Spark Torah Podcast

Why does Parshat Pinchas begin by praising an act that actually took place in last week’s parsha? And why are the korbanot for the festivals placed here instead of in Sefer Vayikra?In this week’s episode, we explore how these seemingly unrelated sections of the parsha are deeply connected.Together we’ll discuss:* Why Hashem’s approval of Pinchas was delayed until this week’s parsha—and what that teaches us about judging another person’s motives.* The difference between everyday mitzvot and extraordinary acts of self-sacrifice.* The covenant of peace granted to Pinchas and why he alone was added to the priesthood.* What we can learn from the courage of someone who simply does “the next right thing.”* The remarkable survival of Korach’s sons and the incredible power of sincere teshuvah.* Why the daughters of Tzelophehad changed Jewish history by fighting for the future of their family.* Moshe’s heartfelt request for a worthy successor and the appointment of Yehoshua.* The surprising connection between leadership and the daily korban tamid.* Why Chazal considered the verse describing the daily offering to be one of the most all-encompassing verses in the Torah.* How our daily tefillot have taken the place of the korban tamid and continue to express our constant relationship with Hashem.* Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl’s beautiful insight showing how every major section of Parshat Pinchas represents one of Moshe’s final preparations before his passing.This episode brings together teachings from Rashi, Rabbi Benzion Firer, Rabbi Shalom Rosner, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Rabbi Betzalel Yehuda Rudinsky, and Rav Avigdor Nebenzahl to reveal the powerful thread running through one of the Torah’s most wide-ranging parshiyot.If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you’d subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves learning Torah. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparktorahpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to the Spark Torah podcast! I am Chana Miriam Bouskila and today we will be learning parsha Chukat. We discuss the meaning of a chok (a divine decree beyond human understanding), beginning with the laws of the Red Heifer (Parah Adumah) and what they teach us about mitzvot, purity, mortality, and our relationship with Hashem. We also examine several major events in the parsha: Miriam’s death and the loss of the well, Moshe striking the rock at Mei Merivah, Aaron’s death on Mount Hor, the journeys around Edom and Moav, the battles against Sichon and Og, and the bronze serpent (Nachash Nechoshet).We will discuss what makes a mitzvah a chok, Rabbi Shlomo Zevin’s understanding of “engraving” Torah into our hearts, why Torah observance must remain connected to meaning and purpose, the paradox of the Red Heifer and ritual impurity, Rav Soloveitchik’s perspective on death and human limitation, why contact with death creates spiritual impurity, Miriam’s role in sustaining the nation and the symbolism of the well, multiple approaches to understanding Moshe’s sin at the rock, lessons from Rambam, Rabbeinu Chananel, Kli Yakar, and other commentators, Aaron’s legacy as a pursuer of peace, the spiritual dangers of living on “autopilot”, and applying the parsha’s lessons to daily lifeQuestions or comments? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this week’s parsha and what stood out to you most.Please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, which is an entirely free way to support the pod. For weekly Torah insights, bonus content, and archived episodes, visit sparktorah.substack.com. Thank you for learning with me today! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparktorahpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to the Spark Torah podcast! I am Chana Miriam Bouskila and today we will be learning parsha Beha’alotecha. We will talk about the story of the spies and where they went wrong… How fixing things our way isn’t always the best way… What does bread have to do with our enemies… What if we know the work we do won’t last? Should we do it anyway?… Did the people in the desert really do teshuvah? Why do we separate challah?… And other life lessons we can learn form the parsha. Please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, which is an entirely free way to support the pod. For weekly Torah insights, bonus content, and archived episodes, visit sparktorah.substack.com. Thank you for learning with me today! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparktorahpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to the Spark Torah podcast! I am Chana Miriam Bouskila and today we will be learning parsha Bamidbar. We will talk about Isha sotah, the nazir, the priestly blessing, and the offerings of the princes... What do they all have in common? And other life lessons we can learn form the parsha. Please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, which is an entirely free way to support the pod. And hop on over to our Substack where you can join in our conversation, gain inspiration, and stay up to date on all things Spark Torah. The link is: sparktorahpodcast.substack.comThis is an entirely listener supported podcast, so I encourage you to become a paid subscriber on Substack which not only supports the podcast financially, but also allows you access to subscriber exclusives like bonus episodes, behind the scenes content, and more.Thank you for learning with me today! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparktorahpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to the Spark Torah podcast! I am Chana Miriam Bouskila and today we will be learning parsha Behar-Bechukotai. We will talk about what is the deal with shmita, and what we can learn form it… Why hater iska is ok… how the reward of rTorah study actually works… How we can tap into the merit of the land…and other life lessons we can carry from the parsha… Plus a bonus this week: Spiritual preparation for Shavuot! Please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, which is an entirely free way to support the pod. And hop on over to our Substack where you can join in our conversation, gain inspiration, and stay up to date on all things Spark Torah. The link is: sparktorahpodcast.substack.comThis is an entirely listener supported podcast, so I encourage you to become a paid subscriber on Substack which not only supports the podcast financially, but also allows you access to subscriber exclusives like bonus episodes, behind the scenes content, and more.Thank you for learning with me today! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparktorahpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to the Spark Torah podcast! I am Chana Miriam Bouskila and today we will be learning parsha Acharei-Kedoshim. We will talk about what we can learn form the goats… How important mitzvot are… What it means to live by the Torah… What it means to be holy and how we know what to do… How important our thoughts and intentions are… and other life lessons we can carry from the parsha… Please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, which is an entirely free way to support the pod. And hop on over to our Substack where you can join in our conversation, gain inspiration, and stay up to date on all things Spark Torah. The link is: sparktorahpodcast.substack.comThis is an entirely listener supported podcast, so I encourage you to become a paid subscriber on Substack which not only supports the podcast financially, but also allows you access to subscriber exclusives like bonus episodes, behind the scenes content, and more.Thank you for learning with me today! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparktorahpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to the Spark Torah podcast! I am Chana Miriam Bouskila and today we will be learning parsha Shemini. We will talk about Aaron’s sons and their death… Preparation as part of mitzvot… How to serve Hashem the way He wants and why that matters… Fins and scales on kosher fish and how that relates to us… and other life lessons we can carry from the parsha… Please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, which is an entirely free way to support the pod. And hop on over to our Substack where you can join in our conversation, gain inspiration, and stay up to date on all things Spark Torah. The link is: sparktorahpodcast.substack.comThis is an entirely listener supported podcast, so I encourage you to become a paid subscriber on Substack which not only supports the podcast financially, but also allows you access to subscriber exclusives like bonus episodes, behind the scenes content, and more.Thank you for learning with me today! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparktorahpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to the Spark Torah podcast! I am Chana Miriam Bouskila and today we will be learning parsha Vayikra. We will talk about how we should view these chapters on korbanot (sacrifices)… Why there is a little alef in the word Vayikra… Why Hashem’s voice stopped at the wall… Plus a deep dive into the salt and birds… and other life lessons we can carry from the parsha… Please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, which is an entirely free way to support the pod. And hop on over to our Substack where you can join in our conversation, gain inspiration, and stay up to date on all things Spark Torah. The link is: sparktorahpodcast.substack.comThis is an entirely listener supported podcast, so I encourage you to become a paid subscriber on Substack which not only supports the podcast financially, but also allows you access to subscriber exclusives like bonus episodes, behind the scenes content, and more.Thank you for learning with me today! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparktorahpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to the Spark Torah podcast! I am Chana Miriam Bouskila and today we will be learning parsha Ki Tisa. We will talk about the significance of the handwashing before the service in the Mishkan… What the kiyor was made from and why that was significant… Why tzedakkah is so important… How we rest on Shabbat and why… plus: the golden calf explained… and other life lessons we can carry from the parsha… Please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, which is an entirely free way to support the pod. And hop on over to our Substack where you can join in our conversation, gain inspiration, and stay up to date on all things Spark Torah. The link is: sparktorahpodcast.substack.comThis is an entirely listener supported podcast, so I encourage you to become a paid subscriber on Substack which not only supports the podcast financially, but also allows you access to subscriber exclusives like bonus episodes, behind the scenes content, and more.Thank you for learning with me today! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparktorahpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to the Spark Torah podcast! I am Chana Miriam Bouskila and today we will be learning parsha Terumah. We will talk about what makes a home… How Heaven judges value… What’s so important about the acacia wood… Why we have so many details… How we can make our homes a dwelling place for Hashem… and other life lessons we can carry from the parsha… Please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, which is an entirely free way to support the pod. And hop on over to our Substack where you can join in our conversation, gain inspiration, and stay up to date on all things Spark Torah. The link is: sparktorahpodcast.substack.comThis is an entirely listener supported podcast, so I encourage you to become a paid subscriber on Substack which not only supports the podcast financially, but also allows you access to subscriber exclusives like bonus episodes, behind the scenes content, and more.Thank you for learning with me today! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparktorahpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to the Spark Torah podcast! I am Chana Miriam Bouskila and today we will be learning parsha Yitro. We will talk about how to give advice and criticize… The exile… Why the parsha is named after Yitro… How we can unify while still maintaining our individuality… How to handle jealousy… and other life lessons we can carry from the parsha… Please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, which is an entirely free way to support the pod. And hop on over to our Substack where you can join in our conversation, gain inspiration, and stay up to date on all things Spark Torah. The link is: sparktorahpodcast.substack.comThis is an entirely listener supported podcast, so I encourage you to become a paid subscriber on Substack which not only supports the podcast financially, but also allows you access to subscriber exclusives like bonus episodes, behind the scenes content, and more.Thank you for learning with me today! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparktorahpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to the Spark Torah podcast! I am Chana Miriam Bouskila and today we will be learning parsha Bo. We will discuss why pharaoh panicked so much over the locusts… What freedom really means… Why the redemption came at midnight… Why the women packed instruments… and other life lessons we can carry from the parsha… Please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, which is an entirely free way to support the pod. And hop on over to our Substack where you can join in our conversation, gain inspiration, and stay up to date on all things Spark Torah. The link is: sparktorahpodcast.substack.comThis is an entirely listener supported podcast, so I encourage you to become a paid subscriber on Substack which not only supports the podcast financially, but also allows you access to subscriber exclusives like bonus episodes, behind the scenes content, and more.Thank you for learning with me today! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparktorahpodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to the Spark Torah podcast! I am Chana Miriam Bouskila and today we will be learning parsha Shemot. We will discuss what this parsha has to do with names… Why Hashem appeared as a bush… Why and when we should remove our shoes… Whether or not we can question… Why does life have to be this way?… And a mini deep dive into four incredible women who help shape the redemption in its early stages: Yocheved, Miriam, Bitya, and Tzipporah… and other life lessons we can carry from the parsha…Please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, which is an entirely free way to support the pod. And hop on over to our Substack where you can join in our conversation, gain inspiration, and stay up to date on all things Spark Torah. The link is: sparktorahpodcast.substack.comThis is an entirely listener supported podcast, so I encourage you to become a paid subscriber on Substack which not only supports the podcast financially, but also allows you access to subscriber exclusives like bonus episodes, behind the scenes content, and more.Thank you for learning with me today! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparktorahpodcast.substack.com/subscribe