9 Jul 2026
The Jewish Secret to Lasting Love [Parsha Pearls: Matos-Masei] 5786
In this Parsha Review Podcast episode on the double portion Matos-Masei, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores the continuation of Pinchas’ story from last week. As the Jewish people prepare for war against Midian, Moshe sends 1,000 men from each tribe along with Pinchas — carrying the sacred vessels and trumpets. Rashi explains that Pinchas was singled out because he had begun the mitzvah of zealously defending Hashem’s honor and was therefore told to complete it. The episode also highlights the Midrashic connection between Pinchas and Yosef through his mother’s lineage (Putiel / Yisro).
Rabbi Wolbe focuses on the seven names of Yisro, particularly “Putiel.” While it can be interpreted negatively (fattening calves for idol worship), it can also be seen positively: Yisro was at the “fat” (peak) of his illustrious career and sacrificed everything to join the Jewish people. This leads to a powerful discussion on perspective — choosing to see the positive in people, situations, spouses, children, and even world events.
The episode ties beautifully into the Three Weeks: lasting change in avoiding Lashon Hara comes not from simply stopping negative speech, but from changing how we view others. Rabbi Wolbe encourages judging the whole person favorably (kol ha’adam l’kaf zechus), practicing hakaras hatov (gratitude), and refusing to be kafui tov (one who rejects the good done for us). He applies this to family life, parenting, and current events, urging listeners to avoid knee-jerk negativity from media narratives.
_____________
This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa Friedman
Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharing)
Recorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on July 7, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on July 9, 2026
_____________
Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083))
Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ)) to stay inspired!
Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org (mailto:awolbe@torchweb.org) or visit torchweb.org (http://www.torchweb.org/) for more Torah content.
_____________
About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life. To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org (mailto:awolbe@torchweb.org)
_____________
Support Our Mission:
Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org (http://www.torchweb.org/). Your support makes a difference!
_____________
Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe (https://linktr.ee/ariwol):
NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes (https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodes)
Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes (https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes)
Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes (https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes)
Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes (https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes)
Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes (https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes)
Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes (https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes)
Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes (https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes)
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes (https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes)
For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org (http://podcast.torchweb.org/)
_____________
Keywords:
#Torah, #Parsha, #Numbers, #Bamidbar, #Matos, #Masei, #Perspective, #HakarasHatov, #ThreeWeeks, #PositivePerspective, #Pinchas, #Yisro, #JudgeFavorably, #BeGrateful
★ Support this podcast ★ (https://donate.torchweb.org)
