Kli Yakar on the Parsha

What is Korach's rebellion all about? How do we understand Moshe's response? And why, of all things, is Korach swallowed up by the earth? Listen to this week's episode to hear an in depth discussion of this story through the lens of the Kli Yakar.

What is the difference between the three verbs the Torah uses to describe spying: לתור, לרגל, לחפור? Where did the spies go wrong, and what can we learn from their disastrous behavior?

What do the backwards נ in the Torah represent? What lesson are they meant to teach us? Listen to this episode to hear the Kli Yakar's explanation, and the Torah's pointed message to each of us.

There is a deep conversation happening beneath the surface between Moshe Rabbeinu and his father in law, Yisro. The Kli Yakar tells us what was really going on - why Moshe Rabbeinu so badly wanted Yisro to remain with Am Yisrael, why Yisro refused, and what Moshe Rabbeinu offered as a response.

Is the Nazir holy or is he a sinner? Perhaps a bit of both? Listen to this week's episode to hear how the Kli Yakar paints the picture of this most enigmatic character.

Moshe Rabbeinu is told not just to count Am Yisrael, but by counting them, to lift them up. What does this mean? Are the Leviim different in this regard? What about the Bechorim?Listen to this week's episode to uncover the meaning behind the count, and the implications for every member of Am Yisrael.

אם בחוקותי תלכו - שתהיו עמלים בתורהWhat is behind the unique formulation of this phrase? And what does it mean to live the life of an ameil b'Torah?

Why is there no mention of Olam HaBah in the Torah? Why does the Torah only mention material things as reward for keeping Torah and Mitzvos? In this episode, we review the Kli Yakar's presentation of 7 opinions in the Rishonim to answer this question, with his own addition at the end.

What is the mitzvah of Shmita all about, why is the punishment for failure to observe it so harsh, and what are the timeless lessons we're meant to incorporate into our lives each and every year of the Shmita cycle?

The first day of Sukkos is the day we are told to take the Arba Minim. But did you know it's also the first day of something much more surprising? Listen to this episode to hear a discussion of a fascinating Midrash, and the deep explanation the Kli Yakar.

Why is the Korban Shtei HaLechem, brought on Shavuos, called a Mincha Chadasha? And why is there no mention of Shavuos as Yom Matan Torah anywhere in the Torah?

Listen to this episode to uncover the Kli Yakar's unique and powerful explanation of the mitzvos of Orlah and Neta Revai, and how these mitzvos connect us back to the very creation of our universe.

Why can't the Kohen Gadol enter the Holy of Holies more than once a year, why only on Yom Kippur?Plus, a beautiful explanation of לפני ה׳ תטהרו

A discussion of the topic of Tzaraas on houses, and the practical message that emerges about our right to live in Eretz Yisrael.

An in-depth exploration of what causes Tzaraas, the purification process, and the timeless lessons of this esoteric topic.

A discussion of the laws of kosher and non-kosher animals. When is a siman taharah really a siman tumah? Why are there more kosher birds than kosher mammals? And what does it mean that Hashem took us “up” from Mitzrayim? Listen to this episode to gain new insights into the laws of kashrus.

New insights into ונשלמה פרים שפתינו including how each of the korbanos are connected to a different Chumash of the Torah.

The Kli Yakar presents a timeless and crucial message from the Korban Asham, as well as a fascinating explanation for the concept of paying a chomesh.

A discussion of the Korban chattas, with an important message from the Kli Yakar about how society impacts our behavior.

The Torah tells us that it is forbidden to bring se’or (chametz) and honey (i.e. fruit) to the Mikdash. But there are 2 exceptions - the Korban Shtei HaLechem is chametz, and the Bikkurim include fruit. What’s the problem with bringing se’or and honey? And if they are so bad, why are there times where they are accepted? Listen to this episode to hear the Kli Yakar’s profound explanation, which is relevant not just to korbanos but also contains a relevant message for all of us.

We often group the mishkan and Keilim together with the Bigdei Kahuna into one group. But they really couldn’t be more different. Listen to this episode to hear the Kli Yakar’s amazing explanation.

The Parsha opens with the Mitzvah of Shabbos, but why is this necessary? Haven't we learned about Shabbos before? And what exactly is the Mitzvah to "work" for 6 days?Listen to this episode to hear the Kli Yakar's subtle but novel approach to understanding the Mitzvah of Shabbos in this context.

Moshe asks Hashem to "see" His glory. Hashem, we are told, shows Moshe His "back". What does this mean and what are we meant to learn from it?Listen to this episode to hear the Kli Yakar's meaningful and relevant explanation.

A discussion of the uniqueness of the Luchos and why Moshe Rabbeinu broke them.

What's the purpose of having a second mizbeach just for Ketores? And why are we commanded to bring the ketores offering each morning and each evening? Listen to this episode to uncover the deeper meanings behind the golden mizbeach and the mitzvah of ketores.

What is the mitzvah of lighting the menorah doing smack in the middle of the instructions for building the mishkan and the keilim? Perhaps we are understanding this all wrong. Listen to this episode to hear how the Kli Yakar explains the beginning of Parshas Teztzaveh.

The measurements of the Aron are all fractional, while those of the Mizbeach are whole. The Shulchan has both. What are the messages the Torah is teaching us?

A discussion of the great mitzvah of lending to a Jew in need, and the profound drasha of the Kli Yakar about the mitzvos of tzedaka

An exploration of the enigmatic story of the second half of kabbalas HaTorah which appears at the end of the parsha.

Why does the Eved Ivri get his ear pierced? And what relevant lessons can we learn from the whole parsha of Eved Ivri?

What explains the differences between the first recounting of the 10 Dibros in this week's parsha and the second recounting in Sefer Devarim? Listen to this episode to hear the Kli Yakar's amazing explanation.

What did Yisro hear that made him journey out into the wilderness to greet Moshe and Bnei Yisrael? According to Rabbi Eliezer, it was Kriyas Yam Suf. But what was it about this miracle specifically that spoke directly to Yisro? And why is this the impetus for Yisro to bring Moshe's wife and children back to him? Listen to this episode to hear the Kli Yakar's amazing insight, one he calls, a "peirush yakar," a precious explanation .

What was the test of the mann? And how is that test relevant to us in our own lives?

What was the lesson that Bnei Yisrael needed to learn at Marah?

The importance of a Jewish burial is paramount. This week, we witnessed the return of the body of Ran Gvili z"l back to Eretz Yisrael. Many made the connection to the pasuk in this week's parsha describing Moshe bringing Yosef's body out of Mitzrayim. But the Kli Yakar says that this goes both ways. Moshe took care of Yosef, and in return, Yosef took care of Am Yisrael. Listen to this episode to uncover how.

A discussion of the first mitzvah given to Bnei Yisrael as a nation, the mitzvah of Kiddush HaChodesh.

Short but powerful thoughts from the Kli Yakar on each of the makkos in this week's Parsha - Arbeh, Choshech, and Makkas Bechoros. Arbeh - what was the urgency of Paroh to stop the Makkah?Choshech - what was unique about this Makkah as opposed to all the others?Makkas Bechoros - what's the significance of this Makkah starting in the middle of the night?

There are some peculiar elements in the conversation between Moshe and Paroh at the beginning of the Parsha. What was the conversation really about, and what can we learn about the uniqueness of the festivals of Bnei Yisrael vs. those of the other nations?

The Kli Yakar's explanation for why each of the 10 makkos was chosen

A discussion of the different names of Hashem used at the beginning of the parsha

Why did Hashem give Moshe 3 signs to show Bnei Yisrael? And what message was each of them meant to convey?

ויקוצו מפני בני ישראלWhat does this enigmatic statement mean? Who was a thorn in whose side?

The new Pharaoh “didn’t know Yosef”. What’s the deeper meaning behind this statement and what lesson did Pharaoh fail to learn?

ויקרא בהם שמי ושם אבותיהם אברהם ויצחקThe Kli Yakar's explanation of the timeless Bracha that Yaakov gives Efraim and Menashe

Vayechi is unique in that it is a Parsha Stuma. Chazal learn several things from this, but how did they arrive at their conclusions? And what relevant messages can we learn?

Yosef sends wagons to pick up Yaakov and bring him to Mitzrayim. Rashi tells us that this was meant to be a message to Yaakov. But what exactly was the message, and how was it delivered? The Kli Yakar has an amazing take on this midrash, listen to this week's episode to hear what it is!

Why does Yosef accuse his brothers of spying? Why does he frame Binyamin? What was Yosef's plan, exactly?

A discussion of the story of the Sar HaMashkim and Sar HaOfim

An exploration of the relationship between Yosef and his brothers. What did Yosef fail to grasp that we must learn?

A deep exploration of the Kli Yakar’s take on the famous Rashi on the pasuk עם לבן גרתי