Parsha Stories

Click here to listen to last year's telling of Shemot! Click here to listen to Shemot from two years ago!

For previous recordings of Vayechi click here and here !

Click here for last year's telling of Va'yeishev! Click here for a full telling of Va'Yeishev - Bonus Edition!

Click here for last year's telling of Chayei Sarah! Click here for two year's ago's telling of Chayei Sarah!

Listen to last year's telling! Listen to two years ago's telling!

Click here to listen to last year's telling of Lech Lecha! Click here to listen to two year's ago telling of Lech Lecha!

Listen to last year's telling of Noach. Listen to two year's ago's telling.

For important context for this week's Parsha, check out these previous recordings of Parshat Acharei Mot: Acharei Mot 5784 Acharei Mot 5783 Parshat Acahrei Mot describes the command for the Kohen Gadol to perform a special ritual on Yom Kippur. The Avodah service that we read every year on Yom Kippur describes how this Biblical command was fulfilled during the time of the Beit Hamikdash (the Templ...

Moshe ends his long sermon and officially declares Yehoshua as the new leader. The scene is emotional for everyone including, according to Midrash, the angels who are watching. God shares some encouraging words to Moshe who gets ready for one final thought before the Torah ends.

Click here for last year's telling of the Parsha! Moshe tells the people of a special formula they must recite when bringing first fruits to the Kohen. This formula reminds the people of their checkered past. Isaiah, on the other hand, assures the people of a brighter future!

Click here for last year's episode! Click here for the episode from two years ago! Trigger Warning: This week's Parsha has a controversial Mitzvah about how to manage a challenging child.

Click here for last year's telling of Parshat Shoftim ! Click here for the telling from two years ago! The people are preparing to enter the land of Israel and they are riding an emotional high of all the successful battles they have waged. Moshe reminds them that God would much prefer peace over bloodshed.

This combined Parsha telling captures an opening theme of Sefer Devarim - Moshe's reminding the people how lucky they are to have the opportunity to enter the Land of Israel and the importance that they express their gratitude for this incredible privilege.

This Hassidic Tale prepares us for the spiritual work of Tisha B'Av and beyond.

To hear a different section of the story of Parshat Masei, click here! Moshe and God take a trip down memory lane, reflecting on all of the places that B'nai Yisrael have traveled along their journey through the Midbar. Some bring up happy memories for Moshe, while others are sadder. But it is a fitting beginning to the end of his life.

Listen to last year's telling of a Midrash connected to Matot! Listen to the full story of Matot and Masei! God calls on Moshe to perform his final task before he begins his farewell tour, which causes Moshe some internal angst.

Click here for the full telling of Parshat Pinchas! Click here for the story of this week's Haftarah! So much has happened to B'nai Yisrael since the previous census, Moshe and Elazar take another one to check in with the nation. They recount (literally) the story of Korach and realize that there is a discrepancy in their numbers. One of Korach's followers seems to have gotten away unh...

To hear the full telling of Parshat Balak click here! To hear about the Haftarah for Balak, click here! Bilaam's encounter with his donkey is even more embarrASSing for him than originally thought. The Midrash describes a back and forth between Bilaam and his pet that really highlights God's power and Bilaam's lack of control.

Listen to the main highlights of Parshat Hukkat here! Listen to the story of the Haftarah for Hukkat here! After the stories of Miriam and Aaron come to an end, the Israelites have another complaint and God's reaction is more fatal than ever. By the end, the people are singing God's praises and FINALLY showing appreciation for God's gifts in the wilderness.

Click here to listen to two years ago's telling of Parshat Korach! And click here to listen to last year's telling of the Haftarah! Before Moshe and Korach battle for the right to lead B'nai Yisrael, Moshe tries to reason with his cousin. Korach shares his disappointment over having been snubbed, but the talks fall through when Korach loses his understanding of what leadership is about...

Click here to listen to last year's (and two years ago) telling of Parshat Sh'lach! In this second anniversary of Parsha Stories, Yehoshua is no longer the scout, he is sending the scouts. He sends two meraglim to scout the City of Yericho but they are quickly discovered and their lives are endangered. Luckily, they meet a kind Canaanite woman named Rachav who tries to free them, but at a...

Click here for last year's telling of Behaalotcha! There are so many interesting stories in Parshat Behaalotcha! So much so that it was difficult for our sages to choose one Haftarah to be read that would connect to the different threads of the Torah portion. So instead of choosing one to learn about, let's learn all three!

Click here for last year's telling of Parshat Naso! The people learn of a powerful blessing that not only resounds through the generations but that also has cosmic powers to fend off evil angels in heaven!