Judaism teaches us not to accept matters at face value, but to delve into their true meaning.
What seems positive isn't always good for us.
VAYECHI: Looks Can be Deceiving
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19 KISLEV: Self Diagnosis
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The haters' arguments can teach us what's important, what's true, and what needs improvement.
VAYETZE: 238 Hostages – What Can I Do for Them?
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A fascinating lesson about physical captives,
mental captivity, and the road to freedom.
TOLDOT: Showdown at a Bar Mitzvah
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A lifestyle of brute power vs. an educational path of faith and spirituality.
A 13 year old boy takes on Og the Giant.
CHAYEI SARAH: The importance of knowing what’s important to you
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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
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Helping others and praying for others isn't self-sacrifice
- it's a profitable investment!
Lech-Lecha: War in Israel
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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
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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.
Lech Lecha: Renewal, Joy, and Progress
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The three cardinal principles for life we are taught by the Torah’s first three portions. Don’t get stuck in the past, don’t fall into a rut, and don’t become complacent.
Vayechi: The Evil Eye
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Is there significance to the day of the week I was born? Does Judaism believe in the Evil Eye? Is there a safe zone?
Vayigash: Pay Attention
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Prophecies, omens, and science. What is the Jewish view?
Should we read into the random occurrences in our lives? Should we view scientific advances as questioning our faith? And, by the way — is it possible to jump to the moon?
Chanukah/Mikeitz: Why The Conflict?
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The Greeks are known for the tremendous wisdom they contributed to the world. The Jewish people, for time immemorial, cherished intellect and the pursuit of wisdom as well. Why then, couldn’t we get along?
Chanukah/Vayeshev: Have the Winners Been Declared?
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We all love to celebrate Chanukah, the holiday which marks our victory over the Syrian Greeks and the miracle of the oil. Did you know that it took the sages a full year to decide whether they were victorious?
Behind the scenes in the Chanukah story.
Vayishlach: When Success Breeds Humility
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What causes people to be magnanimous? What’s the right way to handle success?
When the first Chabad Rebbe bested his opponents and achieved legitimacy for the new Chassidic movement, he wrote a letter to his followers which set their priorities straight.
Vayetzei: What Makes a Hero?
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The Zohar’s story about Abraham, Rashi’s story about Jacob, and the Rebbe’s story about Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. What do the stories have in common? And what was the common denominator which made them eternal Jewish heroes?
Toldot: Turning a New Leaf
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The Talmud states that three categories of people are absolved of all their sins: the newly married, the newly appointed leader, and the newly appointed ‘sage.’
Why? Is this absolution attainable for ordinary people?
Life-lessons from Esau, Rabbi Ze’irah, and Israel’s third president.
Chayei Sarah: The Admission Test
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Every new bride goes through an ‘admission test’ in her new family. In Abraham’s family, there was a very high bar. Rebecca was accepted into the family only when she managed to bring several miracles into her home: A Cloud of Glory, a growing dough, and a candle that wouldn’t go out. What do those miracles represent?
Vayera: The Biblical Story and Its Kabbalistic Interpretation
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In this week's Haftorah, we read a fascinating story about an evil king, a poor widow, and children who are almost taken into slavery. What's the deeper meaning? Kabbalah has the answer.
Lech-Lecha: Why Is a Jewish Lifestyle so Expensive?
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Not long ago, we each purchased a Lulav and Etrog set for Sukkos for a tidy sum. A pair of Tefillin is even more costly, and to send a child to a Jewish school you need to open a savings account. Why must things be this way?
Noach: When Noah Didn’t Argue
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When G-d tells Noah that he plans to destroy humanity, Noah does not pound on the table and demand mercy. Why? Why didn't he act like Moses, who pounded on the table and prevented the Children of Israel from being punished?
A deeper reading will shed light on Noah's reasoning and teach us how to judge others.
Vayechi: Sibling Rivalry
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Joseph brings his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to be blessed by Jacob before his demise. Jacob surprises them by putting his right hand on Ephraim, the younger son, and his left hand on Manasseh, the older one. Joseph jumps in to correct the mistake. But what exactly bothered him? What was so wrong about Jacob’s choice?
A lesson about education, sibling rivalry, and honoring parents.
Vayigash: Who Taught Joseph Tolerance?
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Joseph lived in a very unforgiving world. People weren’t as tolerant of other nations and other religions like today. Even the forefathers, who preached G-d’s word to the world, preferred to be shepherds, where they wouldn’t be forced to engage with the basest elements of idol-worshiping society. Yet Joseph was fully immersed in their world, and in fact, he was personally responsible for the...
Mikeitz: The Correct Form of Punishment
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Torah delineates a variety of punishments and penalizations, but imprisonment is not among them. Torah describes Joseph’s incarceration as a feature of the Egyptian ‘judicial system’ – not as a recommendation. In Torah law, prison is not mentioned at all.
Vayeshev: Faith vs. Initiative
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Yosef was sent to prison where he met Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker. He asked for their assistance in securing his release, and in response, Hashem punished him with two more years of imprisonment. Yet those two ministers were instrumental -- by Hashem’s design -- in Yosef’s ultimate release. How does this make sense?
Vayishlach: A Mother’s Dedication
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Yaakov asked his son Yosef to inter him in the Cave of Machpelah. He took the opportunity to explain why he buried his mother on the road near Beit Lechem instead of bringing her to the Cave of Machpelah - so that the children of Israel on their way into exile would pray at her gravesite and ask her to intercede on their behalf. But why should Yosef come to terms with his mother’s loneliness? How...
Vayetze: Humans and Angels; Who Needs Whom?
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The Zohar notes an interesting distinction in Torah’s description of the angels who met Yaakov on his way out of and into the Land of Israel. Who searched for whom, and why?
Toldos: Faith in G-d – On Whose Account?
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Our Sages command us to honor the Shabbat and promise that the costs won’t be included in our destined portion for the year. But there is a caveat: If you have no assets, don’t go into debt. Why can’t we borrow with the power of our faith in G-d?
Chayei Sarah: Does G-d Really Pay Attention?
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What is the Jewish approach to understanding G-d’s involvement in the world? Is He involved in every detail, or is He only interested in the ‘important’ things? The Rambam, the Baal Shem Tov, and the first Chabad Rebbe chime in.
Vayera: A Leader to All
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What is the responsibility of a pious individual among sinners?
A deeper look at three of our most famous ancestors, Noach, Avraham and Moshe.
Lech Lecha: Why is it Difficult to Fulfill Mitzvot?
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If G-d wants our Mitzvot, why does He place obstacles in our path? Is there meaning to our efforts, or are they just a conduit to success?
And how does a single deed make you a partner with G-d?
7 Cheshvan: Dry Jew or Rainfall?
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The holidays of Tishrei precede the fall months when fields need rainfall. Nonetheless, our Sages delayed the prayer for rain until the last traveling pilgrims would arrive home safely. But why does one Jew’s comfort override the critical need for rainfall?
A powerful lesson in the importance of Ahavat Yisrael, and how deeply it can impact a person.
Bereishis: Feminine Power – Talking directly to Eve would have changed the world
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The Sin of the Tree of Knowledge is the spiritual source of all sins throughout history, and it could have all been avoided through direct talk with Eve. When Hashem gave the Torah to the Jewish people, He changed His approach; He sent Moses to speak to the women first. What does this teach us about men?