Michael Franco

Parashat Debarim: Moses' Valedictory Address: Rallying the Troops

In this podcast, we give an overview of all of Sefer Debarim, emphasizing the brilliant construction of Moses' valedictory address to the nation and its fundamental implications to the Torah as a whole. Next, we read through Parashat Debarim, demonstrating that Moshe is not simply delivering a historical recap, but a morale-boosting speech with a very important goal.

“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.”
-- T.S. Eliot

Jeremiah 32: Redemption and the Moral Arc of the Universe

In this podcast, we delve into Jeremiah 32, in which the prophet is charged by God, strangely, to purchase a plot of land from his cousin, with the invasion of the Babylonians imminent. The dialogue between God and Jeremiah teaches the reader fundamental lessons about the human condition, as well as the destiny of the nation of Israel and humanity as a whole.

"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light."
- Aristotle

Parashat Mattot-Mas'e: Brotherhood and Nationhood

In this podcast, we read through the text that describes the request of Reuben and Gad to inherit the land of the Transjordan. We prove that Moshe was in fact spot-on in his assessment of their request and therefore in his rebuke thereof. Next, we emphasize the important concepts of brotherhood brought forth in the place of Gilead. Finally, we take a tour of the future history of Reuben, Gad, and Hassi Menashe, ending with a lesson that is so relevant today that the fate of our nation hangs in the balance.

"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word."

- Martin Luther King Jr.

Yirmiyahu 1 -- A Guide to Fearlessness and the Art of Speaking Truth to Power

In this podcast, we give a historical context to the prophecies of the great prophet Jeremiah. We compare his inaugural prophecies to those of Moses and Isaiah, among others. We conclude with the powerful words of God to His young new prophet and find in them a message that continues to echo in the ears of those with a strong moral conscience.

"A great man is a torch in the darkness, a beacon in superstition's night, an inspiration and a prophecy."

- Robert Ingersoll

Parashat Pinehas: A Legacy that Transcends

In this podcast, we explore the puzzling placement of seemingly unrelated topics in this week's parasha. We uncover the common theme that links the various subjects and stand in awe of its poignancy. We close with a survey of the life and times of Eliyahu Hannabi and its connection to our parasha.

"Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you."

- Shannon Adler

Parashat Balaq: Tapping Your Potential as an Emissary of Worldwide Blessing

In this podcast, we learn the interesting textual contrasts between Abraham Abinu and Bilaam. We explore what exactly it was that made Bilaam a "wicked person" despite his seemingly innocent actions in this week's Parasha. The messages that emerge are fundamental to our mission of becoming a blessing to the world.

Parashat Balaq: Haftarah -- Micha 5,6: Religion or Creed?

In this week's podcast, we give an overview of the time period of the prophet Micha, noticing how similar that era was to our own. We explore various prophecies from that ancient epoch, culminating in a message that is vitally important to our contemporary times.

“It is customary to blame secular science and anti-religious philosophy for the eclipse of religion in modern society. It would be more honest to blame religion for its own defeats. Religion declined not because it was refuted, but because it became irrelevant, dull, oppressive, insipid. When faith is completely replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit; when the crisis of today is ignored because of the splendor of the past; when faith becomes an heirloom rather than a living fountain; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion--its message becomes meaningless.” 
― Abraham Joshua Heschel, God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism

Parashat Huqqat: Revisiting Moshe's Tragic Error -- What Really Went Wrong?

In this week's podcast, we explore the debacle of Me Meribah. We bring a new explanation of Moshe's mistake that completely revolutionizes the way we understand the entire episode.

Parashat Qorah: A Lesson in Demagoguery and Public Policy

In this week's podcast, we explore the real issue underlying Qorah's seemingly noble demands. Additionally, we explore the Haftarah from the book of Samuel and derive an incredibly important lesson regarding leadership and politics today.

Parashat Behar: Embracing your Transient Human Existence

In this week's podcast, we explore the foresight that God engenders in Jeremiah and the connection to the Parasha. We then explore the difference between transcendence and immanence. We demonstrate the value of balancing these approaches to the Divine and the ability to embrace the transient nature of existence.