Parsha Review Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe

Uncover the transformative power of honesty and adversity as we journey through Parshas Vayeishev, unraveling the intricate dynamics among the twelve tribes and their contentious relationship with Joseph. Prepare to see revered figures of the Torah in a new light, with their human flaws serving as profound lessons in integrity. This episode promises a deeper understanding of how the Torah’s commitment to truth transcends the superficiality often found in politics, offering us timeless teachings on authenticity and ethical living.

As we navigate through the challenges faced by Joseph, discover how adversity can serve as a catalyst for personal growth and spiritual enlightenment. Joseph's resilience and ability to perceive a divine plan amid his trials inspire a mindset of gratitude and forgiveness. Explore how small acts of kindness and thoughtful communication can embody larger principles essential for personal development. Join us as we emphasize gratitude, forgiveness, and the importance of recognizing life's bigger picture, drawing wisdom from Torah teachings and recommending valuable resources like the Schottenstein interlinear Chumash to enrich your learning journey.

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This episode (Ep 7.9) of the Parsha Review Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe on Parshas Vayeishev is dedicated in Honor of Yossi & Ashlene Azoulay & in honor of our Holy Soldiers in the Battlefield and our Torah Scholars in the Study Halls who are fighting for the safety of our nation!

Promised to take you on a journey of exploration through the profound stories of Er, Onan, Joseph, and Potiphar's wife in Parsha Vayeishev. In this episode, we lay bare the dire repercussions of squandering one’s potential and power, particularly in the realm of procreation (Shemiras Habris). We delve into the vital responsibility we all carry to responsibly utilize our God-given abilities and power. We also highlight the key role women play in maintaining modesty and fostering a righteous life, and how crucial it is not to provoke inappropriate thoughts in others.

In a world riddled with distractions and temptations, safeguarding our spirituality becomes paramount. As we navigate through the story of Yosef, we highlight the courage it took for him to flee a situation that threatened his spirituality. The narrative prompts us to reflect on the potential pitfalls that may jeopardize our own spiritual well-being and the well-being of our children. Drawing from personal experiences, we emphasize the significance of prioritizing our spiritual health and seeking divine guidance and protection on our journey towards holiness. Tune in, and let's take this enlightening journey together.

This episode (Ep 6.9) of the Parsha Review Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe on Parshas Vayeishev is dedicated in Honor of our dear friend Moshe Butler & our Holy Soldiers in the Battlefield and our Torah Scholars in the Study Halls who are fighting for the safety of our nation!

In Parshas Vayishlach, Yaakov returns home after 20 years with the wicked Laban and immediately sends real angels as messengers to his murderous brother Esav, prefacing their message with the cryptic line “Im Lavan garti” – “With Laban I sojourned.” Rashi reveals the hidden code: the word “garti” (גרתי) has the numerical value of 613 (תרי״ג), meaning “Even while living with the evil Laban, I kept all 613 mitzvos and never learned from his wicked ways.” Yaakov is teaching every Jew for all time: no matter how far away you are, no matter how hostile the environment, the Torah is the ultimate protective shield that preserves and elevates your soul. As Rabbi Wolbe powerfully declared: “When you stay firm in Torah study every single day, there is nothing in the world that can take you down.”

The parsha’s eternal message is crystallized in the Friday-night blessing we give our children: “Yisimcha Elokim k’Ephraim v’chi’Menashe” – may God make you like Ephraim and Menashe, the only two tribal ancestors raised in decadent, idolatrous Egypt yet who grew into pure tzaddikim. Why them? Because wherever our children end up – Houston, Memphis, Vegas, or the middle of nowhere – they may not have a yeshiva, a kosher restaurant, or even a minyan, but they will always have the Torah. As Rabbi Wolbe summed up: “The Torah is the blueprint of the world… and when you live with that blueprint, no darkness can touch you.” Yaakov, Ephraim, and Menashe all proved that one Jew + one Torah = unstoppable light.
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This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa Friedman

Parshas Toldos is the ultimate masterclass in parenting, love, perseverance, and the eternal tug-of-war between heaven and earth. When Rivka feels her twins fighting in the womb, she is terrified that she is carrying one confused child who is pulled toward both holiness and idolatry. The prophet calms her with the shocking news: “Shnei goyim b’vitnech – two nations are in your womb.” Instead of despairing, she is relieved. Why? Because, as Rabbi Wolbe explains, “the benefit and greatness of Yaakov is so immense that it will supersede all the negative that she will ever experience from Esav.” One pure Yaakov is worth more than all the damage a thousand Esavs can do.

The Torah then paints a seemingly troubling picture: “Isaac loved Esav because he put game in his mouth, but Rivka loved Yaakov.” How can holy parents play favorites? The answer redefines love itself: “Love is not finding similarities — love is seeing the potential in the other person and connecting to that.” Isaac gazed at wild, powerful Esav and thought, “If this explosive energy is ever channeled for good, he could move mountains.” Rivka looked at quiet, tent-dwelling Yaakov and saw pure, undiluted holiness already shining. Both parents loved both sons — they simply poured their energy into the child whose hidden potential moved them the most. This becomes the model for all healthy parenting and marriage: every child is your favorite — favorite scholar, favorite artist, favorite comedian, favorite mensch — because “each one is uniquely different… you’re not comparing apples to apples, you’re comparing apples to oranges to bananas.”

For 63 long years Yaakov lives in his wicked brother’s shadow. Esav hunts, flatters, and cleverly asks questions like “How do you tithe salt?” just to appear pious and win Isaac’s heart. Yaakov, meanwhile, clings only to the “heel” of spirituality — always second place, always doubting, always wondering, “Maybe my father is right and I’m wrong.” Yet he never once compromises. At 63 he finally cooks the lentil stew that wins the blessings, proving that “spiritual growth is always at the heel — slow, painful, and full of doubt — but the tzaddik never quits.” As Rabbi Wolbe powerfully declares: “Quitters always finish first. If you want to win, you can’t quit — ever.” And again: “The natural state of a tzaddik is to fall seven times… but the falling is not what we emphasize — it’s the getting back up.”

The parsha ends with two beautiful side lessons. First, Eliezer (from the cursed lineage of Canaan) is rejected as a match for Isaac, yet when he remains loyally devoted to Avraham despite the insult, Hashem rewards him with kfitzas haderech — miraculous instant travel reserved only for the righteous. Loyalty and perseverance turn even a “cursed” person into a tzaddik. Second, the same dynamic of “investing in the child who needs it most” repeats with Yaakov and Yosef: Yaakov favors Yosef not out of nepotism, but because he sees the unimaginable trials awaiting him in Egypt and knows, “This one is going to need extra love to survive and triumph.”

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This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa Friedman