The Mitzvah Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

Not all mitzvos made sense to us. When it comes to the sprawling laws of purity and impurity, we are basically clueless. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation […]

Eating certain animals are harmful for your body and for your soul. It is wise to obey the Torah’s guidance. You are what you eat – make sure you eat good to be good. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Some animals, birds, grasshoppers, and fish are kosher, some are not kosher. How do we know which animals are kosher and which are not? For that we have signs. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to TORCH: Please consider […]

priests are held to a higher standard. Clergymen are not like everyone else. Especially while working in the Temple/ Tabernacle. They must be on a much more elevated and dignified plane. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE to […]

Most of us are not tempted to taste blood. We find it repugnant and revolting. Nevertheless, in seven different verses, the Torah bans the consumption of blood. We must look elsewhere for our protein and iron. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

TORCH Fundraiser — support the Mitzvah Podcast Our organization, TORCH, does only one fundraiser a year, and that is happening right now at giveTORCH.org. This is a matching campaign and every donation will be DOUBLED. Please support the Mitzvah Podcast right now at giveTORCH.org The website for the Fundraiser is giveTORCH.org Click and donate to support the Mitzvah Podcast […]

TORCH Fundraiser — support the Mitzvah Podcast Our organization, TORCH, does only one fundraiser a year, and that is happening right now at giveTORCH.org. This is a matching campaign and every donation will be DOUBLED. Please support the Mitzvah Podcast right now at giveTORCH.org The website for the Fundraiser is giveTORCH.org Click and donate to support the Mitzvah Podcast […]

Our thoughts matter. This is especially true when it comes to sacrifices. The thoughts of those who are processing the sacrifices must be aligned with the protocols of the sacrifices. Or else, they are rejected – they are Piggul. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

There is not an indefinite amount of time to consume a sacrifice. Each sacrifice has its specific protocol and time frame in which it must be eaten. What happens with the leftovers? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE […]

There are many different types of sacrifices brought in the temple. Each sacrifice follows the prescribed protocol. There is zero tolerance for deviation from the protocol. In this podcast, we learn about the requirement for the priests to follow the protocol to a t, and we end with an important perspective that makes this entire […]

Meal offerings are a central part of the daily Temple offerings. These Mitzvos cover the Kohanim’s relationship with meal offerings. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our […]

Steady fires were always present atop the Altar. At all times, even when sacrifices were not being processed in the Tabernacle and the Temple, a steady fire was maintained on the Altar. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please […]

The first activity performed in the Temple each day was the removal of the ashes from the previous day’s sacrifices. Before today’s sacrificial schedule can commence, the Altar must be cleared from the ashes of yesterday’s sacrifices. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Unlike the previous mitzvah that required a sacrifice for an uncertain violation, in this mitzvah, we learn about a guilt offering for someone who definitely violated a transgression. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts […]

This sacrifice is offered when someone is uncertain if they violated a sin or not. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts […]

Misappropriating Temple property is a very bad idea. The sacrifices, the animals, the vessels, the property, the money used for update and maintenance – all items that are included in the temple coffers cannot be misused. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

A sinner’s meal offering is a bit different from a typical meal offering: Oil and Frankincense, integral ingredients in most meal offerings, are omitted. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation […]

The bird sin sacrifice, brought by a person who cannot afford to bring a more expensive sacrifice, is processed and slaughtered in an unusual fashion. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a […]

Most sacrifices follow a designated protocol which remains unchanged irrespective of the financial wherewithal of the person bringing the sacrifice. This mitzvah is the exception. There are some sins regarding whom the sacrifice brought atone for the sin is means-tested. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

There are many different types of sacrifices featured in Temple-era Jewish life. A communal or an individual sin sacrifice is the subject of this Mitzvah. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a […]

One of the many processes and rituals done with sacrifices in the Temple is the mandatory salting of all sacrifices. Both animal sacrifices and meal offerings must be salted before brought upon the altar. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Meal offerings brought in the Temple must not include – with some exceptions – leaven or honey. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – This Mitzvah Podcast is sponsored by my dear friend and study partner Shaya Gamzon in honor […]

The second category of sacrifices featured in Leviticus is actually not one that deals with animal sacrifice. Meal offerings are brought from flour and oil. Not including meal offerings that accompanied animal sacrifices, there are 12 different types of meal offerings. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Sacrifices constitute and important part of Jewish life and practice. Absent the Temple, we cannot offer sacrifices, but we can study them. In this episode we look at the Olah (Elevation) sacrifice. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – DONATE: Please […]

Of the many laws related to idolatry is a law governing wine and other items used for idolatrous practices. Said items to not be consumed. The Sages extend this prohibition in manifold ways. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Before the inauguration of the Tabernacle, Moshe was told to concoct a special anointment oil to be used for the anointment of Aaron and his priest sons and for all the Temple components, vessels, and accoutrements. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Before the priests walked into the Temple Sanctuary and before they performed any holy service, they were required to wash their hands and feet, typically from the copper Laver that was situated between the outer Altar and the entrance to the Sanctuary. – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In Temple times, every military-age male Jew was required to contribute a half shekel coin to the Temple coffers each year. These donations would fund the yearly supply of communal sacrifices and other related expenses in the Temple. The annual head tax would also serve the vital function of determining the population size. Counting Jews […]

The most satisfying aroma ever experienced in the history of humanity was the product of the incense offered in the Temple twice every day. A concoction of 11 different spices, mixed with precise proportions and with an irreplicable formula, the wafting aroma permeated Jerusalem and it’s environs. – – – – – – – – […]

Sacrifices are a great mystery to us. We have never seen the Temple in action and we have never witnessed a sacrifice being processed. Yet sacrifices and their myriad laws comprise a large portion of Torah law. This Mitzvah orients around the consumption of certain meat of certain sacrifices by certain people. Surprisingly, what we […]

Visiting the Temple was an experience of a lifetime. The vessels, the holiness, the songs of the Levites, the sacrifices that atone and cleanse, and the priests – direct descendants of Aaron – bedecked in all their resplendent glory. These mitzvos tell us how the family of the priests must dress while on duty. – […]

The Menorah is the vessel of the Temple that we are most familiar with. The seven-branched candelabra, engraved with intricate embellishments, was lit each night in the Temple. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Sponsorship: Please consider sponsoring a podcast […]

Three vessels resided in the Tabernacle’s/Temple’s Sanctuary: The Menorah, the Golden Alter, and the Table. The top of the table were two stacks of showbreads, six breads on either stack for a total of 12. These breads were ever present atop the table. – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

The Ark was the most iconic of the vessels of the Temple. Housed in the Holy of Holies, visited only once a year by the High Priest on Yom Kippur, the Ark represents the epicenter of holiness of our people. A series of nested boxes containing the tablets etched by God, covered by cherubs hewn […]

The epicenter of Jewish life is the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. In the Temple, the presence of God was palpable and undeniable. Ever since the Sinai Revelation, our nation has had a Mitzvah to build a temple to God in our midst. Even today, while politically untenable, this Mitzvah stands. – – – – – […]

Our nation has some enemies. The arch foe of our people are the Amalekites. That nation is hellbent upon our destruction. The ancient Canaanites were cut from the same cloth. These barbarous, idolatrous nations spelled an existential threat to our people and our continuity. In this set of mitzvos, we outlined the Canaanite policy. How […]

With deep appreciation to the Almighty for all the goodness that He has bestowed upon us, I’m happy to share that my wife, Chaya, and I were blessed with a beautiful baby boy on Monday, March 14. Thank God, both Mom and baby are doing fabulous! In this special edition of the podcast, I share […]

In conjunction with our annual fundraiser this week at giveTORCH.org (every donation is tripled), we are releasing a special interview conducted by the TORCH Board President, Dan Kullman, about my new book, Upon A Ten-Stringed Harp. Please consider contributing to our annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org.

Please support The Mitzvah Podcast and the annual TORCH fundraiser at giveTORCH.org Every donation will be TRIPLED Show your support for TORCH and The Mitzvah Podcast and donate to the annual fundraiser at giveTORCH.org – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

When the Temple was extant, there were many more mitzvos that were applicable above what we can do today. One of these mitzvos is the requirement to bring the first fruits to Jerusalem and to give it to the Kohen. The procedure of this mitzvah is fascinating and intriguing. – – – – – – […]

When our nation was fortunate enough to have a Temple, the highlight of the year was the tri-annual pilgrimage to the Temple on the Three Festivals. Throngs of Jews from every corner of the globe would stream to Jerusalem to celebrate and grow with their brethren. The descriptions of the festivities make our heart yearn […]

The worst criminal in the Jewish system of courts is someone who tries to entice others to worship idolatry. Our sages tell us that such a crime is worse than murder. The way such a criminals treated is different than any other criminal Torah law. – – – – – – – – – – […]

There are many mitzvos in the Torah around idolatry, 51 according to Rambam’s delineation. This mitzvah tells that we may not utter the names of idols, not in an oath and not reverentially, nor may we cause others to do so. Instead, we are encouraged to mock them. – – – – – – – […]

The Torah tells us that the land must lay fallow every 7th year. For an entire year, all the farmers in Israel must cease operations. Moreover, they must relinquish ownership on the land. Just as Shabbos on a weekly schedule, the Shemittah marks a year of rest on a week of years. – – – […]

Judgment is the ultimate partnership between us and God. Litigants who come to a Jewish court are coming to hear the will of the Almighty on the case. Consequently, the judges have to be very meticulous in being impartial and neutral in judgment. – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

A court is tasked with verifying the validity of the claims of the witnesses and rendering a ruling. What kinds of testimony are admissible in court? What are the extrajudicial carveouts for the defendants who are clearly guilty but get off on technicalities? – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Imagine you are a judge and two litigants come before you for justice. One of the people is a righteous, pious, trustworthy person. The other one is a crook. How must you navigate such a situation and what does it reveal to us about the role of the judge and the essence of Jewish jurisprudence? […]

The mitzvah covered in this podcast episode is one of the most interesting and wide-ranging ones that we have yet covered. In this podcast we discover an astounding teaching in the Talmud regarding what the fundamental end that Torah and Mitzvos are there to accomplish. We also explore other interesting questions related to the treatment […]

A judge adjudicating matters of Torah law is God’s representative. When a judge renders a ruling, they must be very certain that they are faithfully representing God in the matter. This podcast discusses four distinct mitzvos regarding the imperative to judge righteously. – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

In a Jewish court of law, capital crime cases are distinct from civil or monetary ones. In this Mitzvah we outlines some of the hurdles facing the court seeking a capital crime conviction. It turns out that although there are many commandments that contain a punishment of capital crime, in effect, executions are astonishingly rare […]