Two Torah Shiur Series

Two distinct shiur series are available:

Pelaos HaParsha explores fascinating questions, overlooked Rishonim, and fresh perspectives in the weekly Parsha.

Selichos Unveiled examines the piyutim and sources of Selichos, using Rishonim, manuscripts, and lesser-known commentaries to uncover their meaning and depth.

Both series are available through the same podcast feed.

Listen to the Shiurim

Pelaos HaParsha Shiurim

Things You Never Learned In Yeshiva

A journey into the depth of the Parsha through fascinating questions, overlooked sources, and fresh perspectives.

Drawing on Rishonim, Midrashim, manuscripts, minhagim, and lesser-known sources, each shiur explores questions that can open an entirely new perspective on familiar parts of Torah.

A pasuk, a Rashi, a minhag, or even a phrase we have repeated for years can take on an entirely different meaning when we return to the original sources and begin asking questions.

Pelaos HaParsha is given by Rabbi Zecharia Holzer.

Tears

Why are tears during davening compared by the Rishonim to Nisuch HaMayim — one of the most joyous avodos of Sukkos?

Beginning with a striking comment of Rabbeinu Bachya and a newly available passage from Rabbeinu Yehuda bar Yakar, this shiur explores the connection between tears, the Shitin beneath the Mizbeach, the foundations of creation, and the power of tefillah to reach directly to the yesod of the world. Along the way, it offers a new perspective on why Nisuch HaMayim was celebrated with such extraordinary simcha — and what that may teach us about the tears we shed before HaKadosh Baruch Hu.

Korach

Parshas Korach opens the door to a surprisingly broad range of questions: politics in Torah, controlling anger, the way people once positioned their hands during tefillah, the Ibn Ezra, Techeiles, and Sinas Chinam.

A collection of unexpected sources that reveal connections hiding beneath the surface of the Parsha.

Shelach

What is the correct way to pronounce the French words in Rashi? What is the difference between the Torah's different words for exploring Eretz Yisrael? And what connects Tzitzis to the Kisei HaKavod?

A wide-ranging shiur through Parshas Shelach, built around questions that are easy to overlook but difficult to unsee once you notice them.

Bentch-a-phobia — B'haaloscha

Why can bentching sometimes feel difficult — and what did earlier Torah sources say about the importance of saying it properly?

The shiur explores a remarkable teaching of the Chida about singing bentching, the protective dimension of Birchas Kohanim, and the significance of Kedusha D'Sidra.

Parshas Naso

Was every Yeshiva bachur once considered something like a Nazir? Why are Sotah and Nazir placed where they are in the Torah? And why may a Nazir drink other alcoholic beverages but not wine?

The discussion moves through Nazir, wine, hair, the Cohen Gadol and the difference of Yaakov and Eisav, with insights into the words of Rashi, the Radak, the Rokeach, and the Shalah HaKadosh.

Selichos Unveiled

The original series, Selichos Unveiled, explores the words and piyutim of Selichos through Rishonim, manuscripts, and lesser-known commentaries.

These shiurim examine familiar passages in order to understand what the words actually mean — and how a deeper understanding can change the way we daven.

Previous Selichos Unveiled shiurim remain available below and through the Spotify archive.

Why Do We Say V'salachta After the 13 Middos 

Why does V'salachta follow the Yud-Gimmel Middos — and how could Rebbe Yehuda HaChasid understand V'salachta itself as part of the Middos?

This short shiur takes a closer look at words we say regularly, including the surprising question of why V'salachta is read aloud on a taanis.

Follow for New Shiurim

Additional shiurim from both series are available on all major podcast platforms.

Follow Pelaos HaParsha on your preferred platform to receive new shiurim as they are released.