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PODCAST

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha

Avrohom Piekarski

Inspirational thoughts on the weekly Parsha in under 3 minutes with practical take away, made easy to share at a family or friends Shabbat meal

religion & spirituality judaism

All Episodes

00:02:30

Toldot תולדות 2025 Ashes Become Holiness!

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/11/21

Our “ashes” — the physical, day-to-day part of our lives — also really belong on the Mizbeach. On the lowest level, the ashes are taken outside to a pure place, meaning our regular life may feel separate from holiness, but we still live it with the intention of making time for Torah, tefillah, and mitzvos. A deeper level is when the ashes are placed next to the Mizbeach — even in our normal routine we see Hashem’s presence and holiness. But the deepest level is to know that even our ashes truly

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00:02:24

Chayei Sarah חיי שרה 2025 Chevron — Eternal Connection

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/11/13

Chevron — the first part of Eretz Yisrael ever purchased — was bought publicly by Avraham Avinu, establishing the Jewish people’s eternal connection to the Land. Among the forty-eight Levi’im cities, Chevron was unique in that it combined eternal and personal ownership, symbolizing the deepest form of belonging. As one of the Arei Miklat, it served as a refuge for those seeking spiritual repair, embodying the mission of Shevet Levi — whose name, from “yilaveh” (“to connect”), reflects their role in

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00:02:21

Vayeira וירא 2025 Awaken Hidden Light

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/11/05

Every person deep down wants to do what’s right, but layers of ego and distraction can cover that inner goodness. Sometimes a bit of prodding or pressure helps break through those barriers and reveal the divine spark within. This was the approach of Avraham Avinu, who welcomed guests with kindness and taught them to thank Hashem for their blessings. When some refused, he gently reasoned with them, and when others remained stubborn, he pressed further until they acknowledged the truth — not out of

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00:01:57

Lech Lecha לך לך 2025 Faith Without Compromise

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/10/29

When Avraham Avinu was ninety-nine years old, Hashem revealed Himself and made a covenant with him, saying He would make him the father of many nations. Hashem changed his name from Avram, meaning “father of Aram,” to Avraham, adding the letter hei to signify his new role as leader of many nations. Yet, the letter reish from Avraham remained, teaching that although he now influenced the entire world, he still stayed connected to his roots and his local community. The name Avram itself represents the

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00:02:21

Noach נח 2025 “From Flood to Renewal”

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/10/23

The Flood, the Rebbe explains, was not simply a punishment but a process of purification and renewal. Hashem first sent the waters as gentle rain, offering the people a chance to repent; when they refused, the same waters became a mabul of destruction. Yet even then, the rain still carried potential for blessing—the change came not from Heaven but from the earth’s corruption. The forty days of rain, like the forty se’ah of a mikveh, immersed the world to cleanse and recreate it. Called mei Noach,

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00:02:33

Nizavim נצבים 2025 “Heartfelt Divine Love”

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/09/18

Moshe Rabbeinu tells Bnei Yisroel that after going into galus they will ultimately return to Hashem with all their heart and soul, yet Hashem will still “circumcise” their hearts. This teaches that serving Hashem happens in stages: at first one may commit out of awe and truth even if the heart feels disconnected, and then Hashem opens the heart to love Him fully. Still, since the heart is naturally influenced by what the eyes see, Hashem must intervene to free it from outside distractions so that

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00:02:45

Ki Tavo כי תבוא 2025 Greatness in Simplicity

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/09/12

When the Bikkurim, the first fruits, were brought to the Beis Hamikdash, they were placed in a basket, which according to the Rambam was not just an accessory but part of the mitzvah itself, and therefore the Kohen would even keep the simple baskets of branches and reeds, though not those of gold or silver. Spiritually, this teaches that just as the finest fruits were presented in a plain basket, so too the Jewish soul—lofty and holy in its source—must descend into the physical body, where its

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00:02:00

Ki Teitzei כי תצא 2025 Unity Without Compromise

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/09/05

The Torah forbids kelayim—mixing different kinds—because Hashem created each with its own unique purpose and identity. When animals or produce are mixed, their essence is destroyed, but with garments like wool and linen, each material remains distinct, which is why it can be permitted for a mitzvah. On a deeper level, every kind represents spiritual forces above, such as chesed (kindness) and gevurah (strength). If these opposing powers are forced together without a higher purpose, they cancel and

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00:02:26

Shoftim שופטים 2025 Obedience Unlocks Pleasure

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/08/29

The Medrash compares a field, which produces grain necessary for life, to the Written Torah and mitzvos that sustain the world through action, while an orchard, which is for pleasure, represents the Oral Torah—delving into Hashem’s wisdom and innovating within it. Although all nations have laws and judges, what makes the Jewish people unique is that their judges not only enforce laws but also uncover the depths of Torah, connecting to Hashem’s wisdom itself. This duality is reflected in Na’aseh

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00:02:21

Re’eh ראה 2025 Climb Without Limit

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/08/22

The Rambam teaches that the Beis HaMikdash was built on levels—each section higher than the next—until reaching the Kodesh and the Kodesh HaKodashim, where no steps were needed, for there the Jew is united with Hashem beyond all levels. Unlike the Mishkan, it was made of stone and stood on holy ground, to show that the purpose of the Beis HaMikdash was to bring holiness into even the lowest elements of creation. Each of us has a Beis HaMikdash within: we must constantly climb higher in our service

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00:02:08

Eikev עקב 2025 Connected Beyond Walls

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/08/15

The Rambam teaches that the mitzvah of mezuzah is not only about placing it on the doorpost, but about the lasting impact it has on us. Each time we pass it, the mezuzah reminds us of Hashem’s oneness, our love for Him, and pulls us away from life’s distractions. While tefillin and tzitzit inspire mainly when we are wearing them in moments of holiness, the mezuzah works constantly—especially as we leave home and enter the noisy, distracting world—serving as a silent guardian that keeps our

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00:02:21

Vaeschanan ואתחנן 2025 Seeking Brings Life

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/08/08

The Rambam teaches that when an inadvertent killer flees to a city of refuge, we must provide for all his needs — even sending his teacher with him — because for those who have acquired Torah and even those still seeking it, Torah is their life. A seeker, though not yet a scholar, has the desire and potential to grow, and our Sages promise that if he toils, he will succeed. Just as a teacher follows his student into exile to nurture that potential, so too God, our Teacher, remains with us even when

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00:02:13

Devarim דברים 2025 Vision of Redemption

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/07/31

Shabbos Chazon, explained by Reb Levi Yitzchok of Berdichev, is when each person is shown a vision of the future Third Beis HaMikdash—not through the image of a house, but through a tailor-made garment. A house represents a general connection to Hashem, where a person may serve Him in specific areas, but not with their whole being. A garment, however, fits perfectly and reflects the person entirely—just like someone who gives themselves over completely to Hashem, allowing every part of their life to

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00:01:52

Massei מסעי 2025 Chamber of Transformation

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/07/24

Although the entire Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) was built of stone, there was one unique room for the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) that was made of wood, called the Lishkat HaEtz — the Chamber of Wood. Wood symbolizes life and longevity, just as the righteous Kohanim Gedolim in earlier generations, particularly in the time of Shimon HaTzaddik, would serve many years. However, after Shimon HaTzaddik, when many Kohanim Gedolim were no longer as upright, the chamber became known as the Lishkat Parhedrin

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00:02:09

Pinchas פינחס 2025 Claim Your Legacy

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/07/17

When the Torah describes the division of the Land of Israel, it speaks of three elements: a portion based on logic and effort, a lottery which symbolizes divine grace, and inheritance. These reflect three levels of our relationship with Hashem: what we earn through our actions, what we receive as a gift from above, and what we possess by essence—because we are truly part of Him.This deeper level is why the Rambam quotes the verse, “If a man dies and has no son,” emphasizing that inheritance only

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00:02:11

Balak בלק 2025 Truth Over Tactics

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/07/10

In this week’s Parsha, Zimri publicly challenged Moshe by bringing a Midianite woman and asking, “Is she permitted? And if not, who allowed you to marry Tzipporah?” At first glance, the comparison seems absurd — Moshe married Tzipporah before the Torah was given, while Zimri’s actions happened after, under the full framework of halachah. But Zimri twisted the facts, claiming that since Moshe was a Kohen, he too should be forbidden to marry a convert.The truth is, Moshe had married Tzipporah before

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00:02:02

Chukas חקת 2025 Ashes and Anticipation

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/07/04

The Rambam teaches that belief in Mashiach must go beyond simply acknowledging that he will come — it requires active longing, a sense of absence, and a deep hope for his arrival. This is reflected in the Rambam’s surprising inclusion of a historical detail in the laws of the Red Heifer: that nine red heifers were prepared throughout history, and the tenth will be prepared by the King Mashiach. Even more striking, he inserts a personal prayer — “May he be revealed speedily” — right in the middle of

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00:02:15

Korach קרח 2025 Live the Mission

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/06/27

There are multiple ways to look at the concept of shlichut (being a messenger). A person who does a selichot might be doing it as a total replacement for meshaleach (sender), or perhaps only the action itself is connected to the meshale’ach (sender), or maybe even the act is not inherently connected — just the outcome serves the sender. In any case, there must be a designation (minui) of the shaliach, and the halachah requires that the emissary be like the sender.This leads to three general levels

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00:02:19

Shlach שלח 2025 Beyond the Impossible

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/06/19

What did the Meraglim do wrong? They were sent to spy out Eretz Yisroel, its people and to see if the land was fortified- and that’s exactly what they did. The answer is that their conclusion was the problem.They said ‘we can’t conquer it’ - and that is not what Moshe sent them out to do. He only sent them to see the easiest way to conquer it and not whether we could conquer it. Moshe was certain that if Hashem commanded it, then certainly it could be done. This is the lesson we can derive - that if

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00:02:36

Behar בהר 2025 Total Acquisition

Inspirational Thoughts on the Parsha ·

2025/05/22

The law with transactions and acquisitions is that one cannot sell something that does not exist. Thus, one can only sell produce that is physically around. However, when you buy a tree, then you get to own the future fruits. The law is different when it comes to Hekdesh ( donations to the Bais HaMikdash) and Tzedaka, where a future commitment for a yet non existent item, although it doesn’t become holy, remains a mitzvah for you to keep your word. This translates into our service of Hashem. The

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