In our podcast we compare the Turkey Prince fable of Rebbe Nachman with the Kafka short story of the Hunger Artist to highlight differences between the superficial demands of a Torah life with Toras Chesed or Torah Lishmah.

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In delineating the status of Moshe Rebeinu's prophecy in the book of Devorim we encounter 2 separate opinions, in one comparing his unique ability compared with other prophets and in another his expounding Torah as will others in future generations. The mystical approach (the Degel) undermines both rational approaches.

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Batya Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory be a blessing to her family and klal Yisroel.

The Maor Vashemesh on Avodas Habirurim.

The meor vashemesh uses the struggle with the expression in Deut 5:19 "Hashem spoke those words—those and no more—to your whole congregation at the mountain, with a mighty voice out of the fire and the dense clouds. [God] inscribed them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me."  the hebrew יָסָ֑ף is targum called וְלָא פְסַק
So which is it? only once but never again or never stopped? the master informs us as to the two types of individual "hasagah" of the Divine.

We compare and contrast the Netziv's deeply psychological analysis of Pinchas' zealotry with the mystical view of Reb Gedaliah of Linitz.

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Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon shares Netziv commentaries on the parsha. These sessions are held on Zoom every week in memory of our mother in-law whose dedication to the Netziv (her great great grandfather), was legendary. It is estimated she studied the Ha'amek Davar some 78 times throughout her life, devoting every Tuesday to its study. May her memory be a blessing to her family and klal Yisroel.

The Meor Vashemesh defines dvekut in a different manner than prior inquiries. His idea of spiritual leadership requires the zaddik to show how he manages his "katnut" and spiritual struggles, in front of his disciples , not merely the finished product of his perfection, rather teaching them how he managed his dark side.

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In this episode, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon examines the Midrash's understanding of the difference between Jewish and non-Jewish prophecy through the lens of the story of Baalam's donkey.

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Rabbi Yaakov Frankeil is our special guest presenter this week to discuss an insight from the Netziv's commentary on the parsha.