Ponderings on the Parsha with Selwyn Gerber

What is the significance of this day? Why does Israel have a different day that they celebrate? Listen Now!

What is the meaning of the blessing of Ephraim and Menashe? What can the last segment and conclusion of the stories of Breishit teach us about the Jewish nation and ourselves? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What are the main themes and lessons from the culmination of the story of Joseph and his brothers? What are the differences between Joseph's and Yehuda's character? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

How is Yosef's life a lesson and example for us? What is the meaning of his son's names? Also more on Hanukka! All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha.

Why are there 8 candles? What is the main message of the Festival of Lights? All this and more on Ponderings on the Parsha!

What really happened with the selling of Yosef? Why was Yosef able to clearly see the meaning of dreams while others were not. All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the meaning of the name Yisrael? What was Yaacov so afraid of? What do we make of the ways in which way he tried to appease Esau? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the meaning of the famous dream of the latter? What are the recurring themes in Breishit? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha! 

What was the real difference between Yaacov and Esau? Why did Yitzchak like Esau more? What is the meaning of the name Yaacov? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha! 

In this special episode, Selwyn explains the very Jewish idea behind Thanksgiving!

Why is Sarah's age given in three different ways? Why was Avraham insistent on buying land for a burial plot? Why did Avraham decide not to send his servant to find a wife in the immediate area? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

Why did Avraham argue with G-d about Sodom? What was the route of the argument between Avraham and Lot? What do we make of the troubling story of the Akeidah? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What was the difference between Avraham and Noach? Why was Avraham chosen as the father of the Jewish people? Did Avraham make a mistake in going down to Egypt? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What do we make of Noach's character? Was he good or evil? Why did G-d choose water to destroy the world and what can be learned from Noach's experience inside the ark? 

What is the meaning of the word Breishit? Why are there two seemingly contradictory stories of the creation of man? What is the meaning of Shabbat? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha. 

What is the significance of the Bikurim? What is the meaning of the Arami Oved Avi? What is the actual Mitzvah to write the Torah? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the significance of the courts and judges being spread out between Jerusalem and all the various individual cities? What are some of the main ideas behind the series of commandments found in this week's parsha in setting up a just society? All this and more in this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

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

What does Moshe mean when he says "Re'eh- See..."? What is the meaning of the various Kashruth laws? Plus a run-through of the various commandments in the Parsha. All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the meaning of the word "Eikev"?,  the kabbalistic meaning of the 7 fruits, Shabbat Nachamu and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

What is the meaning of the word ' Va'etchanan'? What is the difference Shamor and Zachor in the two versions of the ten commandments? What can we learn from Moshe calling Israel a "good" land? All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!  

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?

What is the main point of the 5th book? What is the significance of the number 5 and what can we learn from Moshe's transformation from someone afraid to speak to a master orator? PLUS The intimate connection between Devarim and Tisha Bav. All this and more on this week's Ponderings on the Parsha!

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!