Shows
The Weekly HaftorahParahTo contact Rabbi Mendel Dubov, visit JewishSussex.com.2025-03-201h 08The Weekly HaftorahShekalimTo contact Rabbi Mendel Dubov, visit JewishSussex.com.2025-02-281h 11The Weekly HaftorahPekudeiTo contact Rabbi Dubov, visit JewishSussex.com.2025-02-171h 20The Weekly HaftorahKi TisaTo contact Rabbi Dubov, visit JewishSussex.com.2025-02-172h 40The Weekly HaftorahTerumahTo contact Rabbi Dubov, visit JewishSussex.com.2025-02-1759 minThe Weekly HaftorahMishpatimTo contact Rabbi Dubov, visit JewishSussex.com2025-02-171h 01The Weekly HaftorahYisroTo contact Rabbi Dubov, visit JewishSussex.comIt is important to note that chronologically the book of Isaiah should have begun here, with chapter 6. The five chapters that precede this were mostly concerning the destruction of “Judah and Jerusalem,” because at that time the state of Israel had already been destroyed by the Assyrians. This came long after the reign of Uzziah, by whose reign the beginning of chapter 6 is dated. This is one of the places that follow the famous rule that “there is no chronological order in the Torah.”The correlation between the Parshah and the haftarah i...2025-02-171h 16The Weekly HaftorahBeshalachTo contact Rabbi Dubov, visit JewishSussex.com.
This week's haftorah describes the fall of the Canaanite general Sisera and his armies, who were swept away by the Kishon River, and Deborah's ensuing song of thanks. This parallels this week's Torah portion which discusses the drowning of the Egyptian forces in the Red Sea and and the subsequent songs led by Moses and Miriam.
Deborah the Prophetess was the leader and judge of the Israelites at a difficult time; the Israelites were being persecuted by King Jabin of Canaan and his general Sisera. Deborah summoned Barak son of Abinoam and t...2025-02-053h 24The Weekly HaftorahBoTo contact Rabbi Dubov, visit JewishSussex.com.
Our haftarah is taken from the last part of the book of Jeremiah, in which he delivers a number of prophecies concerning Israel’s neighboring nations.
The time was one of great upheaval. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia was conquering one empire after another, soon making his nation the superpower of the time. One of the greatest rival empires to Babylonia was Egypt. In this reading, Jeremiah foresees the defeat of the Egyptian Pharaoh and his nation by the Babylonians.
He begins with calling on Egypt to mobilize in preparatio...2025-02-0547 minThe Weekly HaftorahVaeira
To contact Rabbi Dubov, visit JewishSussex.com.
This week's haftorah begins with a mention of the ingathering of the exiles, echoing G‑d's promise mentioned in the Torah portion: "I will take you out of the suffering of Egypt." The prophet then goes on to discuss the decimation of Pharaoh and Egypt, reminiscent of the primary theme of the Torah portion—the devastation G‑d wrought upon Egypt.
Ezekiel begins with a description of what will occur during the ingathering of the exiles. "When I gather in the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they have been scattered, a...2025-02-051h 56The Weekly HaftorahShemosTo contact Rabbi Dubov, visit JewishSussex.com.
The haftarah begins with recalling the descent of Jacob to Egypt (the subject with which Parshat Shemot begins). The Jews struck root and blossomed in a foreign land. When they were treated badly by their host country, the Egyptians eventually suffered the very same suffering they inflicted on the Jews. An example for this was when the Egyptians drowned in the sea, this coming as a punishment for drowning Jewish babies in the Nile. By the same token, if Jews would destroy their idols and leave their sinful...2025-01-171h 11The Weekly HaftorahVayechiOverview
Our Parshah tells the story of Jacob’s final moments in this world. He speaks to Joseph, blesses Joseph’s children, and then gathers his sons for them to hear his last words to them. In a similar vein, the haftarah describes the final words of another one of our greatest heroes: King David.
In this last command to his young son Solomon, the king begins with telling him to be strong and fear G‑d. Following the Torah and its mitzvot would bring him wisdom and success, and guarantee that G‑d would keep His promise to Dav...2024-11-101h 18The Weekly HaftorahVayigashOverview
Perhaps the most tragic of all Jewish divides was that of the ten tribes versus the two (Israel and Judah). This split, which was divinely ordained, began with a political motive. The overwhelming majority of the people were disenchanted with Rechavam (Rehoboam), the heir to King Solomon, and ended up forming their own state.
The real trouble began, however, when Yeravam (Jeroboam) ben Nevat, the leader of the revolt and its appointed king, did not think it was a good idea for his people to visit the Temple in Jerusalem. The ruling monarchs there were Rehob...2024-11-101h 01The Weekly HaftorahMikeitzSolomon was just a young lad when he assumed the throne. In fact, he was a mere twelve years of age. In those days, prior to the construction of the Temple, the altar that was built by Moses was situated in Gibeon. Soon after he became king, Solomon went to Gibeon to pray and give thanks.
While in Gibeon, G‑d appeared to Solomon in a dream. “What should I give you?” the Almighty asked. Solomon was acutely aware of his young age and lack of experience. He, therefore, asked G‑d for “an understanding heart to judge Your people.”...2024-11-1052 minThe Weekly HaftorahVayishlachOverview
The prophet Obadiah was a contemporary of Elijah the prophet. He lived in the days of King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel. In fact, he was the manager of their entire estate. We encounter him in the story of Elijah and his confrontations with King Ahab. When Jezebel began hunting down and killing all prophets of G‑d, Obadiah took it upon himself to hide one hundred prophets in two caves and to provide all their needs from his own pocket. The verse there calls him “a very G‑d-fearing man.” Albeit nameless, we also encounter him post...2024-11-1052 minThe Weekly HaftorahVayetzeOverview
Hosea was one of the prophets who lived at the time of the looming destruction of the northern state of Israel, which comprised ten of the twelve tribes. (He refers to the state as “Ephraim,” for its first ruler, Jeroboam ben Nebat, was from that tribe.) Hosea was the first of four prophets who warned of the eventual exile in similar terms, the others being Isaiah, Amos and Micah.
The beginning of the haftarah seems to be directed to the people as a whole. Although the people were very hesitant about mending their ways, G‑d still would...2024-11-1055 minThe Weekly HaftorahToldosOverview
The book of Malachi gives us a unique glimpse into the time when he delivered his prophecies. As the last of the biblical prophets, Malachi is there as the Second Temple is being built and the handful of Jews return to their land. Although they had taken a leading role in this historic time, the spiritual level that these Jews were at was rather low.
As we read in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah at length, the Jewish men thought much more of the non-Jewish women than of their Jewish wives. After all, why be m...2024-11-101h 35The Weekly HaftorahChayei SarahOverview
The portion of Chayei Sarah is all about continuity. Abraham has grown old, and the burning question that occupies his mind is the continuation of his family and legacy. Abraham and Sarah’s only son, Isaac, is not married yet. Our Parshah gives us the detailed account of the search and eventual finding of Isaac’s wife, Rebecca.
The haftarah carries a similar theme. King David had been handpicked by G‑d to establish the Jewish kingdom. G‑d had promised him that Jewish kings for all time would be of his descent. As David had many sons, ther...2024-11-101h 32The Weekly HaftorahVayeiraOverview
Parshat Vayeira tells the story of the miraculous birth of Isaac. Although Abraham and Sarah could never naturally have children, G‑d gave them a child in their deep old age. Reflecting this, the haftarah recounts a similar miracle which was performed through the prophet Elisha.
Elisha had been the student of Elijah the prophet. Before the ascent of Elijah to heaven, Elisha requested of his teacher that he be granted “a double portion of your spirit.” This was indeed fulfilled, and Scripture enumerates twice as many miracles performed by Elisha as by his teacher Elijah. Our h...2024-11-102h 48The Weekly HaftorahNoachOverview
The Jewish exile would leave Jerusalem desolate and alone. So barren would it be that its former glory would be barely imaginable. The cities of her enemies would be filled with masses, as if they were married women with many children. But Jerusalem could be compared to a mother who may well be taken as being childless, so lost are her children to her. Moreover, the Divine Presence that continually rested within in her midst would now be gone. As such, the pain would be double, now also likened to a wife whose husband abandoned her...2024-11-101h 02The Weekly HaftorahSimchas TorahOverview
The haftarah for Simchat Torah, the day on which we finish reading the Torah, is a natural sequel to the ending of the Five Books of Moses. The Torah ends with the passing of Moses and the ascent of Joshua to the role of leadership. This next link of the Jewish story is recorded in the book of Joshua. In its first chapter we read how Joshua quickly takes the reins of command into his hands and begins preparing the Jewish people for their entry into the promised land.
The opening verses of Joshua capture wh...2024-10-101h 04The Weekly HaftorahShemini AtzeretOverview
It was one of the greatest moments in Jewish history. Almost five centuries had passed since the birth of the Jewish people with the exodus from Egypt. Since their arrival in the Land of Israel, the Jews had lived in their respective tribal territories with almost no central infrastructure to unite them as a people. With the appointment of King Saul, and later King David, the Jews now had a united kingdom equal to that of their neighbors.
Spiritually, however, there was still no focal point. True, there was the Tabernacle in Shiloh (later in Nob ...2024-10-101h 12The Weekly HaftorahShabbos Chol HaMoed SukkosOverview
The haftarah read on the Shabbat of Chol Hamoed Sukkot describes the “war of Gog and Magog.” This is a war of apocalyptic proportions that the prophets tell us will occur around the time of Moshiach’s coming. It is read on this Shabbat due to a tradition that this war will take place in the month of Tishrei, the month in which the festival of Sukkot is celebrated.
The war of Gog and Magog is described in a number of the books of the prophets. In summary, the war is described by Ezekiel in this haftarah a...2024-10-1059 minThe Weekly HaftorahYom Kippur - MorningOverview
The haftarah for the morning of Yom Kippur begins with a number of themes:
The prophet proclaims that we must “clear the way” and “remove the obstacles” from the “path.” Rashi takes this as a call to sideline and offset the evil inclination and the evil thoughts within us that are the obstacles to walking the righteous path of life.
G‑d is exalted and beyond any scope, but He chooses to be found with the downtrodden and lowly of spirit.
Harsh times may befall a person. G‑d will seem to be hidden and uninvolved. But this will...2024-10-101h 30
Kolel L'horaah MaasisRabbi Mendel Dubov: Guidance for Rabbanim on Family Planning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtCCaVIcwTA
2021-12-241h 02
Learning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Fifteen, Part 1Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2020-08-2456 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Fourteen, Part 1Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2020-08-131h 24Learning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Thirteen, Part 2Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2020-06-151h 26Learning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Thirteen, Part 1Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2020-05-211h 28Learning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Twelve, Part 2Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2020-05-0500 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Twelve, Part 1Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2020-05-031h 00Learning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Eleven, Part 2Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2020-03-091h 32
Keep The TorahKTT #15 - Torah Reading Exo 27:20 to Exo 30:10, Deu 25:17-19, 1Sa 15:1-34, and Couple Insights from Chabad.orgWelcome to Keep The Torah Podcast #15.
Today we have our weekly Torah reading from Exodus 27:20 to Exodus 30:10, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, 1st Samuel 15:1-34, and a couple of insightful writings from Chabad.org:
1) Tetzaveh Haftarah Companion - For an informed reading of Ezekiel 43:10-27, by Mendel Dubov, and
2) Clothes Do Make the Man: Why Your Mother Was Right, by Hanna Perlberger
Some tunes by Jordan JD Peterson were thrown in to set apart the spoken sessions.
Thanks for staying tuned with us!2020-03-0758 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Eleven, Part 1Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2020-03-0205 min
JM in the AM11.27.2019: Guests: Author Rabbi Mendel Dubov, Head of Chabad of Sparta, NJ, on "Shall we have another? A Jewish approach to family planning" and Cantor Benny Rogosnitzky on the Park East Synagogue 15th Annual Benefit Concert2019-11-2700 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter TenLearn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2019-10-031h 07Learning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter NineLearn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2019-09-161h 07Learning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Eight, Part 2Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2019-08-281h 05Learning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter SevenLearn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2019-07-1755 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Six, Part 1Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2019-06-1855 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Five, Part 2Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2019-06-111h 02Learning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Four, Part 2 - Chapter Five, Part 1Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2019-06-0358 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Four, Part 1Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2019-05-2743 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Three, Part 2Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2019-05-201h 04Learning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter Three, Part 1Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2019-04-031h 04Learning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter TwoLearn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2019-03-2858 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter One, Part 3Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2019-02-2249 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter One, Part 2Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2019-02-1246 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Learning Mishlei: Chapter One, Part 1Learn the book of Proverbs, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach (Scripture).2019-02-0543 min
Psychology America with Dr. AlexandraForgiveness: a Rabbi, a Pastor and a MuslimText me a question I might answer through the showI enjoyed this wonderful conversation as we explored the following profound and often perplexing questions: Why forgive? How does psychology define forgiveness and how do Judaism, Christianity and Islam see forgiveness? Does forgiving mean we are pardoning bad behavior? Do you need the offender to participate if you want to forgive? What steps can we take to forgive and how do we do it? Guests for this episode bring the perspectives of Judaism, Islam and Christianity to the topic. Rabbi Mendel Dubov serves as faculty at the...2018-08-1248 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Law and OrderThis class teaches the book of Nehemiah, covering the thirteenth chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-06-0757 minLearning Tanach (Audio)The InaugurationThis class teaches the book of Nehemiah, covering the tweltth chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-05-3156 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Jerusalem Is SettledThis class teaches the book of Nehemiah, covering the eleventh chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-05-2436 minLearning Tanach (Audio)A Contract with G-dThis class teaches the book of Nehemiah, covering the tenth chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-05-1839 minLearning Tanach (Audio)National Teshuva, Part 2This class teaches the book of Nehemiah, continuing in the ninth chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-04-1248 minLearning Tanach (Audio)National Teshuva, Part 1This class teaches the book of Nehemiah, covering the ninth chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-04-0453 minLearning Tanach (Audio)The First Festival SeasonThis class teaches the book of Nehemiah, covering the eighth chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-03-2247 minLearning Tanach (Audio)JerusalemitesThis class teaches the book of Nehemiah, covering the seventh chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-03-1522 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Plot and ConspiracyThis class teaches the book of Nehemiah, covering sixth chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-03-0838 minLearning Tanach (Audio)A Jewish EconomyThis class teaches the book of Nehemiah, covering fifth chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-03-011h 01Learning Tanach (Audio)The First Take to WeaponsThis class teaches the book of Nehemiah, covering fourth chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-02-2340 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Just How You Build a WallThis class teaches the book of Nehemiah, covering the third chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-02-1653 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Tactful DiplomacyThis class teaches the book of Nehemiah, covering the second chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-02-0944 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Jerusalem Still in RuinsThis class teaches the book of Nehemiah, covering the first chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-02-0234 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Assimilation Is HaltedThis class teaches the book of Ezra, specifically the tenth chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-01-191h 00Learning Tanach (Audio)Trouble: IntermarriageThis class teaches the book of Ezra, specifically the ninth chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-01-1252 minLearning Tanach (Audio)The Second AliyahThis class teaches the book of Ezra, specifically the eighth chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2016-01-0550 minLearning Tanach (Audio)Introducing EzraThis class teaches the book of Ezra, specifically the seventh chapter, with insights culled from the classic commentaries on Tanach.2015-12-2949 min