# Free Gifts | July 19, 2026

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-daily-derech-from-exploring-judaism-7726833/free-gifts-july-19-2026
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-daily-derech-from-exploring-judaism-7726833/free-gifts-july-19-2026.md
Podcast: [The Daily Derech from Exploring Judaism](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-daily-derech-from-exploring-judaism-7726833)
Published: 2026-07-19T16:48:48+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.com/podcasts/thedailyderech-ej/3003978
Audio file: https://content.rss.com/episodes/375185/3003978/thedailyderech-ej/2026_07_19_16_48_41_95a814c2-2551-4d49-bc23-f3a2a9207213.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-daily-derech-from-exploring-judaism-7726833/episodes/free-gifts-july-19-2026
Duration seconds: 1217

## Resource

See here for today's text! In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Va’etchanan, Hilchot Kriat Shema, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the transformative power of repentance. The parashah focuses on Moshe’s heartfelt plea to enter the Land of Israel despite God’s earlier refusal. Drawing on Rashi, Rabbi Rubenstein explains that Moshe asks not because he deserves the gift, but out of trust in God’s renewed compassion, teaching that sincere prayer should humbly seek divine grace. The Rambam explains that mourners before burial are exempt from Kriat Shema because they cannot pray with proper intention, while those occupied with caring for the deceased are exempt because they are performing a mitzvah. The Menorat HaMaor teaches that God accepts repentance even when suffering motivates it. Yet the highest form of teshuvah comes from awe and love of God, allowing repentance to transform both the heart and one’s relationship with Him. Today's text: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k7AIpPrVJeYEiWRQF2MXHfZPd-fRqfu_/view?usp=sharing Learn more at exploringjudaism.org/thedailyderech and reach out to Rabbi Rubenstein here .

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## Transcript

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