Parsha Pick-Me-Up

By Yitzchak Sprung

Society & Culture Philosophy Religion & Spirituality Judaism

What's Parsha Pick-Me-Up about?

Take a few minutes to study the parsha with Rabbi Sprung on Thursdays from Bereshit to V'Zot Habracha. Find the Parsha Pick-Me-Up on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Parsha Pick-Me-Up episodes:

05.09.2024
Kedoshim: The Emperor's New Clothes
Our verse functions as a sort of warning: don’t turn to false gods, since, in the end, you may come to think that they are real.
05.02.2024
Acharei Mot: Defense or Prosecution
Notably, this is not the usual uniform of the High Priest, clothed generally in gold, jewels, and wool. Rashi explains that the gold, reminiscent as it was of the sin of the golden calf, would have been problematic.
04.18.2024
Metzora: Expertise versus Authority?
Some stupendous humility may be called for in such a case. Perhaps the teacher of all of the priests is not a priest. Then, that teacher will never be able to declare tzara’at, though his students could. A surprising lesson...
04.11.2024
Tazria: First in Thought or Last in Value?
"If a man does well, they say to him, you preceded the angels; if he does not, they say to him: (in creation) the fly preceded you, the gnat preceded you, the snail preceded you." - Reish Lakish But what...
04.04.2024
Shmini: Love, Then and Always
"I am torn within, I cry without end. I do not sleep.... Maybe Hashem has finally decided that we are no longer His chosen people?" Words and worries from the past and present. As always, the parsha comes to...
03.28.2024
Tzav: No Strings Attached?
Do we need to earn our place in this world? We find ourselves here, and no one asked us whether we were interested. Yet, once we are here, God makes demands of us. Our parasha contains the beginning of...
03.21.2024
Vayikra: Whom Do We Serve?
Soldiers on the front lines will have an easy time answering key questions. They serve the people of Israel. And the rest of us?
03.14.2024
Pikudei: The Surprise of the Mishkan (and Why it Took So Long to Put Up)
Surely, complex as the process was, it could not have taken six months to make such a small building as the Tabernacle! What was it that took so long that the Mishkan could not be assembled until nearly six months...
03.07.2024
Vayakhel: Going Beyond the Title
Bezalel is key to the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), such that it is named after him. What is the Torah teaching us by singling him out?
02.29.2024
Ki Tisa: The Opposite of Holy
There is a great secret here: That which is kadosh, holy or sacred- or its opposite- can change our lives.
02.23.2024
Tezaveh: The Golden Thread
The High Priest's apron requires golden threads in each strand. The gold teaches us a special lesson that may elevate our behaviors.
02.15.2024
Trumah: The Sacred Secret of the Menorah
The Menorah has a very unusual quality to it: each of its six outer lamps faces in towards the center, so that its light travels inwards.
02.08.2024
Mishpatim: True Lies?
Negative speech, in order to qualify as Lashon Hara, must be true. So how could the Sages construe our verse, which explicitly warns against falsehoods, to be a warning against true speech, negative though it may be?
02.01.2024
Yitro: The Power of Connection
There is an important and timely comment on social ties made at the beginning of our Parasha- one that usually goes unnoticed.
01.25.2024
Beshalach: Recasting and Reframing in Freedom
What is the significance of this place, Pi HaChirot? In fact, it stems from something we learned of long ago but means so much to us now.
01.18.2024
Bo: A Key to Renewal
The Jewish people are commanded to declare and sanctify the new moon each month. The Sages point to something that is key to becoming the people we want to be. Source: Mechilta DeRabbi Yishmael Masechta DePischa 2.
01.11.2024
Vaera: Shortness of Breath
Moshe Rabbenu has great news to tell the Children of Israel: God is going to save them, take them out of Egypt, and bring them to the Land of Canaan. Yet, this uplifting and joyful message could not get...
01.04.2024
Shemot: Cultivating Ignorance
A new king rose over Egypt who did not know Yosef. The old king knew Yosef, the powerful and influential viceroy who saw Egypt through a difficult time. The new king not only does not appreciate what Yosef has...
12.28.2023
Vayechi: Make a Promise
Yosef agrees to bury his father in Israel but Yaakov does not simply take his word for it. Instead, he makes Yosef swear to arrange his burial in the proper manner. Why?
12.21.2023
Vayigash: Better to Love and Lose
Israel and his children seem to be an emotional group. Their tears say something profound about our people, our faith, and our way of life.
12.14.2023
Miketz: The Ant, The Grasshopper, and the Current Moment
As the old fable has it, the ant that gathers food in the summer has what to eat in the winter, while the grasshopper that spent the summer dancing begins to starve. Yet, the present is in so many ways...
12.07.2023
Vayeshev: Refuse Consolation
Yaakov’s predicament is not theoretical. Many families of Israel await news regarding their loved ones. They will not be consoled and neither should we.
12.01.2023
Vayishlach: Jewish Struggle
What is the meaning of Yaakov's new name, "Israel"? Why is its connection with failure so important?
11.23.2023
Veytze: Thanking God While Suffering
Leah is not loved most. This is a major part of her life, just like our own disappointments. Yet, she persevered.
11.16.2023
Toldot: Help and Be Helped
Yitzchak teaches a simple lesson about getting what you want and Rivka, Yaakov, and Esav all take it to heart. It is a lesson we should review now.
11.09.2023
Chayei Sarah: The Many Lives of Sarah
A little known midrash comments on Sarah's unique personality and outlook. It is just those very qualities that we need right now. Rabbi Soloveitchik's words are from his essay “From Generation to Generation”, pp. 186-7 in “Abraham’s Journey.”
11.02.2023
Vayera: The Banner of Avraham
God tests Avraham, as He tests us now. Yet, there is an important element of God's "tests" that we should not lose sight of.
10.26.2023
Lech Lecha: Beauty During Times of War
Avram and Sarai have an outlandish conversation as they near Egypt. Their words and experiences speak to our moment.
10.19.2023
Noach: In Our Generation
What people say of us when they evaluate our actions now? Will we be great in our time?
10.12.2023
Bereshit: Your Brother's "Bloods"
Cain's brother's "bloods" call out from the ground. Bereshit Rabbah 22.
10.05.2023
V'Zot HaBracha: A Man of Blessing
Moses was a "Man of God." Surely, we know that. What does this add to the verse and what does it mean for us?
09.21.2023
Ha'azinu: His Prayer is Repugnant
We can ruin easily ruin our prayers, say the Sages. How, why, and how to avoid this problem addressed in brief in the Parsha Pick-Me-Up.
09.07.2023
Netzavim (Vayelech): Fantasy and Suffering
And all the nations will say, Why did God act this way to this land? Why is this great anger so strong? Unkelos's translation and explanation of the verses that follow give us a powerful insight into the connection between...
09.01.2023
Ki Tavo: The Farmer and "This" Place
The Recitation of the First Fruits (Mikra Bikkurim) reminds us of a too often forgotten principle of Judaism.
08.24.2023
Ki Teze: The Curse of the Judge Hangs
The penalty for cursing God and for pagan worship is death by stoning. After he is killed, the perpetrator will be hung so that others will learn not to follow his path. How long shall he be hung for? And...
08.17.2023
Shoftim: The Next Moshe?
No one could be like Moshe; he was truly unique. Yet, he promises to have a successor who is like him. What will that similarity be?
08.10.2023
Re'eh: Travels with Herodotus
The Polish journalist and writer Ryszard Kapuschinski has a great affinity for Herodotus, the so-called 'Father of History'. This relationship has something to tell us about our own relationships and, of course, about the parsha.
08.03.2023
Eikev: Danger Still Lurks
Even in the midst of incredible blessing, we must fear for wild animals?! Why?
07.26.2023
Vaetchanan: Religion and Reason
Does Judaism have to make sense? Should we be bothered when it doesn't?
07.20.2023
Devarim: The Most Difficult Path
Is it possible that Moses was not able to judge Israel? The man who took them out of Egypt and split the sea for them and brought down the manna for them and flew in the quail for them and...
07.13.2023
Matot-Masei: Loved
A parable: To what might this be compared? To a king whose son was ill, so he took him to a place far away to heal him.
07.07.2023
Pinchas: Zealotry, Fanaticism, Door Mats
Zealotry is manifestly dangerous. Yet, God praises Pinchas for his fanaticism. What is praiseworthy about such zeal?
06.29.2023
Chukat-Balak: Let My Serpents Go
An unusual verb yields a vastly different meaning- and lesson- in the story of the fiery snakes. Complaints, providence, and the wilderness and one grammatical note leave us with an important reminder.
06.23.2023
The Inception of Korach
Just who is in charge here? This is the right question to ask when the people surround Moshe and Aharon. It is key for their survival and to how we are going to live.
06.14.2023
Shelach: With Alice in Wonderland
The order of the spies is very telling, suggests the Ramban. What do we learn from it? And what does it have to do with Alice in Wonderland Source: Ramban to Num. 13:4
06.08.2023
Beha'alotecha: Carry Them to Their Calling
Moshe must 'take' the Levites to serve God. The way he does so sets the bar for how we are to take people to serve God in our own time.
06.01.2023
Naso: The Nazir Balance
What is being a Nazir really about? And is it a good thing? Num. chap. 6 1-21, Nedarim 9b-10a, Rabbi Yehuda Amital, "Naso:Fear of Heaven and Fear of Sin"
05.18.2023
Bemidbar: The True Children of Moshe
Rashi teaches us about the true children of Moshe. Who are they and what do they mean to us?
05.11.2023
Behar-Bechukotai: Before We are Helpless
The Sages dole out important advice on how to give charity. It's a bit of advice that could be life changing, if we let it.
05.04.2023
Emor: A Different Look at Situational Ethics
It's usually fine to slaughter a cow. But not always. The limitation of the law known as 'oto v'et beno', the cow and its young, is instructive regarding our general moral obligations

What's Parsha Pick-Me-Up about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Parsha Pick-Me-Up episodes:

Kedoshim: The Emperor's New Clothes

Acharei Mot: Defense or Prosecution

Metzora: Expertise versus Authority?

Tazria: First in Thought or Last in Value?

Shmini: Love, Then and Always

Tzav: No Strings Attached?

Vayikra: Whom Do We Serve?

Pikudei: The Surprise of the Mishkan (and Why it Took So Long to Put Up)

Vayakhel: Going Beyond the Title

Ki Tisa: The Opposite of Holy

Tezaveh: The Golden Thread

Trumah: The Sacred Secret of the Menorah

Mishpatim: True Lies?

Yitro: The Power of Connection

Beshalach: Recasting and Reframing in Freedom

Bo: A Key to Renewal

Vaera: Shortness of Breath

Shemot: Cultivating Ignorance

Vayechi: Make a Promise

Vayigash: Better to Love and Lose

Miketz: The Ant, The Grasshopper, and the Current Moment

Vayeshev: Refuse Consolation

Vayishlach: Jewish Struggle

Veytze: Thanking God While Suffering

Toldot: Help and Be Helped

Chayei Sarah: The Many Lives of Sarah

Vayera: The Banner of Avraham

Lech Lecha: Beauty During Times of War

Noach: In Our Generation

Bereshit: Your Brother's "Bloods"

V'Zot HaBracha: A Man of Blessing

Ha'azinu: His Prayer is Repugnant

Netzavim (Vayelech): Fantasy and Suffering

Ki Tavo: The Farmer and "This" Place

Ki Teze: The Curse of the Judge Hangs

Shoftim: The Next Moshe?

Re'eh: Travels with Herodotus

Eikev: Danger Still Lurks

Vaetchanan: Religion and Reason

Devarim: The Most Difficult Path

Matot-Masei: Loved

Pinchas: Zealotry, Fanaticism, Door Mats

Chukat-Balak: Let My Serpents Go

The Inception of Korach

Shelach: With Alice in Wonderland

Beha'alotecha: Carry Them to Their Calling

Naso: The Nazir Balance

Bemidbar: The True Children of Moshe

Behar-Bechukotai: Before We are Helpless

Emor: A Different Look at Situational Ethics

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