The Practical Parsha Podcast

How does the story of Purim relate to us today? Can a holiday that has its origins in ancient Persia giva us insight of how to live today? In this episode Rabbi Kohn discusses Purim and two fundamental lessons that we can take out of this amazing holiday.  Subscribe to The Pirkei Avos Podcast. Living with Torah ethics. For questions or comments please email RabbiShlomoKohn@gmail.com . Chapters (00...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses the priestly garments. He discusses the reasons why it was neccasary for the Kohanim to wear special garments. He looks how these sacred vestments caused the kohanim to be elevated and view themselves as a mesenger for the entire Jewish nation. He also talks about the "Tzitz"(the headplate) that the Kohen Gadol(high priest) wore and what it signified. Su...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses the Torah's lesson on how we all must take when approriate. If someone refuses help when he needs it he is showing a sense of cruelty to himself. He also discusses the Ramban on this week's Parsha which connects the revelation at Sinai to the building of the Mishkan(Tabernacle). Another idea which is discussed is the wording the Torah uses when describin...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses the Mishkan(Tabernacle) and its utensils. He talks about how the Aron(Holy Ark) signifies Torah study and how that needs to be the focus of all oour spiritual endeavors. He also takes a lesson from the wording of the verse to show us how Torah study and G-dliness is somehing that is for each and every Jew. Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. For q...

Mazel Tov! Its a boy! In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses the reason for his missed episode. He gives over the speech he gave at his son's bris this past monday. The connection of circumcision to this week's Parsha. How this mitzvah makes the Jewish people a treasured nation. He also discusses the Parsha's lesson on the importance of not following the crowd. Subscribe to The Practical Pars...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses how the Torah's commandments on civil laws and specifically the laws regarding damages are not just about financial compensation. He points out how the Torah sets up a system where we can learn to be more caring people by being careful with the property of others. He also speaks about the prohibition of causing pain to a widow and orphan and how that can...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses the lesson that the Parsha teaches us about staying true to the mission. From Moshe we see that one must always stay focused on what is truly important in life and not loose sight of the goal. He also talks about how we see from the Jewish peoples encampment at Mt Sinai how unity is the prerequisite to the Torah and how it causes us to find favor in the...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses a lesson on how we become empathatic people. From the actions of Moshe we can learn how to develop this powerful trait. He also teaches a beautiful lesson on how the mitzvah of Shabbos can help us our lives without the anxiety of earning a livelehood. He also relates anspirational story from a podcast listener. Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. ...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses the conection the Talmud makes from earning a livelihood to splitting of the sea. What does this teach us? He also explains why the Jewish people panicked by the sea instead of possibly fighting the Eygptians. Lasly, he gives an insight why the source for beautifying mitzvos is sourcrd in this week's Parsha. Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. For...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn talks about why Moshe changed what G-D told him to say to the Pharaoh. When he told Pharoah about the plague of the firstborn he said at "about midnight" instead of at midnight. Why did Moshe do this? Does G-D not know how to tell time? He also speaks about the mitzvah of the korban Pesach. How family is important to our Judaism and how are Judaism brings our fami...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses the legacy of his uncle Rabbi Shmuel Kohn who passed away suddenly this week. He makes a connection from the Parsha to the life that he lived and how we can gain from it. More specifically Rabbi Kohn goes over the famous essay from Nachmondies on this weeks Parsha which was origanally taught to him by his Uncle. Making a connection from he lessons of Nac...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses the question of Pharoahs free choice. Did Pharoah loose his free choice when G-D hardened his heart? Did that mean that he lost his free will? He also speaks about how Hashem spoke to Moshe regarding beleiving in the Jewish people. Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. For questions or comments please email RabbiShlomoKohn@gmail.com . To listen to R...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses how to access the belssing that G-D has in store for us. Taking a lesson from the weekly Parsha, Rabbi Kohn shows how prayer is the key to letting the flow of "bracha" into our lives. He also aska why Moshe was reprimanded by G-D in a stern tone for seeminly advocating for the Jewish people. Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. For questions or com...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses a lesson in self image from the weekly parsha. He brings out how the Eygptians where not able to enslave the Jewish nation so long as they looked to them as important. He also brings out a lesson on how we must always try to accomplish righteous endeavors even if we dont neccasarily see how they are going to succede. In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn dis...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses how the Parsha teaches us that whatever situation in life we find ourselves it has th epotential to be "sacred ground". He also speaks how the story of Moses's birth gives us a lesson on how we cant think we know better than G-D. Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. For questions or comments please email RabbiShlomoKohn@gmail.com . To listen to Rab...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses the risks of acting"fast and furious". Although we need to make decisions all the time we must be careful to make them in a rational and proper way. He also speaks about how the two names of Yaakov used in the blessings of his children show us what we should aspire for our children and ourselves. Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. For questions o...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses the concept of having a living legacy. The life that Jacob lived and the legacy he left to his desecndants is so powerful tjat it is considered that he never died. He also speaks about how unity is the key to redemption and th eimportant lessson that the Parsha teaches us about not being hasty. Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. For questions or...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discuuses a powerful lesson from Yosef about focusing. How Yosef pushed aside his emotions to put all his energies into one mission. This is an important lesson for us especially in the ADD world we live in. To make time to focus. He also speaks about the importance of dealing with our emotions and not putting it under the rug. We see from Yosef how he finally cri...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses the concept of "Chaim"(life). What does the Torah teach us when it uses this word? He brings out that truly living is not fulfilling our physical needs but rather when we fulfill our spiritual destiny. He also talks about how the Parsha teaches us the importance of being part of a cause and how it can contribute to its success.  Subscribe to The Practica...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses the rik of being connected with the wrong people. When we are around negative things it will effect us. He also brings out a lesson from Chanukah on how the holiday is the time for us to focus on whats on the inside and not be held back by our "gates". Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. For questions or comments please email RabbiShlomoKohn@gmail...

In this week's episode Rabbi Koh discuuses the connection between the story of Yosef and Chanukah. He explains how we learn from Yosef and the story of Chanukah the importance of standing up for what is right even at the expense of others not "liking" us. He also talks about how we see from Yosef on how to give advice and solutions. Lastly he gives a lesson on the importance of celebrating our suc...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses the importance of good communication. He brings down a lesson from the brothers hatred of Yosef(Joseph) and how communication could have possibly solved their grievances. He also brings out the connection between Parshas Vayeishev and Chanukah. Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. For questions or comments please email  RabbiShlomoKohn@gmail.com .T...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn discusses how Yaakov "stayed small". Before meeting his brother Esau, Yaakov said "katonti"(I am small). He was teaching us how we need to stay true to ourselves no matter how succesful we become. He also brings down an idea on how direct communication can lead to peace and how sometimes your enemy can be become your close friend. Subscribe to The Practical Parsha...

In this week's episode Rabbi Kohn takes one verse in the Parsha and derives 2 different ideas. He explains how it is important to be with others and to be part of a community and at the same time to be able to be alone. He also speaks about the power of the Mitzvos we do. Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. For questions or comments please email RabbiShlomoKohn@gmail.com . To listen to Rabb...

In this week's episodr Rabbi Kohn brings out a lesson on how we must not be afraid to fail. We see from the "mistake" of Yaakov that we must not fear trying even if we might not suceede. He also speaks about the true meaning of "thanksgiving" and what is the highest level of gratitude. Subscribe to The Practical Parsha Podcast. For questions or comments please email RabbiShlomoKohn@gmail.com . To...