Ponderings on the Parsha with Selwyn Gerber

What is the meaning of the word 'Matot' which means both tribes and staffs? Why was Aharon mourned so heavily? Why are all of the journeys that Jewish people took in the desert listed? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the connection between Pinchas and Eliyahu? Why,  in the opinion of one Sage, are the verses about the daily offerings the most important in the Torah? What do the daughters of Zelophehad teach us about the role of women? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

This week, we go through the various Karbanot and discuss their significance. What the meaning behind the details of the Korban Todah? Why was the fire constant on the altar? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

We start the third book of the Torah this week! What is the meaning of the word Korban? Why does the Parsha start with a small aleph? All this and more on Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the connection between the building of the Mishkan and Shabbat? Is the building of the Mishkan related to the creation of the universe itself? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha. 

Why are Jews counted by the contribution of a half-shekel? What is the deeper meaning of the word "VaYinafash" "and He rested"? Why did the path to repentance include Moshe breaking the Tablets? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha! 

Why is Moshe's name never mentioned in this Parsha? What is the meaning of the Kohen Gadol's vestments? Why do the Rabbis say that the verses about the daily sacrifice are the most important in the Torah? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha! 

What similarities does the structure of the mishkan have with our daily lives? Why does the Torah say "And you shall take an offering" - are they not giving? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

The inner pattern of the materials, vessels and numbers of the Mishkan. All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

Is there a pattern to the Ten Commandments? How do they interconnect with one another? How was Yitro able to see things that Moshe was not? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

Is there a pattern to the Ten Commandments? How do they interconnect with one another? How was Yitro able to see things that Moshe was not? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the significance of trees in Judaism? What are we celebrating on this day? All this and more on this special episode of Ponderings on the Parsha!

Why did G-d redeem the Jewish people through the splitting of the sea? What is the place of song and music in Judaism? What is the meaning of Shabbat in the context of dew and wandering in the desert? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha.

Are the last three plagues connected to each other? What is the full meaning of the Jewish calendar and the first commandment to "sanctify the new moon"? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

Why are there ten plagues instead of one big one? Why did Pharoah harden his heart? Are there 4 or 5 phrases of redemption? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What can we learn Moshe as a leader from the Torah's description of him? What is the importance of names in Judaism? What is the meaning of the burning bush? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

A look back at the period of Chagim and the significance of Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah.

A special episode about the holiday of Succoth!

What is the meaning of the word Haazinu? Why is the Torah called a song? What does all of this tell us about Moshe? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha !

In this special episode, we discuss the ideas behind Yom Kippur!

What is the importance of the first word "Vayelech-and he went"? What is the importance of Hakhel? Plus more inspirational stories about the High Holidays! All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the meaning of the word Nitzavim? Why does the Torah mention different professions? How is this all related to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

This week's special episode focuses on the meaning behind Rosh Hashana!

What is the meaning of "When you go out to war against your enemies"? What is the Torah getting at with the law of Eishit Yefat Toar? Plus a run-through of various laws found in the Parsha!

A special episode about the ideas behind the month of Elul!