The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism
Religion & Spirituality
About
The Daily Derech is an opportunity for anyone to gain insight into the weekly Torah portion, learn Jewish law, and deepen their spiritual practice. A project of ExploringJudaism.org and Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein (Temple of Aaron)
Episodes
- Counting With Love | May 11, 2026
In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein discusses Parashat Bamidbar, Hilchot, and Menorat HaMaor. He explores the census of the Jewish people and the conduct of Torah scholars, emphasizing directing desire towards spir…
- Each Book a Sacrifice | May 10, 2026
Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Bamidbar, Hilchot conduct of Torah scholars from Rambam, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor. He discusses how studying each book of the Torah is like offering a sacrifice, and how the Book of Bamid…
- The Context of the Sacred | May 8, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech features Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein discussing Parashat Behar-Bechukotai, Hilchot divine names from Rambam, and Menorat HaMaor on desire. He also examines the Jubilee year and its spiritual meaning, emphasizin…
- Doxology of Redemption | May 7, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech discusses Parashat Behar-Bechukotai, focusing on the Jubilee year's economic and social leveling. It also covers the sanctity of holy writings, including adaptations for disposal, and the destructive nature…
- Jubilee Redemption | May 6, 2026
In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein discusses Parashat Bahar, focusing on the Jubilee year's principles of debt forgiveness, freeing slaves, and returning land. He also covers the Rambam's teachings on the respectf…
- Divine Names | May 5, 2026
The Daily Derech discusses Parashat Bahar's command for a seventh year of rest in farming, the erasure of divine names in the Rambam, and biblical examples of jealousy from Menorat HaMaor, emphasizing humility and generosity.
- Log B'Omer | May 4, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech delves into Parashat Bahar, discussing the Shemitah year's lessons on divine ownership and empathy. It also explores the customs and origins of Lag Ba'Omer, from mourning Rabbi Akiva's students to Zionist i…
- The Seventh Year | May 3, 2026
The Daily Derech episode
- Turning from Evil, Doing the Good, Pursuing Peace | May 1, 2026
This episode explores Parashat Emor, focusing on restrictions for Kohanim and the concepts of sanctifying and desecrating God's name through actions. It also covers teachings on building a life centered on holiness, ethical behavior, and p…
- The Beauty of the High Priest | Apr 30, 2026
This episode discusses the qualities of the Kohen Gadol, moral restraint concerning sexual conduct according to Rambam, and interprets food verses as metaphors for Torah study.
- Honoring Kohanim | Apr 29, 2026
In The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein discusses Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah concerning transgressions and illness, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor on interpreting aggadah to understand God. The episode focuses on halachic and aggadic…
- Bread & Water | Apr 28, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech features Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein discussing Parashat Emor, including laws concerning Kohanim and sacred service. It also covers Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah regarding life-threatening transgressions and a teachi…
- One for All and All for One | Apr 27, 2027
This episode of The Daily Derech discusses Parashat Emor, including the Rambam
- The Designation of Priesthood | Apr 26, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech, hosted by Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein, delves into Parashat Emor, covering the laws of the Kohanim, Rambam's teachings on martyrdom and coercion, and a lesson from Menorat HaMaor on the importance of action in…
- A Souvenir for the High Priest | Apr 24, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech discusses Parashat Achrei Mot–Kedoshim, including teachings on martyrdom, religious coercion, and the importance of accessible Torah learning. It explores the Yom Kippur service, the High Priest's commemora…
- Friends Walking Together | Apr 23, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech explores Parashat Achrei Mot–Kedoshim, discussing martyrdom, sanctification of God's name according to the Rambam, and the balance between halacha and aggadah, referencing the Me’am Loez and Menorat HaMaor.
- Incense, a Bull and a Goat | Apr 22, 2026
The Daily Derech discusses Parashat Achrei Mot–Kedoshim, including the Yom Kippur service with two goats, the precedence of preserving life over commandments according to Rambam, and how aggadah in Menorat HaMaor bridges life and theology.
- Saducees and Pharisees | Apr 21, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech discusses Parashat Achrei Mot, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor on the distinction between halacha and aggadah. It covers the Yom Kippur Temple service, the restriction of theolog…
- 7 Days of Preperation | Apr 20, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech examines Parashat Achrei Mot, focusing on the High Priest's seven-day preparation for the Yom Kippur service. It delves into Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah and the depth of aggadic interpretation, exploring themes…
- The High Priest on Parade | Apr 19, 2026
Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein discusses the High Priest's preparations for Yom Kippur, the mitzvot to love and fear God, and the importance of both halacha and aggadah in Jewish tradition. The episode covers themes from Parashat Achrei Mot, Hilc…
- How To Check for Tzara'at | Apr 17, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech discusses the practical laws of tzaraat, focusing on how a kohen evaluates skin marks and the purification process. It also delves into the importance of aggadic tradition alongside halacha and explores the…
- God's Supervision | Apr 16, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech, hosted by Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein, delves into Parashat Tazria–Metzora, discussing divine providence, God's absolute oneness according to Rambam, and the transmission of mystical knowledge.
- Is Birth a Sin? | Apr 15, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech explores Parashat Tazria–Metzora, Rambam, and Menorat HaMaor, discussing childbirth atonement, God as the first cause, and the transmission of the Oral Torah.
- The Guardian of the Womb | Apr 14, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech discusses Parashat Tazria–Metzora, focusing on childbirth miracles and God's role. It also covers Rambam's teachings on existence and Menorat HaMaor's insights into the preservation and transmission of the…
- Starting with the Foundations | Apr 13, 2026
In this episode, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein discusses Parashat Tazria–Metzora's laws of ritual impurity, the Rambam's foundational principle of God as the origin of existence, and the Menorat HaMaor's emphasis on clear, repetitive teaching fo…
- The Purity of Human-Beings | Apr 12, 2026
This episode discusses human impurity laws in Parashat Tazria–Metzora, the practicalities of counting the Omer according to Rambam, and the Menorat HaMaor's emphasis on repetition for Torah transmission.
- When God's Presence Dwells | Apr 10, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech explores Parashat Shemini, discussing how God's presence is revealed when people support each other. It also covers the origins of counting the Omer and the idea that Torah has many layers of meaning.
- Pharoah Himself | Apr 7, 2026
This episode discusses the stages of redemption during Pesach, contrasting the promise of freedom with its full realization at the splitting of the sea. It emphasizes that redemption is a process and true freedom is achieved when oppressio…
- Air & Fire | Apr 6, 2026
The Daily Derech discusses Parashat Shemini, focusing on the order of sacrifices and Aaron's personal responsibility. It also covers Hilchot Pesach and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor linking the plagues to elements and gradual understandin…
- Water & Earth | Apr 5, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech, hosted by Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein, delves into Parashat Shemini and teachings on God's authority demonstrated through the plagues. It also covers Aaron's role as High Priest, the importance of rejoicing in…
- 10 Things I Love About You | Apr 1, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech explores Parashat Shemini, focusing on the Tabernacle's inauguration and its significance. It also covers Rambam's laws regarding eating matzah after the Seder and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about ackno…
- God Believes in You | Mar 31, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech covers Parashat Shemini, Hilchot Pesach from Rambam, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor. Rabbi Rubenstein discusses Aaron assuming the High Priest role, the mitzvah of eating matzah and maror, and the redem…
- The Righteous Women | Mar 30, 2026
The Daily Derech discusses the Pesach Torah reading, focusing on the faith and courage of righteous women in Egypt who sustained the Jewish people. Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein examines God hardening Pharaoh's heart, Maimonides' explanation of…
- Rabbinic Discomfort | Mar 29, 2026
The Daily Derech discusses the Pesach Torah reading from Parashat Bo, focusing on rabbinic interpretations of Pharaoh's hardened heart and the laws of Chametz u’Matzah from Rambam. It also highlights the crucial role of righteous women in…
- Dress to Impress | Mar 27, 2026
The Daily Derech explores Parashat Tzav, focusing on priestly clothing and reverence in prayer. It also delves into the laws of kashrut and Passover preparation concerning heat transfer in food, and draws lessons of compassion from the sto…
- Good Fitting Clothes | Mar 26, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech explores Parashat Tzav and Hilchot Chametz u’Matzah, examining the symbolism of priestly garments and Moses' royal upbringing. Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein discusses serving God authentically and how utensils ar…
- Ashes, Ashes | Mar 25, 2026
In this episode, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Tzav, focusing on the commandment of Terumat HaDeshen and its spiritual significance. The discussion also covers Rambam's laws on chametz and matzah for Passover and a teaching fro…
- What Arises In Your Mind | Mar 24, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech explores Parashat Tzav and Hilchot Chametz u’Matzah. Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein uses the Tamid offering and a Menorat HaMaor teaching to discuss how to manage negative thoughts, comparing their gradual emergen…
- Burnin' All Night Long | Mar 23, 2026
The Daily Derech discusses Parashat Tzav, connecting Temple sacrifices and Passover laws to Jewish resilience. Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores teachings on enduring oppression, repentance, and the halachic status of chametz.
- Everyone Needs a Little Push | Mar 22, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech features Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein discussing Parashat Tzav, Hilchot Chametz uMatzah, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor. Topics include maintaining spiritual dedication, preparing for Passover, and the divin…
- Calling One More Time | Mar 20, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech explores Parashat Tzav, Hilchot Chametz uMatzah, and teachings from Menorat HaMaor concerning dedication to divine service, Passover preparations, and the importance of aiding the needy. Rabbi Rubenstein hi…
- Where Children Begin | Mar 19, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech, titled "Where Children Begin," covers Parashat Tzav and Hilchot Chametz uMatzah, focusing on Passover preparations, the dignity of service exemplified by terumat hadeshen, and the importance of generosity…
- The Mini-Aleph | Mar 18, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech discusses Parashat Tzav, including the laws of chametz and matzah before Passover and the importance of honoring Torah scholars. It also covers the significance of holiness in Temple service and the reveren…
- Knocking on the King's Door | Mar 17, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech explores Parashat Tzav and Hilchot Chametz uMatzah, discussing spiritual passion, Passover preparation, and gratitude using teachings from Menorat HaMaor and Me’am Loez. Rabbi Rubenstein emphasizes the cont…
- Say My Name | Mar 16, 2026
This episode discusses Parashat Vayikra, covering respectful communication through the lens of God calling to Moshe, Passover preparations concerning chametz, and the power of unity exemplified by Joseph honoring Jacob. The teachings empha…
- God Calls Out | Mar 15, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech explores Parashat Vayikra, discussing reverence for God, preparation for Pesach, and the historical beginnings of the Egyptian exile. Rabbi Rubenstein reflects on Moshe's awe before God, the timing of chame…
- God's Love | Mar 13, 2026
The Daily Derech explores Parashat HaChodesh and Hilchot Chametz uMatzah, discussing Jewish time defined by redemption, the significance of Nisan, and the obligation to remove chametz before Pesach. It also reflects on God's enduring prese…
- Making Time for God | Mar 12, 2026
Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein discusses Parashat Vayakhel, the community's gathering on Shabbat, and the obligation to remove chametz before Pesach. He also shares a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about Yaakov's descent into Egypt and the balance…
- Responsibility & the Meaning of Suffering | Mar 11, 2026
This episode of The Daily Derech explores Parashat Vayakhel, Hilchot Chametz uMatzah, and a teaching on Abraham's vision. Rabbi Rubenstein discusses the importance of Torah study and Shabbat, and clarifies responsibility for chametz checks…
- Setting Limits | Mar 10, 2026
The Daily Derech discusses the 39 categories of labor forbidden on Shabbat, connecting them to the building of the Mishkan. The episode also covers the search for chametz before Pesach and the symbolism of the three Temples through the wel…