Episode

Aftermath of the Midianite War | July 9, 2026

Podcast
The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism
Published
Jul 9, 2026
Duration seconds
1530
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https://rss.com/podcasts/thedailyderech-ej/2973678
Audio
https://content.rss.com/episodes/375185/2973678/thedailyderech-ej/2026_07_09_04_27_14_f8229368-5982-4dc9-bb39-f6ddbff69f76.mp3
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/v1/public/podcasts/the-daily-derech-from-exploring-judaism-7726833/episodes/aftermath-of-the-midianite-war-july-9-2026
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Summary

In this episode of The Daily Derech , Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Matot-Masei, Hilchot Kriat Shema, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the spiritual value of disciplined suffering. The Parashah discusses the Israelites’ return from the battle against Midian and Moshe’s response to their handling of the captives. Rabbi Rubenstein examines the laws of ritual purification after battle, the kashering of captured vessels, and the lesson that anger can cause even great leaders to overlook important halachic details. The Rambam explains that excrement separated by a glass partition does not prevent reciting Shema, provided there is no odor. He also discusses diluting urine with water so it no longer creates a halachic barrier to prayer. The Menorat HaMaor teaches Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s idea that Torah, the Land of Israel, and the World to Come are acquired through disciplined effort and sacrifice. These challenges strengthen spiritual growth and help a person draw closer to God. Learn more at exploringjudaism.org/thedailyderech and reach out to Rabbi Rubenstein here .