A focused Torah lesson on doing a mitzvah because Hashem commanded it.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe's review of Parsha Shemini turns on a plain but demanding idea: observance ultimately rests not on practical benefit, but on command.

TORCH
202 episodes listed below
Weekly parsha learning with practical spiritual force.
Parsha Review Podcast is a Torah study program centered on the weekly parsha, with Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe guiding listeners through verses, mitzvah counts, laws, and spiritual themes. Its lessons turn offerings, kosher laws, priesthood, Pesach, and small textual features into practical religious reflection.
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Parsha Review Podcast is a Torah study program shaped like a weekly class. Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of Torch in Houston, Texas guides listeners through the parsha with a mix of structure, explanation, Hebrew vocabulary, and practical religious urgency. The show often begins by locating a portion within the Torah. It may count verses, words, letters, and mitzvahs, then move into the ideas behind them. Recent episodes focus heavily on Leviticus, especially Shemini, Tzav, and Vayikra. That means offerings, the Mishkan, Kohanim, kosher laws, purity and impurity, repentance, and holiness are not side topics; they are the working material of the show. The teaching is concrete. Kosher observance is discussed through eggs, fish, candy coloring, certification symbols, and the question of why commandments are kept at all. Food becomes more than sustenance. It becomes a daily opportunity for blessings, gratitude, and relationship with Hashem. Offerings are treated not as remote ritual history, but as a way to think about atonement, service, responsibility, and prayer. The show also returns to textual details, such as the small Aleph in Vayikra or the special cantillation in Tzav, and uses them to draw out humility, intention, and reverence for every letter of Torah. Its style is warm and direct. The language can move quickly from an everyday image to a Talmudic example, from Dama b'Nasina to the red heifer, from Pesach and Shavuot to the listener’s own religious growth. The argument is usually clear: mitzvahs may have reasons and benefits, but their deepest force comes from being Hashem’s will. That gives the show its particular texture. It is not only review, and it is not only inspiration. It is parsha learning that insists the details matter because daily Jewish life matters.
Made for: For listeners seeking traditional Torah study with Hebrew vocabulary, mitzvah detail, and direct spiritual application. It especially suits those who want parsha review tied to kosher practice, prayer, holiness, and closeness to Hashem.
What sets it apart: The show stands out by moving quickly from exact parsha structure and law detail into intimate religious meaning. Everyday examples like kosher symbols, blessings, eggs, fish, and family honor become serious Torah illustrations.
A refreshing and clear review of each Parsha in the Torah presented by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe
Based on 4 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe turns each parsha into practical instruction, connecting Torah, observance, and everyday dependence on Hashem.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe gives each weekly Torah portion a firm outline before following its spiritual consequences into ordinary life. A review may locate the parsha within the Torah, count its verses and mitzvahs, and summarize its major events; an In-Focus episode then stays with a…
A kosher label becomes a question about God; you came for Shemini and stayed for lunch.
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Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A focused Torah lesson on doing a mitzvah because Hashem commanded it.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe's review of Parsha Shemini turns on a plain but demanding idea: observance ultimately rests not on practical benefit, but on command.
Kosher details become a lesson in dignity, holiness, and closeness to Hashem.
This Parsha Shmini teaching treats kashrut as something larger than a food list. It moves from eggs and fish to coloring, then back to the dignity of eating itself, with holiness running through the whole lesson.
A Torah review that links the Mishkan, kosher, blessings, and purity into a single lesson about holiness.
Parsha Shemini brings together the Mishkan offerings, Nadav and Aviyu, and the laws of kosher and purity around one steady point: holiness is not limited to the sanctuary.
A Mishkan lesson on limitation, dependence on Hashem, and the false comfort of control.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe frames the tabernacle's final assembly as a plain lesson in human limitation and dependence on Hashem. He lingers on the moment when the pieces are brought to Moshe but the people still cannot put them together, then uses an Ikea-box comparison to make the…
A direct Shabbos teaching that links Torah detail to everyday observance.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reads Vayakhel as a straightforward case for Shabbos being the source of blessing. He moves from the Torah's careful placement of the tabernacle material to a practical defense of learning the 39 laws, and the line of thought stays clear throughout.




Daily halacha, case by case.


Parsha questions carried into serious Torah argument.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe opens the Noach parsha episode with Rashi's two readings of "in his generations," one praising Noach and one measuring him against Abraham's generation.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of the Parsha Review Podcast uses Parsha Shemini and Leviticus chapter 9, verse 6, to argue that mitzvah observance rests first on Hashem's command rather than health, emotional, or intellectual explanations.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe opens by dedicating the class to the memory of Tanta Schendel.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe opens with the Mishkan's eighth day.
This episode discusses Parsha Tzav, focusing on its significance as Shabbos HaGadol before Pesach and the unique aspects of the priests' inauguration.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe discusses Parsha Tzav from Leviticus, focusing on temple offerings and their role in atonement, as explained through a Midrash about purity in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe introduces Parsha Tzav, discussing the book of Leviticus and the concept of holiness in Jewish life.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the weekly Torah portion, Parsha Tzav, discussing its verses, mitzvahs, and laws of offerings.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe introduces the book of Leviticus and discusses the small Aleph in the word Vayikra, explaining Moses' humility.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe introduces the book of Leviticus and discusses the offerings and holiness required in the tabernacle service.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the Torah portion Vayikra, focusing on laws of sin and atonement, illustrated with a story about a wagon driver.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe begins a review of the Parsha Vayikra, discussing the significance of the small Aleph in the Torah scroll.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe introduces the book of Leviticus and discusses the laws of offerings in the Mishkan.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe opens on the Mishkan's final assembly.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the Torah portion Vayakhel, discussing the laws of Shabbos and the assembly of the Israelites.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe opens by tying Parsha Vayakhel to the gathering of the Jewish people.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the combined Torah portions Vayakel and Pekudei, focusing on the donation of mirrors for the temple washbasin.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the Torah portion Vayakhel, discussing the construction of the Tabernacle and the commandment of Shabbos.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the weekly Torah portion Parsha Tetzaveh, dedicating the episode to a friend's recovery.
This episode reviews Parsha Terumah from the book of Exodus, detailing God's instructions for building the Tabernacle, its vessels, and the donations required from the Jewish people.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the Torah portion Parshas Mishpatim, discussing the difference between rational laws (Mishpatim) and supra-rational decrees (chukim).
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the weekly Torah portion (Parsha Mishpatim), focusing on laws of theft and slavery.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the weekly Torah portion Mishpatim, explaining its connection to the Ten Commandments and the ordinances given at Mount Sinai.
This episode reviews Parshas Mishpatim, focusing on its 53 commandments in the Book of Exodus, including laws about treating servants and other essential Jewish conduct.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the Torah portion Parsha Yisro, focusing on the practical application of the story of Moses' father-in-law.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the Torah portion of Yisro, discussing the revelation at Mount Sinai and the uniqueness of Jewish scripture.
This episode reviews Parsha Yisro, focusing on the revelation at Mount Sinai, Yisro's conversion and judicial advice, and the giving of the Ten Commandments.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the weekly Torah portion, discussing the Jewish people's slavery in Egypt and the leadership of Moses.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the weekly Torah portion, discussing the human tendency to forget God during success.
This episode reviews Parsha Beshalach, focusing on the splitting of the sea, the significance of Shabbos Shira, and the Jewish people's journey from Egypt.
This episode reviews Parsha Bo from the book of Exodus, focusing on its structure, commandments, and the significance of every word in the Torah.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the weekly Torah portion, discussing the plagues of Exodus and their significance.
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe reviews the Torah portion Va'era, focusing on God hardening Pharaoh's heart to display signs and wonders.