A lifestyle of brute power vs. an educational path of faith and spirituality.
A 13 year old boy takes on Og the Giant.
Toldot: Showdown at a Bar Mitzvah
T
Chayei Sarah: The Importance of Knowing What’s Important to You
C
Do you know what is your purpose in life?
How does this express itself in your order of priorities?
A life lesson from Abraham and Sarah.
Vayera: Altruism with Benefits
V
Helping others and praying for others isn't self-sacrifice
- it's a profitable investment!
Lech-Lecha: War in Israel
L
It is a difficult time for Jewish people. Israel is at war.
What can we do to help? How can we deal with the fear and anxiety?
And why is it so destructive to speak negatively about fellow Jews at this time?
Noach: Judging People the Right Way
N
When are we to say the truth about people’s behavior? And what is the connection to our soul?
A powerful lesson from Noach, Moshe and Rashi.
Sukkot: What Arouses Joy?
S
Why is Sukkot the most joyous holiday?
Is it related to agriculture and economics or perhaps to our failures?
The happiest Sukkot in Jewish history.
Tishrei: The Festive Journey
T
The High Holiday season is a fascinating train ride with multiple stops at critical stations to accumulate the energy, guidance and inspiration we need for the year. Come along for the ride!
Nitzavim Vayelech: People of the Book
N
Who wrote the text of the Torah, and when was it dictated to millions of writers?
The history of The Book
18 Elul: A Fiery Chariot to Heaven
1
The events of the passings of Elijah the prophet and the Baal Shem Tov offer insights into their lives' purpose and mission
Ki Tetze: The Formative Years
K
Elisha rebelled against G-d, but Rabbi Meir continued to study from him. How is this possible? A fascinating story with a critical lesson about children's education.
Shoftim: Spiritual Reality
S
Does our spiritual state have any influence over our physical? The spiritual building blocks of our physical world.
Re’eh: Employer – Employee Relations
R
I employed someone in my company and laid him off due to financial circumstances. What responsibilities do I have towards him, aside from my contractual and legal obligations?
Ekev: Seventy years Without Praying?!
E
What is prayer all about? What should a person who lacks nothing pray for? An exploration of the four rungs of the prayer ladder.
Va’etchanan: Chasing the Lost Ark
V
Was the Ark taken into captivity, or buried in a Temple Mount tunnel? What did the Rebbe say to someone searching for the Ark under the mountain?
A fascinating journey through history that sheds new light on the meaning of the Temple in our time.
Devarim: Explosive Potential
D
The golden calf, the translation of the Torah, and Shammai's "power grab". A historical journey through dramatic moments in our past, with a bold message for the present.
Matos – Masei: Don’t Force it
M
Should you force the kids to go to synagogue?
Strict parenting might produce quick results, but guiding with the powers of persuasion is more effective and durable.
History proves it.
Pinchas: The Jewish Woman
P
Intuition, devotion, and influence: the three defining feminine characteristics that are so important in our lives.
Chukat – Balak: The Talking Donkey
C
An angel is blocking Bilaam's way,
and his donkey rebukes him publicly.
Why all the drama?
A lesson about the meaning of punishment
and the importance of every individual.
Gimmel Tammuz: The Ultimate Test
G
Historically, our nation's most transformative moments came as a result of persecution.
In this foundational discourse, the Rebbe explains how today's freedoms set the stage for Judaism's most consequential test.
Shlach: The Trauma of the Spies and its Lessons
S
Optimism isn’t naivety, the majority isn’t always right, and modernity isn’t an enemy. Lessons from the spies of Moses and Joshua.
Beha’alotcha: The Secret of the Menorah
B
The Menorah is one of the best-known Jewish symbols.
prominent in the Temple and in the visions of the prophets.
What does it symbolize?
Naso: The Best Blessing
N
Can a blessing be too good?
Can a Divine gift be diverted?
If yes, is there any blessing that is impervious to all problems?
Shavuot: Faithful Marriage
S
The event of the giving of the Torah is considered a "marriage" between G-d and the Jewish people.
What form of loyalty does this relationship require?
Bamidbar: A New Dawn Breaks
B
When we’re at our lowest point, we must look up at the pitch-dark heaven and remember: tomorrow the moon will shine again
Behar – Bechukotai: All or Nothing
B
If I can’t get it right, why bother?
What do we do when the ideal is just not within reach?
Emor – Pesach Sheni: A Bug in the Divine System?
E
Sometimes it seems like there's a bug in G-d's system.
He commands us to do something, but makes it impossible to fulfill...
Did anyone ever ask G-d this question?
Acharei Mos – Kedoshim: Is There Life After Death?
A
Will the vision of the resurrection of the dead in the Messianic era actually be realized? Who will be resurrected, and when? Answers to all the questions you wanted to ask about the resurrection.
Sfirat Ha’omer: The Omer: A Chametz Transformation
S
Before Passover, we scrub our houses clean of all leavened bread. Yet, just a few weeks later, chametz becomes a most important element of the Holy Temple service. Why the transformation? What does it represent in the journey of the soul?
Pesach: Will These Dry Bones Live?
P
The Passover Haftarah relates an incredible vision of redemption: people rising from their graves, and a lamb and a wolf relaxing together. How and when will this happen? Has anything like this happened in the past? And what is Queen Cleopatra's connection to this?
11 Nissan: Choosing Wisely
1
Idolatry seems primitive and ludicrous. Why are the Jewish people called “wise” on account of their choice to serve G-d?
A fascinating discussion about the complexities of life and the courage to choose right.
Vayakhel-Pekudei: Jewish at Heart
V
"I do mitzvahs without feeling," "I didn't have a choice" — does that count as a mitzvah? Does an unintentional transgression count?
On Judaism's double standard on the importance of intent
Ki Sisa: Witchcraft: Illusion or Reality?
K
Can the forces of darkness actually create something? Is witchcraft a real phenomenon in our times?
Purim: The Winning Argument
P
Why did Esther hesitate to petition Achashverosh to save the Jews, and how did Mordechai convince her to do it? An argument with an eternal message.
Terumah: Looking to Hire: Temple Guards
T
An honor guard of Priests and Levites operated at the Holy Temple. Is the guard still required after the destruction of the Temple?
Yitro: Different Versions of the Ten Commandments?!
Y
G-d gave the Jewish people the Ten Commandments. Forty years later, Moses restates them, but there are some differences between the two versions. Why?
Beshalach: Four camps at sea
B
As the Egyptians pursued them, the Jews were busy arguing about what their next step should be. Was collective suicide and option? And why did G-d side against passionate prayer?
Bo: Does G-d Change His Mind?
B
An eye-opening exploration of free choice, reward and punishment, and the power of humans to change G-d’s mind.
va’eira: Feeling Frustrated?
v
Do you feel ineffective in your personal life? Frustrating by the difficulty in influencing people? The ten plagues have a lesson for you.
Shemot: Wonder Women in Egypt
S
How did two midwives serve an entire nation, why didn’t Pharaoh punish them, and what reward did they receive?
Vayechi: Marital Harmony and the Divine Spirit
V
Jacob wants to bless his grandsons, but suddenly the Divine spirit leaves him? Why did this happen? What was the solution? And what does all this have to do with the sanctity of Joseph and Osnat's marriage?
Vayigash: Growth From Hardship
V
How can we give encouragement to a person going through a crisis? How did G-d encourage Jacob on his way to a difficult exile in Egypt?
Chanukah: The Feminine Side of Chanukah
C
Who was the young woman that kindled the fire of rebellion of the Maccabees? Who was the woman whose resourcefulness helped the Maccabees win? And why did women suffer more than anyone else under Greek rule?
Vayeshev: The Secret of Success
V
Betrayed by his brothers as a boy, abused by his master and let down by those close to him, he keeps on smiling, helping others, and eventually saves the world! What is his secret?
Vayishlach: The Master Solution
V
What trait can help us become close to G-d, reach a deep understanding of the Torah, improve our personal and work relationships, and contribute to every facet of life?
Vayetzei: The Reasons for Antisemitism
V
From the time of Laban the Aramaean, to Haman and Ahasuerus, and all the way down the the present, we have suffered from antisemites who attempt to harm us. Why do they hate us? And how should we respond?
Toldot: Isaac’s Legacy
T
Our forefather Abraham introduced the concept of monotheism and hospitality. Jacob's legacy was the 12 tribes of Israel. But what was Isaac's legacy?
Chayei Sarah: The Historic Match
C
Abraham sent his servant Eliezer to find a wife for his son Isaac. When Eliezer arrived at his destination he prayed to G-d and was promptly answered. A comparison with prayers of Moses and King Solomon reveals that Eliezer the servant was answered quicker. Why?