Torah Portion 30

The Vending Machine God, Divine Consequences & The Secret of the Jubilee: A Deep Dive into Behar-Bechukotai with Rabbi Jonathan Goldschmidt

Parasha Deep Dive Episodes
May 10, 2026•1 min read

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If God loves us, why do terrible things happen? And have we accidentally turned God into a vending machine?

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In this episode of Parasha Deep Dive, host Shlomo Godsi and Rabbi Jonathan Goldschmidt explore the profound and often painful mysteries of Parashiyot Behar and Bechukotai. They tackle the uncomfortable reality of the Torah's "curses," the illusion of human ownership, and why genuine spiritual intimacy requires incredible bravery.

At the Alshech Academy, we believe the most profound truths are found through honest, humble questioning. If you've ever felt a disconnect between your modern life and ancient rituals, this conversation will give you the actionable wisdom and clarity you've been searching for.

**What We Explore:**
* 00:00 - Bringing Pesach to India & Dubai
* 02:15 - The Secret of Shmita, Yovel, & the 7th Millennium
* 06:30 - Why We Can't Have Mashiach Without a Sanhedrin
* 12:45 - Capitalism, Socialism, and the Torah's "Great Reset"
* 24:10 - The Illusion of Ownership & Loving the Land of Israel
* 32:20 - Reframing the "Curses": The Sports Car Analogy
* 41:00 - The Vending Machine God Fallacy
* 53:15 - Finding Bravery in the Dark: The Auschwitz Potato Menorah
* 1:02:00 - The Danger of Treating God "Casually" (Keri)

To connect with the living wisdom of Tsfat and continue your spiritual journey, subscribe to the channel and explore our resources below.


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parasha portiontorah studypodcast
On the Alshech's Yortzeit, I Received a Message... After morning prayers in the Alshech Shul, I would learn the Alshech’s Torah, just me and him. It was an intimate process that began my close connection with this great sage. Then, on Erev Pesach 2023, at 2 AM, I received a clear message: open a center of learning here, at the Alshech Shul, for the English-speaking communities around the world. I later realized that very night was the Alshech’s Yortzeit. That realization still gives me the chills! This Academy is not just a project; it is a response to a divine call. I humbly ask you to join me in answering it.

Shlomo Godsi

On the Alshech's Yortzeit, I Received a Message... After morning prayers in the Alshech Shul, I would learn the Alshech’s Torah, just me and him. It was an intimate process that began my close connection with this great sage. Then, on Erev Pesach 2023, at 2 AM, I received a clear message: open a center of learning here, at the Alshech Shul, for the English-speaking communities around the world. I later realized that very night was the Alshech’s Yortzeit. That realization still gives me the chills! This Academy is not just a project; it is a response to a divine call. I humbly ask you to join me in answering it.

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