Are some things worth writing and saying twice? It turns out, yes, and it's not what you think.
Pekudei: Things Worth Repeating
P
Vayakhel: Affirmative Action or Natural Selection?
V
Does the Torah teach us to balance talent and social status? Lessons from the selection of the artisans of the Mishkan.
Tetzaveh: Will Everything Be Good?
T
Are we supposed to believe that everything that will happen to us is good, and how should we handle the bad?
Terumah: The Gift of Wealth: A Blessing or a Trap?
T
Do we control our wealth, or does it control us? The Torah challenges us to use it wisely, before our wealth uses us.
Mishpatim: Struggling? Lift Up Another!
M
Should we focus on lifting ourselves out of the quicksand,
or can we accomplish that by lifting up another?
Yitro: Why Was Moses Reluctant to Delegate?
Y
Jethro comes for a visit and suggests that Moses delegate authority to judges; otherwise, he will collapse under the burden. Did Moses not realize this himself? The fascinating difference between the approaches of Moses and Jethro—and G-d’s surprising decision.
Beshalach: The People’s Torah
B
Is Torah study only for those able to dedicate their lives to it? How regular people can make Torah study part of their lives.
Bo: “The Third Generation Destroys…”
B
Popular wisdom suggests that the first generation makes it, the second maintains it and the third destroys it. Can this be applied spiritually as well?
Blessing the New Month: “Keep Your Opinions to Yourself!”
B
How to speak in a way that others will listen.
Shemot: The Snake that Swallowed Moses
S
What did Moses do to deserve this? And how did a Woman save the day again?
Parshat Hachodesh: How Much Are 2 Mitzvot Worth?
P
2 Mitzvot stood between the Jewish people and the Exodus, and 2 Mitzvot can bring our redemption. A journey between Moses in Egypt, Rabbi Matya in Rome, and the Lubavitcher Rebbe in New York.
Parshat Shekalim: How Many Jews Are There?
P
The history of census counts of the Jewish people, from the days of Moses and kings Saul and David, and the connection to counting ten for a minyan in the synagogue.
Ki Tisa: The Fiery Showdown
K
What is worse: worshipping idols, or doing a bit of both - idols and G-d? Lessons from the great showdown on Mt. Carmel.
Minor Purim: Guaranteeing Victory
M
Mordechai and Haman both knew: The children hold the key to victory or failure for the Jewish people. And a little joy goes a long way
Terumah: A Mistaken Depiction of the Tablets
T
What did Moses put inside the Ark of the Covenant, and how does that inform the correct depiction of the Tablets?
MISHPATIM: Guardians of the World
M
When a person receives a deposit, they are obligated to guard it. What degree of responsibility do we bear towards the world and the life we receive every morning?
YITRO: Moral Values
Y
Can humanity be governed by a moral code not rooted in belief in G-d?
Beshalach: What’s Greater than Prayer?
B
There are moments in life when prayer is not enough - we must act!
A lesson about Moses' leadership during times of crisis and the eternal lessons it teaches us.
Va’era: The Battle Over the Jewish Birthrate
V
A historical journey into the relentless Egyptian efforts to control the Jewish birthrate, and a look at the heroism of Jewish women.
Shemot: Can You Blame People Only for Their Intentions?
S
Moshe condemns Datan for only raising his hands, even before he hit Aviram. Why?
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?
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?
Mishpatim: Alternative Justice System
M
How could manna from heaven serve as forensic evidence in Moses's court, and how could lions participate in Solomon's judicial proceedings?
The Torah is not in the Heavens!
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’era: 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?
Pekudei: How Were the Pyramids Built?
P
Elon Musk tweeted that aliens built them, the prevailing tradition is that the Israelites built them, and Egyptian scholars claim that Egyptians built them. But everyone is still amazed: how did they manage to move such heavy stones? And why couldn’t the Levites use the same technology in erecting the Tabernacle?
Vayakhel: Donations, Demons and Wills
V
Are demons bothered by charity giving at night? What is the most famous will in Jewish history? Which country excels in the mitzvah of charity?
Ki Sisa: Jewish Hygiene
K
The coronavirus raised awareness for proper hygiene. In fact, in the Tabernacle in the desert over three thousand years ago, the priest would wash his hands and feet before beginning the holy service.
What is spiritual hygiene? And why should the women be in charge?
Tetzaveh: Haman’s Mistake
T
Haman and his team of senior astrologers chose the perfect time to annihilate the Jews: the month Moses died. But his plan didn’t work. What was their mistake?
Terumah: Atonement or Elevation?
T
A massive fundraising campaign was kicked off after the Exodus to fund the construction of the Tabernacle.
When exactly did it take place? And why exactly was a Tabernacle necessary?
Mishpatim: Our Goal in Life
M
Humans like to strive for perfection. However, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the first Chabad Rebbe, wrote an entire book about reaching the level of a ‘beinoni,’ commonly translated as ‘mediocre.’
What exactly did he mean?
Yisro: Jungle or Orchard?
Y
Before a person converts, he is told, “Being Jewish is difficult.” Afterwards, he is told, “Being Jewish is great!”
What’s going on?
Beshalach: Gold Chasers and Grave Diggers
B
Before the Israelites left Egypt, some chased after gold and some chased after graves — both upon the express command of G-d. Who was right?
A lesson about priorities.
Bo: The Public Declaration
B
The Egyptians who revered cattle as deities, but they were remarkably tolerant of the Jewish tradition of eating meat. But when the Jews slaughtered the sheep for the Paschal offering, they went berserk. What happened?
Va’era: Judaism’s Universal Message
V
The Torah gives 613 commandments for Jewish people. But what about the non-Jews? Does Judaism have a message for all mankind?
Shemot: What Exercise Teaches Us
S
Why does Torah call Moses with a near pejorative? How should we view our inner anti-Semite? And why do we celebrate birthdays?
Vayakhel-Pekudei: Between Right and Right
V
It is easy to choose between right and wrong. Choosing between right and right proves more difficult. How are we to ascertain the correct course of action?
Ki Tisa: Broken Tablets: An Achievement?
K
When the Torah eulogizes Moses, it mentions the breaking of the Tablets as one of his greatest virtues. Doesn’t that seem ludicrous?
Tetzaveh: Archaeology vs. Tradition
T
The Jewish people have traditions dating back thousands of years which outline the specific form and format of our traditions. What if archeologists find contradictory evidence? Do we change our rituals or do we not?
Terumah: The Power of the Palpable
T
Abraham planted cedars in Beer-Sheba, Jacob transplanted them to Egypt, and the Israelites took them along into the desert.
Why were we dragging cedars for four-hundred years? And what does it tell us about “being Jewish at heart”?
Mishpatim: Reincarnation Can Define Your Life’s Mission
M
People are often quick to shrug off communal responsibility. Even Moses himself, when instructed to redeem the People of Israel, made every effort to avoid the mission.
What does Jewish tradition say about this attitude? Is communal work really for everyone?
Yitro: Leadership of Love
Y
Some religious leaders speak derogatorily about others. How did G-d respond to such behavior? What did Rabbi Eliezer do when faced with a similar situation? What did the Rebbe say?
Beshalach: The Emphasis on Women
B
The Torah contains nine ‘songs.’ The Song of Moses, the Song of David, the Song of Miriam, and so on. Jewish tradition seems to cherish the songs of the women. Why so?
Bo: Why Do Rabbis Make Rules?
B
Throughout Jewish history, the rabbis have enacted takanot, or Rabbinic ordinances, to safeguard Jewish observance. Shabbat begins at sundown? The sages extend it by eighteen minutes. The evening Shema must be recited by sunrise? The rabbis said midnight.
Where did they learn this behavior? Why are the Torah’s commands not enough?
Va’era: Jewish Genius
V
Until two hundred years ago, eighty percent of the world’s population was illiterate. The statistic among the Jewish population was the opposite: Eighty percent could read and write. How can we explain the difference? Insight into the age-old Jewish approach to education.
Shemot: The Advisors’ Dilemma
S
When Pharaoh suggested to drown the newborns, what were his advisors to do? Object and face the consequences, or agree and work with the circumstances?
When faced with a moral dilemma, do you make do with the situation or take a principled stand?
A fascinating lesson from Bilaam, Job and Jethro.