The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

In our parsha, Jacob and his wives are faced with a very difficult test, and the Torah describes a very unique approach that they used when confronting the dilemma. In this podcast, we will deconstruct their methodology and draw from it a valuable principle that can help us in our challenges today. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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: Website: RabbiWolbe.com; Twitter: @RabbiWolbe; Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: 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.

Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode: Jacob’s Dream – [0:00] Jacob’s Ladder – [9:10] Jacob’s Pledge compared to God’s Promise – [13:59] On the Meaning of Stones in the Parsha; The Power of Inspiration – [19:00] Jacob Meets Rachel – [22:54] Seven Years in Exchange for Rachel’s Hand in Marriage– [33:57] Laban’s Deception and the Dynamics of Jacob’s Relationships with his Wives – [38:12] Rachel Bears Joseph – [46:47] Jacob’s Flight – [50:42] – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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: Website: RabbiWolbe.com; Twitter: @RabbiWolbe; Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: 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.

Rebecca was surrounded by bad influences. Her father, brother and community were all sinners. How did she manage to not learn from their ways and what can we learn from this? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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: Website: RabbiWolbe.com; Twitter: @RabbiWolbe; Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parshas: iOS, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah: iOS, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – Drawing Powerful Lessons from Pirkei Avos: iOS, Android, Stitcher.

Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode: Praying As Response to Infertility – [0:00] God Answers Isaac’s Prayer – [4:52] Jacob and Esau intrauterine Struggling; Esau Pining for Idolatry; The Cosmic Struggle between the Two Worlds – [10:16] Jacob Seizing the Ankle of Esau and their Childhood; Isaac’s Love of Esau – [30:06] The Sale of the Birthright – [37:56] Isaac in the Prism of Abraham – [47:22] Jacob Usurping the Blessings – [56:30] – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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: Website: RabbiWolbe.com; Twitter: @RabbiWolbe; Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parshas: iOS, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah: iOS, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – Drawing Powerful Lessons from Pirkei Avos: iOS, Android, Stitcher.

In Parshas Chayei Sarah, Eliezer devises a test to determine the suitability of a prospective spouse for Isaac that teaches us about marital compatibility and about a special kind of kindness. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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: Website: RabbiWolbe.com; Twitter: @RabbiWolbe; Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parshas: iOS, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah: iOS, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – Drawing Powerful Lessons from Pirkei Avos: iOS, Android, Stitcher.

Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode: The Death, Bereavment and  Burial of Sarah – [0:00] The Cave of the Machpelah – [14:23] Eliezer’s Oath, Eligibility Test for a prospective Spouse for Isaac– [23:26] Eliezer’s Encounter with Lavan and Rebecca’s family and the Corruptive Forces of Bias – [39:11] The Shelf Life of Inspiration – [54:56] Isaac and Rebecca’s Marriage and Love – [58:37] The Death and Burial of Abraham – [1:05:11] – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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: Website: RabbiWolbe.com; Twitter: @RabbiWolbe; Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parshas: iOS, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah: iOS, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – Drawing Powerful Lessons from Pirkei Avos: iOS, Android, Stitcher.

The most difficult test of Abraham’s Ten Tests was the commandment to sacrifice Isaac for God. Rashi comments that had Abraham failed in his test, the other nine would be rendered non substantive. Why does Abraham need to be perfect for his tests to have value and what lessons can we draw from this teaching? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This podcast was sponsored by Dan Kullman in honor of his wife, Shawna, his daughter Elsie, and his classmates at Temple Beth Torah 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: Website: RabbiWolbe.com; Twitter: @RabbiWolbe; Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parshas: iOS, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah: iOS, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – Drawing Powerful Lessons from Pirkei Avos: iOS, Android, Stitcher.

Telling the story of this week’s parsha while gleaning insights and lessons from it. The topics discussed in this episode: Kindness Superseding Prophecy – [0:00] Deconstructing Abraham’s Kindness with the Three Strangers – [9:57] Abraham’s Intercession on Behalf of Sodom – [25:23] Abraham’s Unsuccessful Kindnesses: How Kindness and Faith are Correlated and How Lot’s Kindness differed from Abraham’s – [34:48] Sodom’s Perversion and Lot’s Warped Kindness – [41:56] The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and its Aftermath, the Pillar of Salt and Lot’s Merit– [51:47] Birth of Isaac, Banishment of Ishmael and Binding of Isaac – [1:02:39] Understanding the Binding of Isaac and Abraham’s Apparent Cruelty – [1:08:22] – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Website: RabbiWolbe.com; Twitter: @RabbiWolbe; Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parshas: iOS, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah: iOS, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – Drawing Powerful Lessons from Pirkei Avos: iOS, Android, Stitcher.

The mitzvah of Bris Milah (circumcision) is unique of several fronts. It is the first mitzvah given to Abraham and the first done to a Jewish child; it is the mark of the Jewish fraternity; and the Talmud declares that is emblematic of all the mitzvos combined. What is the meaning behind this enigmatic mitzvah? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Website: RabbiWolbe.com; Twitter: @RabbiWolbe; Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parshas: iOS, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah: iOS, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – Drawing Powerful Lessons from Pirkei Avos: iOS, Android, Stitcher.

Begining this week, we will, God-willing, upload two weekly Parsha Podcast episodes, the one orginally recorded last year on the whole Parsha and a shorter, orginal one on a specific point on the parsha that I find noteworthy. (Thank you Howard Schreiber for the suggestion.) Also, I am pleased to announce the launching of a brand new Podcast channel, Eternal Ethics on Pirkei Avos. To SUBSCRIBE to Eternal Ethics please search for Eternal Ethics wherever you get your podcasts from (iOS, Android, Stitcher) – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Please consider making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you! Contact: Website: RabbiWolbe.com; Twitter: @RabbiWolbe; Facebook: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe; Email: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com. Please SUBSCRIBE, RATE and REVIEW all my podcasts on iTunes, Android, and Stitcher: Podcasts Links: This Jewish Life – In-Depth Analysis into Critical Torah Topics: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Jewish History Podcast – Telling the Remarkable story of the Jewish Peoples: iOS, Android, Stitcher; The Parsha Podcast – A Weekly Analysis and Exploration of the Parshas: iOS, Android, Stitcher; TORAH 101 – An Intellectual’s Introduction to Torah: iOS, Android, Stitcher; Eternal Ethics – Drawing Powerful Lessons from Pirkei Avos: iOS, Android, Stitcher.