Category Archives: Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

Top 10 Episodes of 2020: #5: The Indispensability of Each Jew

As 2020 comes to a close, I decided to curate 10 of my favorite episodes from this past calendar year and revisit them on the podcast. If you have already listened to it over the course of the year, it will give you a chance to enjoy it again, and if you missed it the first round, now is a great time to catch up on these ten episodes. This ranking will be exclusively featured on this podcast channel, All Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe Podcasts; it will not be on the individual feeds. Please email me if you agree or disagree with my ranking. I am sure that you already know my email address πŸ™‚

This episode was originally featured on This Jewish Life Podcast on 05/21/2020

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Parshas Bamidbar is the Torah portion that we read immediately prior to Shavuos, the Festival of the Giving of the Torah, each year. In this special episode, we offer a mind-bending idea to ponder the connection between Shavuos and Parshas Bamidbar.

To aid with visualizing the contents of this unique episode, please download the accompanying slideshow and follow along.

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Please email me atΒ rabbiwolbe@gmail.comΒ with any questions or comments

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Sponsorship:Β Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts atΒ https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts

The Parsha Podcast

The Jewish History Podcast

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This Jewish Life

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TORAH 101

Top 10 Episodes of 2020: #6: The Divine Torah: An Expanded Definition

As 2020 comes to a close, I decided to curate 10 of my favorite episodes from this past calendar year and revisit them on the podcast. If you have already listened to it over the course of the year, it will give you a chance to enjoy it again, and if you missed it the first round, now is a great time to catch up on these ten episodes. This ranking will be exclusively featured on this podcast channel, All Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe Podcasts; it will not be on the individual feeds. Please email me if you agree or disagree with my ranking. I am sure that you already know my email address πŸ™‚

This episode was originally featured on TORAH 101 Podcast on 02/04/2020

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The Eighth Principle, that the Torah is Divine, is the central principle upon which all the Thirteen Principles lean. Our entire religion hinges upon the fact that the Almighty gave us His Torah. But what exactly does that mean? In this podcast we discover that the Eighth Principle is much deeper than a question of authorship; the divinity of the Torah means a great deal more.

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Please email me atΒ rabbiwolbe@gmail.comΒ with any questions or comments

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Sponsorship:Β Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts atΒ https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts

The Parsha Podcast

The Jewish History Podcast

The Mitzvah PodcastΒ 

This Jewish Life

The Ethics Podcast

TORAH 101

Parsha: Vayigash – Fruitful Famine

In Parshas Vayigash, the Joseph trilogy comes to a close. The saga that began when Joseph was 17 ends when Jacob is reunited with his favorite son, now viceroy of Egypt. In this special edition of the Parsha Podcast, we offer three interesting observations: On Yocheved’s border-crossing birth, on Jacob’s second bargain with Esau, and on why the years of famine were worth it.

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This Parsha Podcast is sponsored by Alan and Phyllis Kritz in honor of the son Julian on the occasion of beginning to work at Jones Day. On behalf of the entire PP family, we wish Julian a hearty Mazal Tov and warm Congratulations on your new job. May you have tremendous success in this endeavor

If you want to sponsor an episode of the Parsha Podcast or if you have any questions or comments, please email me at rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

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Please email me atΒ rabbiwolbe@gmail.comΒ with any questions or comments

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Please visit our websiteΒ torchweb.orgΒ to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover.

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Sponsorship:Β Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts atΒ https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts

The Parsha Podcast

The Jewish History Podcast

The Mitzvah PodcastΒ 

This Jewish Life

The Ethics Podcast

TORAH 101

Top 10 Episodes of 2020: #7: Plagues, Epidemics, and Quarantines in Jewish Philosophy

As 2020 comes to a close, I decided to curate 10 of my favorite episodes from this past calendar year and revisit them on the podcast. If you have already listened to it over the course of the year, it will give you a chance to enjoy it again, and if you missed it the first round, now is a great time to catch up on these ten episodes. This ranking will be exclusively featured on this podcast channel, All Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe Podcasts; it will not be on the individual feeds. Please email me if you agree or disagree with my ranking. I am sure that you already know my email address πŸ™‚

This episode was originally featured on This Jewish Life Podcast on 03/23/2020

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We are living in extraordinary times and facing unprecedented challenges: The coronavirus is upending everyday life in a way that we have never seen in our lifetime. People are scared, people are quarantined, markets are plummeting, schools are off, shuls and yeshivos are shuttered, no one can get toilet paper or bottled water – our equilibrium is off-kilter. In this special episode, we offer a Torah perspective on plagues, epidemics, and quarantines that tries to drill down on the question of, β€œwhat does God want from us?”

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Please email me atΒ rabbiwolbe@gmail.comΒ with any questions or comments

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Sponsorship:Β Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts atΒ https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts

The Parsha Podcast

The Jewish History Podcast

The Mitzvah PodcastΒ 

This Jewish Life

The Ethics Podcast

TORAH 101

Top 10 Episodes of 2020: #8: The Addiction Challenge

As 2020 comes to a close, I decided to curate 10 of my favorite episodes from this past calendar year and revisit them on the podcast. If you have already listened to it over the course of the year, it will give you a chance to enjoy it again, and if you missed it the first round, now is a great time to catch up on these ten episodes. This ranking will be exclusively featured on this podcast channel, All Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe Podcasts; it will not be on the individual feeds. Please email me if you agree or disagree with my ranking. I am sure that you already know my email address πŸ™‚

This episode was originally featured on The Parsha Podcast on 05/07/2020

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Among the many laws found in our parsha, are the laws governing the Festivals and holidays. Given that we are currently in middle of the Counting of the Omer period spanning from Pesach to Shavuos, in this special episode we presented various ways to maximize this period. We also made a specific challenge to the audience. Are you in? Shoot me an email at rabbiwolbe@gmail.com and let me know.

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Please email me atΒ rabbiwolbe@gmail.comΒ with any questions or comments

TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover

Please visit our websiteΒ torchweb.orgΒ to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover.

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Sponsorship:Β Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts atΒ https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts

The Parsha Podcast

The Jewish History Podcast

The Mitzvah PodcastΒ 

This Jewish Life

The Ethics Podcast

TORAH 101

 

Top 10 Episodes of 2020: #9: The Shabbat Gift

As 2020 comes to a close, I decided to curate 10 of my favorite episodes from this past calendar year and revisit them on the podcast. If you have already listened to it over the course of the year, it will give you a chance to enjoy it again, and if you missed it the first round, now is a great time to catch up on these ten episodes. This ranking will be exclusively featured on this podcast channel, All Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe Podcasts; it will not be on the individual feeds. Please email me if you agree or disagree with my ranking. I am sure that you already know my email address πŸ™‚

This episode was originally featured on This Jewish Life Podcast on 08/19/2020

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The laws of Shabbat are vast and seemingly draconian. A study of its laws reveal a comprehensive governance of every aspect of our lives on Shabbat. The Talmud even declares that greetings one’s fellow on Shabbat is β€œbarely permitted.” To an outsider looking in, the laws of Shabbat are crippling and limiting. The Talmud offers us a deeper insight. It teaches us that Shabbat is a gift from God’s most innermost treasure house, but it is a gift that initially seems to be a bad gift. How Shabbat amounts to a great gift is a deep secret. In this special podcast episode we reveal the secret to the Shabbat gift.

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Please email me atΒ rabbiwolbe@gmail.comΒ with any questions or comments

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Sponsorship:Β Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts atΒ https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts

The Parsha Podcast

The Jewish History Podcast

The Mitzvah PodcastΒ 

This Jewish Life

The Ethics Podcast

TORAH 101

History: JC in Jewish Sources: Exploring the Censored Text

As we approach the end of December, I chose to experiment by doing something a bit different in examining the Jewish take on the Christian hero and on early Christianity. When we look at the Talmudic sources on the matter we find that our version of this story is radically different than the Christian one, and, quite unsurprisingly, the Christian censors forced the Jewish printers of the Talmud to omit these sections. But these sections were preserved and clandestinely perpetuated, and in this episode we they reveal is fascinating.

Sanhedrin 107b Talmud

Sanhedrin 107b

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This Jewish History Podcast is sponsored by my dear friend, Shully Lichtman, who dedicated it in the merit of continued health for all.

If you want to sponsor an episode of the Jewish History Podcast or if you have any questions or comments, please email me at rabbiwolbe@gmail.com

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Please email me atΒ rabbiwolbe@gmail.comΒ with any questions or comments

TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover

Please visit our websiteΒ torchweb.orgΒ to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover.

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Sponsorship:Β Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts atΒ https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts

The Parsha Podcast

The Jewish History Podcast

The Mitzvah PodcastΒ 

This Jewish Life

The Ethics Podcast

TORAH 101

Top 10 Episodes of 2020: #10: Influencing People

As 2020 comes to a close, I decided to curate 10 of my favorite episodes from this past calendar year and revisit them on the podcast. If you have already listened to it over the course of the year, it will give you a chance to enjoy it again, and if you missed it the first round, now is a great time to catch up on these ten episodes. This ranking will be exclusively featured on this podcast channel, All Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe Podcasts; it will not be on the individual feeds. Please email me if you agree or disagree with my ranking. I am sure that you already know my email address πŸ™‚

This episode was originally featured on The Parsha Podcast on 08/14/2020

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A wise woman once said: β€œJudaism is terrible at marketing.” It seems like we are doing a terrible job at influencing others to adopt Torah. It is not only Gentiles that we are not a great job of attracting – and perhaps that is by design –  it is also our fellow Jews, our brethren, that we are often not reaching. Is there any way to persuade our Jewish brothers and sisters to reexamine Torah on a deep and fundamental level? What is the most persuasive arguments for the power of Torah? Guided by a powerful teaching in the Talmud regarding Onkelus the convert, we discover the answer in the first verses of our parsha.

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Please email me atΒ rabbiwolbe@gmail.comΒ with any questions or comments

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Sponsorship:Β Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts atΒ https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts

The Parsha Podcast

The Jewish History Podcast

The Mitzvah PodcastΒ 

This Jewish Life

The Ethics Podcast

TORAH 101

Parsha: Mikeitz – Talent Evaluation

Joseph is one of the most impressive figures in Jewish history. His accomplishments are vast: His holiness under spiritually treacherous conditions are legendary, his faith in God remained unwavering, he is the paragon of seeing God’s Handiwork in the bad deeds of others. His accomplishments extend beyond the spiritual: At the age of 30 he undertook perhaps the most ambitious project in history:Β Organizing and stockpiling enough food to feed the entire world for 7 years. How is that for a Five Year Plan? Its astonishing to think about what goes into that, and Joseph pulls it off flawlessly. Joseph is the epitome of a wunderkind. Yet his brothers are blind to Joseph’s talent. In this podcast we explore the question of how Joseph’s brothers failed to recognize his prodigious abilities.

This Parsha Podcast is sponsored by Joseph Daniel and Elijah Levi Hiller in loving memory and honor of Reyna Hiller, my beloved wife and best friend of blessed memory. May Hashem bless and keep you, and may you always know how deeply you are loved and missed.Β May Reyna’s Soul be elevated in Heaven, and We appreciate their sponsorship and friendship

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Please email me atΒ rabbiwolbe@gmail.comΒ with any questions or comments

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Sponsorship:Β Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts atΒ https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts

The Parsha Podcast

The Jewish History Podcast

The Mitzvah PodcastΒ 

This Jewish Life

The Ethics Podcast

TORAH 101

Chanukah and Joseph

Every year, Chanukah falls out during the weeks in which we read about Joseph and his exploits in Egypt. Our Sages tell us that there is a deep connection between Joseph’s and the Maccabean heroism.Β  Many connections have been proposed, and in this podcast I suggest a new approach to understanding how Joseph precisely embodies the story, the lesson, and the transformation of Chanukah.

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Please email me atΒ rabbiwolbe@gmail.comΒ with any questions or comments

TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover

Please visit our websiteΒ torchweb.orgΒ to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover.

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Sponsorship:Β Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts atΒ https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!

SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe’s Podcasts

The Parsha Podcast

The Jewish History Podcast

The Mitzvah PodcastΒ 

This Jewish Life

The Ethics Podcast

TORAH 101