The Torah Sparks Podcast

A New Year’s Message from the Apter Rav and The Problem with “Dropping the Ball” 01.01.2026 7:39 ↓

Since 1908, the secular New Year has been marked by the famous “ball drop”—a moment meant to symbolize a fresh start. Yet the phrase “dropping the ball” has come to mean something very different: missed opportunities, abandoned commitments, and resolutions that don’t last. In this shiur, we explore the deeper irony of that image, especially in light of the well-known reality that many New Year’s r...

Asara B’Teves & Reb Nosson: The Beginning of Churban vs. the Beginning of Geulah 30.12.2025 16:06 ↓

Asara B’Teves marks the day Nevuchadnezar, King of Bavel, laid siege to Yerushalayim — the beginning of the Churban. But on this very same day is the yahrtzeit of Reb Nosson of Breslov (December 20, 1844), the primary talmid of Rebbe Nachman, the one who revealed and transmitted Rebbe Nachman’s redemptive Torah to the world. This is no coincidence. In this shiur, we explore the deep contrast and c...

Shimon Kippah (St. Peter) and the Jewish Idea of No Mediators | Parshas Vayigash 26.12.2025 28:58 ↓

In this Parshas Vayigash Parsha Prevew shiur, we explore one of the most fundamental ideas in Judaism: our direct relationship with Hashem — without intermediaries, mediators, or go-betweens. The Torah opens Vayigash with the words “Vayigash eilav Yehuda” — Yehuda approaches Yosef directly . Drawing on a powerful teaching from the Kedushas Levi , we learn that when something truly matters, you don...

I Put Up a Car Menorah After Bondi—Because Jews Increase Light 18.12.2025 4:25 ↓

In response to the Bondi Beach massacre, I chose to respond not with fear—but with light. I put up a menorah on my car (and no, I’m not Chabad) as a public declaration of Jewish pride. Not to provoke. Not to argue. But to say something simple and eternal: When darkness rises, we do not shrink. We increase light. This is the deeper message of Chanukah: מוֹסִיף וְהוֹלֵךְ — Mosif v’holich. Each night...

Why We Light Chanukah Candles in Shul — But Still Must Light at Home 16.12.2025 13:21 ↓

Why do we light Chanukah candles in shul—if no one fulfills their obligation with that lighting? A sincere question asked between Mincha and Maariv (from a Yid wearing a Chanukah kippah—so of course it had to be taken seriously 😉) opens the door to a powerful exploration of one of Chanukah’s fascinating halachos. In this 13-minute Torah class, we walk through the classic sources in Shulchan Aruch...