Best Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe Podcasts (2024)

1
Parsha: Reeh - Idle Tree, Idle Warship, and Falls Profits 1:00:24

9h ago1:00:24

1:00:24

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 paraphernali…

1
Reeh – Idle Tree, Idle Warship, and Falls Profits 1:00:23

7h ago1:00:23

1:00:23

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 paraphernali…

1
Systematic Studying (6.6.47) 22:31

4h ago22:31

22:31

The penultimate way to wisdom offered by our sages instructs us to be systematic in our studies. What exactly does this mean? In this very special Ethics Podcast, we offer three different interpretations. Listen carefully if you want to give a boost to your studies and your connection with your Creator. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – D…

1
The Name of Messiah 49:53

20d ago49:53

49:53

Seven things were created before the world was created. That much we are told in the Talmud. What is the significance of this collection of things that preceded the world? When we analyze the list, moreover, we read how the name of Messiah is included amongst it. What exactly is the name of Messiah? Is that simply the identifier of the redeemer? Wh…

1
Parsha: Reeh - Steak Your Claim (5782) 51:59

2h ago51:59

51:59

The criminal treated most severely under Torah law is the Meisis, a personal tries to entice others to do idolatry. Attempting to persuade people to repudiate God is more severe than any other crime in Torah law. This discovery is the basis of a stunning observation followed by a critical call to action. And this episode we make an argument that th…

1
Reeh – Steak Your Claim (5782) 51:58

2h ago51:58

51:58

The criminal treated most severely under Torah law is the Meisis, a personal tries to entice others to do idolatry. Attempting to persuade people to repudiate God is more severe than any other crime in Torah law. This discovery is the basis of a stunning observation followed by a critical call to action. And this episode we make an argument that th…

1
Ethics: Systematic Studying (6.6.47) 22:31

1h ago22:31

22:31

The penultimate way to wisdom offered by our sages instructs us to be systematic in our studies. What exactly does this mean? In this very special Ethics Podcast, we offer three different interpretations. Listen carefully if you want to give a boost to your studies and your connection with your Creator. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – D…

1
Parshas Reeh (Rebroadcast) 1:00:31

9h ago1:00:31

1:00:31

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 to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by …

1
Parshas Reeh (Rebroadcast) 1:00:30

21m ago1:00:30

1:00:30

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 to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by …

1
Parsha: Eikev - Shock and Awe 1:08:19

4h ago1:08:19

1:08:19

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 t…

1
Eikev – Shock and Awe 1:08:18

2h ago1:08:18

1:08:18

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 t…

1
Parsha: Eikev - Well-Heeled (5782) 1:02:04

3h ago1:02:04

1:02:04

If the Almighty promises to give you a blessing, your ears should perk up. If God promises to give you abundance, health, prosperity, fertility, security, and all manner of blessing, your question should be - what must I do to be deserving of this? Our Parsha begins with such a promise. In the event that we steadfastly and here to a certain categor…

1
Eikev – Well-Heeled (5782) 1:02:04

4d ago1:02:04

1:02:04

If the Almighty promises to give you a blessing, your ears should perk up. If God promises to give you abundance, health, prosperity, fertility, security, and all manner of blessing, your question should be – what must I do to be deserving of this? Our Parsha begins with such a promise. In the event that we steadfastly and here to a certain categor…

1
Ethics: Sharpening Teachers (6.6.46) 23:13

10d ago23:13

23:13

Teachers are usually pretty talented. They're usually gifted, knowledgeable, intelligent, and well-studied. In way to wisdom # 46 we learn how a student should strive to make their teacher even sharper and wiser. By upgrading our teachers, we ourselves become wiser along the way. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: Please c…

1
Sharpening Teachers (6.6.46) 23:13

13d ago23:13

23:13

Teachers are usually pretty talented. They’re usually gifted, knowledgeable, intelligent, and well-studied. In way to wisdom # 46 we learn how a student should strive to make their teacher even sharper and wiser. By upgrading our teachers, we ourselves become wiser along the way. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: Please c…

1
Parshas Eikev (Rebroadcast) 59:15

10d ago59:15

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 con…

1
Parshas Eikev (Rebroadcast) 59:14

25m ago59:14

59:14

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 con…

1
Parsha: Vaeschanan - Get a Life 1:05:17

12d ago1:05:17

1:05:17

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…

1
Vaeschanan – Get a Life 1:05:16

17d ago1:05:16

1:05:16

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…

1
Parsha: Vaeschanan - Linked to Sinai (5782) 52:52

1d ago52:52

52:52

Although he was the paradigmatic leader of all time, Moshe was barred from crossing the Jordan River and entering the Land. Joshua his student was to succeed him and lead the Nation into the Promised Land. Why was Moshe not allowed to enter? For the sin of striking the rock instead of speaking to it. Our Parsha begins with Moshe retelling how he pl…

1
Ethics: Studying with Intentionality (6.6.44-45) 40:44

1d ago40:44

40:44

What are our intentions when we study? What are we trying to achieve? If we are studying the Almighty's Torah simply as an exercise in theoretical, abstract learning, we are missing the essence of Torah. In these two ways to wisdom, we learned about the imperative to study with intentionality and the different types of motivation for Torah study. W…

1
Vaeschanan – Linked to Sinai (5782) 52:51

8d ago52:51

52:51

Although he was the paradigmatic leader of all time, Moshe was barred from crossing the Jordan River and entering the Land. Joshua his student was to succeed him and lead the Nation into the Promised Land. Why was Moshe not allowed to enter? For the sin of striking the rock instead of speaking to it. Our Parsha begins with Moshe retelling how he pl…

1
Studying with Intentionality (6.6.44-45) 40:44

20d ago40:44

40:44

What are our intentions when we study? What are we trying to achieve? If we are studying the Almighty’s Torah simply as an exercise in theoretical, abstract learning, we are missing the essence of Torah. In these two ways to wisdom, we learned about the imperative to study with intentionality and the different types of motivation for Torah study. W…

1
Parshas Vaeschanan (Rebroadcast) 1:04:12

10d ago1:04:12

1:04:12

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 consequence…

1
Parshas Vaeschanan (Rebroadcast) 1:04:11

21d ago1:04:11

1:04:11

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 consequence…

1
Parsha: Devarim - Citizen of Heaven 52:24

20d ago52:24

52:24

A year after the Exodus Moshe dispatched a contingency of dignified men to scout the land of Canaan prior to the Nation's invasion. It was a catastrophic debacle. The scouts returned with a devastating, slanderous report about the Land, prompting the nation to bewail needlessly all night, and condemning the nation to 40 years of wondering in the Wi…

1
Devarim – Citizen of Heaven 52:23

24d ago52:23

52:23

A year after the Exodus Moshe dispatched a contingency of dignified men to scout the land of Canaan prior to the Nation’s invasion. It was a catastrophic debacle. The scouts returned with a devastating, slanderous report about the Land, prompting the nation to bewail needlessly all night, and condemning the nation to 40 years of wondering in the Wi…

1
The Name of Messiah 49:53

16d ago49:53

49:53

Seven things were created before the world was created. That much we are told in the Talmud. What is the significance of this collection of things that preceded the world? When we analyze the list, moreover, we read how the name of Messiah is included amongst it. What exactly is the name of Messiah? Is that simply the identifier of the redeemer? Wh…

1
Parsha: Devarim - Withholding Judgment (5782) 50:39

22d ago50:39

50:39

Parshas Devarim begins the Book of Deuteronomy, the final installment of the Pentateuch. Moshe is destined to pass and he gathers the nation to prepare them for the day after. How will the nation endure after they lose the greatest leader the world has ever known? How will they survive and flourish after Moshe is no longer in their midst? In this p…

1
Devarim – Withholding Judgment (5782) 50:39

26d ago50:39

50:39

Parshas Devarim begins the Book of Deuteronomy, the final installment of the Pentateuch. Moshe is destined to pass and he gathers the nation to prepare them for the day after. How will the nation endure after they lose the greatest leader the world has ever known? How will they survive and flourish after Moshe is no longer in their midst? In this p…

1
Ethics: Active Listening (6.6.43) 29:01

8d ago29:01

29:01

Listening is a lost art. To truly listen and consider the other person's position is becoming increasingly rarer. We get consumed with our own ideas and perspectives; someone else's opposing position will not be granted true consideration. But listening - and listening actively and attentively - is critical if we are desirous of learning and absorb…

1
Active Listening (6.6.43) 29:00

27d ago29:00

29:00

Listening is a lost art. To truly listen and consider the other person’s position is becoming increasingly rarer. We get consumed with our own ideas and perspectives; someone else’s opposing position will not be granted true consideration. But listening – and listening actively and attentively – is critical if we are desirous of learning and absorb…

1
Parshas Devarim (Rebroadcast) 49:45

9d ago49:45

49:45

5 weeks before his passing, Moses gives a three-parsha-long speech to the nation, which constitutes his last will and testament. He begins with a retrospective of the history of the nation over the past 40 years since the Exodus – subtly rebuking the nation, guiding them, admonishing them, ensuring that they don’t repeat their mistakes of yore. – –…

1
Parshas Devarim (Rebroadcast) 49:44

28d ago49:44

49:44

5 weeks before his passing, Moses gives a three-parsha-long speech to the nation, which constitutes his last will and testament. He begins with a retrospective of the history of the nation over the past 40 years since the Exodus – subtly rebuking the nation, guiding them, admonishing them, ensuring that they don’t repeat their mistakes of yore. – –…

1
Parsha: Mattos & Masei - Order of Sisters 51:36

12d ago51:36

51:36

The Book of Bamidbar ends on a bit of a surprising note. The final chapter of our book revisits the somewhat technical narrative relating to the inheritance of the ancestral lands of a man named Tzelafchad. This man from the tribe of Menashe died without sons, and in chapter 27 of the book of numbers we learned that his lands will be apportioned to…

1
Mattos & Masei – Order of Sisters 51:35

1M ago51:35

51:35

The Book of Bamidbar ends on a bit of a surprising note. The final chapter of our book revisits the somewhat technical narrative relating to the inheritance of the ancestral lands of a man named Tzelafchad. This man from the tribe of Menashe died without sons, and in chapter 27 of the book of numbers we learned that his lands will be apportioned to…

1
Parsha: Mattos & Masei - Contrarian Guide (5782) 49:24

17d ago49:24

49:24

This week we conclude the Book of Numbers with a double-Parsha, the sole double-Parsha of this calendar year. Of the myriad of interesting subjects found in our Parsha is the long and detailed negotiations between Moshe and the tribes of Reuben and Gad. These tribes sought to permanently settle on the East Bank of the Jordan and not on its Western …

1
Mattos & Masei – Contrarian Guide (5782) 49:24

1M ago49:24

49:24

This week we conclude the Book of Numbers with a double-Parsha, the sole double-Parsha of this calendar year. Of the myriad of interesting subjects found in our Parsha is the long and detailed negotiations between Moshe and the tribes of Reuben and Gad. These tribes sought to permanently settle on the East Bank of the Jordan and not on its Western …

1
Ethics: Asking and Answering (6.6.42) 22:51

1M ago22:51

22:51

Questions are arguably the most potent tool by which to open up a complex subject. Asking questions on a given matter; asking many, diverse questions, analyzing and probing the issue from all angles, helps open portals of understanding that can deepen your appreciation and your perception of the matter. Our Sages were masters of the art of the ques…

1
Asking and Answering (6.6.42) 22:51

1M ago22:51

22:51

Questions are arguably the most potent tool by which to open up a complex subject. Asking questions on a given matter; asking many, diverse questions, analyzing and probing the issue from all angles, helps open portals of understanding that can deepen your appreciation and your perception of the matter. Our Sages were masters of the art of the ques…

1
Parshas Mattos & Masei (Rebroadcast) 1:00:56

1M ago1:00:56

1:00:56

This year, the Book of Numbers ends with a double parsha – Mattos and Masei. We learn about the laws of vows and oaths; the miraculous war with Midian; the unusual request of the tribes of Gad and Reuben; the Torah delineates the 42 different places that the Nation encamped for their 40 year sojourn; and we gain closure to the saga of the daughters…

1
Parshas Mattos & Masei (Rebroadcast) 1:00:55

1M ago1:00:55

1:00:55

This year, the Book of Numbers ends with a double parsha – Mattos and Masei. We learn about the laws of vows and oaths; the miraculous war with Midian; the unusual request of the tribes of Gad and Reuben; the Torah delineates the 42 different places that the Nation encamped for their 40 year sojourn; and we gain closure to the saga of the daughters…

1
Parsha: Pinchas - Eggs Not Cheese 57:09

1M ago57:09

57:09

Pinchas, Aaron's grandson, did a valorous and zealous act of bravery when he skewered the prince of the tribe of Shimon and stopped the plague from wiping out the entire nation. What motivated Pinchas' behavior? What attributes were at play during his act of zealotry? This question is answered in a comment in Rashi in our Parsha. We learn how quali…

1
Pinchas – Eggs Not Cheese 57:09

1M ago57:09

57:09

Pinchas, Aaron’s grandson, did a valorous and zealous act of bravery when he skewered the prince of the tribe of Shimon and stopped the plague from wiping out the entire nation. What motivated Pinchas’ behavior? What attributes were at play during his act of zealotry? This question is answered in a comment in Rashi in our Parsha. We learn how quali…

1
Pinchas – Staying Hungry (5782) 41:07

1M ago41:07

41:07

Although a paternal grandson of Aaron the Kohein, Pinchas was not initially – prior to his heroic act of martyrdom – a Kohein. The law stated that only Aaron and his sons were to be anointed as Kohanim. All sons born to Kohanim subsequently were to be Kohanim, but Pinchas who was alive at the time of anointing of Aaron and his sons was excluded fro…

1
Parsha: Pinchas - Staying Hungry (5782) 41:07

1M ago41:07

41:07

Although a paternal grandson of Aaron the Kohein, Pinchas was not initially - prior to his heroic act of martyrdom - a Kohein. The law stated that only Aaron and his sons were to be anointed as Kohanim. All sons born to Kohanim subsequently were to be Kohanim, but Pinchas who was alive at the time of anointing of Aaron and his sons was excluded fro…

1
Ethics: Well-Grounded (6.6.41) 19:24

1M ago19:24

19:24

What is our relationship with our studies? For some (many?) studying Torah is very important. It is a great priority. But is it the permanent fixture of a person's life? That designation is applied to the few. In this way to wisdom, we learn about the transformative nature of rendering Torah study the primary focus of a person's life, and also lear…

1
Well-Grounded (6.6.41) 19:23

1M ago19:23

19:23

What is our relationship with our studies? For some (many?) studying Torah is very important. It is a great priority. But is it the permanent fixture of a person’s life? That designation is applied to the few. In this way to wisdom, we learn about the transformative nature of rendering Torah study the primary focus of a person’s life, and also lear…

1
Parshas Pinchas (Rebroadcast) 51:44

1M ago51:44

51:44

Pinchas was a man of action, a zealot who avenged God’s vengeance and was handsomely rewarded for it. In this parsha we read about his reward, Moses’ succession plan, the methods through which the Land will be divided, and another census is done. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by…

1
Parshas Pinchas (Rebroadcast) 51:44

1M ago51:44

51:44

Pinchas was a man of action, a zealot who avenged God’s vengeance and was handsomely rewarded for it. In this parsha we read about his reward, Moses’ succession plan, the methods through which the Land will be divided, and another census is done. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by…

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