Best Yeshivat Har Etzion Podcasts (2025)

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Pesach | Birkat HaShir (2) 35:16

4d ago35:16

35:16

Pesach | Birkat HaShir (2), by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why is "Nishmat Kol Chai" the appropriate hymn with which to finish Leil haSeder? As we discussed in the previous shiur, the liturgical poem "Nishmat Kol Chai" is quite ancient and predates the era of the פייטנים. It is mentioned by R. Yochanan as the "Birkat haShir" which is to accompany the fou…

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Candle-lighting II: When and How 47:27

5d ago47:27

47:27

At what time do we light candles? How does this relate to accepting Shabbat? What is the optimal procedure for lighting? Transcript and sources available here: https://www.deracheha.org/candle-lighting-2/ To sponsor an episode of Kol Deracheha email [email protected]

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Abarbanel on the Parasha | Tzav | 5785 | Fire on the Mizbe'ach 15:51

7d ago15:51

15:51

Abarbanel on the Parasha | Tzav | 5785 | Fire on the Mizbe'ach, by Rav Elyakim Krumbein What does this mean? Join us for this exciting new series in the commentary of the Abarbanel.By Rav Elyakim Krumbein

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Abarbanel on the Parasha | Vayikra | 5785 19:28

11d ago19:28

19:28

Abarbanel on the Parasha | Vayikra | 5785, by Rav Elyakim Krumbein On the purpose of korbanot. Join us for this exciting new series in the commentary of the Abarbanel.By Rav Elyakim Krumbein

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Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 23 | Vayikra 27:26

11d ago27:26

27:26

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 23 | Vayikra, by Rav Eli Weber Excited to begin a new sefer, with a distinct theme for each. On the korbanot and our limitations.By Rav Eli Weber

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Pesach | Birkat HaShir (1) 38:22

11d ago38:22

38:22

Pesach | Birkat HaShir (1), by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why do we almost finish the Berakhah after Hallel at the Seder - then abruptly switch to Hallel haGadol and Nishmat? Our common practice is to read the Hallel over the fourth cup of wine, after which we nearly finish the blessing customarily recited after Hallel - but without a "signature" (חתימה…

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Candle-Lighting I: Who, What, Where 50:19

15d ago50:19

50:19

What is the mitzva of Lighting Shabbat and Yom Tov candles? Who lights? Where? Transcript and sources available at https://www.deracheha.org/candle-lighting-1/ To sponsor an episode of Kol Deracheha email [email protected]

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Pekudei-HaChodesh | The Multiple Crowns of Rosh Chodesh Nissan 14:53

18d ago14:53

14:53

Pekudei-HaChodesh | The Multiple Crowns of Rosh Chodesh Nissan, by Rav Yair Kahn What exactly happened on that day?By Rav Yair Kahn

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Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 22 | Pekudei 23:54

18d ago23:54

23:54

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 22 | Pekudei, by Rav Eli Weber What is the second half of Sefer Shemot about? Was Moshe wrong about the order of building the Mishkan? Why do we need to devote ourselves to building the Mishkan?By Rav Eli Weber

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Finding Faith During Crisis: 5 Lessons from HaRav Amital 34:13

18d ago34:13

34:13

Finding Faith During Crisis: 5 Lessons from HaRav Amital, by Rav Moshe Taragin Re-recording of a Shiur given during Yeshivat Har Etzion Dinner, March 2025By Rav Moshe Taragin

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Pesach | Introduction to Midrash Arami Oved Avi 32:37

18d ago32:37

32:37

Pesach | Introduction to Midrash Arami Oved Avi, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why was Devarim 26:5-8 selected to be the base text for the retelling of the Exodus at the Seder? As the Mishna (Pesachim 10:4) codifies, the core text to be used in telling the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim is Devarim 26:5-8 - "Arami Oved Avi" which, in 4 short verses, retells …

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Vayakhel | Teruma and Vayakhel: Repetition or Complement 12:34

25d ago12:34

12:34

Vayakhel | Teruma and Vayakhel: Repetition or Complement, by Rav Yair Kahn Vayakhel is almost a word for word repetition of parashat Teruma. However, Chazal noted a discrepancy regarding the order. What idea is being expressed by this sequential shift and how can it be reconciled with the order of parashat Teruma?…

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Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 21 | Vayakhel 26:26

25d ago26:26

26:26

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 21 | Vayakhel, by Rav Eli Weber How did the artisans who built the mishkan know what to do? Why did the women give first for the Mishkan?By Rav Eli Weber

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Pesach | From Disgrace to Praise: A Reassessment 28:53

25d ago28:53

28:53

Pesach | From Disgrace to Praise: A Reassessment, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What is the purpose of the texts between "Avadim Hayyinu" until "Arami Oved Avi"? The "Maggid" section of our Haggada has two central components - the first of which is the Midrash on "Arami Oved Avi" and the other is Rabban Gamliel's explanation of the foods. However, our H…

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Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 20 | Ki Tisa 20:15

28d ago20:15

20:15

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 20 | Ki Tisa, by Rav Eli Weber What did the Egel come to replace?By Rav Eli Weber

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Ki Tisa- Purim | Kabbalat HaTorah: From Sinai to Shushan 11:15

30d ago11:15

11:15

Ki Tisa- Purim | Kabbalat HaTorah: From Sinai to Shushan, by Rav Yair Kahn The journey of Kabbalat haTorah: from Sinai to ShushanBy Rav Yair Kahn

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Purim | Mordekhai Would Not Bow...Why Not? 31:15

1M ago31:15

31:15

Purim | Mordekhai Would Not Bow...Why Not? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The critical catalyst for the story of Purim is Mordekhai's refusal, as a member of Ahashverosh's court, to show obeisance to Haman. The text never explicates the rationale behind this decision, in spite of its centrality to the plot. We survey some common answers given and suggest…

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Tetzaveh - Likrat Purim | The Garments of the High Priest and Queen Esther 11:55

1M ago11:55

11:55

Tetzaveh - Likrat Purim | The Garments of the High Priest and Queen Esther, by Rav Yair KahnBy Rav Yair Kahn

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Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 19 | Tetzaveh 29:47

1M ago29:47

29:47

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 19 | Tetzaveh, by Rav Eli Weber What is the meaning of the clothes of the Cohanim? What are the Urim and Tumim? Why does HaShem want to be among us?By Rav Eli Weber

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Teruma | From the Mishkan 13:37

2M ago13:37

13:37

Teruma | From the Mishkan, by Rav Yair Kahn To the Beit HaMikdashBy Rav Yair Kahn

1
Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 18 | Teruma 28:39

2M ago28:39

28:39

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 18 | Teruma, by Rav Eli Weber Is there an order to the Torah? What would me the meaning of the Mishkan without the Egel? Why is the order of building the Mishkan the way it is?By Rav Eli Weber

1
Conflicted and Confused 24:26

2M ago24:26

24:26

Conflicted and Confused, Horrified and Happy: Reflecting on the Return of Living and Murdered Hostages, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb The height of strength or the expression of weakness, courage or desperation?By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

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Mishpatim | Rejoice While Trembling 16:48

2M ago16:48

16:48

Mishpatim | Rejoice While Trembling, by Rav Yair Kahn The complexity of the divine encounterBy Rav Yair Kahn

1
Yitro | Yitro and Moshe 12:19

2M ago12:19

12:19

Yitro | Yitro and Moshe, by Rav Yair Kahn Before the burning bush and afterBy Rav Yair Kahn

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Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 17 | Mishpatim 25:26

2M ago25:26

25:26

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 17 | Mishpatim, by Rav Eli Weber Why is Eved Ivri the first law? Why does HaShem help the poor? Why did Benei Israel celebrate?By Rav Eli Weber

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Amos | On the Development of Prophecy 52:54

2M ago52:54

52:54

Amos | On the Development of Prophecy, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom In this brief introduction, I discuss the development of prophecy in Israel, the evolving definition of "Navi" and the development of "literary prophets". We then study the first set of prophecies found in the book of Amos, with an ear towards the oratorial genius of Amos and the many …

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Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 16 | Yitro 30:20

2M ago30:20

30:20

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 16 | Yitro, by Rav Eli Weber What's the point of Ma'amad Har Sinai? Who did Benei Israel hear the commandments from? What is the relationship between Zachor and Shamor?By Rav Eli Weber

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Beshalach | Shirat HaYam 11:58

2M ago11:58

11:58

Beshalach | Shirat HaYam, by Rav Yair Kahn A great moment or a momentary greatness?By Rav Yair Kahn

1
Bo | The Dual Symbolism of Matza 14:20

2M ago14:20

14:20

Bo | The Dual Symbolism of Matza, by Rav Yair KahnBy Rav Yair Kahn

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Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 15 | Beshalach 11:58

2M ago11:58

11:58

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 15 | Beshalach, by Rav Eli Weber How did Bnei Israel leave Egypt? What did HaShem give them in Mara? What is the meaning of the rules of the Manna?By Rav Eli Weber

1
Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 14 | Bo 27:18

3M ago27:18

27:18

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 14 | Bo, by Rav Eli Weber What is the purpose of miracles? What is the purpose of creation? The Ramban at the end of this week's Parasha deals with both.By Rav Eli Weber

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Vaera | Pharoah and the Problem of Free Choice 14:21

3M ago14:21

14:21

Vaera | Pharoah and the Problem of Free Choice, by Rav Yair KahnBy Rav Yair Kahn

1
Shemot | The Roots of Egyptian Antisemitism 14:43

3M ago14:43

14:43

New series on Sefer Shemot! Shemot | The Roots of Egyptian Antisemitism, by Rav Yair KahnBy Rav Yair Kahn

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Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 13 | Vaera 30:40

3M ago30:40

30:40

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 13 | Vaera, by Rav Eli Weber What is the difference between Hashem's names? How can Hashem harden Pharaoh's heart? Why does the Torah reintroduce Moshe and Aharon again in the middle of the parasha?By Rav Eli Weber

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Vaera | Pharaoh's Wizards (and the Parenthetic Phrase) 40:57

3M ago40:57

40:57

Vaera | Pharaoh's Wizards (and the Parenthetic Phrase), by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why did the חרטומים imitate the first two plagues - and why were they stymied at the third? חרטומי מצרים - the wizards of Egypt - make 5 appearances in the Exodus narrative; the first and last are easily understood but the 2nd (in the context of the plague of blood) th…

1
Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 12 | Shemot 32:40

3M ago32:40

32:40

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 12 | Shemot, by Rav Eli Weber On the Ramban's idea that every sefer in the Torah is a separate entity: on the one hand, a stand-alone sefer, but of course, also the continuation of Bereishit and the introduction to Vayikra.By Rav Eli Weber

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The Education of Pharoah 45:22

3M ago45:22

45:22

The Education of Pharoah, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom As we begin our reading of Sefer Shemot, the grand story of Yetziat Mitzrayim unfolds before our eyes. We are all aware of the "Ten Plagues" with which Hashem punished the Egyptians - but why was there a need for plagues at all? If the goal was to redeem His "firstborn son" to be free to worship Hi…

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Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 11 | Vayechi [complete] 30:17

3M ago30:17

30:17

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 11 | Vayechi, by Rav Eli Weber Why did Yaakov make Yosef swear to bury him? Where does a miracle come into play? Why does Yaakov curse Shimon and Levi? We apologize for the missing minutes at the end of this episode. The recording has been replaced.By Rav Eli Weber

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Vayechi | Ad Ki Yavo Shilo: Solving A Biblical Riddle 32:00

3M ago32:00

32:00

Vayechi | Ad Ki Yavo Shilo: Solving A Biblical Riddle, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Yaakov's deathbed blessing to Yehuda, at which point he appoints/designates or foretells his fourth son's ascendancy to leadership of the nascent nation, is replete with philological and exegetical difficulties. The central verse of his blessing, verse 10, is not only o…

1
Asara BeTevet | History and Laws 49:48

3M ago49:48

49:48

Asara BeTevet | History and Laws, by Rav Eli Weber Source sheet >>By Rav Eli Weber

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The Mysterious Date of Chanuka 29:39

3M ago29:39

29:39

The Mysterious Date of Chanuka, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why does Chanuka begin on the 25th of Kislev? Every other day that is marked in our calendar for celebration has a clear source as to why that date was chosen. In the case of festivals marked in the Torah - that is the source. In the case of Purim, the text records that the Jews of the Persia…

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Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 10 | Vayigash 29:46

3M ago29:46

29:46

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 10 | Vayigash, by Rav Eli Weber What's the purpose of Yehuda's speech? Why does Yehuda quote Yaakov as saying his wife had two sons? What was it that moved Yosef so much?By Rav Eli Weber

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Vayigash | Yaakov's Daughters 31:49

3M ago31:49

31:49

Vayigash | Yaakov's Daughters, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom How many daughters did Yaakov have? (it's not so simple...) As we all know, Yaakov had 12 sons and one daughter; he had over 45 grandsons and - one granddaughter. This is the information given to us throughout the second half of Bereishit, culminating in the list of emigres to Egypt in Bereish…

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Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 09 | Miketz - Chanuka 12:09

4M ago12:09

12:09

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 09 | Miketz - Chanuka, by Rav Eli Weber What does the Torah have to do with Chanuka? Why is the commandment for the menorah where it is? What did the brothers feel guilty of? Why did the brothers lie to Yaakov?By Rav Eli Weber

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Chanuka | "Mizmor Shir Chanukat haBayit...leDavid?" 32:31

4M ago32:31

32:31

"Mizmor Shir Chanukat haBayit...leDavid?" An analysis of Psalm 30 and its association with Chanuka, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why is there a psalm titled "Mizmor Shir Hanukkat haBayit leDavid" - if David never saw the Mikdash built? A custom is recorded in Maskhet Soferim (c. 9th century) to recite Psalm 30 on Hanukkah. We study the psalm, exploring…

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Miketz | Pharoah's Dreams | Chida veChalom 44:25

4M ago44:25

44:25

Miketz | Pharoah's Dreams | Chida veChalom, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom How are we to understand the amazement with which Pharaoh and his advisors reacted to Yoseph's solutions to the king's dreams? Pharaoh's Dreams (the cows and the sheaves) reexamined, based on an observation of Dr. Moseh Zeidel z"l. The "Hidah" (riddle) and "Halom" (dream) are asso…

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Perspectives Upon the Impact of Chanuka upon the Non-Jewish World 24:38

4M ago24:38

24:38

The Overlap Between Chanuka and A Christian Holiday: Perspectives Upon the Impact of Chanuka upon the Non-Jewish World, by Rav Moshe TaraginBy Rav Moshe Taragin

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Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 08 | Vayeshev 30:23

4M ago30:23

30:23

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 08 | Vayeshev, by Rav Eli Weber Why did Esav go to Edom and why does Yaakov stay? Did Yaakov believe Yosef's dreams? Was Yosef always a tzadik?By Rav Eli Weber

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Where Mikra Meets Midrash - The Case of Yosef haTzaddik 52:32

4M ago52:32

52:32

Where Mikra Meets Midrash - The Case of Yosef haTzaddik, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom In this shiur, we examine the Midrashic martyrology of the עשרה הרוגי מלכות and how it developed from several Midrashic tropes in a reading of the story of the sale of Yosef. The shiur was given in the context of the SAR-sponsored Yemei Iyyun in Tanakh (June 23, 2024)…

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Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 07 | Vayishlach 30:36

4M ago30:36

30:36

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 07 | Vayishlach, by Rav Eli Weber What do we need to do in response to a modern Esav? Were Shimon and Levi right? Why did Yaakov not bury Rachel in Chevron?By Rav Eli Weber

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