"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
VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI: Jewish at Heart
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Ki Sisa: Witchcraft: Illusion or Reality?
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Can the forces of darkness actually create something? Is witchcraft a real phenomenon in our times?
Terumah: Looking to Hire: Temple Guards
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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
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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?!
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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
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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?
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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?
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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?
Vaera: Judaism’s Universal Message
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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.