Parsha Lab from Aleph Beta

Latest Episodes:

Ep 10. Vayikra: Is It More Than Just Laws About Korbanot? Mar 12, 2018

Show notes

We learn in Vayikra about the laws of the Korbanot — sacrifices to God. But there’s something very difficult about studying Vayikra. It can be incredibly boring. There’s no storyline, just a lot of very specific rules. So, how can we approach Vayikra in a more engaging way? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Imu as they reexamine the two narratives surrounding Vayikra — the story of God’s cloud directing the Israelites — and discover a new narrative, with insights about how to become closer to God.

Ep 9. Vayakhel-Pekudei: What Do the Tabernacle and Creation Have In Common? Mar 05, 2018

Show notes

We learn in Vayakhel-Pekudei about the appointment of Betzalel as the architect of the Tabernacle. But there’s something very striking about the language describing this appointment. It sounds eerily similar to the language in the Creation story. What do Betzalel’s appointment and creation have in common? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Imu as they explore the commonalities between God creating the world for man and man creating the Tabernacle for God, and never think about Betzalel’s appointment the same way again.

Ep 8. Ki Tisa: Why Would Anyone Want To Build a Golden Calf? Feb 26, 2018

Show notes

We learn in Parshat Ki Tisa about the infamous sin the Israelite’s committed by creating the Golden Calf. But there’s something very unclear about this story — why would the Israelite’s want to build a Golden Calf? It's not like people today want to build and pray to idols, so why would the Israelite’s? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Imu as they explore the text of the Golden Calf and debate the real reason the people wanted to build a new “godly” figure. You’ll never think of the Golden Calf the same way again. For more information on the Israelite’s sin, check out Rabbi Fohrman’s course on the Golden Calf.

Ep7. Tetzaveh: What Do the Laws of Choshen Mishpat Teach Us About Our Relationship To God? Feb 20, 2018

Show notes

We learn in Parshat Tetzaveh about the specific laws relating to the Kohen Gadol’s Breastplate — the Choshen Mishpat. But why should we care about these esoteric and seemingly inapplicable laws? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Imu as they take a look back at Parshat Mishpatim and find an intriguing relationship to the laws of the judges. You’ll never think of Choshen Mishpat the same way again.

Ep6. Terumah: What's So Special About The Tablets? Feb 12, 2018

Show notes

We learn in Parshat Terumah that the tablets of the 10 Commandments have a central place in the mishkan, the Tabernacle. But why? A clue might come from the Torah's constant use of the word "edut," testimony, and "moed," a place of meeting. Come join Rabbi Fohrman and Imu as they puzzle it out.

Ep5. Mishpatim - The Ten Commandments… The Sequel? Feb 07, 2018

Show notes

This week, Imu guides Rabbi Fohrman into the myriad of laws of Mishpatim. He points out some subtle connections - both in theme, and in language, between these laws and the Ten Commandments, we just heard last week, and asks, why? Why is there a replay of the Ten Commandments?

Ep4. Yitro: Fowl Play? The Significance of Birds in the Torah Jan 29, 2018

Show notes

This week, Rabbi Fohrman tests Imu - where do birds appear in the Torah? How do they connect to each other? Is there some sort of theme that connects the birds together? And how does any of this relate to Parshat Yitro, the parsha in which God gives the Torah to the Israelite people at Sinai?

Ep3. Beshalach - Why Is God Testing The Israelites? Jan 22, 2018

Show notes

When the people first enter the wilderness, God withholds water...to test the people? In fact, this idea of God "testing" the nation shows up in every single story of this parsha! What is God really testing, and why test the people? In this podcast, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu Shalev discuss this pattern, and try to get to the bottom of the subtle connection between these stories.

Ep2. Bo - Arbeh the Plague…and Arbeh, the Blessing? Jan 14, 2018

Show notes

This week, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu do a deep dive into the plague of arbeh, locusts, in Parshat Bo. They ask, why does the Torah use language “eye” and “seeing” here? Could it connect to the word “arbeh,” used back in Genesis, which connected to the blessing of Israel? For Rabbi Fohrman's book: https://shop.alephbeta.org/products/passover-book-the-exodus-you-almost-passed-over For more Aleph Beta, try our app: iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/app/torah-vid…id598939260?mt=8 Android: play.google.com/store/apps/detail…eta.android&hl=en

Ep1. Va'era - What's With The Plagues? Jan 03, 2018

Show notes

This week, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu tackle Parshat Va'era and ask - are the plagues just arbitrary? Or do they mean something real, to the Israelite, the Egyptians, and to us, today? For more Aleph Beta, try our app. iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/torah-videos-by-aleph-beta/id598939260?mt=8 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.alephbeta.android&hl=en

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