The Mitzvah Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe: Recent Episodes
TORCH
The Torah contains 613 Mitzvos, Commandments. Many of the Mitzvos are quite familiar to us, such as loving our fellow as ourselves and eating matzah on Passover, but many are more obscure and unfamiliar. The Mitzvah Podcast is a project to offer a snapshot of each mitzvah, in the order in which they appear in the Torah. Each episode will be dedicated to a single Mitzvah or a bunch of Mitzvos if they are closely related and offer an overview of said Mitzvah, together with anecdotes and vignettes and interesting questions that arise in the Talmud and other books of Jewish Literature. Please email any questions, comments, or feedback to rabbiwolbe@gmail.com.
Not all mitzvos made sense to us. When it comes to the sprawling laws of purity and impurity, we are basically clueless.
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Eating certain animals are harmful for your body and for your soul. It is wise to obey the Torah’s guidance. You are what you eat – make sure you eat good to be good.
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Some animals, birds, grasshoppers, and fish are kosher, some are not kosher. How do we know which animals are kosher and which are not? For that we have signs.
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priests are held to a higher standard. Clergymen are not like everyone else. Especially while working in the Temple/ Tabernacle. They must be on a much more elevated and dignified plane.
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Most of us are not tempted to taste blood. We find it repugnant and revolting. Nevertheless, in seven different verses, the Torah bans the consumption of blood. We must look elsewhere for our protein and iron.
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Forbidden fats – even Kosher animals can have parts that are not kosher. The forbidden fats – cheilev – may not be eaten. And the consequences are stiff.
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TORCH Fundraiser — support the Mitzvah Podcast
Our organization, TORCH, does only one fundraiser a year, and that is happening right now at giveTORCH.org. This is a matching campaign and every donation will be DOUBLED.
Please support the Mitzvah Podcast right now at giveTORCH.org
The website for the Fundraiser is giveTORCH.org
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Sacrifices, like many other things, can contract ritual impurity. When a sacrifice becomes ritually impure, it may not be consumed. Moreover, an impure person cannot consume any sacrifices. This is the first of many mitzvos related to purity and impurity.
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Our thoughts matter. This is especially true when it comes to sacrifices. The thoughts of those who are processing the sacrifices must be aligned with the protocols of the sacrifices. Or else, they are rejected – they are Piggul.
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This Mitzvah Podcast is dedicated towards the complete and speedy recovery of Tzvi Simcha ben Fruma. May he merit a complete Refuah Sheleimah.
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There is not an indefinite amount of time to consume a sacrifice. Each sacrifice has its specific protocol and time frame in which it must be eaten. What happens with the leftovers?
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There are many different types of sacrifices brought in the temple. Each sacrifice follows the prescribed protocol. There is zero tolerance for deviation from the protocol. In this podcast, we learn about the requirement for the priests to follow the protocol to a t, and we end with an important perspective that makes this entire subject more salient and meaningful to us.
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Meal offerings are a central part of the daily Temple offerings. These Mitzvos cover the Kohanim’s relationship with meal offerings.
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Steady fires were always present atop the Altar. At all times, even when sacrifices were not being processed in the Tabernacle and the Temple, a steady fire was maintained on the Altar. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please […]
The first activity performed in the Temple each day was the removal of the ashes from the previous day’s sacrifices. Before today’s sacrificial schedule can commence, the Altar must be cleared from the ashes of yesterday’s sacrifices. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Unlike the previous mitzvah that required a sacrifice for an uncertain violation, in this mitzvah, we learn about a guilt offering for someone who definitely violated a transgression. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts […]
This sacrifice is offered when someone is uncertain if they violated a sin or not. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts […]
Misappropriating Temple property is a very bad idea. The sacrifices, the animals, the vessels, the property, the money used for update and maintenance – all items that are included in the temple coffers cannot be misused.
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A sinner’s meal offering is a bit different from a typical meal offering: Oil and Frankincense, integral ingredients in most meal offerings, are omitted.
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The bird sin sacrifice, brought by a person who cannot afford to bring a more expensive sacrifice, is processed and slaughtered in an unusual fashion.
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Most sacrifices follow a designated protocol which remains unchanged irrespective of the financial wherewithal of the person bringing the sacrifice. This mitzvah is the exception. There are some sins regarding whom the sacrifice brought atone for the sin is means-tested.
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There are many different types of sacrifices featured in Temple-era Jewish life. A communal or an individual sin sacrifice is the subject of this Mitzvah.
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One of the many processes and rituals done with sacrifices in the Temple is the mandatory salting of all sacrifices. Both animal sacrifices and meal offerings must be salted before brought upon the altar.
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Meal offerings brought in the Temple must not include – with some exceptions – leaven or honey.
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This Mitzvah Podcast is sponsored by my dear friend and study partner Shaya Gamzon in honor of Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe
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The second category of sacrifices featured in Leviticus is actually not one that deals with animal sacrifice. Meal offerings are brought from flour and oil. Not including meal offerings that accompanied animal sacrifices, there are 12 different types of meal offerings.
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Sacrifices constitute and important part of Jewish life and practice. Absent the Temple, we cannot offer sacrifices, but we can study them. In this episode we look at the Olah (Elevation) sacrifice. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please […]
Of the many laws related to idolatry is a law governing wine and other items used for idolatrous practices. Said items to not be consumed. The Sages extend this prohibition in manifold ways. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Before the inauguration of the Tabernacle, Moshe was told to concoct a special anointment oil to be used for the anointment of Aaron and his priest sons and for all the Temple components, vessels, and accoutrements. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Before the priests walked into the Temple Sanctuary and before they performed any holy service, they were required to wash their hands and feet, typically from the copper Laver that was situated between the outer Altar and the entrance to the Sanctuary. – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
In Temple times, every military-age male Jew was required to contribute a half shekel coin to the Temple coffers each year. These donations would fund the yearly supply of communal sacrifices and other related expenses in the Temple. The annual head tax would also serve the vital function of determining the population size. Counting Jews […]
The most satisfying aroma ever experienced in the history of humanity was the product of the incense offered in the Temple twice every day. A concoction of 11 different spices, mixed with precise proportions and with an irreplicable formula, the wafting aroma permeated Jerusalem and it’s environs. – – – – – – – – […]
Sacrifices are a great mystery to us. We have never seen the Temple in action and we have never witnessed a sacrifice being processed. Yet sacrifices and their myriad laws comprise a large portion of Torah law. This Mitzvah orients around the consumption of certain meat of certain sacrifices by certain people. Surprisingly, what we […]
Visiting the Temple was an experience of a lifetime. The vessels, the holiness, the songs of the Levites, the sacrifices that atone and cleanse, and the priests – direct descendants of Aaron – bedecked in all their resplendent glory. These mitzvos tell us how the family of the priests must dress while on duty. – […]
The Menorah is the vessel of the Temple that we are most familiar with. The seven-branched candelabra, engraved with intricate embellishments, was lit each night in the Temple. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast […]
Three vessels resided in the Tabernacle’s/Temple’s Sanctuary: The Menorah, the Golden Alter, and the Table. The top of the table were two stacks of showbreads, six breads on either stack for a total of 12. These breads were ever present atop the table. – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
The Ark was the most iconic of the vessels of the Temple. Housed in the Holy of Holies, visited only once a year by the High Priest on Yom Kippur, the Ark represents the epicenter of holiness of our people. A series of nested boxes containing the tablets etched by God, covered by cherubs hewn […]
The epicenter of Jewish life is the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. In the Temple, the presence of God was palpable and undeniable. Ever since the Sinai Revelation, our nation has had a Mitzvah to build a temple to God in our midst. Even today, while politically untenable, this Mitzvah stands. – – – – – […]
Our nation has some enemies. The arch foe of our people are the Amalekites. That nation is hellbent upon our destruction. The ancient Canaanites were cut from the same cloth. These barbarous, idolatrous nations spelled an existential threat to our people and our continuity. In this set of mitzvos, we outlined the Canaanite policy. How […]
With deep appreciation to the Almighty for all the goodness that He has bestowed upon us, I’m happy to share that my wife, Chaya, and I were blessed with a beautiful baby boy on Monday, March 14. Thank God, both Mom and baby are doing fabulous! In this special edition of the podcast, I share […]
In conjunction with our annual fundraiser this week at giveTORCH.org (every donation is tripled), we are releasing a special interview conducted by the TORCH Board President, Dan Kullman, about my new book, Upon A Ten-Stringed Harp. Please consider contributing to our annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org.
Please support The Mitzvah Podcast and the annual TORCH fundraiser at giveTORCH.org Every donation will be TRIPLED Show your support for TORCH and The Mitzvah Podcast and donate to the annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
When the Temple was extant, there were many more mitzvos that were applicable above what we can do today. One of these mitzvos is the requirement to bring the first fruits to Jerusalem and to give it to the Kohen. The procedure of this mitzvah is fascinating and intriguing. – – – – – – […]
When our nation was fortunate enough to have a Temple, the highlight of the year was the tri-annual pilgrimage to the Temple on the Three Festivals. Throngs of Jews from every corner of the globe would stream to Jerusalem to celebrate and grow with their brethren. The descriptions of the festivities make our heart yearn […]
The worst criminal in the Jewish system of courts is someone who tries to entice others to worship idolatry. Our sages tell us that such a crime is worse than murder. The way such a criminals treated is different than any other criminal Torah law. – – – – – – – – – – […]
There are many mitzvos in the Torah around idolatry, 51 according to Rambam’s delineation. This mitzvah tells that we may not utter the names of idols, not in an oath and not reverentially, nor may we cause others to do so. Instead, we are encouraged to mock them. – – – – – – – […]
The Torah tells us that the land must lay fallow every 7th year. For an entire year, all the farmers in Israel must cease operations. Moreover, they must relinquish ownership on the land. Just as Shabbos on a weekly schedule, the Shemittah marks a year of rest on a week of years. – – – […]
Judgment is the ultimate partnership between us and God. Litigants who come to a Jewish court are coming to hear the will of the Almighty on the case. Consequently, the judges have to be very meticulous in being impartial and neutral in judgment. – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
A court is tasked with verifying the validity of the claims of the witnesses and rendering a ruling. What kinds of testimony are admissible in court? What are the extrajudicial carveouts for the defendants who are clearly guilty but get off on technicalities? – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Imagine you are a judge and two litigants come before you for justice. One of the people is a righteous, pious, trustworthy person. The other one is a crook. How must you navigate such a situation and what does it reveal to us about the role of the judge and the essence of Jewish jurisprudence? […]
The mitzvah covered in this podcast episode is one of the most interesting and wide-ranging ones that we have yet covered. In this podcast we discover an astounding teaching in the Talmud regarding what the fundamental end that Torah and Mitzvos are there to accomplish. We also explore other interesting questions related to the treatment […]
A judge adjudicating matters of Torah law is God’s representative. When a judge renders a ruling, they must be very certain that they are faithfully representing God in the matter. This podcast discusses four distinct mitzvos regarding the imperative to judge righteously. – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
In a Jewish court of law, capital crime cases are distinct from civil or monetary ones. In this Mitzvah we outlines some of the hurdles facing the court seeking a capital crime conviction. It turns out that although there are many commandments that contain a punishment of capital crime, in effect, executions are astonishingly rare […]
We have a Heavenly Torah, but it is up to us fallible humans to adjudicate it. What do we do when there is uncertainty? How do we resolve doubts? The Torah provides us with several tools at our disposal for us to do just that. In this podcast, we examine two mitzvos related to the […]
To serve as a witness in a Jewish court of law is no simple matter. Our Sages detail ten different people who are disqualified from offering testimony. In this mitzvah we scour that long list and learn about what it takes to testify in a Jewish court of law. – – – – – – […]
The most critical characteristic of a judge is impartiality. A judge who favors one of the litigants is disqualified to judge. This mitzvah shows us the extent that a judge go to avoid biases. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
When you compare identical cuts of kosher and non-kosher meat at the supermarket, the only discernable difference is the price. Kosher meat is much pricier, often 5-10 more expensive than it’s non-kosher counterparts. Why is kosher meat so much more expensive? Is it actually worth the premium? What goes into processing kosher meat? – – […]
Please support The TORCH Podcasts and the annual TORCH fundraiser at giveTORCH.org Every donation will be TRIPLED Show your support for TORCH and the TORCH Podcasts and donate to the annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Please support The Mitzvah Podcast and the annual TORCH fundraiser at giveTORCH.org Every donation will be TRIPLED Show your support for TORCH and The Mitzvah Podcast and donate to the annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Speech is the quintessential human ability. The ability to converse verbally is man’s superpower. In these three mitzvos we are told how man can negatively affect other people with words. This podcast also contains a mind-blowing interpretation from Rambam. If you want to truly understand human abilities and spiritual powers, this is a must-listen podcast. […]
Loaning money to others in their time of need is one of the greatest mitzvos. But how do you properly service those loans? The Torah outlines some very surprising rules for how we must treat our debtors. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
Even greater than the mitzvah of giving charity, of helping the needy by giving them a handout, is the mitzvah of loaning them money in their time of financial despair. Although charity may solve a pauper’s problem, a timely loan may prevent it. Please email me at rabbiwolbe@gmail.com with any questions or comments TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please […]
Of all the episodes that I have recorded over the years, this will be perhaps the most unique one. For one, it will be released simultaneously on all 6 channels that I am fortunate enough to host: The Parsha Podcast, The Jewish History Podcast, The Mitzvah Podcast , This Jewish Life, The Ethics Podcast, and […]
The Almighty is described in Scripture as the “Father of orphans and Judge of widows.” In His Torah, he instructs us to not oppress widows and orphans. The consequences: If you oppress them, He pledges to make your wives widows and your children orphans. Please email me at rabbiwolbe@gmail.com with any questions or comments TORCH Shabbat Light […]
Is Judaism a religion or a nation? That is a tricky question to answer because the correct answer is a bit of both. We are a nation and therefore if your pedigree is Jewish you are Jewish whether you like it or not. You can be baptized 100 times – you may get wet but […]
The Torah commands us to not keep sorcerers alive. Sorcery is prohibited on pain of death. What exactly is sorcery and why is it banned? Please email me at rabbiwolbe@gmail.com with any questions or comments TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover. – – – […]
Marriage is the centerpiece of the Jewish family. But what happens when people want to take shortcuts, and fulfill their carnal desires without the hassle of marriage? Please email me at rabbiwolbe@gmail.com with any questions or comments TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover. – […]
One of the pillars of a functioning society is a fair judiciary that respects private property and adjudicates monetary disputes fairly. The Torah delineates four types of custodians with differing laws governing each of them. In this podcast, we survey the various types of custodians and examine some of the different ways that a Jewish […]
The Torah has different laws governing surreptitious theft of money, done in a stealth fashion that the owner is unaware of and brazen, flagrant robbery. What are the differences and why is there that distinction? TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover. – – – – – […]
Every functioning society must have property rights and justice. People cannot be allowed to damage and injure each other with impunity. In this podcasts we share an overview of the various Torah mitzvos relating to damages, both personal and property. TORCH Shabbat Light Switch Cover Please visit our website torchweb.org to get your FREE TORCH Shabbat Light […]
The Torah requires that the most severe sinners are executed in a Jewish court of law, provided that the draconian technicalities governing capital punishment are met. What are the four different methods of execution and what are some of the details of capital crime jurisprudence? – – – – – – – – – – […]
A healthy and harmonious marriage cannot be sustained by love alone. The Torah teaches the responsibilities and obligations of a husband that constitute the framework in which their relationship can flourish. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider […]
The Torah allows a father to sell his minor daughter as a servant, and the new master can opt to marry her or wed her to his son, but he cannot restrict her from redeeming herself prior to the conclusion of her term and he cannot sell her to someone else. How can we make […]
The concept of slavery is – for very good reasons – unpalatable to modern sensibilities. Yet the Torah seems to condone slavery, or servitude, to some extent. What is the nature of slavery as outlined in the Torah and what are some of its laws? – – – – – – – – – – […]
Immediately after the Sinai Revelation, the Torah commands three, seemingly distinct, mitzvos: Not to make statues even if their sole function is to beautify; Not to use metal implements to hew the stones of the Altar; Not to ascend the Altar ramp in a way that exposes the underwear of the priests. What are the […]
The last of the Ten Commandments makes a big – and on the surface quite infeasible – demand that we don’t desire or covet the nice things that belong to others. How can we reasonably fulfill that and what is the underlying lesson? – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
The bedrock of any flourishing society is a functioning judicial system, and a judicial system can only operate when witnesses come forth and offer impartial, truthful testimony. The Torah contains 8 mitzvos that relate to testimony, and in this episode, we discuss the commandment to come forth and testify; the prohibition against lying on the witness […]
In two separate instances the Torah warns us against stealing. With the understanding that the Torah contains no redundancies, the Talmud explains that one refers to stealing money or possessions, and the other refers to stealing people, i.e. kidnapping. When we read in the Ten Commandments, “Thou shall not steal” it refers to kidnapping. – […]
Our society has trivialized adultery. In ancient times it was an absolute no-no even in societies that did not abide by other mitzvos; but in modern times it is tolerated and condoned. The Torah has a very strict prohibition against adultery and draconian edicts and safety measures to prevent it. – – – – – […]
The Torah dedicates a grand total of two words to the prohibition of not murdering. Seems straightforward. Cut and dried. Yet the Talmud contains voluminous content regarding this mitzvah. What are the various types of murder, what are some of the unusual scenarios discussed in the literature, and in what area is this law adjudicated […]
There are no people to whom we owe a greater debt of gratitude than our parents. If not for them we would not exist. They tended to us as children; fed us; drove soccer practice – they raised us into becoming the person we are. Even if a person feels like his parents did not […]
The Torah warns us no less than twelve times not to work on Shabbos. What constitutes work and why are its laws so comprehensive and draconian? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making […]
Shabbos is a mitzvah that is equal to all 613 mitzvos combined. It is a the fountain of blessing; the epicenter of the week; it is vitally important for the Jewish soul. Therefore we are commanded to remember it and acknowledge it in attention-catching ways at its commencement and conclusion. – – – – – […]
The Third of the Ten Commandments is the prohibition against taking God’s Name in vain. What is wrong with swearing needlessly and why is it considered such a severe sin? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Mitzvah Podcast […]
Beyond believing in idols, the Ten Commandments instruct us to not construct, prostrate, or worship any idols. When we examine some of the pagan idols of yore we find out just how kooky and outlandish some of their practices were. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
The second of the Ten Commandments is really four distinct mitzvos related to idolatry. The first one is a prohibition against believing in foreign gods, a miztvah upon which all of Torah hinges. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
The first of the Ten Commandments instructs us to believe in God who extracted us from the land of Egypt. Though some commentators argue that faith is a prerequisite for mitzvos and therefore cannot be included in the tally, there are still actions that can deepen faith that constitute a standalone mitzvah. – – – – […]
This mitzvah is arguably the least known one that we have hitherto encountered. In the Book of Exodus we read how we mustn’t depart too far from our home base on Shabbos. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please […]
During the Passover Seder, Jewish families worldwide gather together to fulfill the mitzvah of retelling the story of the Exodus. Do you know any other 3,000+ year old story that has been so faithfully maintained and widely retold? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
In the aftermath of the final plague of the Exodus, the Death of the Firsborn, holiness was conveyed on all firstborns, both human and animal. The five mitzvos in this podcast outline what you must do with (some of) your firstborn animals. – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
For the duration of Pesach (Passover) Jews are commanded to eat matzah and to refrain from Chometz (Leavened Bread). This episode is extra crunchy! – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation […]
The Pesach offering is one of the most important mitzvos in the Torah, and there are many details of the procedure that are enumerated as standalone mitzvos. This podcast will cover 13 different mitzvos that relate to this sacrifice. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]
The first mitzvah of the Book of Exodus and the first one commanded to us as a nation is the requirement to maintain a calendar consisting of lunar months and solar years. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please […]
After an unusual nocturnal confrontation between Jacob and an angel, the Torah relays the third commandment and the final one of Genesis limiting the parts of animals that can be eaten. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider […]
In Genesis Chapter 17 we read about the second mitzvah in the Torah, and the first one commanded to our forefather, Abraham, is to circumcise all Jewish males. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast […]
The first mitzvah in the Torah is found in Genesis 1:28: “And God said to them: Be fruitful and Multiply.” What are the parameters of procreation? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast by making a donation […]
The greatest gifts that the Almighty gave the Jewish People are the 613 mitzvos (commandments of the Torah). In The Mitzvah Podcast we will survey these 613 mitzvos in the order in which they appear in the Torah, and for each outline the basic parameters of the mitzvah, offer possible rationales for why we are […]