The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism

17:28

The Well of Seven Ewes | September 8th, 2028

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/09/08

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores the first day of Rosh Hashanah Torah reading, Hilchot Shofar, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the call of the shofar to responsibility and repentance.The Parashah section examines Abraham’s pact with Avimelech over the well at Beersheba. Sforno highlights how trust, justice, and Abraham’s relationship with God shape the encounter, while Abraham’s tamarisk represents both establishing his place and

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18:31

The Present Moment | September 7th, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/09/07

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores the Rosh Hashanah Torah readings, Hilchot Shofar, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about repentance and returning to God.The Parashah section examines Hagar and Ishmael being sent into the wilderness and saved after God hears the boy’s cry. Through Rashi’s interpretation, Rabbi Rubenstein emphasizes that Ishmael was judged according to who he was in that moment, highlighting the importance of sincere

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24:57

The Coronation of the Ruler | September 6, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/09/06

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores the Rosh Hashanah readings from Genesis, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the meaning of the shofar and God’s kingship.The Me’am Loez section examines Isaac’s birth and Sarah’s demand that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away. Rashi’s interpretations of Ishmael’s behavior suggest that what begins as play or joy can quickly become idolatry, immorality, or violence, emphasizing the

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19:18

The Yoke of Teshuvah | Sepetember 4, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/09/04

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Nitzavim Vayeilech, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the discipline of teshuvah.The Me’am Loez section examines the phrase “lo bashamayim hi,” emphasizing that Torah cannot be approached only through our own intellect or prior assumptions. Rabbi Rubenstein highlights the teaching that humility and openness are necessary to truly receive Torah as revelation and allow it to

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21:53

Remember to Look Up | Sepetember 3, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/09/03

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Nitzavim, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about repentance and looking upward toward God.Parashat Nitzavim focuses on the promise that God will gather the Jewish people from wherever they have been scattered and circumcise their hearts. Ramban explains this as a future time when people will naturally desire goodness, while teshuvah in the present allows us to reconnect with that

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20:00

The Redemption of God | September 2, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/09/02

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Nitzavim-Va’eilech, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about repentance, wisdom, and good deeds.The Parashah section examines Deuteronomy 30:1–3 and the promise that God will gather Israel after they return to the covenant. Focusing on the Hebrew wording, Rabbi Rubenstein highlights the Talmudic teaching that God’s Divine Presence accompanies the Jewish people through exile and

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22:24

A City Under Siege | September 1, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/09/01

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Nitzavim, Hilchot communal prayer from Rambam, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about repentance and strengthening the good inclination.Rabbi Rubenstein examines why Israel is brought into a renewed covenant with consequences for violating the Torah. Drawing on Rashi, he explains that exposure to other nations and their attractive values can tempt Jews away from their covenant, making commitment to

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21:22

The Relief of God's Presence | August 31, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/08/31

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Nitzavim, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about repentance, God’s mercy, and community.The Parashah section examines Moses’ reminder that the covenant includes those standing before him and future generations. Rashi’s midrashic reading connects this moment to the frightening curses previously heard, emphasizing that Israel’s continued presence before God offers hope during

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19:26

Passing Through the Rows | August 30, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/08/31

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parshat Nitzavim, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the power of repentance and individual responsibility.In Nitzavim, Rabbi Rubenstein examines the covenant between the Israelites and God, focusing on Rashi’s image of passing between two lines. He connects this imagery to Mount Gerizim and Mount Eval, emphasizing the Israelites’ acceptance of a distinct destiny and responsibility to

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23:43

100 Blessings Every Day | August 28, 2028

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/08/28

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parshat Ki Tavo, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the power of repentance.The Parashah section examines the command to inscribe the Torah on plastered stones upon entering the Land of Israel. Ibn Ezra sees this as the first mitzvah upon entering the land, while Ramban argues that the land itself is given so that Israel can fulfill the Torah and its commandments.The Rambam discusses

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17:40

Uniquely Yours | August 27, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/08/27

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parshat Ki Tavo, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the power of repentance and covenantal relationship.The Me’am Loez / Parashah section examines the unusual wording of Deuteronomy 26:17, where Israel designates God as its God and God designates Israel as a treasured people. Rashi and the Torah Temimah explain this as a mutual act of selection, highlighting the covenant as a

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18:04

The Tithing Cycle | August 26, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/08/26

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Ki Tavo, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the power of repentance.The Parashah section examines the tithe cycle described in Deuteronomy 26, explaining how agricultural gifts were distributed among Kohanim, Levites, and the poor. The seven-year cycle alternated between Ma’aser Sheni, brought to Jerusalem, and Ma’aser Ani, given to those in need.The Rambam section discusses

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18:26

How to Wake Up | August 25, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/08/25

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Ki Tavo, Hilchot morning blessings, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about repentance and divine compassion.The Parashah section examines the Bikurim declaration and the command to rejoice in God’s goodness alongside the Levite and stranger. The sages understand this joy as communal rather than merely personal, emphasizing that religious celebration is connected to the wellbeing of the broader

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15:14

Baskets of Poverty | August 24, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/08/24

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Ki Tavo, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the power of teshuvah.The Parashah section examines the mitzvah of bringing first fruits and reciting the declaration of gratitude and redemption. Rabbi Rubenstein focuses on the baskets, noting that the poor person’s handmade basket was kept by the Kohanim, suggesting that every sincere offering is valued and that those with less

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21:19

The First Act of Teshuvah | August 23, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/08/23

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Ki Tavo, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the power of teshuvah.The Parashah section examines the mitzvah of Bikkurim, focusing on when the obligation begins. Rashi teaches that it begins after the Israelites conquer and divide the land, while Ibn Ezra understands the mitzvah as beginning upon entering the land, emphasizing the importance of gratitude even before life is

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25:47

For The Communal Good | August 21, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/08/21

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Ki Teseh, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the power of repentance.The Parashah section examines difficult laws concerning accusations of sexual misconduct, adultery, and rape. Rabbi Rubenstein emphasizes how the sages interpreted these verses, particularly their recognition of coercion and their insistence that women retain the right to refuse marriage.The Rambam section

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18:32

Praying Before Eating | August 20, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/08/20

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Ki Teitzei, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the accessibility and sincerity of repentance.The Me’am Loez / Parashah section examines the mitzvah to build a parapet around a roof to prevent accidents and discusses the responsibility property owners have for public safety. Rabbi Rubenstein also explores the prohibitions against mixing seeds in a vineyard and plowing with

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25:12

Making Prayer Personal | August 19, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/08/19

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Ki Teitze, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the essential role of repentance.The Me’am Loez section examines mitzvot from the fourth aliyah, including returning lost objects, helping someone with an overloaded animal, and sending away a mother bird before taking its eggs. Rabbi Rubenstein emphasizes acting on what we see and practicing healthy kindness.The Rambam section

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22:47

The Rebellious Son | August 18, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/08/18

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Ki Teitze, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Pirkei Avot about living according to Jewish values.The Parashah section examines the difficult case of the ben sorer u’moreh, the wayward son. Rabbi Rubenstein discusses Ramban’s understanding that the passage emphasizes obedience to parents, self-control, and the importance of centering one’s life around Torah and good deeds.The Rambam section

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17:04

The Hangups of Inheritance | August 17, 2026

The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism ·

2026/08/17

See today's text here!In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parshat Ki Teitzei, Hilchot Tefillah, and a teaching from Pirkei Avot about patience in judgment and creating safeguards around Torah.The Parashah section examines the Torah’s requirement that a firstborn son receive a double portion of an inheritance, even when he is the son of an unloved wife. Rabbi Rubenstein explains contemporary halachic approaches to distributing inheritances more equally, emphasizing

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