Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe Podcast Collection
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parsha: Lech Lecha - Who was Abraham? | 22 Oct 2026 | 01:18:56 | |
Abraham was the most consequential person of all time. In our classic literature, Abraham is graced with superlatives given to no one else: Abraham was the "beloved one of God." Abraham was "chosen by God." Abraham was a "partner with God in Genesis." Abraham "discovered faith without a teacher, and without a guide." Abraham became "the father of many nations." After generations of humanity pushing God's presence further and further away, Abraham reversed that trend and began to draw the presence of God back to this world. Before the advent of Abraham, God could only be described as the "God of the heavens." Here in this world, God was unknown to his creations. Abraham, together with his wife Sarah, single-handedly reversed the trajectory of humanity and put humanity on a path to fulfill the objective of Genesis. Following Abraham, God can aptly be described as the "God of the heavens and of the earth." In this very special Parsha podcast, we learn the story of our forefather, the first of the patriarchs, Abraham. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Parsha podcast is dedicated in honor of a brand-new couple, Gilaad and Esther Levy, Who got married on Sunday in Florida. May they build a beautiful Jewish home together, a home that brings joy and pride to their family, to the Jewish nation, and to our Father in Heaven. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Lech Lecha - Abraham's Fellow Travelers (5785) | 20 Oct 2026 | 01:03:52 | |
Abraham seems to always be journeying. In last week's Parsha he traveled from his birthplace of Ur to Charan. This week the Parsha begins with Abraham's journey to Canaan. He traveled there with his family, he traversed the land in every direction; and when famine strikes, he went down to Egypt and returns. Abraham's journey is more than being about sightseeing. This is the saga of the transformation of Abraham and the building of the Jewish Nation. What can we learn from Abraham's journey? What Abrahamic qualities shine forth in his narrative? In this very special edition of the Parsha podcast, we explore Abraham dramatic transformation and when he departed from his sidekicks and fellow travelers. We also take a very careful look at a remarkable interaction between Abraham's concubine Hagar and the angel. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parshas Lech Lecha (Rebroadcast) | 18 Oct 2026 | 01:02:07 | |
In this week’s parsha, Abraham is instructed to move to Israel, is given divine promises that he will be the father of many nations; his children will be as numerous as the dust of the earth and the stars of the heaven, a son Ishmael is born, and he is commanded to circumcise his foreskin and those of all males in his household. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Noach - Who was Noah? | 15 Oct 2026 | 00:54:01 | |
Noah was perfectly righteous. He was pristine. He was flawless. In fact, Noach is the only person labeled as a tzaddik in the Torah, and he receives that honorific twice. He lived a very long life (950 years) and had the great distinction of being perfectly righteous when the entire rest of the world seeped into corruption, robbery, thievery, and selfishness. Noach was a truly remarkable person, yet it was not enough. Our sages find all sorts of ways to poke holes in the personage of Noach. He was righteous, all right, but he wasn't Abraham. He wasn't Moshe. He was personally righteous, but that did not extend to his children nor to any of his contemporaries. In this very interesting podcast, we answer the question: Who was the great personage of Noach? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Noach - Cured Ham (5785) | 13 Oct 2026 | 00:48:30 | |
After spending a year in the ark, Noah and his family exited it to find an empty and desolate world. The sinners who dominated the world before the flood were gone as were basically everything else. The animals, not including token representatives of each species, were gone. The trees, the grass, the plants - everything was gone. Noah and his family began to rebuild the world a new world. In this Parsha podcast we study several events that happened in the aftermath of the flood: We learn about the symbolism and essence of the covenant of the rainbow; we study in detail the lessons of the tragic event that happened when Noah got drunk and was violated by his son, Ham, and we probe the legacy of Ham and his descendants. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Celebrating a Wolbe Bar Mitzvah | 12 Oct 2026 | 00:54:00 | |
This past weekend, we celebrated my son Shlomo's bar mitzvah, together with much of our family. It was a delightful and memorable affair! In this special podcast, I share some of the exciting events of the weekend, and of course some of the speeches that I gave in honor of the bar mitzvah boy. We discover that many of the messages that a young man coming of age needs to hear can also be instructive for adults! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parshas Noach (Rebroadcast) | 11 Oct 2026 | 00:56:56 | |
In this week’s parsha: Noah and his family build an Ark as a refuge from an extinction-level Flood brought by God to destroy the world’s sinners. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Bereishis - Who was Adam? | 08 Oct 2026 | 01:06:26 | |
Most people don't know the first man from Adam. Who was this mysterious being created on day 6 of Genesis? What is the meaning of the hybrid nature of Adam's formation? What is the significance of him being created from the earth? What does it mean to be created in the image of God? What changed when Adam ate the forbidden fruit? In this inaugural edition of year 11 of the Parsha podcast, we study the great personage of Adam. As in previous years, we intend to re-release the Parsha Rebroadcast that covers the entire parsha on Sunday, the episode from two years ago (5785) on Tuesday, and a new episode with the theme of a Parsha Personage on Thursday. Thank you for joining us on this journey. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Parsha podcast is dedicated by my dear friend Brian Maechler as an investment in the continuation of the Parsha Podcast and for the magnification of HASHEM. We thank him for his friendship and support. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Bereishis - Genealogies of Genesis (5785) | 06 Oct 2026 | 00:56:25 | |
The end of our Parsha delineates the many families and generations spanning from Adam to Noah. There are all sorts of fascinating factoids, nuggets and vignettes included in this narrative: we study the story of Cain from after his fratricide of his brother until his tragic and surprising death at the hand of his own great, great, great grandson. We learn all about the House of Lamech and its potpourri of colorful characters. We discover a very powerful and persuasive answer to the the knotty philosophical paradox of reconciling total Divine knowledge with our free will. The podcast ends with a fascinating and thought-provoking, philosophical and moral dilemma. The schedule for this year's Parsha podcast follows previous years: each Sunday will see the release of the rebroadcast episode that covers the entire Parsha. On Tuesday we will re-release the episode from 2 years ago (5785), and please God we will release a new episode with the theme of "Parsha Personages", each Thursday. May we merit to continue to study the Almighty's holy Torah together in good health and in great spirits. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parshas Bereishis (Rebroadcast) | 05 Oct 2026 | 01:12:34 | |
With praise and appreciation to the Almighty, we begin year 11 of the Parsha Podcast (5787). This year, we will re-upload the Parsha Rebroadcast episode which covers the entire Parsha each Sunday, re-release the 9th cycle's episode (5785) 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. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Vezos Haberacha - Black on White | 01 Oct 2026 | 00:55:28 | |
The Torah preceded the world. In fact, the Almighty used the Torah as a blueprint for the creation of the world. But the primordial Torah was formatted differently than the Torah we have today. It was black fire on top of white fire. Our Torah is black ink on white parchment. The heavenly Torah is all fire. We end the year 10 of the Parsha podcast with a profound exploration of the Torah that preceded this world and the Torah that we have today. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Vezos Haberacha - Family Above (Almost) Everything (5784) | 29 Sep 2026 | 00:47:50 | |
The final Parsha of the Torah tells of Moshe's deathbed blessing to the tribes. For the duration of the Torah, Moshe has been constantly criticizing and reprimanding the nation. Praising the people is something that he does only on his last day. After Moshe blesses the nation, he ascends the mountain and passes away. The Parsha ends with Torah's the stirring and poignant eulogy of Moshe. In this very special edition of the Parsha podcast, recorded during the intermediate days of the festival of Sukkot, we cap off a wonderful year of Parsha podcasts with a deep and deeper analysis of this wonderful Parsha. We carefully examine Moshe's blessing to the Levites and deduce from it a novel and fresh understanding of the Jewish religion. We take lessons from Moshe's passing and the condition in which his body was preserved. And finally, we end off with a deep and powerful exploration of the final description of Moshe, and arguably his greatest accomplishment: the shattering of the tablets. Year Eight of the Parsha Podcast ends in style. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parshas Vezos Haberacha (Rebroadcast) | 28 Sep 2026 | 00:51:22 | |
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. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Joy, Jubilation, and Ecstasy on Sukkos | 24 Sep 2026 | 01:04:13 | |
The festival of Sukkos is called "the time of our joy." The entire festival is associated with joy. Sitting in the Sukkah is joyous, shaking the Lulav is joyous, the traditional celebratory festivities are known as the "Joy of the Drawing." Why are these days so intimately associated with joy? In this special podcast, we offer seven explanations that will enhance our Sukkos and suffuse it with joy. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| The Unparalleled Day of Yom Kippur | 20 Sep 2026 | 00:33:43 | |
The holiest day of the year is upon us. The day of Yom Kippur is unmatched and unrivaled by any other. It is a day of elevation. It is a day of purification. It is a day to be cleansed of all of our sins. It is a day to move past all of our trauma. On this day God pledges to forgive us from for all of our sins. But some of us have a hard time connecting with this awesome day. Some of us wish that we can leapfrog this day and move on to the festival of Sukkos. Why do we have such a hard time with this day, and what is there to do about it? In this really superb podcast, we learn about the secrets of this awesome day, and what is actually we need to do so that we merit to partake in its vast, awesome power. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Asking Forgiveness Before Yom Kippur | 17 Sep 2026 | 00:42:44 | |
Yom Kippur is a day of atonement and expiation. On this auspicious day, the Almighty forgives us for all our transgressions and we become purified before God. But the purification of Yom Kippur is limited to sins between man and God. For interpersonal transgressions, there is no atonement unless the aggressor appeases and secures forgiveness from the aggrieved. In this sweeping episode we discuss the nature of interpersonal transgressions and the tremendous sensitivity and delicateness required to not cause another person pain or loss; we scour the process of how to gain atonement for interpersonal transgressions; and we talk about the importance and the challenge of forgiving others who have wronged us. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Haazinu - Surprisingly Joyous Song | 17 Sep 2026 | 00:56:40 | |
The last day of Moshe's reign, coincided with the first day of Joshua's reign. For one day, Moshe and Joshua led the nation together as co-heads. On that day, Moshe and Joshua together conveyed the exquisite, comprehensive sound of Haazinu. A song that spans everything: the past, the present, the future, this world, the world to come. A song that encapsulates all of Torah, a song that foretells all future events. Not all stanzas though scream joy. Not all of what we read does not evoke ecstasy. Not all of what we read inspires us to dance. We read about the nation going astray - Jeshurun growing fat and corpulent and rebelled against God. We read about the disastrous consequences of what happens to us when God turns away from us. We read a frightening and chilling account of the condition of our people in exile. In this interesting Parsha podcast, we learn about Joshua's first day on the job, and the secret of the Song of Haazinu. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Haazinu - Trees with 70 Branches (5784) | 15 Sep 2026 | 00:46:55 | |
Parshas Hazinu is one of the most fascinating, poetic, and richly profound Parshas in the Torah. It is also arguably the most mysterious one. The majority of the Parsha is the Song of Haazinu, an intricate tapestry of prophecies that encapsulate the grand scope of Jewish history. The commentators on this Parsha strive to even understand the basic meaning of its words. In this penultimate episode of the 8th cycle of the Parsha podcast, focus on the commentary of the Ohr HaChaim. While we don't go through the entirety of his magisterial commentary, we select five magnificent comments from this work. What we discover is an absolutely profound study of scope and depth and insight. I could think of know no finer way to end the Parsha podcast year of 5784 than to plumb into the depth of this song as explained by the legendary Ohr Hachaim. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parshas Haazinu (Rebroadcast) | 14 Sep 2026 | 00:58:00 | |
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. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| The Ten Wonders of Repentance | 10 Sep 2026 | 00:54:10 | |
God showered humanity with endless gifts: the ability to see, to hear, to walk, to taste, to think, to make choices, to become closer to Him. The list is very long. One of the greatest gifts that God gave humanity is the ability to repent. When we err, when we make blunders, when we go awry, we don't need to forever be in the wrong. We can rectify. We can make amends. The gift of repentance is truly wondrous. Repentance had to have been created before the world was created because it would be impossible to create something so wondrous once the structures of the world were set in place. In this very special pre-Rosh Hashanah, pre-10 Days of Repentance podcast, we identify ten different ways in which repentance is truly wondrous. What an opportunity afforded to us by God! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| The Binding of Isaac (Second Day of Rosh Hashana Torah Reading) | 08 Sep 2026 | 00:54:37 | |
On the second day of Rosh Hashana, we read the Torah section of Genesis chapter 22 that tells the very famous and quite troubling episode of the Binding of Isaac. Abraham – the same Abraham who railed against the ways of child sacrifice of the pagans – is instructed by God to take Isaac – the same Isaac who was declared as the one who will be Abraham’s true progeny – and offer him as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah. In this podcast we attempt to understand the many connections that this reading has with the themes and ideas of Rosh Hashana. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| The Nuanced Judgment of Rosh Hashana | 07 Sep 2026 | 00:53:50 | |
Rush Hashanah is a day of judgment. On this day, God sits, as it were, on His Throne of Judgment. The intensity and scrutiny of divine judgment is unfathomable. Even the angels quake and quiver with trepidation. For some, the results of the judgment are instantaneous: the completely righteous are immediately inscribed and sealed into the Book of Life, and the completely wicked are immediately inscribed and sealed into the Book of Death. For the in-betweeners however, their fate is determined by their conduct during the Ten Days of Repentance. In this very sharp and interesting podcast, we offer three approaches to the age-old question of why we don't see a massive uptick in all-cause mortality on Rosh Hashanah. If all the wicked perish instantly, why aren't the morgues jam-packed with dead sinners on the day following Rosh Hashanah? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| The Origin of Isaac (First Day of Rosh Hashana Torah Reading) | 06 Sep 2026 | 00:59:55 | |
The Torah readings for the two days of Rosh Hashana were not arbitrarily chosen. There are very good reasons why on the first day of Rosh Hashana we read Genesis chapter 21, which tells of the conception and birth of Isaac, and the banishment of Ishmael, his brush with death, and his salvation. In this podcast we attempt to understand the many connections that this reading has with the themes and ideas of Rosh Hashana. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Nitzavim & Vayeilech - Mavericks vs. Heat | 03 Sep 2026 | 00:59:30 | |
The entire book of Devarim occurs over the span of 36 days, the final 36 days of Moshe's life. The final four Parshas are an account of the last day of Moshe's life. As he is about to transition to the other world, the reliable shepherd gathers all the people together for one last covenant and exhortation to hearken to the word of God and to not go astray. But why would the nation go astray? These are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were chosen by God to be his people. This is the nation that witnessed the Exodus, the theophany at Sinai, who ate the manna and drank water from a rock, who received revelation directly from God and Torah from Moshe himself. Why is there a risk that they will lapse into idolatry? Why is there a concern that they may mimic the barbarous, abominable ways of the nations? The answer, as we learn in this week's edition of the Parsha Podcast, is fascinating and frightening. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Parsha Podcast is dedicated in honor of a new couple, Coby and Riva Caplan. May they build a beautiful home together. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Nitzavim Vayeilech - Like Clockwork (5784) | 01 Sep 2026 | 00:47:06 | |
We are not machines. We are humans. And that's messy. We have all sorts of struggles doing the right thing. We are influenced by a myriad of impulses, inclinations, and predispositions. We don't operate like clockwork. There are other things that always follow a prescribed pattern: The sun always rises in the East and sets in the West. The sun's reliability is unfailing. The Earth is also completely predictable: It sprouts what you plant. None of us would ever compare fickle humans to the Sun or the heavens or the Earth. But Moshe does. In this profound Parsha podcast, we explore a fascinating and apparently inexplicable demand that Moshe places before us prior to his passing. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| The Incalculability of Mitzvos | 31 Aug 2026 | 00:55:04 | |
Mitzvos have infinite value. There is no experience that we can have in this world that matches the reward in the world to come for a single mitzvah. But not all mitzvos are the same. Some contain more power than others. And even within a single mitzvah, there are infinite gradients of degrees of devotion and self-sacrifice and commitment and refinement that separate one act of that particular mitzvah from another. In truth, the value of mitzvos is incalculable to humans, and only God can accurately assess its value and power. In this very interesting podcast, we learn some of the reasons why for us they are incalculable. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parshas Nitzavim & Vayeilech (Rebroadcast) | 30 Aug 2026 | 01:42:13 | |
On the final day of Moshe’s life, he gathered the entire nation – men, women, children, and according to the Talmud, all souls of future Jews – to pass them through a final covenant with God. The parsha also contains the prophetic predictions of the Messianic times, and it ends with a simple, binary choice: Moshe tells the nation, “Behold I have placed before you today, the life and the good, and death and evil… Choose Life!” Moshe is 120 years old to the day. He was born on the seventh of Adar and now it is the seven of Adar 120 years later. Today is his last day before his passing and he is taking leave from the nation and handing over the reins to Joshua. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Ki Savo - The Joystick | 27 Aug 2026 | 01:02:44 | |
Sadness and hopelessness are modern societal epidemics. Notwithstanding the fact that our time has seen more material abundance than ever before, the share of Americans, especially young Americans, who feel consistent and persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness has skyrocketed in recent years. The Torah offers salient guidance. In our Parsha, we learn how to manipulate our state of joy. It is possible for a person to increase or decrease his or her joy at will. We have the joystick. In this Parsha Podcast, we learn how to manipulate it. In this Parsha Podcast, we learn how to manipulate it. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Ki Savo - Gaze from Heaven (5784) | 25 Aug 2026 | 00:57:05 | |
Blessings and curses. That is the dominant theme of our Parsha. We read the admonition of Deuteronomy - 98 bone-chilling curses that will befall our people in the event that we repudiate our covenant with God. Blessings and curses appear a second time: the nation is instructed to assemble at Mount Gerizim and mount Ebal on the day of the crossing of the Jordan. There, they must make a public pronouncement of blessings and curses. What is the lesson of blessing and curses? Why do we get blessings and curses? In this special and sprawling Parsha podcast, we thread a theme throughout the Parsha that wraps together of the first fruits, the confession of the tithes, the blessings and the curses, and Moshe's joyous exclamation to the people when he declares that they have finally, forty years after the Exodus, been forged into a nation. Put away your pagers, beepers, and walkie-talkies. Now it's time for the Parsha podcast. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| The First Elul | 24 Aug 2026 | 00:40:59 | |
We have a begun hallowed days of Elul. In one month, we will celebrate Rosh Hashanah. We will all be judged. We will blow the shofar. We will pray for a good year. Ten days later, the holy day of Yom Kippur. We will fast for 25 hours: no food, no drink. On that day,we are like angels. On that day – The gates of mercy are open, like no other day. On that day – The gates of repentance, the gates of forgiveness, the gates of atonement, are wide open. On that day – God is ensconced, as it were, on the throne of mercy. Elul is when we prepare. But how exactly do we prepare? In this interesting podcast, we draw back to the beginning, to the first Elul. It contains the secret and the propitious power of these days. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parshas Ki Savo (Rebroadcast) | 23 Aug 2026 | 00:55:33 | |
As the Book of Deuteronomy draws to its conclusion, the narrative makes a transition: Moshe finishes conveying the mitzvos to the nation, and sets up his final parting message to the people. First, he commands the nation to perform several elaborate ceremonies on the very first day that they cross the Jordan River; then he conveys a scathing, terrifying list of curses that will befall the people in the event that we deviate from the Torah. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Ki Seitzei - Moabite the Hand that Fed You | 20 Aug 2026 | 00:56:01 | |
Our number one goal in life is to achieve perfection. Perfection of character, perfection of behavior, profession of speech, profession of thought, perfection in every possible way. Our bad character needs to be fixed, our shortcomings need to be rectified, our bad habits need to be reversed, our maladies of character need to be remedied. But how much can we actually change? Is there anything that we do not change I must learn to live with? These are some weighty questions and in a very unusual place in this week's Parsha we find answers, answers that will enable us to ascend the ladder of perfection. It's all laid out for you in this week's edition of the Parsha podcast. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Ki Seitzei - Conscience Cleanser (5784) | 18 Aug 2026 | 00:46:31 | |
Of the motley potpourri of subjects featured in Parshas Ki Seitzei are several fascinating mitzvos that we address in this week's Parsha podcast. We begin with a fascinating analysis of the law of the beautiful captive woman. We proceed with a heartening insight based upon the wayward and rebellious son. Finally, we offer a sharp and penetrating insight into the prohibition against bringing a harlot's fee to the temple and into the prohibition against excising a skin ailment of tzaraas. Listen to this wonderful and profound edition of the Parsha podcast. You will not regret it. On the contrary, it will delight you give you great joy. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Confronting Mortality (How to Preparing for the Afterlife Part 2) | 17 Aug 2026 | 00:52:20 | |
Death and the afterlife are foreign, and often terrifying, subjects. Naturally, most of us tend to try to avoid thinking about it too much. This is exactly what allows the evil inclination to deceive and mislead us. It's an important subject to the well-upon, though too much morbid fascination can be counterproductive. In part 2 of our series on when and how to prepare for the afterlife, we address the weighty subject of when young people encounter mortality. When a young person, God forbid, loses a relative, a friend, a parent, or when God forbid, a young person is diagnosed with a terminal illness, this difficult subject is thrust the spotlight. As always, the Torah provides clear, illuminating guidance and direction. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parshas Ki Seitzei (Rebroadcast) | 16 Aug 2026 | 01:01:04 | |
In the parsha that contains the most mitzvos of any of the 54 Torah sections (a staggering 74 mitzvos), we read about the wayward and rebellious son, the requirement to build a fence around your roof to prevent tragedy, two episodes that we are mandated to remember, and many, many more interesting and insightful mitzvos. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Shoftim - Selfless, Fearless, Flawless Scholars | 13 Aug 2026 | 01:08:28 | |
Our Parsha features laws relating to all types of leaders: Judges must not corrupt judgment, must not accept bribery, must hearken to the rulings of the Grand Sanhedrin, and must relentlessly pursue justice. Kings may not have too many wives, too many horses, too much silver and gold, and must always be cognizant of the Almighty by carrying a Torah scroll wherever they go. Prophets mustn't withhold the prophecy and mustn't misappropriate prophecy given to their fellow. Priests play a vital role in the release of accidental murderers from cities of refuge and in the ceremony of decapitating a calf when an unidentified corpse is discovered between two cities. Judges, Kings, Prophets, Priests -- very few of us know any of these office holders. In this Parsha podcast, we discover that each one of us must strive to adopt the qualities of these officials. We learn what it takes and the particular pitfalls of each one. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Shoftim - Government-in-Exile (5784) | 11 Aug 2026 | 00:45:28 | |
In this Parsha Podcast we share two fascinating and deep insights from our Parsha. The first relates to the method by which capital punishment must be meted out. The second is a novel and fascinating spiritual and cosmic perspective on the monarchy as a method of government, both in the era when monarchies were widespread and of the era of its effective dissolution. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| TORAH 101: Reflecting Cherubs | 10 Aug 2026 | 00:57:33 | |
Cherubs made many appearances in the Tabernacle and the Temple. Hewn onto the Cover of the Ark off the Covenant were two golden cherubs facing each other. But there were more cherubs. Of the Tabernacle's multiple fabric covers was one called the "Mishkan" upon which two cherubs were embroidered. In the partition that separated the sanctuary from the Holy of Holies, the image of a cherub was embroidered. In the temple that Solomon built, there were more cherubs, including an additional set of enormous ten-cubit-tall cherubs in the Holy of Holies that towered above the Ark of the Covenant. The cherubs have important symbolism. One of them represents God Almighty, and the second represents His cherished nation, Israel. In the next installment of our study of the magisterial work Nefesh HaChaim, we learned about the cherubs: what they represent, how they were oriented, and what that teaches us about how we direct the trajectory of the world. In the next installment of our study of the magisterial work Nefesh HaChaim, we learned about the cherubs: what they represent, how they were oriented, and what that teaches us about how we direct the trajectory of the world. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parshas Shoftim (Rebroadcast) | 09 Aug 2026 | 01:00:21 | |
This week we learn the laws governing all kinds of leaders: The parsha begins by detailing the laws of judges, the jurisdiction of the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court, and what happens to rebellious judges; we read about the unique laws related to kings; there are more laws pertaining to the Kohanim; and we find the means of vetting professed prophets and what happens to the six kinds of false prophets. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Reeh - Root Force | 06 Aug 2026 | 01:03:25 | |
Idolatry is anathema. Idolatry in the Holy Land is totally intolerable. Multiple times in the book of Devarim, we are exhorted to thoroughly and utterly destroy any remnant of idolatry that we encounter in the Land, be it altars, pillars, idolatrous trees, or molten images. But it is insufficient to eliminate the idols. We are required to uproot the idols from their source. The impulse to engage in idolatry has been rendered extinct today. No one craves to genuflect to an image of wood and stone, but we still can be enticed to do bad things. Just as we are commanded to eliminate all foreign gods from the land, we are commanded to eliminate the foreign gods squatting in our heart. The impulse to engage in idolatry has been rendered extinct today. No one craves to genuflect to an image of wood and stone, but we still can be enticed to do bad things. Just as we are commanded to eliminate all foreign gods from the land, we are commanded to eliminate the foreign god squatting in our heart. In this Parsha podcast, we learn how to do it. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Reeh - Idle Tree, Idle Warship, and Falls Profits (5784) | 04 Aug 2026 | 00:57:01 | |
The Torah spends a lot of time cautioning us against idolatry. As the nation is about to cross over the Jordan and enter Canaan, they are repeatedly warned to not fall prey to the idolatrous practices of the indigenous population. Instead, they must shatter the idolatrous altars, destroy idolatrous infrastructure, obliterate idolatrous paraphernalia , uproot idolatrous trees, and thoroughly dismantled all idolatrous venues. The warnings against idolatry are one of the primary themes of the book of Devarim and of Moshe's last messages to the nation. What does this mean for us today? We are are quite unfamiliar with the idolatry of yore. It does not resonate with us. We don't understand why the ancients were so enamored by idolatry. When we read all about idolatry in the Torah we ask the important question: what does this have to do with us? In this very interesting and stimulating podcast, we talk about modern idolatry and how it compares and contrasts with the idolatry of yore. We also share several fascinating observations from our glorious antecedents regarding hints and references to the Christian hero in the Torah and in the Talmud. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| When and How to Prepare for the Afterlife | 03 Aug 2026 | 00:48:14 | |
Sooner or later, we all are required to drink from the bitter portion of death. As a result of the sin of Adam, death is the fate of all mankind. But what happens afterwards? What happens in the afterlife? In that, we are all different. The state of a person after they pass depends completely on their righteousness and the choices they made in their life. No one likes to think about their own mortality. No one likes to ruminate on the fragility of their life. No one likes to imagine their own death. But as we advance in life, it's imperative to prepare. In this podcast, we'll learn the principles of preparing for the afterlife. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parshas Reeh (Rebroadcast) | 02 Aug 2026 | 01:00:31 | |
This week’s parsha marks a transition in the Book of Deuteronomy: it is no longer primarily about admonishment and rebuke and warnings, instead we read a bevy of mitzvos – some repetitions and some new ones that have hitherto not been mentioned. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Eikev - Hidden Mechanisms | 30 Jul 2026 | 01:02:33 | |
Several themes seem to be repeating themselves again and again throughout the Book of Devarim. For example, the nation is repeatedly encouraged to not be fearful of the formidable Canaanite Nations waiting for them on the other side of the Jordan. But the one theme that repeats itself more frequently than any other is the nation being encouraged to observe the laws, the statutes, and the commandments of Torah. They are encouraged, they are exhorted, they are enticed with rewards for observance and threatened with the consequences of its repudiation. Why is it so important for the nation to be told repeatedly to observe the commandments? Why do some people tend to disregard some of the commandments and to trample upon them with their heels? In this very interesting of Parsha podcast, we learned about the hidden mechanisms of mitzvos. We don't necessarily understand how the inputs lead to the outputs. We don't understand how the observance of mitzvos elevates a person to become Angel like. But the proof is in the pudding and a pudding is very tasty. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Eikev - Shock and Awe (5784) | 28 Jul 2026 | 01:05:27 | |
Flashy achievements make the news. Great triumphs, awesome deeds, transcendent moments grab our attention and seize our imagination. Humdrum acts fail to stir excitement. But when we are devising a strategy for how to prepare our ladder of ascension, it may be ill-advised to pursue quantum leaps of greatness. In fact the most effective process to transformative greatness is slow and gradual and dotted with seeming unremarkable, bite-sized micro movements up a very tall ladder. This idea is hinted to in Rashi's first comment to our Parsha. When we analyze other parts of the Parsha, we see a variety of angles as to why the slow and unremarkable path is optimal. In this wonderful Parsha podcast, we also take deep and penetrating dive into the mysterious and esoteric world of the nature first set of tablets that Moshe and brought down from heaven, their shattering, and their pending reclamation. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parshas Eikev (Rebroadcast) | 26 Jul 2026 | 00:59:15 | |
We pick up where we left off last week amid Moshe’s speech to the nation before his passing, and as in the previous few weeks, Parshas Eikev is jam packed with insights and timeless lessons. Moshe pivots between looking back on the conduct of the nation in the preceding 40 years and admonishing them for their misdeeds, and gazing forward to the conquest of Canaan and the secrets to making their settlement peaceful, prosperous, and secure. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Vaeschanan - Denied Entry | 22 Jul 2026 | 01:06:37 | |
Prayer always makes an impact. Moshe's prayer was exceedingly powerful and made a supercharged impact. But all of Moshe's prayer, and all of his pleading, and all of his incessant Divine entreatment did not succeed in getting God to change his decree barring Moshe from entering the Land. Moshe's 515 prayers was unable to reverse the decree. In this very interesting Parsha podcast, we go behind the scenes and explore some fascinating angles and reasons why Moshe was denied entrance to the Holy Land. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parsha: Vaeschanan - Get a Life (5784) | 21 Jul 2026 | 00:59:44 | |
Moshe was Joshua's teacher. By any measure, Moshe was a greater leader of the nation than Joshua was. Moshe was the sun to Joshua's moon. But Moshe was unable to lead the nation across the Jordan; a feat that Joshua pulled off. How did Joshua the acolyte manage to outshine and upstage the master? That question is the first of two subjects addressed in this week's Parsha podcast. To find out the other one you will have to listen for yourself. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| TORAH 101: Man As Microcosm | 20 Jul 2026 | 00:46:17 | |
How exactly can man influence all the worlds, all the spheres, all the dimensions, and all the realms? Our Sages compare the human to the soul of the world. We have the levers that determine what happens to all of created existence. But what is the mechanism of that? How precisely does man actualize his mission of being created in the image of God? What is the interrelationship between the soul of the world (us) and the world? In the fourth installment of the study of the magisterial work Nefesh HaChaim, we learn the mechanism of man's influence over the world. Man is the microcosm. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||
| Parshas Vaeschanan (Rebroadcast) | 19 Jul 2026 | 01:04:12 | |
This week’s parsha continues Moshe’s monologue to the nation in the weeks preceding his passing. He begins by recounting his repeated efforts in trying to convince God to rescind His decree that Moshe not enter the Land; Moshe then begins the retelling of the Torah; and we read many warnings and predictions about proper behavior and the consequences of abandoning Torah and mitzvos. This is a parsha replete with iconic verses and big themes! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 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! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox: TORCH – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts ★ Support this podcast ★ | |||