Into the Verse - A Parsha Podcast

Reexamining Revelation: The Challenge of Chosenness [Introducing our new season of A Book Like No Other]

At the heart of Judaism's chosenness lies an unexpected twist that few have noticed. Rabbi Fohrman stumbles upon a shocking connection between two of the Bible'

Parshat Shelach: Insights Into Tzitizt (Re-release of "What’s Meaningful About Tzitzit? Part 2)

(Part 2 of 2) Parshat Shelach teaches us the mitzvah of Tzitzit. How are we to understand these little fringes? Sounds like a perfect job for the crew at "Meaningful Juda

Parshat Shelach: Insights into Tzitzit: (Re-release of "What’s Meaningful About Tzitzit? Part 1)

(Part 1/2) Parshat Shelach teaches us the mitzvah of Tzitzit. How are we to understand these little fringes? Sounds like a perfect job for the crew at "Meaningful Judaism

A Book Like No Other: Season 3 - Trailer

A Book Like No Other is a chance to learn alongside Aleph Beta Founder and Lead Scholar, Rabbi David Fohrman, a master close reader of Torah, as he embarks on his most fa

Mishpatim: The Legal Debate That Changed Jewish History

Parshat Mishpatim outlines the laws of indentured servants and maidservants, including servants going free in the seventh year, servants getting married while working, an

Yitro: What Was Really Written on the Tablets?

In Parshat Yitro, we read about the revelation at Sinai and the giving of the 10 Commandments. The image of the 10 Commandments is one of the most familiar images from th

The Blasphemer: Why Would Someone Curse God? [Introducing our new season of A Book Like No Other]

Rabbi David Fohrman and Imu Shalev study the tale of the blasphemer, a dark and puzzling episode buried deep in Leviticus. The details of this story are scarce: an anonym

Bo: What Did the Egyptians Get Out of the Exodus?

Parshat Bo tells the story of the last three plagues. The 10th plague, the death of the firstborn, ultimately compels Pharaoh and the Egyptians to free the Israelites fro

Shemot: What Was Moses’ Real Mission?

In Parshat Shemot, we read the story of the burning bush, where Moses was charged with a mission. We are often taught that Moses’ job was to take the Israelites out of Eg

Vayechi: God's Hidden Hand

In Parshat Vayechi, Jacob remembers when the God of his ancestors, “El Shaddai,” appeared to him and promised a bright future for his descendants. But what about the time

Vayigash: Was Joseph the Golden Calf?

In Parshat Vayigash, Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers, and they realize that the Egyptian official they had bowed down to was none other than their long los

Parshat Miketz: A Phantom Blessing

In Parshat Miketz, Jacob sends his sons on a mission to get food from Egypt so they can survive a famine plaguing the entire Middle East. On the surface, it seems like a

Parshat Vayeshev: What Was Jacob Thinking?

In Parshat Vayeshev, the Torah tells us that Joseph’s brothers were so angry at him that they couldn’t even speak a word to his face. Yet, the very next thing we’re told

Vayishlach: Were We Wrong About Esav?

When Esau came to meet Jacob with 400 men, it could only mean one thing: 20 years after Jacob stole Esau's blessings, Esau is finally seeking his revenge. But... wha

Parshat Vayetze: Was Jacob Punished?

Parshat Vayeitzei begins with Jacob on the run from Esau and follows Jacob's trials and tribulations throughout his time in Laban's house. At the end of the par

Israel at War: A War of Revenge?

The feelings of rage and desire for revenge against Hamas still boil strong in the hearts of many. How should those feelings motivate Israel and her supporters in the war

Parshat Toldot: What is True Strength?

Parshat Toldot contains the only story in the Torah that is really only about Isaac: the often overlooked story of the wells. What does this brief story really teach us a

Israel at War #5: The Lesson of "I Don't Know"

Rabbi Fohrman and Imu are back sharing more stories from Rabbi Fohrman's last week in Israel, plus a fascinating discussion about last week's haftorah, its shoc

Chayei Sarah: A Marriage of Truth and Kindness

The Midrash says that chesed and emet, Kindness and Truth, disagreed about whether God should create humankind. And the puzzling outcome of that argument was: “God took T

Israel at War: Do Our Small Gestures Matter in the Big Scheme of Things?

In our fourth takeover episode dedicated to the war in Israel, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu Shalev share stories of volunteerism and heroism in Israel and abroad, while grapplin