Balaam saw what we too often forget: the Jewish people have a G-d-given strength to recover from any fall and rise again.
Balak: Rising Lion
B
Chukat: Once, it was a sin. Now—it’s a vision.
C
The new spies do exactly what the original spies did - but out of faith, not fear.
Korach – Gimmel Tammuz: What’s Funny About Destruction?
K
An Optimistic Approach to Coping with Pain.
Shelach: Do We Need a Leader?
S
Since leaving Egypt with Moses, the Jewish people have always had leaders to guide them and pray for them. But can't I pray to G-d on my own?
Behaalotecha: Two Jews, Three Opinions
B
The Jewish culture of disagreement, and the challenge of living together even when our views differ.
Simchat Torah: The Shofar of Love
S
The prophets of Israel prophesied about the shofars that will herald the coming of the Messiah. The Rebbe explains that these shofar blasts were expressed by the terrible world wars on the one hand, and the victory of the Six Day War on the other hand. A fascinating exploration of the deeper meaning of the shofar blasts and their role in preparation humankind for the upcoming redemption.
Beit Hamikdash: The Raised Temple
B
The Holy Temple was not built on flat ground but rather atop a storied structure on a mountain. Was this just an architectural marvel, or is there a deeper significance?
Pinchas: How Many Keys Do You Have?
P
This world has three critical keys of blessing: life, livelihood, and children. How many keys can a person receive?
Balak: Leadership During Crisis
B
Should a leader reveal the magnitude of the enemy threat or project confidence and strength?
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?
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.
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.
Behaalotecha: 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?
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
Matos Masei: Egoism or Altruism
M
Just before entering the Land of Israel, a drama unfolds: Two tribes prefer to remain outside. Why? How does Moses respond? And why does he add more people to their group?
Pinchas: A Challenging Relationship
P
Which relationship is more challenging - my relationship with G-d or with my neighbor? And which relationship does Jewish tradition consider more important?
Balak: God’s Secret Logic
B
Why do bad things happen? Are catastrophes G-d's retribution for our sins?
Chukat: Moshe Hit the Rock. So What?
C
The great leader who took the Jewish people out of Egypt, gave them the Ten Commandments, and led them to the entrance of the Promised Land, was punished to die in the desert just because he hit the rock. How is this fair?
Shelach: Solving Forgetfulness
S
There is an old technique to help remember things: to tie a knot.
Jewish tradition says that Pharaoh’s ministers did so, and so did the sages of the Mishnah. Even today, Jews tie knots every day in order to remember.
Why does a knot prevent forgetfulness? And did G-d do so Himself?
Behaalotecha: The End of the Chain?
B
Moses ordained Joshua, and Joshua ordained his students. This continued from generation to generation — until it stopped
What happened? What broke the chain of tradition?
Naso: To Be a Mensch
N
The Torah gives us 613 commandments, and gives Seven Noahide Laws to society at large. But one rule applies to everyone equally - and yet it was left unsaid: Be a mensch!
Pinchas: How to Deal with Bias
P
How objective are you? How much bias is involved in your decision-making process? And what lesson can we learn from the challenge of Tzelafchad’s five daughters to Moses?
Chukat: Dealing With Resentment
C
There are times when we are offended by the words or actions of others. We don’t seek revenge, and when asked, we even forgive. But the bitter grudge remains. How can we free our hearts of those negative impulses?
Shelach: Statistics and Free Will
S
Experts attempt to predict people’s future behavior through statistics. Does that mean you are just a statistic? Do you have the free will to make your own decisions or are you just a cog in the machine?
Join this ancient Jewish debate.
Naso: Be Smart and Apologize!
N
G-d warned Adam that he would die if he ate from the Tree of Knowledge. Yet he lived to the ripe old age of 930!
What happened? And how was it connected to the Tabernacle in the desert?
Behaalotecha: Is It Really Never Too Late?
B
The holiday of Pesach Sheni (Second Passover) famously teaches that it is never too late. Is that also true of the worst sins and crimes? This is a story of someone who received a message from heaven that it was too late, and yet he still received another chance.