ParshahCast

Some people have argued that capitalism is legalized greed. Compassion for others is certainly a cardinal Jewish value; but do free markets run contrary to that ideal? What does the Torah say?

Financial worries and the daily grind of life are the cause of much stress and anxiety. What kind of advice does the Torah have for dealing with economic uncertainties?

Israel, it seems, is always in the news. Why? What is so unique about the Jewish homeland that draws so much interest from all over the world?

Today, many have achieved extraordinary material success unimaginable in times prior and have generously shared their gifts to help those in need. What compels them to distribute so much of their personal income? What causes people -- of any level of affluence -- to give away their hard-earned money?

An old Swedish chemist was branded by the media as the "merchant of death" - but managed to change his reputation and create a new legacy of extraordinary goodness.

The Israel Defense Force is one of the most advanced armies in the world. Learn about Israel's secret weapon and discover how you can use it to defend our sacred homeland!

We rush out of work and head to our homes as if we're escaping from a dark prison cell. Does G-d really want us to subject ourselves to this self-imposed daily incarceration?

Did you know that Ralph Lauren was born as Ralph Ruben Lifshitz! In this week's ParshahCast we look at another famous Jewish celebrity who also had his name changed. Find out who, and why.

Unfortunately, it is not totally uncommon to find resentment or bad blood between family members. It almost always starts out small but somehow ends up spiraling out of control. What does Judaism say about family feuds?

Pharaoh issued a merciless decree to drown the newborn Jewish boys. What was his scheming plan for the girls?

The story of the Exodus has been told a million times over. True, the ancient tale of miracles and plagues is rich and colorful, but does it carry any personal meaning for us in our modern age?

In our Torah portion this week, G‑d gives the Jewish people, this new nation that is set to embark on a journey to the Promised Land, their first mitzvah. What do you think that mitzvah would be?

At the dawn of the exodus, our ancestors stood at the banks of the Red Sea, suddenly trapped between its raging waters and the advancing Egyptian forces behind them. What did they do?

The fourth of the Ten Commandments is to honor and observe the Shabbat, the holy Sabbath. “Six days you shall labor…. and on the seventh day you shall rest,” why are we commanded to work?

Our parshah opens with a listing of moral and civil laws. It really seems odd that the awesome revelation on Mt. Sinai should be followed by laws that any just nation would follow.

Indiana Jones discovered the Ark of the Covenant. Can we uncover the valuable message in this week’s Parshah?

Our parshah this week contains a glaring omission. The name of Judaism's greatest leader, Moses, is not to be found at all in the portion! Tune in and find out where Moses was hiding!

Moses descends Mt. Sinai and shockingly encounters the Jewish people worshipping the golden calf. Tune in to discover how Moses dealt with his people's betrayal of G-d.

When paying taxes, few people offer to contribute more than required. However by the construction of the Mishkan, the tabernacle, the Jews donated well beyond what was needed, why?

When constructing the Mishkan, Moses schleps in the furniture (i.e. the ark, the menorah etc.) before the entire structure is completed. Why does he furnish G-d’s home in such a backwards way?

The book of Leviticus describes in-detail the Temple service of animal sacrifice. How can we find personal significance in this ancient ritual that was the premier service in the Holy Temple?

Last week's parshah discussed the laws of purity relating to animals and now we learn the laws of purity for the human being; why do animals precede man?

If G-d told you to drill through your concrete floor to discover gold, would you do it?

After the Yom Kippur service in the Holy Temple concluded, throngs of worshippers would accompany the High Priest back to his home for a holiday feast. Why the big celebration?

In the Jewish vernacular we hear phrases such as "the Holy Shabbat" or "the Holy Torah"; but what is "holiness"?

G-d commands Moses and Aaron to conduct a census of the Jewish people. But if G-d is all-knowing – including the exact population of the Jewish people – what then is the point in counting them?

The Torah lists separately the gifts that each of the leaders of the tribes brought to dedicate the altar, even though each man brought identical gifts. Why does the Torah repeat the same list twelve times in a row?

In response to complaints by those who missed their chance to bring the Passover offering, the Jewish people were given a new holiday: the Second Passover. Therein lies a powerful lesson.

The book of Deuteronomy opens as the Jewish people are on “the other side of the Jordan (River)” soon to enter the Promised Land. Why is the Torah so vague on the location?

The Torah commands us: You shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart. How can we be expected to feel a love for Him if the feeling is not embedded in our heart?

After receiving forgiveness for the sin of the golden calf, G-d instructs the Jewish people to make a home for Him on earth: the mishkan. Why was gold so prominently used in the sanctuary if it caused such a grave sin.