Ponderings on the Parsha with Selwyn Gerber

What is the deep meaning of Isaiah's words in the Haftarah? Is there a pattern repeating itself of going from deep sadness to hope and rejuvenation? All this and more on Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the meaning of this minor holiday? What can it teach us for our day in age?

Who was Balaam? What is the meaning of the famous blessing that he uttered, "How great are your tents, Jacob..." ? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the meaning of the Red Heifer law? Why was Moshe punished so harshly for hitting the rock? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What can we learn about arguments from Korach's rebellion? What was wrong with Korach's argument "We are all holy"? Why is On Ben Pelet not mentioned again in the people that died? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What was the real mission of the spies? What is real difference between the spies and Caleb and Joshua? Was there anything really false about what the spies said? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the meaning of the opening word of the Parsha "When you cause to light up"? Why does it repeat twice that the Levites were "given over"? And what does this "Book within a book" come to teach us? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha.  

What is the connection between the seemingly disparate commandments in the Parsha? What is the true meaning of the word 'Shalom'? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

The holiday of Shavuot is intrinsically connected to counting, but we don't actually count the 50th day. Why? Also, the pattern and meaning of megillot and chagim. All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

Why is counting so important in Judaism? Why are the Levites counted differently? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

Why does the Torah mention Har Sinai at the beginning of this week's Parsha? What are the multitude of meanings behind the Shemita laws? What is the meaning behind the apparent numerical mistake in the beginning of Bechukotai?  All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha

What is the intricate connection between Shabbat and the rest of the holidays? Why is the verb Emor (to say) repeated twice at the beginning of the Parshah? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the ultimate meaning of Pesach Sheni? Are we always given second chances?

What are the major themes of Yom Kippur as symbolized in the sacrifices of the day? What they can teach us beyond the holiday and for everyday life? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the connection between Acharei Mot and Kedoshim? What is the meaning of the phrase "....to be Holy"? What is the Torah commanding when it says "You shall love your neighbor as yourself"? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the real difference between purity and impurity? How do we understand all the ceremonies performed by the Cohen and the blemish of Tzaraat? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

A special episode on the meaning and importance of Israel Independence Day!

What is the significance of 8 in Judaism? Can we learn from Aharon's response to tragedy? What is the meaning behind the Kashrut laws? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

A special episode with additional ideas behind Pesach!

What is the meaning of the verse "I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me"? What are some of the overall themes of the Song of the Sea? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the meaning of counting days and weeks? How do we explain the Kabbalistic idea of Sefirot? All this and more in a special episode of Ponderings on the Parsha!

Why is this Shabbat called Shabbat HaGadol? What is its connection to Pesach?

In this week's special episode, we go through the meaning of the seder and the month of Nissan. We also trace patterns and themes throughout Pesach. This episode will definitely have something for everyone to say at the Seder table! 

Listen to prepare mind and soul for Pesach!

What are the similarities between Purim, Pesach and Yom Kippur? Why do we read the Megillah twice? Why does the seudah start during the day and not at night? All this and more on this special Ponderings on the Parsha episode for the holiday of Purim!