecca visits the prophet who tells her that she is pregnant with twins, one who is drawn to Torah and one who is drawn to sin. This podcast discusses a very interesting philosophical problem with this narrative and what it implies. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Parsha Podcast is dedicated in loving memory of Reyna Hiller who passed away a few months back at the untimely age of 33, leaving behind her husband and 8 yo son. May she merit an ascension in Heaven and may the Almighty provide comfort to her family 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

In Parshas Toldos we meet twin boys that are polar opposites: Esau, beloved by his father Isaac, is a man of the fields; while Jacob is loved by his mother Rebecca and prefers to dwell in the tents of scholarship. These two children will spawn nations and ideals that diverged from each other even before they were born. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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 podcast contains two ideas on Parshas Chayei Sara. First, we examine the Torah’s unusual description of Sarah’s location of death. Then we probe the identity and nickname of Abraham’s second wife, Keturah. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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

Some of the highlights of this week’s parsha: Immediately after the Binding of Isaac, Sarah passed away at the age of 127, and soon afterward Abraham had to procure a burial spot for her. In addition, Abraham sent his trusted confidante, Eliezer, to his hometown to find a spouse for Isaac. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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 casual reading of our parsha would give the impression that Abraham fails at everything he tries: He tries to feed guests, yet we find out that they are angels who need no food; He tries valiantly to save Sodom and Gomorrah, yet God overturns the city nonetheless; He tries to find safety and sustenance; yet his wife taken by the local ruler; He tries to raise his son Ishmael well, yet has to banish him; He tries to sacrifice his son, yet he is not even allowed to make a small incision. In this podcast we offer an explanation for this bizarre phenomenon. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Parsha Podcast in sponsored in honor of David and Suzanne Gelb by their loving children, and we thank them for their support of TORCH! 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