One Verse -- Rabbi Josh & One Verse Of Torah

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
 
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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
 
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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
 
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Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod 
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And if you have someone with a story to tell, please contact me at josh@temple-israel.org

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
 
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Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod 
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And if you have someone with a story to tell, please contact me at josh@temple-israel.org

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
 
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Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod 
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And if you have someone with a story to tell, please contact me at josh@temple-israel.org
 

Genesis Chapter 33, Verse 4
Please accept my welcoming gift that has been brought to you, for God has been kind to me, and I have all.” Jacob thus urged him to accept the gift, and Esau finally accepted it.
 
קַח־נָ֤א אֶת־בִּרְכָתִי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֻבָ֣את לָ֔ךְ כִּֽי־חַנַּ֥נִי אֱלֹהִ֖ים וְכִ֣י יֶשׁ־לִי־כֹ֑ל וַיִּפְצַר־בּ֖וֹ וַיִּקָּֽח:
 
After Thanksgiving, gratitude is on my mind.  In this verse, I reflect on the relationship between Jacob and Esau.  We can learn from their actions that gratitude can always lead to friendship.  In a simple moment, we see the power of this soul trait.
 
Edited by: Rabbi Josh Bennett
Original Music Composed by: Ben Chutz
 
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Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod 
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And if you have someone with a story to tell, please contact me at josh@temple-israel.org

Genesis Chapter 28, Verse 16
Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “God is truly present in this place, yet I was not aware of it.”
 
וַיִּיקַ֣ץ יַֽעֲקֹב֘ מִשְּׁנָתוֹ֒ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אָכֵן֙ יֵ֣שׁ יְהֹוָ֔ה בַּמָּק֖וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וְאָֽנֹכִ֖י לֹ֥א יָדָֽעְתִּי:
 
God is in this place, and I almost did not realize it!  This verse has always spoken to me for its simplicity and grace.  If only we could notice the amazing ways that God appears in the world.
After a dream about the angels climbing Jacob's ladder, Jacob awakens to an epiphany.  God is here!  Everywhere!
 
Edited by: Rabbi Josh Bennett
Original Music Composed by: Ben Chutz
 
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Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod 
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And if you have someone with a story to tell, please contact me at josh@temple-israel.org

Genesis Chapter 27, Verse 1
Isaac had grown old. His eyesight had become dim. He summoned his elder son Esau and said to him, “My son,” and he answered him, “Here I am.”
 
וַֽיְהִי֙ כִּֽי־זָקֵ֣ן יִצְחָ֔ק וַתִּכְהֶ֥יןָ עֵינָ֖יו מֵֽרְאֹ֑ת וַיִּקְרָ֞א אֶת־עֵשָׂ֣ו | בְּנ֣וֹ הַגָּדֹ֗ל וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ בְּנִ֔י וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו הִנֵּֽנִי:
 
What does it mean to REALLY be there for another person.  The verse today focuses on the relationship between Esau and his father Isaac.  In a touching moment before the chaos of deception that will come soon, Esau completely gives himself to his dad.  
If only we could all have this intimacy every day.  Hineni--Here I Am! 
 
Edited by: Rabbi Josh Bennett
Original Music Composed by: Ben Chutz
 
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Web: https://www.temple-israel.org/wakinguptolifepod 
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And if you have someone with a story to tell, please contact me at josh@temple-israel.org

Genesis Chapter 25, Verse 8
And Abraham breathed his last (expired), and died at a good old age, mellow and contented; and he was gathered to his kin.
 
וַיִּגְוַ֨ע וַיָּ֧מׇת אַבְרָהָ֛ם בְּשֵׂיבָ֥ה טוֹבָ֖ה זָקֵ֣ן וְשָׂבֵ֑עַ וַיֵּאָ֖סֶף אֶל־עַמָּֽיו׃
 
Today I explore a little studied verse from the end of Chaye Sarah.  Typically people focus on the beginning of the portion and Sarah's death.  Instead, I look at the moment that Abraham "expires" and "dies"...mellow and contented.  
The Rabbis ask why two different words are used to describe his death.  The answer may help us all live a better life.
 
Edited by: Rabbi Josh Bennett
Original Music Composed by: Ben Chutz
 
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Web: 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

Genesis Chapter 18, Verse 2
Looking up, he saw three figures standing near him. Perceiving this, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and, bowing to the ground,
 
וַיִּשָּׂ֤א עֵינָיו֙ וַיַּ֔רְא וְהִנֵּה֙ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה אֲנָשִׁ֔ים נִצָּבִ֖ים עָלָ֑יו וַיַּ֗רְא וַיָּ֤רׇץ לִקְרָאתָם֙ מִפֶּ֣תַח הָאֹ֔הֶל וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ אָֽרְצָה׃
 
Today, I am joined by Rabbi Adam Morris from Temple Micah in Denver on the anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah.  Together we explore the Parasha Vayera and Abraham's incredible ability to graciously welcome others into his life.  Using his example, this verse gives us a map to being the best version of ourselves.
 
Edited by: Rabbi Josh Bennett
Original Music Composed by: Ben Chutz
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeisraelmi 
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Web: 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