Yaakov's parting words to Shimon and Levi ( http://alhatorah.org/Yaakov's_Parting_Words_to_Shimon_and_Levi ) focus on the brothers' fiery temperament. What events provide the backdrop for Yaakov's words? How does he view this trait of the brothers? Is anger inherently a negative quality, or can it, too, be a positive force? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores these questions and more.

Why does the Torah expound at such length about Yosef's economic policies during the years of famine ( http://alhatorah.org/Yosef%27s_Economic_Policies ). How are they relevant to the history of the Nation of Israel? Moreover, what can we learn about Yosef through the episode? Does the story portray him in a positive or negative light? Were his policies evidence of economic genius or of exploitation? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores these questions and more.

What are miracles ( http://alhatorah.org/Philosophy:Miracles ) and how do they work? Are miracles part of the natural world? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores these questions and more through Tanakh, its commentators, and the miracles of Chanukkah.

What is the Torah's purpose in sharing the story of Yehuda and Tamar ( http://alhatorah.org/Purpose_of_the_Yehuda_and_Tamar_Story ), and why have it interrupt the drama of Yosef's sale? What light does the story shed on Yehuda's character? Does it portray him positively, negatively, or neutrally? How does the portrait drawn of Yehuda affect our understanding not only of this story but of the broader Yosef narrative which surrounds it? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores these questions and more.

One of the highlights of Parashat Vayishlach is Yaakov's nocturnal wrestling match with an unknown assailant ( http://alhatorah.org/Wrestling_With_Angels_and_Men ). Who is the mysterious figure with whom Yaakov struggles until dawn? Why is he confronting Yaakov? What message did the incident convey to Yaakov and what meaning does it have for us today? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores these questions and more.

Reading Tanakh stories in strict chronological order can sometimes lead to somewhat implausible scenarios: twelve births in six years, tweens capable of decimating a city, and successive generations of eight year old fathers. Listen to this Torahcast brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky exploring the births of Yaakov's first twelve children ( http://alhatorah.org/The_Births_and_Relative_Ages_of_Yaakov%27s_Children ) and how three different approaches to the unfolding of these events shape our understanding of stories in both Parashat Vayetze itself as well as the continuation of Sefer Bereshit.

A Torahcast brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky exploring the story of the Sale of the Birthright ( http://alhatorah.org/Sale_of_the_Birthright_%E2%80%93_A_Fair_Deal ). How are we to understand Yaakov's apparent exploitation of his brother's hunger? Was he not guilty of extortion when buying the birthright for a meager pot of lentils? This Torahcast will survey how various commentators read the story and attempt to justify Yaakov's actions.

A Torahcast brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky discussing Avraham and his servant's search for a wife for Yitzchak (alhatorah.org/Wanted:_A_Wife_for_Yitzchak). What was the most important criterion Avraham was looking for in a potential daughter-in-law? Was it family lineage, good character, or proper beliefs?

A Torahcast brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky exploring Avraham's plea for Sedom ( alhatorah.org/Avraham%27s_Prayer_for_Sedom ) and the issues of collective punishment and collective salvation. How do these models of Divine judgment compare? Was Avraham praying for justice, mercy or both?

A Torahcast brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky exploring the story of Avraham's endangering of Sarah in Egypt ( alhatorah.org/Endangering_Sarai_in_Egypt ). This Torah lesson analyzes various commentators' views on whether it is legitimate to criticize our ancestors' actions, or whether it is preferable to view them as impeccable role models, reinterpreting any story which might suggest otherwise. For source material and more detailed analysis, visit: alhatorah.org/Endangering_Sarai_in_Egypt