Episodes

March 31, 2023

The Six Constant Mitzvos (Tzav)

In this week's episode of The Torah Sparks Podcast, we discuss a fascinating take on the words אש תמיד and explain a connection between these words and the 6 constant Mitzvos. Check out the Torah Sparks website at https://www...

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March 24, 2023

The French Laundry (Vayikra)

In this week's episode of The Torah Sparks Podcast, we discuss the famed American chef Thomas Keller and his incredibly successful restaurant, The French Laundry. We discuss a psychological reason for why the restaurant attra...

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March 16, 2023

Good Chicken Sandwiches (Vayakhel/Pekudei)

The claim to fame of the Jewish people is so much more than just our ability to make "good chicken sandwiches." We were given the secret recipe to be able to live a life of great purpose, meaning, and vitality. …

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March 9, 2023

The Art of Magna Tiles (Ki Sisa)

If you enjoy playing with your child's toys, that's ok. You are not alone. Research has shown that when adults play with toys, it actually reduces stress. But all stress aside, there is a lesson to be learned from here; …

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March 2, 2023

Make Sure YOU Come (Tetzaveh)

We do a lot of things. We daven, we learn, we do chessed. But instead of just going through the motions, we need to strive to live with emotions. The element of "you" is perhaps the single-most important aspect of …

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Feb. 23, 2023

It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a Jew (Terumah)

As a creature that spends most of its time in the air, birds are quite unrelatable to us human beings. Yet, for some reason, Jewish wisdom teaches that the Jewish people are actually compared to birds. In this week's episode …

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Feb. 16, 2023

Red Pens and the Power of Seeing the Good (Mishpatim)

If you have a negative association with red pens, you are not alone. Research has shown that when teachers use red ink pens to mark tests, it gives us sad, angry, and negative vibes. In this week's episode of The …

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Feb. 9, 2023

Kodak's Failure: A Lesson in Complacency (Yisro)

There was nothing about Kodak filing for bankruptcy in 2012 that made it a "Kodak Moment." It was a moment of disaster and great failure for what was, one of the leading companies in the photograph industry. Kodak suffered fr...

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Feb. 2, 2023

National Geographic: The Most Amazing Footage (B'shalach)

Have you ever wondered how National Geographic photographers are able to capture the most exquisite and picturesque footage? It's not their expensive cameras; rather, it's the risks that they are willing to take to get the br...

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Jan. 26, 2023

When There's a Will, There's a Way (Bo)

An elderly women struggles to let go of her fancy vase despite a blazing fire rapidly approaching. An egocentric football player gets stuck in his habitual norms. A fascinating approach in understanding "When there's a will, ...

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Jan. 19, 2023

Yogurt Explosions and Living with Passion | Special Guest: A. I. | Pa…

Yogurt seems to have a mind of its own. It always manages to get on your shirt, and occasionally in your eye. Did you know, yogurt contains live and active cultures? By now, I'm sure you've realized that in The …

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Jan. 12, 2023

The Secret Sauce of the Jewish People (Shemos)

There have been hundreds of nations that have come and gone throughout the ages, and many of them far bigger and stronger than the Jewish people. Yet, despite everything, the Jewish people have not only survived, but thrived....

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Jan. 5, 2023

Damar Hamlin and the Power of Unity (Vayechi)

On January 2, 2023, during Monday Night Football, an NFL player - Damar Hamlin - suffered a cardiac arrest which brought the entire game of football, the stadium, and most of the country to a standstill. In this week's episod...

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Dec. 29, 2022

Show Him the Real Boss (Vayigash)

Listen to a powerful story about a father's constant encouragement to his son and learn a valuable lesson for how to overcome the Yetzer Harah. Check out the Torah Sparks website at https://www.torahsparks.com/ for the latest...

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Dec. 22, 2022

Rhode Island and Providence Plantation (Miketz/Chanukah)

Ironically, the smallest state - Rhode Island - officially has the longest name: Rhode Island and Providence Plantation. In this week's episode of The Torah Sparks Podcast, we discuss the incredible lesson learned from this r...

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Dec. 15, 2022

Cutting on Action (Vayeishev/Chanukah)

Have you ever been cut off while driving? It's not fun, and naturally, we tend to feel anger and frustration. But what if we reframe our minds and think that this person is not really cutting me off, rather G-d …

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Dec. 8, 2022

Respect is Earned When No One is Looking (Vayishlach)

"Respect is Earned When No One is Looking" is the meaningful quote found on one of my tennis armbands. Many years prior to the manufacturing of this armband, though, Yaakov Avinu fought a battle when no one was looking, and …

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Dec. 1, 2022

The Claw Game (Vayetzei)

Have you ever wondered why the Claw Game at amusement parks are always filled with stuffed animals? Simple answer. Because no one ever wins. In this week's episode of The Torah Sparks Podcast, we reveal a secret for how to …

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Nov. 24, 2022

We Run and They Run (Toldos)

RUUUUUUUNN! This word is usually associated with online deals that you don't want to miss. But if you think about it, this word is very much associated with Parshas Toldos. Rivka had two children inside of her, each one runni...

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Nov. 17, 2022

Backbones and Worms (Chayei Sarah)

Backbones, worms, pencils, and more. In this week's episode of The Torah Sparks Podcast we attempt to connect all of these seemingly separate ideas, and emerge with a meaningful lesson to help us in our everyday lives. Check ...

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Nov. 10, 2022

The Proof is in the Pudding (Vayeira)

The Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating. I'm sure you never heard this phrase before, even though this is actually the original phrase, as opposed to the more well-known, the "Proof is in the Pudding." In any case, …

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Nov. 3, 2022

Darwin's Monkey's (Lech Lecha)

Darwin spoke about humans and monkeys in a book called "The Descent of Man." In this week's episode of The Torah Sparks Podcast, we talk about the Torah's approach to life using the concept of, "The Ascent of Man." Check …

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Oct. 27, 2022

Down the Mountain (Noach)

Toddlers are notorious for saying, "Myself!" They love trying to do tasks all by themselves, with no help. It's cute and all, and even healthy for a toddler to behave this way. But grown adults who constantly live with a …

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Oct. 20, 2022

The Large Luminaries (Bereishis)

Besides for the words ex nihilo and firmament , my next favorite English-translated word in the book of Genesis (also, a great word) is luminaries . In this week's episode of The Torah Sparks Podcast, we discuss a masterful i...

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