Has anyone ever touched you so deeply that they leave an imprint? Like, on your heart? Lucky. G-d left His imprint on Moshe's face, and it's freaking people out. R'Deena explores why Moshe donned a veil for the latter years of his life.

Produced by Mishkan Chicago.  Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. See our upcoming Shabbat services and programs here, and follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. Check out Shabbat Replay on Contact Chai for more from Rabbi Deena.

Transcript

G-d wants a breastplate with twelve precious stones to remind Him of our ancestors' merits. But we just read about the twelve sons of Jacob, and the only thing those boys merited was a collective time out! How do we honor those who came before us and the identities they handed down without repeating their mistakes?

Produced by Mishkan Chicago.  Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. See our upcoming Shabbat services and programs here, and follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. Check out Shabbat Replay on Contact Chai for more from Rabbi Deena.

Transcript

Okay, so this is weird. G_d told us to do something and, get this, He explained why He wants us to do it? This Mishkan thing must really matter to G_d! Let's get building.

Produced by Mishkan Chicago.  Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. See our upcoming Shabbat services and programs here, and follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. Check out Shabbat Replay on Contact Chai for more from Rabbi Deena.

Transcript

Moshe has had it up to here with you people boiling kids in their mother's milk — give it a rest! And give the goat a rest, while you're at it.

Some laws in the Torah seem to come out of nowhere. Why are mitzvot about welcoming strangers lumped in with agricultural policies? According to Rabbi Deena, it's all about rest.

Produced by Mishkan Chicago.  Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. See our upcoming Shabbat services and programs here, and follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. Check out Shabbat Replay on Contact Chai for more from Rabbi Deena.

Transcript

"I don't feel G-d's presence in my life." It's a common refrain these days. But in this parsha, the Israelites cannot relate — they could do with significantly less G-d right about now. 

Produced by Mishkan Chicago.  Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. See our upcoming Shabbat services and programs here, and follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. Check out Shabbat Replay on Contact Chai for more from Rabbi Deena.

Transcript

"I get chai with a little help from my friends!" Moshe's arms get tired, Rashi tells us to look to heaven, and Rabbi Deena reminds us to let our friends lend a helping hand. Look up! You've got friends in chai places.

Produced by Mishkan Chicago.  Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. See our upcoming Shabbat services and programs here, and follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. Check out Shabbat Replay on Contact Chai for more from Rabbi Deena.

Transcript

We've almost made it to the tenth plague. We're ready for the big finale! Then, all of a sudden, rules. What are a bunch of laws — including the commandment for tefillin — doing at the very climax of Exodus?

Produced by Mishkan Chicago.  Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. See our upcoming Shabbat services and programs here, and follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. Check out Shabbat Replay on Contact Chai for more from Rabbi Deena.

Transcript

Violence is never the answer. That is, unless violence comes in the form of a kaiju-sized frog leveling half of Egypt. Rabbi Deena illuminates this week's parsha with the unique, comical wisdom of Rabbi Akiva.

Produced by Mishkan Chicago.  Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. See our upcoming Shabbat services and programs here, and follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. Check out Shabbat Replay on Contact Chai for more from Rabbi Deena.

Transcript

Ever get that feeling that you're doing the wrong thing? Even when G-d tells you it's the right thing? But, like, your enslaved cousins are angry with you for getting them in trouble with Pharaoh, so you're having second thoughts? We've all been there.

Produced by Mishkan Chicago.  Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss. See our upcoming Shabbat services and programs here, and follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook for more updates. Want to hear more from Rabbi Deena? Check out Shabbat Replay on Contact Chai.

Transcript

On his deathbed, Jacob dishes out "blessings" to his wayward sons that feel a lot more like stern lectures. And while Joseph's two sons get the standout real blessings, they're given to the wrong birth order. What gives?

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Want more torah? Check out Shabbat Replay on Contact Chai with Rabbi Lizzi.

Produced by Mishkan Chicago.  Music composed, produced, and performed by Kalman Strauss.