Bereishis/Genesis With Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

A Torah class by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan on the strange story of Yaakov and Esav! Originally aired at 11:15 AM EST on 91.1 CHIN FM Radio with Martin filling in for Zelda Young. Also broadcast via Rabbi Kaplan’s Facebook live.

Parsha Curiosities: Parshat Vayechi Cracking the Code on mysterious themes & ideas in the weekly Parsha! ?: Why does Jacob bless the righteous Benjamin as a wild wolf? How is this blessing a virtue? Discover a spiritual take on the positive skin-shifting traits of Binyamin.

Parsha Climax The Final Verses of: Parshat Vayechi The entire Book of Genesis ends with Yosef's death, mummification, and burial. Learn why the Torah chooses to end on a seemingly morbid note, and why that is especially relevant as we reel from continuing COVID challenges!

Parsha Climax The Final Verses of: Parshat Vayigash Yaakov and family comfortably settle in Egypt. Was this a necessary prelude for the inevitable devolution into harsh exile, bondage and slavery or could things have ended very differently. An ancient narrative with very timely lessons.

Parsha Climax The Final Verses of: Parshat Miketz Yosef cunningly frames his brothers: will they abandon Binyamin to slavery? Yehudah initially says “we will all be slaves, but quickly changes his tune. Reveal the backstage story in this dramatic episode of loyalty and betrayal!

Parsha Climax The Final Verses of: Parshat Vayeishev Unfairly incarcerated, Yoseph sees the serendipitous dreams of the Butler as his ticket to freedom. Yet those clusters of hope quickly soured resulting in an unforeseen delay. Discover remarkable lessons encoded into this story.

Parsha Curiosities: Parshat Vayeishev Cracking the Code on mysterious themes & ideas in the weekly Parsha! In the divisive episode of Joseph and his brothers, the Torah highlights time and again the special jacket Joseph receives from his father. A deeper look uncovers how this coat captures the essence of the entire saga.

Exploring the weekly Parsha’s curious conclusions! The Final Verses of Parshat Vayishlach Before moving into the narratives of Yaakov’s family who will now form the foundation of the future Jewish People, the Torah quickly details the evolution of Esav’s descendants climaxing in the ruling powers of Rome! What is the Lesson?!

Parsha Climax The Final Verses of: Parshat Vayeitzei Decades after leaving, Jacob, finally returns to Canaan. He is welcomed home by extraterrestrial messengers who transcend their natural orbit to greet him! Be astounded by this little-known story and its incredible, relevant lessons!

Chumash Climaxes: Exploring the weekly Parsha’s curious conclusions MY FIRST SON tells the story of the Final Verses of Parshat Chayai Sara Avraham had deep heartache over his first son Ishmael’s abandonment of his monotheistic morality and spiritual legacy. Yet he was assured that he too would found a great nation, and in the end mend his errant ways. We’ll delve deeply into the verses that attest to its fulfillment!

Parsha Climax The Final Verses of: Parshat Vayeira The Final Verses of Parshat Vayeira: Passing the test of Akaida, Avraham names the stony site “G-d will Select” invoking its eternal legacy as our source of spiritual energy that powers our nation. Mining these verses we unearth the profound impact Mount Mariah would, and continues to, have on future generations!

Parsha Climax The Final Verses of: Parshat Lech Lecha : ! The Final Verses of Parshat Lech Lecha tell us of the the very day Abraham turned 99 and Ishmael turned 13 they were both circumcised. A fascinating Midrash cuts into painful details. Penetrating analysis serves to slices open and reveal profound truth about life, purpose and relationships and marijuana too!!

The Climax of Parshat Noach! : Why did Abraham abandon his father to old age? Abraham births Monotheism and abandons his idol-worshiping father. Torah prematurely report on his death Why, and what can it teach us?

Parsha Climax: The Final Verses of Parshat Bereishit & - ? Humankind’s Corruption: G-d’s Regret. G-d created People, and then regretted it and decided to destroy them. But Didn’t G-d know how things would be from the beginning? How are we to understand this narrative and what can it teach us?

Tribal Blessing Roundup! Concluding class on Parshat Veyechi

! Parshat Vayechi, 4th Portion (Genesis 49:1-49:18)

Making Good Better Kabbalah On Parshat Vayechi Revealing layers of Torah truth and Kabbalah secrets that will ignite your imagination, and open your eyes to amazing new vistas! ? Jacob’s last years, spent in Egypt were the very best of his life; filled with true satisfaction and happiness. Whilst it’s not hard to understand that being reunited with Joseph, and seeing his family united and loyal to his hallowed ideals, would be a source of profound joy; there’s something decidedly unsettling about the prime Patriarch being happiest in a place filled with pernicious immorality and spiritual corruption. The Rebbe’s final rumination on this widely discussed subject is revolutionary in its novel approach and leads us into mind-expanding Kabbalistic ideas shedding new light on the age-old question: can people change?!

Showdown over Blessings! Parshat Vayechi, 3rd Portion (Genesis 48:17-48:22)

Discover why Jacob’s blessings to Joseph’s were couched in Fishy Terminology! Parshat Vayechi, 2nd Portion (Genesis 48:10-48:16)

Famine’s Arrival; Joseph’s Demands! Parshat Mikeitz, 4th Portion (Genesis 41:53-42:18)