This Parsha Review Podcast (Ep 2.3) on Parshas Bo by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe offers a refreshing, clear and concise review as he does for each Parsha in the Torah.

This Episode Dedicated in Honor Alan Franklin Levin

00:00 Parsha Summary
10:10 Important Lessons Segment

• Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:
  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharing

Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Studio B to a live audience on January 26, 2023, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on January 26, 2023
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DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!
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SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com

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EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org
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Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!

In Judaism, there is no eternal hell or everlasting damnation like in other religions. Instead, the afterlife includes a temporary process called Gehinnom (often translated as purgatory), where the soul is cleansed of its spiritual impurities—much like washing mud off a candy before eating it.

This purification lasts up to 11 months for the righteous and a maximum of 12 months for the wicked, determined by the heavenly court. That’s why we recite Kaddish for only 11 months after someone passes—assuming they’ve already atoned and are being purified. Hell in Judaism is not punishment forever; it’s a merciful cleansing so the soul can ultimately draw close to God in the World to Come.
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Question asked by: Reena Freedman Watts (Houston, Texas)
To be featured on an upcoming Hey Rabbi Episode, email your video question to: heyrabbi@torchweb.org

Released as Podcast on January 15, 2026
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Listen, Subscribe & Share:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-rabbi/id1865828877
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6S25uIqdQEALtKQQ6eeRzA

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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org
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Support Our Mission:
Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!
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Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes
• Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org

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Keywords:
#heyrabbi, #afterlife, #Gehinnom, #Purgatory, #nohell , #Kaddish, #soulcleansing , #purification , #WorldToCome, #JewishBeliefs, #torah

In this Prayer Podcast episode, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe begins an in-depth exploration of Baruch She'amar—the opening blessing of Pesukei Dezimra (verses of praise)—noting it may take one or two classes to cover fully. He explains the prayer's structure: an introductory section of 10 praises (corresponding to the 10 utterances of creation and 10 Commandments) followed by the actual blessing, with a total of 13 mentions of "Baruch" (representing Hashem's 13 Attributes of Mercy) and 87 words (numerical value of "paz" = finest gold, and acronym for Pesukei Dezimra).

The rabbi highlights key practices: reciting Baruch She'amar standing, with song, while men hold the two front tzitzit strings (symbolizing 26 = YKVK); the prayer's origin (likely Men of the Great Assembly, with a heavenly revelation of exact wording); and its deeper meaning—praising Hashem who spoke the world into existence (yesh me'ayin), renews creation constantly (present tense verbs), decrees and fulfills, has compassion on all creatures, rewards the righteous eternally, redeems and rescues, and whose Name is blessed despite His hidden form.

Hashem's actions are visible everywhere (modern miracles prove His presence), yet He remains concealed—Baruch She'amar reminds us to see the divine hand in all creation and live with constant gratitude and awe. The episode connects beautifully to the weekly parsha (Va'era), emphasizing Hashem's control and redemption.
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This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Dr. Leonard & June Goldberg

• Download the Prayer Podcast Worksheets:
  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iBVevW1ydyjSeyeO0iCcina7e8vix3Lt?usp=sharing

This episode (Ep. #44) of the Prayer Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Dr. Leonard & June Goldberg! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!

Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on December 13, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on December 15, 2025
_____________
DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!
_____________
SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com

_____________
EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org
_____________

Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!
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#Prayer, #Tefillah, #Siddur, #PesukaiDezimra, #PrayerPodcast, #BaruchSheamar, #VersesOfPraise, #Hashem, #Renewal, #13Attributes, #DivineCreation, #JewishPrayer

In this concluding Mussar Masterclass (Day 118) on Orchos Tzaddikim's Gate of Silence, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores the remaining three (of five) destructive forms of mockery (leitzanut) that block the Divine Presence:

1. Mocking beneficial deeds/activities without intent to shame—arrogantly rejecting what one doesn't personally value, leading to scorning mitzvot and eventual heresy; mockers reject rebuke and have "no hope."
2. Habitual idle mockery (e.g., "corner dwellers" seeking laughs)—wastes time, increases sin, neglects Torah study, and incurs double loss (committing evil while missing good).
3. Jesting mockery for entertainment (e.g., late-night shows)—lightens serious matters, leads to excessive drinking, weakens mitzvah observance in oneself and others, and desensitizes to holiness.

Mockery ultimately backfires measure-for-measure ("do not mock lest your affliction worsen"), discourages mitzvot, and can lead to heresy—except when mocking grave sins like idolatry to deter others. The rabbi warns against habitual joking that erodes inspiration and clarity, urging silence to preserve reverence. The Gate of Silence concludes; next week begins the Gate of Falsehood.

Recorded at TORCH Centre in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on July 1, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on January 15, 2026
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This series on Orchos Tzadikim/Ways of the Righteous is produced in partnership with Hachzek.
Join the revolution of daily Mussar study at hachzek.com.
We are using the Treasure of Life edition of the Orchos Tzadikkim (Published by Feldheim)

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Listen, Subscribe & Share:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jewish-inspiration-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1476610783
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r0KfjMzmCNQbiNaZBCSU7) to stay inspired!

Share your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.
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About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org

_____________

Support Our Mission:
Our Mission is Connecting Jews & Judaism. Help us spread Judaism globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org.
Your support makes a HUGE difference!
_____________
Listen More
Other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:

• NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
• Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
• Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
• Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
• Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
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Keywords:
#JewishInspiration, #Mussar, #MasterClass, #Speech, #Silence, #Mockery, #Sin, #Dignity, #Humility