Vayigash -- Being Vulnerable

Ki Tissa -- The Space Between Us And God

Exodus Chapter 34, Verse 29 So Moses came down from Mount Sinai. And as Moses came down from the mountain bearing the two tablets of the Pact, Moses was not aware that the skin of his face was radiant, since he had spoken with God.   וַיְהִ֗י בְּרֶ֤דֶת מֹשֶׁה֙ מֵהַ֣ר סִינַ֔י וּשְׁנֵ֨י לֻחֹ֤ת הָֽעֵדֻת֙ בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁ֔ה בְּרִדְתּ֖וֹ מִן־הָהָ֑ר וּמֹשֶׁ֣ה לֹֽא־יָדַ֗ע כִּ֥י קָרַ֛ן ע֥וֹר פָּנָ֖יו בְּדַבְּר֥וֹ אִתּֽוֹ׃    Ki Tissa gives us the story of the Golden Calf.  But today I focus on a lesser known verse describing Moses as he came down from the mountain...his face radiant with God's presence.  Join me to discover how to bridge the gap between us and the divine.  It is easier than you think.   Edited by: Rabbi Josh Bennett Original Music Composed by: Ben Chutz   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi [https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/ [https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM]  Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod [https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod]  You can get this podcast anywhere you get your media.  Join over 10,000 listeners who have been inspired by the show. And if you have someone with a story to tell, please contact me at josh@temple-israel.org [josh@temple-israel.org]

Mishpatim -- Be Good To People

Exodus Chapter 23, Verse 5 When you see a donkey belonging to a fellow Jew whom you hate, crouching under its load, would you refrain from helping him?! Rather, you must help the person.   כִּֽי־תִרְאֶ֞ה חֲמ֣וֹר שׂנַֽאֲךָ֗ רֹבֵץ֙ תַּ֣חַת מַשָּׂא֔וֹ וְחָֽדַלְתָּ֖ מֵֽעֲזֹ֣ב ל֑וֹ עָזֹ֥ב תַּֽעֲזֹ֖ב עִמּֽוֹ:   In Parashat Mishpatim, we find more than 50 commandments or mitzvot. One, however, gives an important life skill that so many of us could use in this crazy world.  BE NICE. Even if you do not like another person, the Torah text is clear.  It is our obligation to help them so they do not suffer a burden.  Perhaps we can apply this to our everyday lives.     Edited by: Rabbi Josh Bennett Original Music Composed by: Ben Chutz   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi [https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/ [https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM]  Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod [https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod]  You can get this podcast anywhere you get your media.  Join over 10,000 listeners who have been inspired by the show. And if you have someone with a story to tell, please contact me at josh@temple-israel.org [josh@temple-israel.org]

Yitro -- Pay Attention To God

Exodus Chapter 18, Verse 1 Jethro, the former ruler of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard about all that God had done for Moses and for His people Israel, that God had brought Israel out of Egypt.   וַיִּשְׁמַ֞ע יִתְר֨וֹ כֹהֵ֤ן מִדְיָן֙ חֹתֵ֣ן משֶׁ֔ה אֵת֩ כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ לְמשֶׁ֔ה וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עַמּ֑וֹ כִּֽי־הוֹצִ֧יא יְהוָֹ֛ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מִמִּצְרָֽיִם   After taking a few weeks off, I am back with Parashat Yitro.  Now that we are in the Book of Exodus, the stakes have been raised.  Our ancestors are building a society and preparing for the 10 Commandments.   But in verse one of the Torah Portion, Yitro teaches us the power of observation. It is a reminder to listen...and notice all that God can do.  Such an important message in a difficult world.   Edited by: Rabbi Josh Bennett Original Music Composed by: Ben Chutz   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi [https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/ [https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM]  Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod [https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod]  You can get this podcast anywhere you get your media.  Join over 10,000 listeners who have been inspired by the show. And if you have someone with a story to tell, please contact me at josh@temple-israel.org [josh@temple-israel.org]

Vayigash -- Being Vulnerable

Genesis Chapter 45, Verse 2 He broke out into loud weeping; the Egyptians heard it, and word spread until the members of Pharaoh’s household heard about it, as well.   וַיִּתֵּ֥ן אֶת־קֹל֖וֹ בִּבְכִ֑י וַיִּשְׁמְע֣וּ מִצְרַ֔יִם וַיִּשְׁמַ֖ע בֵּ֥ית פַּרְעֹֽה:   Today I am inviting you to be vulnerable as you build relationships.  In the spirit of Joseph's story, we might all be better people if we lean into our emotional side.   In the story, Joseph is overcome with tears as he reconnects to his family.  At this holiday season when relationships often seem strained, this skill is deeply helpful.  Enjoy this one verse as you move into 2026. Happy New Year.   Edited by: Rabbi Josh Bennett Original Music Composed by: Ben Chutz   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi [https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/ [https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM]  Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod [https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod]  You can get this podcast anywhere you get your media.  Join over 10,000 listeners who have been inspired by the show. And if you have someone with a story to tell, please contact me at josh@temple-israel.org [josh@temple-israel.org]

Miketz -- Miracles Every Day

Genesis Chapter 41, Verse 16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not by my own power; God will provide an answer through me for Pharaoh’s welfare.”     וַיַּ֨עַן יוֹסֵ֧ף אֶת־פַּרְעֹ֛ה לֵאמֹ֖ר בִּלְעָ אֱלֹהִ֕ים יַֽעֲנֶ֖ה אֶת־שְׁל֥וֹם פַּרְעֹֽה:   This week I am talking about miracles.  It is Chanukah which coincides with Parashat Miketz and the story of Joseph's dream.  Pharaoh considers Joseph's talents miraculous.  But Joseph attributes everything to God. We can learn from this to look for more miracles around us.  Even as the world looks darker every day. Happy Chanukah.   Edited by: Rabbi Josh Bennett Original Music Composed by: Ben Chutz   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi [https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/ [https://www.instagram.com/templeisraelmi/]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn9spWvsCBvcQ-o5XLeFLHKcLoj2nBAfM]  Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod [https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod]  You can get this podcast anywhere you get your media.  Join over 10,000 listeners who have been inspired by the show. And if you have someone with a story to tell, please contact me at josh@temple-israel.org [josh@temple-israel.org]