Weekly Torah Studies

The Four Species we shake on the Sukkot holiday famously represent four different types of Jews. From the way the Torah describes each plant, we learn a valuable lesson about the immutable value of every Jew–regardless of what they do, or do not do.

The reality of life for so many is a series of banal, mundane, and oftentimes downright unholy moments. What are we supposed to make of this frustrating situation? A lesson from the lifespan of a fruit in Jewish law teaches us that G-d is best found in precisely these moments.

Religion can be attractive to many for one simple reason: it makes you a better person (hopefully). While not a bad argument, this isn’t the extent of Judaism’s majesty at all. The life of the hardworking and quick-to-die worker bee teaches us this valuable lesson.

Popular conception imagines Creation as a one-time thing, millennia ago, and just running on autopilot ever since. Chasidic thought busts that myth, teaching that Creation is a dynamic event occurring each second anew. With that in mind, every day is truly a new opportunity.

Jewish holidays are all on fixed dates. But curiously, when it comes to Purim, it seems that certain aspects of the holiday can be observed on a number of different days. This interesting fact tells us that not only are holidays uniquely special; any day can be unique if we look carefully.

“Slow and steady wins the race,” they said. And it’s usually true. But sometimes we can’t afford slow and steady. When teaching our children—or even ourselves—about Judaism, we must be bold and ambitious–above and beyond what would usually make sense.

Any investor understands that it takes risk, effort, and a long time of seeing no return to really reap the benefits later. As we continue our millennia-long Exile and look at our Temple in ruins, think of all this time as an investment: amazing returns are coming our way.

That’s what your mother and your teacher probably told you, and surprise!–they were right. Judaism wishes to teach this to us with multiple mitzvot associated with tying knots, because when you’re all tied up with something, you’ll never forget it.

Some get exhausted at or intimidated by the prospect of actively participating in the Jewish community. But the laws concerning which garments the High Priest wore in the Temple teach us that the choice has already been made: you’re in! It’s time to embrace this wonderful reality.

The Temple Menorah had golden goblets fashioned on it. The funny thing is, they were all wrong: upside-down and too narrow at their base. But they broadcast an important message: pour out whatever you know, however narrow or small it may be.

Some complain that Jewish experiences just “don’t talk to them.” A curious instance of recording the Torah before the Torah was even given teaches us that to maximize the experience, investing time and energy into preparation makes all the difference.

The number “three” pops up frequently in Judaism, with G-d, the Jews, and the Torah as the ultimate three-way partnership. There’s a reason for it: One gets a lot of airtime as the ultimate number of unity, but there’s something special when three brings one and two together.

For one fateful battle in the desert, an aging Moses did not personally lead the battle, opting to send his younger, stronger deputy instead. And for that, he was punished. Because when it comes to defending Judaism, everyone is on the front lines, no matter your age or stature.

Many wonder what makes the Jewish nation keep on ticking like the Energizer bunny. Answers abound, but one thing is for sure: we remain committed to our faith, and G-d keeps on providing the miracles to make it happen.

Early Jewish thinkers taught that the entire world is made up of four elements. But then there’s an elusive fifth element that lies at the core of everything. The intricacies of Passover chametz law teach us that when it comes to our relationship with G-d, it is this fifth element He seeks.

Challenges, suffering, and pain are unfortunately regular features of life. But is it really so unfortunate? The underwhelming name of the entire second book of the Torah and its opening parshah, “Names,” provides a different message: pain brings the biggest gain.

You’re hungry, yearning for caffeine, and in need of a nap. Is that really what Jewish fast days were designed for? Unsurprisingly, the literature reveals that it’s actually nothing of the sort, as you’ll find in this refreshing look at what would seem to be very un-refreshing days.

“Never despair!” they told you; “all is never lost!” Really? Yes, really. For the Jew with a soul and a luminescent way of life, there really is no corner in life beyond recourse. This is the message calling out to us from the lights of the Chanukah menorah standing in the doorway.

It’s silly to go on vacation and be on your phone all day answering emails. Well, to study Torah and not realize you’re connecting with G-d while doing so is just as silly. From the depths of a miserable pit full of snakes and scorpions, Joseph’s story implores us not to miss the critical point.

No one likes haters, but oftentimes, they’re just part of life’s reality. Instead of wasting time trying to disprove or beat them, our forefather Jacob taught that when you focus on what you need to do, you’ll eventually overwhelm the opposition anyway.

Hey, we can learn life lessons from anyone—warring European kings included. Sure enough, a brilliant military attack launched in 1757 provides a valuable tool for life—one already employed millennia earlier by Jacob: instead of attacking the weak points, reinforce the whole army. 

For many situations in life, the objectively appropriate response isn’t too hard to figure out, as long as we’re honest. But what about those instances when you can truly go either way? When G-d made Isaac look like Abraham and not the other way around, He taught us to err on the side of being too nice.

The very notion seems ridiculous: How can you blow past your breaking point if you’ve already been broken? That’s where the Chanukah miracle—as contrasted with Sarah’s miraculous oil—comes into play: to tell us that when we’re plugged into our faith, we can do the impossible.

G-d, religion, spirituality—it all sounds so abstract and sophisticated. Surely, it’s not quite a topic for young children? Or maybe it really isn’t for anyone? The story of a young boy’s tears shed about G-d informs us that this is decidedly not the case.

No one likes conflict, yet we all admire those who can successfully navigate through it. But Israel’s dual description as being both a “gift” and an “inheritance” teaches us that as tempting as equilibrium is, the confidence that emerges from resolving the tempest of discord might just be even greater.

Most would agree that emotions and logic are key ingredients to a successful relationship: It’s got to make sense, and it’s got to feel right. But in our relationship with G-d, there’s a critical third ingredient—found in the difference between Noah and Abraham

Many hobbies and interests consume a person, eventually turning into an entire way of life. And really, the Torah is right up there on that list. With its opening narrative of the story of Creation, this is the story the Torah tells.

Jewish tradition abounds with stories of pious ascetics who ate black bread and slept on wooden boards. But that doesn’t seem to be so commonplace these days. Should we go back? The sukkah—a primal hut, but with all the trappings of a house—provides an innovative and healthy approach.

That we can always improve is pretty much a no-brainer. Yom Kippur comes along each year and adds: Today, your soul receives a reboot. You’re a new person now. You can improve—and dramatically so.

There comes a time when thinking people stop and ask themselves, “Do I really matter?” It’s a scary question. The shofar-blowing ceremony provides a reassuring answer: Beyond anything you might do, G-d decided you matter—and that’s who you are. Go ahead and relish that.

“Fear of G-d” and submitting to authority are central planks to religious Jewish life. But who wants to live in fear and submission? No one. The good news is that Judaism doesn’t demand that from us. In fact, “fearing G-d” is quite the opposite: It is an edifying and empowering awareness to enrich your life. Discover how.

Our claim as the “chosen nation” has too often been misconstrued and misunderstood. It’s time to set the record straight and internalize what this idea really means: We are entirely humble before G-d and here to serve. Now it’s time to get to work.

Squaring the idea of an omnipresent G-d with the reality of evil has always been a thorny theological problem. Discover the surprising premise that upends this entire conversation: it’s along the lines of, “G-d can make a rock He can’t pick up—and then pick it up, too.”

Jewish people throughout history have maintained legendary faith in G-d, no matter how worrisome the future may look. But how? How do we allay fears about the future when we truly don’t know what will be? It’s all about trusting in G-d and relying on His master plan.

It’s the most hotly contested piece of real estate within the most hotly contested land in the world. What’s so special about Jerusalem that evokes so much passion? Walk its cobblestone streets and you will feel that it is the nexus of Heaven and earth.

Modern life is a dizzying abundance of “splintering.” Every day brings so many different places to be, roles to fill, and projects to carry out. World events regularly turn things upside down. How do we maintain our sanity and peace through it all? By centering everything around one thing: serving G-d—in whichever capacity He wishes.

A Talmudic story of a sage laughing at the scene of tremendous destruction teaches us profound truths about the destruction in our lives: it’s not just getting better “some day”; the destruction is the very feature that’s making it better right now.

A remake is always hard. How do you maintain the original authentic theme and flavor while injecting new and relevant language? Two drastically different historic attempts at translating the Torah teach us how to ace this tough task: with creativity and an abundance of caution.

We all go through difficult, dark times—sometimes excruciatingly so. Judaism has long held the view that like the Jews’ original odyssey through the desert, no stop on this journey of life is so dark as to be meaningless. In fact, the more difficult it is, the greater the growth thereafter.

“You got burned trying to go the cheaper route? I told you it wasn’t a good idea!” said every parent to their child. But that’s life: to really appreciate something, we sometimes have to learn it the hard way And so it is with our relationship with G-d: it cannot only be taught; it must be learned and earned.  

Shoving trauma under the rug is never a good idea, but dwelling on it and letting it dictate your life isn’t either. An entire parshah named after a famous villain shows us how to strike a healthy balance between fleeing and facing a traumatic past.

Jewish history and lore is replete with sages and saints, and with matriarchs and patriarchs. But let’s face it: most of us are never going to be any of the above. Where’s our place in Judaism? The quelling of Korach’s revolt surprisingly tells us that it’s actually front and center.

If to think is to question, to discover, and reject when necessary, to accept and obey means to not think. So how do we approach religion: accept without thinking, or question and challenge? The story of the spies provides the answer: both.

Suppose the “masses” are slacking off, and you now have the opportunity to distinguish yourself and shine. Would you do it? From a glaring narrative hole in the parshah, we learn that a true leader would never do that. His or her fate is always with the people.

A tribal prince offered a sacrifice millennia ago on Shabbat, and we’re mining the lesson ever since. It’s time to give yourself permission to feel important and significant. Your every action matters—and cosmically so.

Class date: May 31. 2023

When G-d gave the Torah, He nominated every Jew as a king. The original Chasidic master, the Baal Shem Tov, provides a blueprint for a Jewish attitude that sees a world not in opposition, but rather as a loyal subject to her king, G-d, and His Torah.

Class date: May 24, 2023

The “self-made man” is one sacred cow long drilled into our collective psyche. A curious omission of a key family member on an important list of relatives in the Torah leads to an enlightening and honest conclusion: you can’t mentor yourself.

Class Date: May 10, 2023

“Daven,” a mysterious word with uncertain origins, is one of those glorious terms that convey the heart of Jewish prayer. More than just a chance to ask G-d for stuff, or a stuffy experience in a hard-backed pew, the Jewish conception of prayer is that it is a heartfelt and spiritually exhilarating opportunity to connect with G-d.

It’s a common mistake: parents don’t really take their children seriously, and one day, boom!: they’re all grown up. Understanding just how developed children are at already very young ages is a clarion call for parents to get serious about their education.

Class date: April 26, 2023

When two Torah portions both seem to be misnamed, you can bet something deeper is at play. Indeed, this double anomaly teaches us an important lesson about healing and rebirth: the process begins a lot earlier than you might imagine. Class date: April 19, 2023