Torah Talk

Vayakhel-Pekudei

Michael Carasik — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:11:00 GMT

Exodus 35 recaps God's instructions for building the Tabernacle as Moses issues them to the Israelites -- but not until v. 4. First, Moses commands them to observe the Sabbath. Why?

This week's source sheet can be found here.

Audio Bible

Michael Carasik — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:13:00 GMT

Please note that you can hear the New JPS translation of each week's portion at this site (starts at about 0:45 after a commercial).
The entire Bible is available in mp3 format at this site (don't know who they are and I'm not endorsing anything about them, just passing along a useful link).
The weekly parsha is available here in Hebrew, translation, and audio.

Ki Tissa 5770

Michael Carasik — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:10:00 GMT

Is everything in the Bible equally profound?

(go to my home page

for this week's PDF source sheet)

Tetzaveh 5770

Michael Carasik — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:37:00 GMT

Aaron's advertising contract.

Terumah 5770

Michael Carasik — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 02:09:00 GMT

At the beginning of Exodus 25, God tells Moses to ask the Israelites for contributions. Do they know what their contributions are going to be used for?

Mishpatim 5770

Michael Carasik — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:40:00 GMT

"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."
What does this mean and what is it doing here?

(source sheet at my home page)

Yitro 5770

Michael Carasik — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:09:00 GMT

This week, we find Jethro, the priest of Midian, telling Moses how to run the people of Israel. After he gives him the advice, he says, "God so commands you." Jethro's the priest of Midian and all, but ... can he really be channeling God?
The surprising answer is: Yes!

As always, you will find a PDF with the sources for this week's podcast on my home page.

Beshalach 5770

Michael Carasik — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:01:00 GMT

Moses:   This manna -- keep an omer of it as a souvenir.
Aaron:    Okay. Where do you want me to put it?
Moses:   Before the Lord.
Aaron:    ???
Moses:   You know -- the Pact. The Ark of the Covenant.
Aaron:    Aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves?

(look for the source sheet on my home page)

Bo 5770

Michael Carasik — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:02:00 GMT

In which Moses turns out to be reluctant, at first, to wield power.
(Look for the PDF source sheet at my home page.)

Va'era 5770

Michael Carasik — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:53:00 GMT

As the 11th-century commentator Rashi points out, Exod 6:29-30 repeat vv. 11-12.
But why?
(Look for this week's source sheet on my home page at michaelcarasik.com.)

Shemot 5770

Michael Carasik — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:09:00 GMT

In chapter 2 of Exodus, Moses is saved by being hidden in the Nile in a "wicker basket" (NJPS) -- or is it? This week Torah Talk is thinking inside the box.
Look for this week's PDF source sheet at www.michaelcarasik.com.

Vayechi 5770

Michael Carasik — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:48:00 GMT

Why did Jacob make Joseph swear to bring him back to Canaan for burial?
This week's source sheet is at my home page.

Sorry for the inconvenience. Any suggestions for a new podcast hosting service will be appreciated.

Vayigash 5770

Michael Carasik — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:50:41 GMT

With apologies — you'll find both this week's source sheet (in PDF format) and this week's podcast (in mp3 format) at www.michaelcarasik.com. Click on the "Torah Talk" button to listen, right-click or control-click to download and save.
If anyone has suggestions for a reliable web hosting service, please send them to me.

And now (a few days late) we will try once more to load the podcast:

Still unable to upload the source sheet here. Sorry.

I will do my best to solve THIS week's hosting problems in more timely fashion.

Miketz 5770

Michael Carasik — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:15:00 GMT

This week, those thin, thin, cows.
(Find the PDF source sheet at www.michaelcarasik.com/.)

Vayeshev 5770

Michael Carasik — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:48:00 GMT

In this week's episode, Joseph is bought by a caravan of Ishmaelites and sold to Potiphar in Egypt.
But ... just who were these Ishmaelites?

(Please look for this week's source sheet at www.michaelcarasik.com -- sorry for the inconvenience.)

Vayishlach 5770

Michael Carasik — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:08:00 GMT

   The chapter begins with v. 1 ... but the parashah begins with v. 4.
   There's a rationale behind both decisions -- and in each case it involves angels.

You'll find the source sheet here for a change...

Vayetze 5770

Michael Carasik — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:05:00 GMT

This week, some instant midrash, based on the names of Leah's six sons.

Toledot 5770

Michael Carasik — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:03:00 GMT

In this week's episode, Rebecca has twins.
Sorry, make that ... "Rebecca has twins!"

Hayyei Sarah 5770

Michael Carasik — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:30:00 GMT

   Where was Abraham when Sarah died—and why?
   Plus more on this barely functional family.

Vayera 5770

Michael Carasik — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

A few days late due to some Internet connection problems....

In Vayera, the Lord "appears" to Abraham — and promises that He will return a year later. Did He?

Note: For the time being, due to some bugs in the Godaddy.com software, the weekly Torah Talk source sheet will be found on my home page. Apologies for the inconvenience.