Episodes

What happens when the story doesn't end with "happily ever after"? Does that mean G-d doesn't love you? What happens when you daven so hard for something and Eliyahu Hanavi does not appear right in front of you with the answer? In this week's episode of The Torah Sparks Podcast we discuss the importance of serving Hashem even when we don't fully understand what's going on. Check out the Torah Sparks website at https://www.torahsparks.com/ for the latest podcasts and weekly blog posts. If you enj...

It is not so uncommon for people watching a tennis match to turn off the volume. Why? Because they can't stand those annoying grunting noises. But did you ever stop for a moment and think about why tennis players grunt? Find out the answer to this and see how it connects to the Parah Adumah by tuning in to this week's version of The Torah Sparks Podcast. Check out the Torah Sparks website at https://www.torahsparks.com/ for the latest podcasts and weekly blog posts. If you enjoy this content, pl...

I know what your thinking. Isn't it ironic that the word Korach in Hebrew is spelled the same as Kerach, which means ice? Why is this? What's going on? Is there any connection? Tune in to this week's episode of The Torah Sparks Podcast to find out how Korach ended up on the slippery slope of physicality. Check out the Torah Sparks website at https://www.torahsparks.com/ for the latest podcasts and weekly blog posts. If you enjoy this content, please share with your friends, family, and neighbors...

In this week's episode of The Torah Sparks Podcast, we do not talk about the difference between alligators and crocodiles. But we do talk about the importance of respecting others, as depicted in an amazing story with the Ruzhiner Rebbe as a young boy. See how this connects with the great sin of the 10 spies and more by tuning in now. Check out the Torah Sparks website at https://www.torahsparks.com/ for the latest podcasts and weekly blog posts. If you enjoy this content, please share with your...

Welcome back to The Torah Sparks Podcast. In this week's episode, we discuss the imperative difference between viewing others as people or as mere objects. Is it correct to refer to the person behind the front desk as "the front desk," or should we refer to that person as, "the lady behind the front desk"? Ultimately, we will see how the ability to see people as people stems from the trait of humility. Check out the Torah Sparks website at https://www.torahsparks.com/ for the latest podcasts and...

In this week's version of The Torah Sparks Podcast, we discuss the painful reality of being a bar mitzvah boy and being the target of fast moving projectiles in the form of soft candy. It is usually the boy who claims to be "a good friend of the bar mitzvah" who throws the hardest. But it's not only bar mitzvah boys that get things thrown at them; it's all of us. The Yetzer Hara throws harmful projectiles at us all the time, and it is up to us to stay strong and keep fighting. Tune in to find ou...

Besides for the price, there is a major difference between those who sit in the bleachers at a baseball game and those who sit closer to home plate. In this week's version of The Torah Sparks Podcast, the host discusses a powerful baseball parable and how it offers us an inspirational message for the upcoming holiday of Shavuos. Check out the Torah Sparks website at https://www.torahsparks.com/ for the latest podcasts and weekly blog posts. If you enjoy this content, please share with your frien...

Did you ever yell at the screen during a climactic part of a movie? Did you expect that the actors on the screen would listen to your concerns? Were you subsequently "shushed" by the entire audience? This week, in The Torah Sparks Podcast, we discuss the idea that what we - as humans - think, say, and do, actually influences and impacts the world around us. This is in great contrast to the fantasies of the "Western World." Check out the Torah Sparks website at https://www.torahsparks.com/ for th...

In the latest episode of the Torah Sparks Podcast, we discusses the importance of being humble and "haughty" at the same time. How exactly does that work? Aren't they mutually exclusive? Tune in to find out more! This week, there is a video version of the podcast available on YouTube, check it out here: https://youtu.be/G4YMU-V2GIQ BH I am excited to announce the launch of my forthcoming book with Mosaica Press. The book "Ready. Set. Grow" is NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER, check it out here: https...

Did you hear about the lady who challenged herself to eat pet food for an entire month? In this week's Torah Sparks podcast, we discuss this crazy story and how the period of Sefiras Haomer teaches us a lesson in stark contrast to this eat-only-pet-food challenge. If you enjoy this content, please share with your friends, family, and neighbors. Be sure to leave a rating and write a review! Check out the Torah Sparks website at https://www.torahsparks.com/ for the latest podcasts and weekly blog ...

In this week's Torah Sparks podcast, the host discusses the notion of projection, namely, that -as humans - we tend to see others how we see ourselves. As such, if we see ourselves as bad, we will likely see others as bad as well. On the flip side, if we see ourselves as good and holy, we will be able to see others in that light as well. The 24,000 students of Rebbe Akiva died for not according one another with honor. Does this, perhaps, reflect on how they viewed themselves? Listen now to the T...

When Nabisco changed it's slogan for the famous Oreo cookie from America's Favorite Cookie to Milk's Favorite Cookie in 2004, no one thought this would be newsworthy enough to be featured in a Jewish podcast in 2022. Even more, no one thought it would have any relevance or meaning to make it onto an inspirational platform. Sure enough, in this week's Torah Sparks podcast, the host discusses this dramatic slogan change and develops an engaging connection between the addictive Oreo cookie and Tora...

In this week's Torah Sparks podcast, we talk about the importance of detoxifying from all the sprays used to clean for Passover as well as the importance of realizing what it is that truly makes the Jewish people special. So, as you continue to get ready for the Passover holiday that is fast-approaching, come along and give a listen. This is an episode you don't want to miss. If you enjoy this content, please share with your friends. I would also really appreciate if you could leave a rating an...

Did you know? The difference in size between your pupils, when they are most dilated vs. when they are least dilated, is 17 times! Tune in to this week's Torah Sparks podcast to hear an interesting perspective on the human eye and the importance of seeing the world (ourselves included) in a positive light. If you enjoy this content, please share with your friends. I would also really appreciate if you could leave a rating and a review. Check out my website at https://www.torahsparks.com/ for the...

Why do humans love to gossip? In this Torah Sparks episode, we discuss the psychology behind why it is people like to gossip and how the Torah remedies this approach. We also talk about the imperativeness of not speaking Lashon Harah about oneself. Check it out! If you enjoy this content, please share with your friends. I would also really appreciate if you could leave a rating and a review. Check out my website at https://www.torahsparks.com/ for the latest podcasts and weekly blog posts. Power...

In this episode of Torah Sparks, we discuss the global rise in consumption of edible insects, and why despite its various health benefits, G-d does not allow the Jewish people to eat them. Join me on this eye-opening, fun-filled, epic journey to discover the deeper meaning behind why it is we don't consume creepy crawlers. I think you'll like it. Powered by: TYA of Baltimore Interested in receiving my weekly short write-up on the Parshah? Sign up at www.torahsparks.com

Afraid your Shaloch Manos is being given to someone else after you already gave it? Introducing the all new S.M.T.'s - Shaloch Manos Trackers. Tune in to this week's Torah Sparks podcast to find out more about these unique trackers, and to hear an insight into the contrast between the etiquette of the kings and the Jewish people. One of the messages we learn from Purim is that we can become great in a moment! Powered by: TYA of Baltimore

It's fascinating that you can be on a WhatsApp chat for months and no one will know until the day you leave. As humans, it is so much easier to focus on the negative rather than the positive. The Jewish people take pride in our unity and intertwined legacy, similar to the roots of the Redwood trees. Tune in to this week's podcast to hear more. Powered by: TYA of Baltimore

The relatively new game, Wordle, has taken the world by storm. One of the most epic and unique things about the new Wordle craze is that you can only play it ONCE a day. In this week's Torah Sparks podcast, we talk about a positive lesson from this "once per day" mentality, and we discuss the deeper connection between "Eileh Pekudei Hamishkan" and the upcoming holiday of Purim. Powered by: TYA of Baltimore

In this week's Torah Sparks podcast, we interview a special guest - David Charles Milke, owner of DCM Custom Painting, LLC - who reveals to us an incredible story of Mesiras Nefesh to "do the right thing." If you want to hear a true account about a non-Jew who went dumpster diving to save a Mezuzah, then this week's episode is for you! Powered by: TYA of Baltimore

I think we can all agree that no one ever planned on stubbing their toe. It kind of just happened, at a really annoying moment. Ouch! In this week's Torah Sparks podcast, we discuss a mysterious commentary from the Chizkuni (32:19) regarding Moshe Rabbeinu throwing the Luchos and smashing it to smithereens. What does this have to do with stubbed toes? Listen now on all of your favorite podcast players. Stay tuned for next week's podcast, we have an exciting guest! Powered by: TYA of Baltimore

In this week's podcast, we talk about the importance of being yourself and realizing your unique role on this world. Go ahead, give it a listen. Powered by: TYA of Baltimore

The circle is one of the easiest shapes to visualize yet one of the hardest shapes to draw. Did you ever wonder why Hashem designed made it that coins are circular shaped? Tune in to this week's Torah Sparks podcast to hear a fascinating insight about the circular coin and how it teaches us an inspirational lesson in our day-to-day lives. Powered by: TYA of Baltimore

Imagine your car has heated seats, but you only found out about it halfway through the winter? I know how I would feel because it happened to me. There is a lesson here. We have a deep connection with Hashem, but how much of us sometimes simply forget this "little piece" of information. Tune in to this week's Torah Sparks to hear some inspiration on Parshas Mishpatim and the importance of realizing our connection with Hashem and His Torah is 24/7. Powered by: TYA of Baltimore