Rabbi Shmuli Halpern on the Parsha

V'Yikra -- Pesach: Say No to Human Sacrifice

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 21:20:00 -0600

Man is the one offering the sacrifice not the one being sacrificed!

The Lost Generation -- Two Paths to Redemption

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:10:00 -0600

The Jews who left Egypt never entered the promised land!

Ramban explains that the book of Shemos leads from exile to redemption.

There are two tracks to redemption. One, leads to the promised land on this earth, and one to the world-to-come -- two expressions of the same concept, only in two different dimensions.

Ki Tisa -- Idols or Tablets? Our Path Back Home to Hashem

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:15:00 -0600

Tasked with "improving on G-d's creation," man must never forget that he is serving G-d not self. The job of human beings is to find the Infinite from within the finite. The great sin of the Golden Calf was that the Jews turned to the finite and forgot about the true focus, G-d.

Mordechai's Gratitude: the Antidote to Haman's Self Inflated Balloon

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 21:15:00 -0600

When two mortal enemies meet, each becomes more stubborn as the fight progresses. Only one can win, who will it be? Good or evil? Haman or Mordechai?

Teruma 2026

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:25:00 -0600

Giving, Purim, and Kedusha.

The Rise & Fall of Lot & Hagar

Sun, 14 Feb 2021 20:55:00 -0600

What made Lot and Hagar initially great? What brought about their decline? Tune in and find out!

The Tower of Bavel & the Dor Haflaga (Generation of the Dispersion): Understanding the Sins Discussed in the Torah #7

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 21:22:00 -0600

What were the people who built the Tower of Bavel trying to accomplish? How can a person believe he can "wage war" against G-d? Why did G-d respond by confusing their language and scattering them? Find out the answers to these questions and much more on the latest podcast!

Measure For Measure. Haftorah to Parshas Shemos with Rabbi Yaakov Zions

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 18:50:04 -0600

In this week's haftorah, Yeshaya Hanavi reminds the Jewish people of their debt of gratitude to Hashem for the exodus. In addition, the Egyptians were punished measure for measure, and Yeshaya tells the Jews that we too will be repayed measure for measure. What is the process of deciding which haftorah to read on a given week? Join Rabbi Zions for some fascinating background information.

The Generation of the Mabul (Flood): Understanding the Sins Discussed in the Torah #6

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 23:07:30 -0600

What attitudes brought the Flood to the world? What was unique about about Noach? What is the significance of the rainbow? Find out the answers to these questions and much more on this podcast!

The King's Last Wishes. Haftorah to Parshas V'Yechi with Rabbi Yaakov Zions

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 17:04:48 -0600

The Parshah tells of Yaakov's Final words to his sons. Many generations later, David commands his young son Shlomo to reward and avenge some of David's friends and enemies.

The Generation of Enosh & the Rise of Idolatry: Understanding the Sins Discussed in the Torah #5

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 01:07:13 -0600

How did idolatry begin? How did it evolve? Why would anyone worship a statue? Why is there such a drive for idolatry, and why doesn't that drive exist today? Find out the answers to these questions and much more in this podcast!

The Two Warring Factions Unite: Haftorah of Parshas V'Yigash with Rabbi Zions

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 16:57:50 -0600

Will the rift ever heal? This week's parshah seemingly closes the chapter on the fight between Yosef and his brothers. But is it truly over? Many generations later, Yosef's descendant Yeravam breaks away forming the northern kingdom. The Haftorah tells of a future time when true and eternal unity will be achieved.

Kayin and Hevel: Understanding the Sins Discussed in the Torah #4

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 05:08:11 -0600

How could Kayin, a prophet, kill his own brother? What was the real issue that led to the tragic murder? And what does all this have to do with shatnez?

Chanukah on a Cruise Ship: The Halachos of Candle Lighting #5 with Rabbi Yosef Melamed

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 22:26:30 -0600

Traveling this Chanukah? Does one light in a hotel, train, airplane? Join Rabbi Melamed as he discusses these and other fascinating questions.

Of Kings and Dreams: Haftara of Parshas Mikeitz with Rabbi Yaakov Zions

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:43:41 -0600

This week's haftara is one that is rarely read. It contains the fascinating story of the two mothers and the dead and live child. What is the deeper meaning of this story, and why is it chosen for this week's haftara?

The Laws of Lighting Candles #4 - Lighting Chanukah Neiros Away from Home

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 18:22:36 -0600

A brief summary of this episode

The Weekly Haftorah with Rabbi Yaakov Zions - Parshas V'ayeshev/Shabbos Chanukah

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 23:16:07 -0600

The last of the prophets tells us of a menorah of another time and era. Who was Zerubavel? And what was the meaning of Zachariah's vision?

Good Morning Torah World # 4 - The Beauty of the Hebrew Language, and the Torah in Our Hearts: Asher Bachar Banu

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 23:10:32 -0600

The Oral Torah is implanted on the hearts of the Jewish nation. Through peace and the gift of the Hebrew language we can access its treasures.

Understanding the Sins Discussed in the Torah #3 - Eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 20:20:18 -0600

It is one of the most famous and impactful sins of human history, yet there is so much that is misunderstood about this cataclysmic error. Why did Adam and Eve eat from the Tree? How could they choose to do wrong if they did not yet have an Evil Inclination? Find out these answers and much more in this podcast.

The Halachos of Candle Lighting #3 with Rabbi Yosef Melamed: Is It a Personal or Home-based Obligation?

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 23:12:06 -0600

What exactly is the candle lighting obligation? Is it an obligation that each home have Shabbos candles? Or is an obligation imposed upon every individual? A better understanding of this question will give clarity on several halachic questions.

The Weekly Haftara with Rabbi Yaakov Zions - Parshas Vayishlach

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 15:28:28 -0600

The prophet Ovadiah prophecies about the final showdown between Yaakov and Eisav. Travel through history with Rabbi Zions as he brings this haftara to life. From the First Temple era with King Achav to the twentieth century with General Erwin Rommel of Nazi Germany, the words of Ovadiah inspire and direct.

Good Morning Torah World #3 - Cherish Torah and Merit Life: La'asok Bidivrei Torah

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 00:25:45 -0600

Each morning we realize anew that we have the greatest gift in the world — the Torah. The sages instituted this bracha to remind us that Torah is life itself. It’s study contains the answers to all of life’s challenges. This episode will give you a new appreciation for Torah study, and how you can tap into its power each morning with the birchos haTorah.

The Weekly Haftara with Rabbi Yaakov Zions - Parshas Vayetzei

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 00:04:31 -0600

The prophecies of Hoshea focus on the Northern Kingdom of the Ten Tribes, which split from the Southern Kingdom of Yehudah. Join Rabbi Zions in discovering the historical background of this week's haftara.

The Halachos of Candle Lighting #2 with Rabbi Yosef Melamed

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 23:58:31 -0600

Eating or sleeping out for Shabbos? Do you have to light Shabbos candles? With a bracha, or without? Join R' Melamed in discovering the background to these questions,, and get the clarity you need.

Understanding the Sins Discussed in the Torah #2 - The Shrinking of the Moon

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 19:04:52 -0600

You may have heard the basic story of how the moon was shrunk. But did you ever get into the depths of the story to gain a full and proper understanding? Did you ever wonder about the conversation between G-d and the moon? Or why this whole incident is important? And since when can the moon talk, anyway?

Good Morning Torah World #2 - The Blessing of Asher Yatzar

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 00:17:25 -0600

There is tremendous spiritual power in the the human body. Hashem created a miraculous fusion between physical and spiritual, and that is your body. Tap into the power of Asher Yatzar, and transform y our day!

The Halachos of Candle Lighting #1 with Rabbi Yosef Melamed

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 16:45:28 -0600

Join Rabbi Yosef Melamed for a discussion of the halachos of candle lighting of Shabbos followed by that of Chanukah.

The Weekly Haftara with Rabbi Yaakov Zions - Parshas Toldos

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 22:21:42 -0600

Join Rabbi Yaakov Zions for an exploration of the weekly haftara and its relationship with the parsha

Good Morning Torah World: Birchos Hashachar (The Morning Brachos)

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 22:11:49 -0600

Join Rabbi Moshe Heyman and discover the wellspring of inspiration contained in the brachos we say each morning.

Understanding the Sins Discussed in the Torah #1 - The Earth Doesn't Follow Instructions

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 00:24:39 -0600

Join Rabbi Mordechai Fleisher's fascinating new series, Understanding the Sins Discussed in the Torah. From Adam and Eve to the Sin of the Spies, discover a deep understanding and appreciation of how great people made a mistake.