Talking Parsha

Talking Parsha - Vayigash: The brothers didn't sell Yosef?

Why does Yosef remind his brothers twice that they sold him to Egypt? And why does he tell them they didn't send him to Egypt, only G-d did?

Parshat Miketz: What did Yosef teach his brothers?

Why does Yosef accuse his brothers of being spies? Why is the fact that they are brothers an answer to this accusation?

Talking Parsha - Vayeshev: Yosef & his brothers - the real deal

Why does Yosef continue telling his brothers about his dreams, even when he sees how they're responding? And why do they hate him so much?

What's missing to become "Yisrael"?

What's going on in this parsha? Why is this the build up to the name change and what dooes it have to do with Am Yisrael being named Israel?

Talking Parsha - Vayetze: Why is Yaakov chatting at the well?

This Torah tells us about Yaakov's conversation by the well. Why does the Torah describe this conversation in such great detail?

What's really going on between Ya'akov and Eisav?

Why was it so important for Yaakov to take the Beracha Yitzchak intended for Eisav, and why is it important for Ya'akov to be the firstborn?

Talking Parsha - Chayei Sarah: Why did Eliezer even need a sign?

Abraham's servant Eliezer went to find a wife for Isaac. Why did Eliezer ask G-d for a sign? Why not ask where Abraham's family lives?

Parsha Vayera: Why was Sarah's laughter wrong and Avraham's not?

What's the difference between Sarah's laughter and Avraham's? Is laughing good or bad? And why is Yitzhak named after this laughter?

Talking Parsha - Lech Lecha: Avraham can't find room for Lot?

What exactly happened in the story of Avraham and Lot? And how did someone who grew up in Avraham's home end up in Sdom?

The Tower of Babel - isn't unity good?

Parshat Noach: What happened with the Tower of Babel? What did they try to achieve, and why were they punished by being dispersed?

Talking Parsha - Bereshit: The real story of Adam and Chava

On the most basic level, we have to ask why, in the story of Adam and Eve, does the Torah repeat the word 'arumim?' What does it mean?

Talking Parsha - Sukkos: Why read THIS on Shabbat Chol Hamo'ed?

This Shabbat we read about the Sin of the Golden Calf and afterwards, the Second Tablets. What's the connection between that & the holiday?

Talking Parsha - Ha'azinu: Why is Moshe's last speech a song?

This week's Torah portion is actually a song, a poem. But it's also unlike the song the People of Israel sang at the splitting of the Sea.

Moshe went, but where did he go?

Why does the Torah say "Moshe went" without telling us where to?

Talking Parsha - Nitzavim: Why is the easiest mitzvah so hard?

In one of his last speeches to the Jewish People, Moshe refers to 'this mitzvah.' Later he describes the opposite attitude. Why?

Talking Parsha - Ki Teitze: Did you have to say that?

The Torah tells us not to be late fulfilling a vow & says a person who didn't vow, didn't sin. Why would we think of not vowing as a sin?

Parshat Shoftim: Why don't Levi'im get a part of the land?

The Leviim represent Am Yisrael in spiritual tasks - but does that mean they don't deserve their own land?

Talking Parsha - Re'eh: What makes it THE place?

Moshe commands the nation to destroy idol worship upon entering the Land of Israel - but not do do the same to G-d. What does this mean?

Parshat Ekev: What does G-d want from me?

In this week's Parsha, Moshe teaches Am Yisrael the "simple" things Hashem asks from us. The "simple" requests Hashem has from Am Yisrael.

Talking Parsha - Va'etchanan: Why is Shema so fundamental?

'Hear O Israel' wasn't said so dramatically as it seems. Why did it become such an important part of our life, and what makes it so special?

What's so bad about sitting at Har Sinai?

Why does the parsha refer to Mount Sinai as 'this mountain' when he orders the Jews to leave?

Talking Parsha - Matot Masei: Moshe's final mission is revenge?!

The last mission given to Moses is to avenge what Midian did to the People of Israel. Why revenge, and why is this his final mission?

Parashat Pinchas: How can an extremist be 'the man of peace'?

Wy was Pinchas, of all people, rewarded this "Brit Shalom", the covenant of peace?

Parshat Balak: Why would we want a blessing from Bila'am?

This week we find the famous story of Balak calling over Bila'am to curse Am Yisrael, and Bila'am ends up Blessing Am Yisrael instead.

Why can't we understand Parah Aduma? (Talking Parsha - Chukat)

People have more motivation and work better when they understand the reasons for their actions. So why have laws that we can't understand?

A blossoming staff - that's what makes the difference?

After the earth swallows Korach and his followers, the Jews come to Moses angry - and only stop arguing after Aaron's staff blossoms. Why?

Parshat Shlach: Getting punished for doing Tshuvah?

Why were the people who wanted to make up for the sin of the Spies punished when they tried to enter Israel?

Talking Parsha - Beha'alotcha: This is what broke Moshe?

Why is the gathering of the future Sanhedrin intertwined with the story of the People of Israel craving meat?

The Nesieim - being the same or being different

Why does the Torah describe each of the Korbanot in great detail, even though all the Nesieim brought the exact same offering?

Talking Parsha - Bamidbar: The secret in the numbers

The Book of Numbers starts with lists and numbers from counting the People of Israel. Why does the Torah go into so much detail about this?

How valuable are you?

Parshat Behar Bechukotai: Why does Sefer Vayikra end with technical chapter about how donations are evaluated?

Talking Parsha - Emor: Is it after Shabbat or after Pesach?

The Torah speaks about Shavuot as 'after the Shabbat.' Is Shavuot 7 weeks long? Why is it defined by being 'after Shabbat?'

What does it actually mean to be holy?

This week the Parsha begins with one of our biggest mission statement as a nation - Be Holy!

The blessing of the Land of Israel is... leprosy?

Why does the Torah introduce tzara'at habayit with words that sound like a blessing? What does it teach us for Israel's Independence Day?

The tragedy at the peak of celebration: Parshat Shmini

After months of work, the Jews finally inaugurated the Mishkan. Just then, a tragedy occurs - why does Moshe say he expected it?

Talking Torah: 'What great vision did they see at the sea?'

The Jews saw a greater vision than a prophet after crossing the sea. Why is the vision not described? What did they actually see at the sea?

Why did Am Yisrael rush, if they had all night?

Why were Jews commanded to eat the Pesach sacrifice in haste if they were told not to leave their homes until the morning.

Talking Parsha: The Godly covenant is... salt?

This week, we learn about a G-dly covenant. We know of other covenants, but surprisingly this one is about SALT! Why is salt so important?

What do we truly want from the Mishkan?

Why does sefer Shmot end with 3 extra psukim on the Cloud guiding Am Yisrael, just after telling how the schina came down to the Tabernacle?

Talking Parsha: So when was the real Matan Torah?

Parshat Ki Tisa: Why is the giving of the second Tablets - the ones which stayed for generations - so undramatically described?

Kohanim and silly Purim costumes - Do our clothes matter??

The Torah puts much emphasis on the clothes the kohanim wore in the Mishkan & Mikdash. Why this matters, and its connection to Purim.

Why does the Mishkan need a table?

Truma and Zachor: Tuvia and Yitzi talk about the Tabernacle's table, why there is always bread on it - and what the connection is to Purim.

What does Bikurim have to do with cooking milk & meat??

This week the Torah teaches us the famous Halacha of cooking Milk and Meat together.

How do you find G-d? (Talking Parsha - Yitro)

After the revelation on Mt. Sinai, God tells Moshe to teach the Jews about how to build alters. Why are these instructions given now?

Pharaoh sent them?? Is that sarcasm?? Talking Parsha - Beshalach

Our Parsha begins with a surprising pasuk "When Pharaoh sent the nation". That's how you would describe what just happened??

What did they celebrate if the Exodus didn't even happen yet?

Hashem commands Moshe to tell the Jews about celebrating Pesach and eating Matzots - even before they left or knew what Matzot are!

Why send Moshe to give a dramatic speech if no one is listening?

Why would Hashem even send Moshe to give a speech Am Yisrael wouldn't care about?

Shmot: Why would the Prince of Egypt need to run away?

Moshe grew up in the palace and was a person of great power and influence. So why did he have to run away?

Parshat Va'yechi: Why does Yaakov care so much who comes first?

Why does Yaakov care so much to put Ephraim first? What is the fundamental disagreement between them? What is Yaakov trying to teach Yosef?

Wasn't he excited to see Yosef?? (Talking Parsha - Va'ygash)

Finally Yaakov reunites with Yosef. We'd expect Yaakov to rush to Egypt to meet Yosef, but in the psukim we see something else.

That's why he's doing all this?? (Talking Parsha - Miketz)

Yosef jailed his brothers because of the dreams he had 20 years earlier?

Could the symbol of faith not have faith?

Yosef is the symbol of faith, so how could Rashi say Yosef received 2 more years in prison for putting his faith in the chief cupbearer?

So what's the alternative? (Talking Parsha - Va'yshlach)

Why is Eisav's angel referred to as 'a man' during battle with Yaakov?

Talking Parsha: Why is he so surprised?

What is Yaakov surprised about? Why does the Torah provide so much build up and detail about this dream?

Why is he so tired?? (Talking Parsha - Toldot)

We all know that Eisav was a hunter. But when we meet him the main thing we hear is that he’s tired. What is making Eisav so tired?

Can you see the beauty? (Talking Parsha - Chayei Sarah)

We find the lengthy story of Eliezer going to find Yitzchak a bride. Why does the Torah elaborate and repeat itself so much in this story?

A challenge for you! (Talking Parsha - Vayeira)

Hashem knows everything, so He knows Avraham will succeed in the test - so why put him through a test to begin with?

I'm here! (Talking Parsha - Lech Lecha)

What happened to Avraham's great Emuna? Why plan risky tactics to save himself from the Egyptians and not trust Hashem to protect him?

Talking Parsha: Why didn't Noach try to save the world?

The Torah defines Noach as a righteous man, but when G-d tells him about the world's destruction, he says nothing. Why?

This one is about you... (Talking Parsha - Bereshit)

Hashem actually speaks to Kayn first even before the murder. How does this conversation fit in to the flow of the story?