Parsha Podcast with Ari Goldwag Ari Goldwag

Why does the Torah require that an animal be eight days old before being used as a Korban (sacrifice)? How does this parallel the human being who needs to be eight days old to be given a bris (circumcision)? What is the concept of our desire to be 'drawn after Hashem' like an animal is 'drawn after its master?' In the comparison of a righteous individual to a mighty mountain, why is he sometimes compared to a grassy mountain, and sometimes to a mountain that has fruit trees? How do we use these tools - the animal and the righteous individual - to climb the mountain of Hashem? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

How does planting a tree in Israel constitute the fulfillment of a mitzvah - a commandment? What is the idea of Yishuv Ha'aretz - settling the land of Israel? How does waiting three years before eating from a new fruit tree rectify the sin of Adam? If everything was already prepared for us when we originally entered Israel and took over the homes and vineyards of the previous inhabitants, why does the Torah instruct us to plant more? How do we understand the 'tree' that is planted in the context of the Torah being referred to as a tree? How does the support of Torah guarantee we will win in battle, without even trying very hard? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

How is Rebecca, our matriarch, compared to a rose among thorns? How was she able to remain steadfast despite being surrounded by charlatans and liars? Why was it so difficult for Hashem, as it were, to take 'one nation out from another nation' at the Exodus? How are the people of Israel like a Rose among thorns? How was the Jewish people's receiving the Torah like a 'rose among thorns' that Hashem enjoyed 'smelling' as they said 'we will do and we will hear?' Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast. This week's podcast is sponsored anonymously. May it be a merit for the sponsor & family.

Why is Shir Hashirim called the greatest of all songs? How do the other books of Shlomo Hamelech (Kong Solomon) - Koheles and Mishlei - have a message for the nations of the world, and yet Shir Hashirim is exclusive to the Jewish people? How does this correspond to Shabbos and the month of Nissan, which are also exclusive to the people of Israel? What is meant by the midrash's statement that the Jewish people was 'made into a song' by Hashem? What are the three aspects of the song, for which the Song of Songs is the greatest song? How do they reflect the purpose of the Jewish people? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah refer to the time that a woman is impure after a flow as 'many days' if it is only a few days? What does Hashem reassure the Jewish people after telling them that they will be in exile for 'many days?' Why is He referred to as the 'G-d of Truth' in the context of their distance from Him during exile? Where does that Truth manifest in the end as He brings about His ultimate Justice? How is this accompanied by a Redemption for the people of Israel? How does this exile and distance from Hashem parallel the distance of the woman who experienced a flow? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Why does the Torah use the word Adam-Man in reference to the person who has Tzara'as-Leprosy? What is the imbalance in the person who suffers from this spiritual malady? Why was there a threatening 'stormy wind' in the times of Iyov, Yonah and Eliyahu? What is the concept of the souls that need to manifest before the coming of Moshiach? Why did some prophets author one book and others multiple books, while some prophets had only a line or two in Tanach? Why do some people find themselves drawn toward different parts of the Torah, be it Chumash, Mishna, Gemara, Halacha or Midrash? Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.