PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey

Continuing their journey through the Ten Commandments, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu examine murder and adultery through the lens of the Genesis Deception story. They unpack why Esau—usually painted as the bad guy—holds back from killing Jacob even when he knows exactly where to find him, giving us a fresh take on "Do not murder." Then they explore how Laban's meddling in Jacob's marriage to Rachel offers a surprising spin on adultery—showing it's not just about infidelity, but about the damage caused when someone interferes in sacred relationships. Through their analysis, a profound message emerges: the commandments aren't simply rules, but wisdom about how our actions affect our deepest connections and desires.

For more on Rabbi Fohrman's reading of the deception story, see this essay from his book Genesis: A Parsha Companion, as well as this video Why Did Rebecca Trick Her Husband Isaac.

A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide.

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey

Continuing their analysis of the Ten Commandments through Genesis 27, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu focus on two pivotal commands: Shabbat and honoring one's parents. They begin by uncovering surprising connections between Rebecca's plea for Jacob's safety and the concept of divine rest. How does Jacob's exhausting fourteen-year labor under Lavan transform our understanding of Shabbat? And what can this teach us about finding true rest in our own lives?

The discussion then turns to the command of Kibbud Av v'Em - honoring both father and mother. Through a close reading of Esav's response to his parents' values, even after feeling betrayed, they reveal how this command speaks to something far deeper than mere obedience. It points to the delicate art of maintaining wholeness in relationships, ultimately connecting to our relationship with the land itself.

Join Rabbi Fohrman and Imu as they demonstrate how these two commands emerge not as arbitrary rules, but as profound wisdom about maintaining balance in our most fundamental relationships - with time, with family, and with the earth that sustains us.

Intrigued by our discussion of land as our grandparents? Explore this idea further in our Shavuot episode of Into the Verse. For a deeper dive, we recommend Rabbi Fohrman's courses A Tale of Two Names: Elokim and YHVH and The Meaning of Life, as well as his analysis of the deception story in this essay from his book Genesis: A Parsha Companion, as well as this video Why Did Rebecca Trick Her Husband Isaac.

A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide.

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey

Picking up from last week's cliffhanger, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu tackle an uncomfortable and paradoxical question: How can a perfect being—God—choose vulnerability? This unsettling concept seems to be at the heart of the parallels they uncover between Genesis 27 and the Revelation narrative. By analyzing the blast of the shofar at Sinai alongside Esav’s anguished cry, they explore what it means for God, the perfect being, to open Himself to vulnerability.

This paradox leads them to a deeper understanding of the Ten Commandments and their articulation. Through this reflection, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu reveal how God’s first commandments speak to profound truths about divine love, family dynamics, and the nature of idolatry. What does Jacob’s invocation of God’s name reveal about the third commandment? And how might Isaac’s relationship with his sons offer insights into our own connection with the divine?

Join Rabbi Fohrman and Imu as they unpack these questions and show how the Torah’s most foundational laws emerge from one of its most complex family dramas.

For more on Rabbi Fohrman's reading of the deception story, see this essay from his book Genesis: A Parsha Companion, as well as this video Why Did Rebecca Trick Her Husband Isaac.

A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide.