The Greatest Parasha Podcast

We are honored to have Rabbi Ricky Hidary join us as our first guest of the season to discuss Parashat Lekh Lekha! In this episode, we explore the deep symbolism behind Berit Ben HaBetarim. Then, we examine its connection to Berit Milah and explain how these two Beritot can help us understand the two stories of Abraham journeying to Eres Kenaan. Rabbi Hidary tops it all off with a powerful message about how the two Beritot can help us think about our Jewish identity.

In this week's episode, Emily Tarrab and Asher Melamed discuss the story after the Mabul, where Noah plants a vineyard, gets drunk, and undresses in his tent. The hosts offer a few different ideas for what was going through Noah's mind and what the Torah wants us to learn from this story.

To kick off the new cycle and our first episode as hosts on The Greatest Parasha Podcast, Emily Tarrab and Asher Melamed discuss several possible answers to the question of why Hashem accepts Hevel's Minha but not Kayin's.

In this week's episode, we examine how Moshe's blessings relate to the character, inheritance, and potential of each tribe.

In this week's episode, we are joined by Ronnie Mizrachi to compare the teshuvah process as it appears in Tehilim 81 and Perashar Haazinu.

This week we host Rav Yitzchak Blau for his second time on the podcast, to walk through four approaches to the Berit obligating future generations!

In this week's episode, Emma Dayan and Raymond Ashkenazie are joined by Rabbi Albert and Yoetzet Halacha Yaffa Setton to explore the question: Can a covenant command us to feel joy?

“If a child can’t recognize authority, how can you expect a community to?”

We are honored to have on Rabbanit Shani Taragin who currently serves on the advisory committee for the Mizrachi Olami Shalhevet program, as Rosh Beit Midrash for the women in Yeshiva University’s new academic program in Israel, and together with her husband, Reuven, as Educational Director for Mizrachi Olami.

In this week's episode, Raymond Ashkenazie and Emma Dayan are are joined by Rav Itamar Eldar to compare the descriptions of Ir Miklat in the books of Bemidbar and Devarim, and to note the important moral lessons that arise from those differences.

Rav Itamar Eldar is the Head of the hesder yeshiva Orot Shaul in Tel Aviv,.

We are joined by Rabbi Jeremy Teichman (of Ramaz and KJ) to take a deep dive into Tzedaka and its practical implications and its fundamental significance.

Essay attached: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19C9xDD6WgwHoUmpw5KJvRanNeyq93rI7VOTaYXxJKsE/edit?usp=sharing

Rabbi Joey Mizrahi joins us to explore how Eretz Yisrael is fundamentally different from Egypt: it is not sustained by the Nile and predictable irrigation, but by rain that depends on Hashem. We discuss how the perasha frames life in the land as a relationship built on trust, mitzvot, and moral responsibility rather than self-sufficiency.

The conversation also widens into a discussion of Avodah Zarah, segulot, and the danger of trying to manipulate divine outcomes instead of living with real emunah.

In this week's episode, we are joined by Ms. Yael Leibowitz to discuss the institution of prophecy. Together, we examine whether having designated neviim was the ideal way to transmit God's word to the nation or whether all of Bnei Yisrael was meant to receive prophecy.

In this week's episode, we are joined by Rabbi Naftali Besser to understand how our blind spots—shaped by ego, biases, and misjudgments—are the root causes of tragedy and misunderstanding.

Most forms of tribalism threaten national unity, but what does the Torah teach about balancing difference and collective responsibility? How do tribal distinctions help a community flourish? This episode explores Jewish tribal identity, Torah, and modern nationhood in the context of Matot-Masei and America’s 250th birthday.

This week we are joined by Rabbi Shmuel Phillips to discuss zealotry and what true peace means in the Torah.

To learn more about Rabbi Phillips and his two incredible books: https://www.talmudreclaimed.com

This week, we are joined by Rabbi Soffer to discuss the kiddush Hashem that was supposed to happen at Mei Meriva and what we can learn from it today.

We are joined by Rabbi Joey Faur to discuss why the story hinges on the concept of kedusha as divine rather than magical, and what that means for leadership today.

Horizontal Society by Chacham Faur: https://korenpub.com/products/the-collected-works-of-hakham-dr-jose-faur?srsltid=AfmBOooONELCVQCRyFIS-jbxi1kd5b0S29heOIrK62XY7mFMAx1K3373

In this week's episode, we are joined by Mrs. Esther Hidary to unpack the deeper ideological issue underpinning the refusal of Bnei Yisrael and the spies to enter the land of Israel.

This week, we’re joined by Binyamin Fox, who picked one of the Rav’s best-known derashot on Beha’alotekha. Together, we trace how a scattered-feeling parsha turns into a single story about a redemption that was almost ours.

In this week's episode, Rabbi Zaboulani joins to discuss the purpose of nezirut and how being a nazir was fundamental to Shimshon's style of leadership.

Thoughts based on a shiur given by Rabbi David Aaron. We explore why the chag has no physical mitzvah, what really happened at Sinai, and how Naso shows us how to live inside it. Sorry for the different episode format this week, back to normal next week!

We are joined by Rav Binny Freedman, who discusses the insights of counting the Omer, the hidden significance of the desert, and the journey to achieve Torah.

In this week's episode, Rabbi Tobias joins to discuss the deeper lessons behind shemita, and how those lessons relate to the larger themes of Sefer Vayikra as a whole.

This week, we dive into the deeper purpose of the shulchan and the lechem hapanim.

This week, Dr. Michael Franco joins us to explore the central themes of Aharei Mot-Kedoshim. Follow along using the charts below:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MrxTG_TfmwEX0C7yoe9DrlZAECJkJ-wT/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115602880636174608461&rtpof=true&sd=true

To hear more from Dr. Franco, check out his podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/3v3NH9LEJZIJCuxfHYSHF1?si=64UxNzu_Q2GiiwdAz9J-Jw

This week, we are joined by Rabbi Jospeh Beyda to try and derive meaning from a seriously technical parasha.

We are joined by Yaakov Wolff, podcast host of Shtark Tank (https://open.spotify.com/show/34xll8GhTfu1BiRdhb8AyR?si=85ae84dadad2470f) to discuss Pesach and Yetziat Mitzrayim.

Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom!

This week, we are joined by Rabbanit Sally Mayer to delve into the deeper meaning behind the Korban Todah!

This week we switch things up with a roundtable format. Benny Attar, Nava Gelb, and Adin Halbfinger join to discuss the real purpose of korbanot, working through four classic positions: obedience to divine command, moral repentance and confronting mortality, the Rambam's cultural accommodation theory, and the kabbalistic view of spiritual repair.

This week, we are joined by David Tawil to understand our contemporary understanding of materialism, purpose and spiritual connection. David offers deep insights into the symbolism of the Mishkan and the Egel, emphasizing how these lessons can inspire us to infuse daily life with higher purpose and intentionality.

Please join us in continuing to pray and learn Torah for the strength and success of Medinat Yisrael.

In this weeks episode, Rabbi Dani Ritholtz joins us to explore Aharon's role in the golden calf crisis, examining his motives and transformation into Kohen Gadol.

In this week's episode, Rav Daniel Peled-Schwartz joins to discuss the meaning of fullness as it relates to the mishkan and our adovdat hashem.

Rav Daniel Peled-Schwartz is the JLIC Rabbi at Columbia University.

This week, Dr. Miriam Tawil joins to discuss the purpose of the mishkan and how we can continue to bring God into our midst today.

Dr. Miriam Tawil is the founder and director of Midreshet Eshel in Jerusalem.

In this week's episode, Rabbi Dr. Richard Hidary joins to unpack a variety of topics in the parasha, including eved ivri, berit haaganot, and shabbat shekalim.

Rabbi Dr. Richard Hidary is an associate professor of Judaic Studies at Yeshiva University and a rabbi at Sephardic Synagogue.

In this week's episode, Rabbi David Tawil joins to delve into the significance of boundaries at Har Sinai and their role in spiritual growth. Rabbi Tawil explains how the boundaries set during the revelation were crucial for the Jewish people's spiritual survival and how crossing them could lead to disaster. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding personal limits to avoid spiritual burnout and achieve sustainable growth.

In this week's episode, Yoetzet Halacha Yaffa Setton joins to explore the significance of song in our relationship with God and the natural leadership of Miriam.

In this week's episode, Rabbi Uri Pilichowski joins to explore the miracles around us. Rabbi Pilichowski shares insights on recognizing modern-day miracles and the importance of strengthening our relationship with God. Tune in to discover how ancient lessons can inspire us today.

Rabbi Uri Pilichowski is a senior educator at Nefesh B’Nefesh’s Zionist Education Initiative, where he inspires thousands of visitors each year through dialogue on Zionism, Israel, and Jewish identity. He is an author, columnist for The Jewish Press and The Jerusalem Post, a sought after speaker, and lives in Mitzpe Yeri...

In this week's episode, Rav Menachem Leibtag joins to help us better understand the purpose of yetziat mitzrayim, discussing why God needed Paroh to kick the Jews out of Egypt and how that collective memory shapes us as a people.

Rav Menachem Leibtag is a teacher at Yeshivat Gush Etzion, Midreshet Lindenbaum, Shaalvim, and Matan. Read more of his essays on Parashat HaShavua on his website, tanach.org

In this week’s episode, we are joined by Rabbi Moish Kornblum to delve into the complexities of parental blessings in the Torah, focusing on the blessings given by Yaakov Avinu to his sons. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the nature of blessings and their impact on personal growth.

Rav Moish is the Assistant Dean at Yeshiva Orayta and former congregational rabbi in Cape Town. 

In this week’s episode, we are joined by Rabbi Nathan Dweck to explore the motivation behind Yosef’s testing of his brothers. The discussion delves deeper into the emotional and psychological aspects of the narrative, examining how these themes are reflected in contemporary life.

Rabbi Nathan Dweck serves as High School Minyan Rabbi and Torah Programming Director at Congregation Beth Torah, Mashgiach Ruhani and Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshivah Middle School, Executive Director of Tebah Educational Services, and Rabbi of Congregation Berit Shalom.