Best Rabbi David Fohrman Podcasts (2025)

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S5 Ep. 4: Shir HaMaalot: When Pharoah Reminded Us About God 33:20

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5d ago33:20

33:20

After thoroughly dissecting every verse of Shir HaMaalot, the season finale attempts to put all the pieces back together. The first three verses were about moving from dreams to true joy; the second three were about Joseph and Jacob's saga. Could both of these themes somehow be related? A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made poss…

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S5 ep. 3: Shir HaMaalot: You Choose How Dreams Become Reality 56:48

12d ago56:48

56:48

Do you really know what Joseph's dream of the wheat sheaves was about? We'll bet you missed something big. And perhaps, so did Joseph. See how the ambiguity of the dream presents Joseph with a choice: am I destined for power, or for benevolence? A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari…

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S5 Ep. 2: Shir HaMaalot: Where Do a Father's Tears Go? 29:55

19d ago29:55

29:55

The beginning and end of Shir HaMaalot discuss dreams and sheaves of wheat. Where have we heard this before? Rabbi Fohrman and Imu explore the clear parallels between this chapter or tehillim and Joseph - a dreamer and a captive. They discuss Joseph's outpouring of tears, compared to Jacob's persistent weeping, and offer a consoling message that th…

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S5 Ep.1 Shir HaMaalot: Waking Up from the Dream 43:19

26d ago43:19

43:19

This season's focus is on Tehilim (Psalm) 126, otherwise known as Shir HaMaalot. You know, the one that Jews sing before bensching on Shabbat and festivals. This short but powerful poem tells us that when the redemption comes we will be "like dreamers." But is this a good thing? What if our dream state prevents us from coming to terms with the actu…

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S4 Ep. 8 Can Envy Ever Be Healed? What Jacob and Esav Teach Us About the 10th Commandment 58:16

1M ago58:16

58:16

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey In the season finale, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu explore the final commandment—“Thou shalt not covet”—through the emotional reunion of Jacob and Esau. As they unpack the psychological wounds left by their father’s perceived favoritism, a deeper truth emerges: healing comes not from acquiring …

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S4 Ep. 7 Theft, Testimony, and Broken Trust: Unpacking the 8th and 9th Commandments 42:44

1M ago42:44

42:44

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey What drives someone to steal? And why does the Bible warn so strongly against false testimony? In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu Shalev examine how the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Lavan provides surprising insight into the psychology behind the 8th and 9th commandments. From Rachel'…

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S4 Ep. 6 Esav’s Rage & Lavan’s Deceit: The Surprising Link Between Murder, Adultery and Fatherhood 48:40

2M ago48:40

48:40

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey Continuing their journey through the Ten Commandments, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu examine murder and adultery through the lens of the Genesis Deception story. They unpack why Esau—usually painted as the bad guy—holds back from killing Jacob even when he knows exactly where to find him, giving…

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S4 Ep. 5 Rest & Honor: The Hidden Backstory of the Ten Commandments Continues 1:15:36

2M ago1:15:36

1:15:36

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey Continuing their analysis of the Ten Commandments through Genesis 27, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu focus on two pivotal commands: Shabbat and honoring one's parents. They begin by uncovering surprising connections between Rebecca's plea for Jacob's safety and the concept of divine rest. How doe…

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S4 Ep. 4: Divine Love and the Ten Commandments 57:49

2M ago57:49

57:49

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey Picking up from last week's cliffhanger, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu tackle an uncomfortable and paradoxical question: How can a perfect being—God—choose vulnerability? This unsettling concept seems to be at the heart of the parallels they uncover between Genesis 27 and the Revelation narrativ…

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A Message from Imu 3:01

2M ago3:01

3:01

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey We’re so grateful you’ve been listening to A Book Like No Other. Now, we’d love to hear from you! Podcasts can feel one-sided — we talk, you listen. But your voice matters. Please take 3–5 minutes to fill out this quick listener survey and help shape the future of the show. 👉 Take the su…

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S4 Ep. 3 Can We Really Know God? What Jacob’s Deception Reveals About Revelation 1:24:25

2M ago1:24:25

1:24:25

What if the Torah provides its own commentary on its most pivotal moments? In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu continue uncovering a striking web of connections between Jacob’s deception in Genesis 27 and the Revelation at Sinai in Exodus 19. As they explore these interwoven parallels, they reveal a profound shift in roles—Father becoming Son, S…

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S4 Ep. 1 Reexamining Revelation: The Challenge of Chosenness 26:25

2M ago26:25

26:25

At the heart of Judaism's chosenness lies an unexpected twist that few have noticed. Rabbi Fohrman stumbles upon a shocking connection between two of the Bible's most pivotal moments - one that completely transforms our understanding of what it means to be chosen. This discovery not only challenges centuries of religious interpretation but might ju…

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S4 Ep. 2 Rethinking Chosenness: From Favoritism to Universal Blessing 36:18

2M ago36:18

36:18

What if one of the Torah's most troubling stories - Jacob deceiving his father to get a blessing - is actually the key to understanding why God chose the Jewish people? In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu make a surprising discovery: the story of Mount Sinai mirrors Jacob's deception in unexpected ways. But rather than just repeating a tale of f…

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S3 Ep. 5 Esther as the Redeemer of the Garden of Eden 57:38

4M ago57:38

57:38

In this final episode of the season, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu explore how Esther's narrative offers a redeemed perspective on Adam and Eve's story. Delving into Esther's courageous moments before King Achashverosh, Rabbi Fohrman highlights her heroism while challenging the simplistic view of Esther as merely a master manipulator. Instead, Rabbi Fohrma…

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S3 Ep. 4 A Competing Cast of Characters in the Megillah 48:05

4M ago48:05

48:05

Rabbi Fohrman shares a dizzying discovery: a competing Tree of Knowledge story in the Megillah. But instead of replacing the first cast of characters, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu analyze how this discovery adds another layer of meaning embedded in the Megillah. Esther, in particular, moves into the forefront, and Rabbi Fohrman and Imu discuss how her act…

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S3 Ep. 3 Haman’s Godly Ambitions 33:04

4M ago33:04

33:04

Rabbi Fohrman and Imu discover that it’s not only Haman who has a counterpart in Eden. There’s a whole list of characters from Megillat Esther who are playing out a version of the Tree of Knowledge story. But what is the Megillah trying to tell us by taking this story from the beginning of Genesis and replaying it here at the end of Tanach? It’s no…

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S3 Ep. 2 Finding Haman’s Character in the Garden of Eden 49:37

5M ago49:37

49:37

Note for Premium Members: This episode is part of our free release of "A Book Like No Other." If you're a premium subscriber, you already have access to this content in your premium feed. Rabbi Fohrman and Imu explore parallels between Megillat Esther and the Garden of Eden, beginning from the hint in the Midrash that links Haman to the Tree of Kno…

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S3 Ep. 1 The Hidden Angels in the Megillah 32:22

5M ago32:22

32:22

Note for Premium Members: This episode is part of our free release of "A Book Like No Other." If you're a premium subscriber, you already have access to this content in your premium feed. The Book of Esther has no Divine instructions, no prophecies, no outright miracles. God doesn't even get mentioned. We all love hearing how Mordechai and Esther s…

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S2 Ep. 5 What About Moses? 43:51

1y ago43:51

43:51

In the concluding episode of the season, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu delve deep into the perplexing issue of Moshe's legacy. In a thought-provoking discussion, they explore the paradox of Moshe – how could a leader uniquely equipped to empathize with those of mixed heritage, have no compassion for the Mekallel, a man who shared his challenging beginnings…

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S2 Ep. 4 The Mekallel’s Return to Eden 37:00

1y ago37:00

37:00

Is there any redemption for the mekallel? In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu head back to Leviticus to explore a fascinating connection between the mekallel, the utopian laws of the Jubilee year, and the Torah’s original utopia, Eden. This new thread of evidence shines a more uplifting light on our dark text – while unlocking unexpected insight…

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S2 Ep. 3 The Philosophy of Blasphemy and Micah’s Idol in the Book of Judges 56:53

1y ago56:53

56:53

In this episode, Rabbi Forhman and Imu finally discuss two long-awaited topics. Firstly, what really is so wrong about blasphemy? After all, blasphemy is just words. How can words hurt God? And secondly, the much-promised epilogue to the story of the Mekallel, buried in the book of Shoftim (Judges). And as it turns out, the epilogue deals with the …

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S2 Ep. 2 Moshe and the Mekallel: A Tale of Two Outcasts 30:01

1y ago30:01

30:01

Rabbi Fohrman and Imu continue to search for justice in the Mekallel’s harsh punishment. Does the answer lie in the strange connection they found last episode between the Mekallel and Moses? To find out, they dive into Moses' coming-of-age story in Exodus, and discover an even deeper bond between these two men who on the surface couldn’t be more di…

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S2 Ep. 1 The Blasphemer: Why Would Someone Curse God? [Full Season Now Available] 46:44

1y ago46:44

46:44

Rabbi David Fohrman and Imu Shalev study the tale of the blasphemer, a dark and puzzling episode buried deep in Leviticus. The details of this story are scarce: an anonymous man provokes a fight in the Israelite camp, curses God, and ultimately is stoned to death as punishment. But a close read of these few short verses sends Rabbi Fohrman and Imu …

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A Book Like No Other: Season 3 - Trailer 2:00

1+ y ago2:00

2:00

A Book Like No Other is a chance to learn alongside Aleph Beta Founder and Lead Scholar, Rabbi David Fohrman, a master close reader of Torah, as he embarks on his most far-reaching and in-depth explorations. Each season is a stand-alone journey into a different Torah text. Our only goal: reading the Torah carefully, on its own terms, and following …

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Join Us for a Meaningful Tisha B'Av 0:52

2y ago0:52

0:52

Support Book Like No Other today and gain access to tons of meaningful Tisha B'av content on the Aleph Beta website. Visit www.alephbeta.org and use the coupon code BOOK2023. A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated t…

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What is “Meaningful Judaism”? (Introducing Aleph Beta’s brand-new podcast) 7:26

2y ago7:26

7:26

Meaningful Judaism is Aleph Beta's latest podcast, dedicated to exploring why we do what we do in Jewish life, by diving deep into the Torah text. So many of our practices can feel like they’re just there; we go through the motions, but they don’t feel especially meaningful. In Meaningful Judaism, we search for that meaning. Each episode will take …

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S1 Epilogue: What the Tree of Life Teaches Us About Returning from Exile 1:00:39

2+ y ago1:00:39

1:00:39

Join Rabbi Fohrman for a live Q&A on March 16 and ask all your burning questions on the season. Click here for more info. The exile from Eden might have been the first time humanity experienced being estranged from God’s word and presence, but it certainly wasn’t the last. How do we cope with feeling distant from God? What is a roadmap for a return…

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S1 Ep. 6: How to Grow a Garden 45:49

2+ y ago45:49

45:49

In the sixth and final episode of this series, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu grapple with some of the big picture questions that emerge from their theory of the Tree and its connection to Torah – and consider what the Tree may ultimately be teaching us about how to connect to God’s words. A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible t…

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S1 Ep. 5: The Second Half of the Story 43:36

2+ y ago43:36

43:36

In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman reveals where we find the second half of the return of the Tree and, in the process, offers a powerful message about the impact of our actions in this world. Fascinated by the parallels Rabbi Fohrman points out in this episode? Check out these Aleph Beta courses mentioned in the podcast to learn even more: Moshe and T…

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S1 Ep. 4: Beyond the Garden Walls 50:52

2+ y ago50:52

50:52

Last episode, Rabbi Fohrman promised that the Tree of Life isn’t left behind in Eden, never to be seen again once we’re exiled from the Garden. The tree actually returns! In this episode, we find out where and when – and begin to see how the tree’s return impacts the larger narrative of the entire Torah. To read more about An Exodus You Almost Pass…

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S1 Ep. 3: Confronting the Theory Killer 54:29

2+ y ago54:29

54:29

Last episode, Rabbi Fohrman introduced a provocative new theory that re-envisioned the Garden of Eden, and began resolving all the puzzles raised in Episode One. But this theory has a fatal flaw – it seems to flatly contradict one verse, Genesis 3:22. Can Rabbi Fohrman reconcile the evidence or are we back to square one? A Book Like No Other is a p…

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S1 BONUS Epilogue to Episode 3 18:09

2+ y ago18:09

18:09

Who wouldn’t want to eat from the Tree of Life and live eternally? Join Rabbi Fohrman and host, Imu Shalev, in this bonus episode as they explore the deep and meaningful implications of Rabbi Fohrman’s theory and consider what the tree — and Torah — might offer that's even better than eternal life. To learn more about the ideas Rabbi Fohrman and Im…

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S1 Ep. 2: The Paradigm Shift 48:55

2+ y ago48:55

48:55

Last episode left us scratching our heads over those two strange trees in the Garden. In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman begins answering our questions on the beginning of the Torah through the help of a clue found all the way at the Torah’s very end – and in the process, develops a single, paradigm shifting theory that re-envisions the simple layout o…

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S1 Ep. 1: The Elephant in the… Garden 24:48

2+ y ago24:48

24:48

We all know the story of the Garden of Eden. Adam, Eve, forbidden fruit, snake. But what if there’s another layer to this story lying beneath all the obvious drama? In the first episode of this six part series, Rabbi Fohrman takes a close look at the Garden of Eden story, pointing out some glaring – but easily glossed over – anomalies in the text, …

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A Book Like No Other: Trailer 2:19

2+ y ago2:19

2:19

Join Rabbi Fohrman for an epic journey into reading the Torah on its own terms. Sign up to receive more Aleph Beta content. A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah le…

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Refa’einu Revisited 51:07

5y ago51:07

51:07

In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu conclude their exploration of Marah and its connection to Refa’einu. The piece of the puzzle lies in understanding the meaning of God’s very strange method for turning the bitter waters sweet: uprooting a tree and throwing it into the waters. What message is this symbol meant to teach us? And what does it have…

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Healing from the Trauma of Slavery 27:06

5y ago27:06

27:06

In episode three, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu journeyed back to Egypt, for an in-depth account of the trauma the Israelites experienced there. In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu return to the story of Marah, to see if it reads any differently with this backstory in mind. What they discover is an incredible new meaning to God’s promise to be our Heale…

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The Real Bitterness of the Bitter Waters 55:50

5y ago55:50

55:50

In episode two, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu looked deeper into the Biblical sources found in Refa’einu--the story of the splitting of the sea, and the story of the bitter waters of Marah. They discovered that these stories point to a mysterious illness which God cures the Israelites of... but what is this illness exactly? In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman a…

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A Closer Look at the Bitter Waters of Marah 38:26

5y ago38:26

38:26

In episode one, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu discovered references in Refa’einu to two Biblical stories that appear at the very end of the redemption from Egypt: the story of the splitting of the sea, and the story that comes right after this: the bitter waters of marah. In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu dive even deeper into these two events, to dis…

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The Hidden Link Between Refa'einu and the Exodus 26:33

5y ago26:33

26:33

In this first episode of the series, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu begin their journey by looking closely at the language of Refa’einu. It turns out, this prayer is hinting at an event from the Exodus story. But it’s not one of the obvious contenders, like the plagues, or the splitting of the sea. It’s the strange story of the bitter waters the Israelites …

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3. The New Normal 25:05

5+ y ago25:05

25:05

We’re now several days into the new normal... except that the new normal changes every day.In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman shares his thoughts on finding spiritual strength in the face of chaos. He begins by looking at a model in the Talmud of someone who attempted to hold onto normalcy: Marta bat Baitos, Martha daughter of Boethus, a noblewoman who…

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2. Going Into Lockdown: A Conversation With Rabbi Rothwachs 29:19

5+ y ago29:19

29:19

On Thursday, the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County took the frightening step of closing all centers of community -- not only schools, but synagogues, and restaurants, too. Plus, people were asked to refrain from hosting shabbat meals, making playdates for kids, even going to the park. In this episode, Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, synagogue rabbi of Con…

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1. Aleph Beta Quarantined: An Introduction 19:10

5+ y ago19:10

19:10

No, this isn't Parsha Lab...it's a new podcast from Aleph Beta. Presenting: Aleph Beta Quarantined.Every day, every hour, almost every minute, it feels like there is some breaking news about what is happening with COVID 19. Schools are canceled. Synagogues are shutting their doors. Restaurants are closing. We are scared, we are looking into an unkn…

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Parsha Lab Says - See You Soon! 2:21

6+ y ago2:21

2:21

You might have noticed that you haven’t heard a new episode in the last two weeks. Well, in this “mini” episode, we explain next steps for Parsha Lab. If you want to revisit past episodes of Parsha Lab, the episodes will continue to live on Aleph Beta’s site and app. For new Aleph Beta content, check out alephbeta.org or download the Aleph Beta app…

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Ep. 36 Parshat V'Zot Habracha: Moshe’s Final Farewell 35:44

7y ago35:44

35:44

In the Torah’s final parsha, Moshe is preparing to take leave of the nation he has been so devoted all of these years. He gives them blessings before taking his final departure. He then ascends a mountain and is laid to rest in an unknown burial place. Or is it? A careful reading of Moshe’s blessings may give us clues as to where he was buried. The…

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Ep.35 Parshat Ha’azinu: Is This The Song of Doom? 30:42

7y ago30:42

30:42

In Parshat Ha’azinu, the Israelites receive a frightening prophetic “song” about their future failure to follow God’s will, and the punishment they receive as a result. When Moshe introduces this prophecy, he states that he hopes his speech will fall “ke-se’irim alei desheh” -- like some sort of ‘rain upon grass.’ What does that mean? And why is it…

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Ep.34 Parshat Vayeilech: What's Wrong With Moses’ Leadership? 26:11

7y ago26:11

26:11

Parshat Vayeilech records Moses’ farewell speech on the last day of his life. In the opening of this speech, Moses reminds the people that he won’t be leading them into Israel and that Joshua will take over his position. But when you look closely at what Moses says about Joshua, you can’t help but ask, was Moses trying to sabotage Joshua's leadersh…

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Ep.33 Parshat Nitzavim: What Is the 'Hidden Sin' In This Week's Parsha? 40:24

7y ago40:24

40:24

Parshat Nitzavim states, “The hidden things are for God but the revealed things are for us,” which suggests perhaps that only God can punish for sins done in private. Could the parsha be alluding to a specific hidden sin in our history? Join Beth Lesch and Ami Silver as they re-examine the text of Nitzavim and its references to the story of the Sal…

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Ep.32 Parshat Ki Tavo: What Are Blessings And Curses, Really? 22:22

7y ago22:22

22:22

In Parshat Ki Tavo, the Israelites are told that when they enter the land they must publicly bless those who keep the commandments, and curse those who violate them. And they have to proclaim these blessings and curses on two mountains -- Mount Gerizim and Mount Eval. But why? What's so special about these mountains? And why must the blessings and …

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Ep.31 Parshat Ki Teitzei: Remember Amalek; Don't Forget 23:43

7y ago23:43

23:43

This week’s parsha includes the commandment to wipe out the memory of Amalek, the nation who attacked the Israelites just weeks after the Exodus from Egypt. It’s the kind of mitzvah that makes our skin crawl in the 21st century. Why would God command wiping out an entire people? What did they do that was so evil that they deserve to be completely e…