It’s All in the Aleph

It’s All in the Aleph

“…And He called to Moshe…” – Vayikra 1:1 וַיִּקְרָא אֶל משֶׁה – ויקרא א ,א The word ויקרא, and he called, concludes with a paradoxical letter א. The letter’s name, aleph, parallels the word aluf, meaning chieftain—an allusion to G-d, “Chieftain of the universe” (Likkutei Torah, Tazria 23c). (In addition, the letter א used here distinguishes G-d’s communication with Moshe […]

March 22, 2020 at 3:30 AM 0 comments

What Do You Crave? – Parashat Vayikra

What Do You Crave? – Parashat Vayikra

“…But he does not know, he is guilty and shall bear his transgression…” – Vayikra 5:17 וְלֹא יָדַע וְאָשֵׁם וְנָשָׂא עֲוֹנו – ויקרא ה, יז Why is it necessary to atone for transgressions that were committed unknowingly, especially if one is doubtful if he transgressed at all? Chassidus explains that although the actual transgression was not committed intentionally, yet its […]

March 22, 2020 at 1:05 AM 0 comments

Why are there curses in the Torah? – Parashat Bechukotai

Why are there curses in the Torah? – Parashat Bechukotai

From the teachings of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev Duration of class: 57:54          

May 8, 2018 at 11:23 PM 0 comments

Parashat Bechukotai – Where is Gan Eden?

Parashat Bechukotai – Where is Gan Eden?

We all know about the existence of Gan Eden (Heaven) and Gehenom (Hell) but why does the Torah choose not to talk about Gan Eden or Gehenom in the Torah? Duration of class: 1:15:18        

May 7, 2018 at 11:02 PM 0 comments

Chores or Passions?

Chores or Passions?

“…I will turn towards you…” – Vayikra 26:9 וּפָנִיתִי אֲלֵיכֶם – ויקרא כו, ט After stating that if you follow G-d’s statutes and observe His commandments G-d will grant you prosperity, security, and peace, the Torah adds that G-d will also “turn towards you” and grant you additional blessings as well. Rashi comments on the words “I will turn towards you” […]

May 7, 2018 at 3:54 AM 0 comments

Timing

Timing

“…I will give your rains in their time…” – Vayikra 26:4 וְנָתַתִּי גִשְׁמֵיכֶם בְּעִתָּם – ויקרא כו, ד In Parshas Bechukosai, G-d declares that if the Jewish people will observe His commandments and follow His statutes —meaning, they will “toil in the study of Torah” (Rashi) — they will be blessed with prosperity, peace and security, and they will multiply and flourish. […]

May 7, 2018 at 1:13 AM 0 comments

Parashat Bechukotai – Experience the higher world

Parashat Bechukotai – Experience the higher world

Duration of class: 29:40          

May 6, 2018 at 10:57 PM 0 comments

Exchange Rate

Exchange Rate

“…And he shall not substitute for it. If he shall exchange it, then it will be and its exchange will be holy…” – Vayikra 27:33 וְלֹא יְמִירֶנּוּ וְאִם הָמֵר יְמִירֶנּוּ וְהָיָה הוּא וּתְמוּרָתוֹ יִהְיֶה קֹּדֶשׁ – ויקרא כז, לג According to the teachings of the Arizal, there are twelve configurations of the four letters of G-d’s name, Yud-Hey-Vov-Hey, each configuration […]

May 6, 2018 at 2:45 AM 0 comments

When the Going Gets Tough

When the Going Gets Tough

“…If you go in My statutes and observe My commandments and perform them…” – Vayikra 26:3 אִם בְּחֻקֹּתַי תֵּלֵכוּ וְאֶת מִצְוֹתַי תִּשְׁמְרוּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם – ויקרא כו, ג Rashi wonders about the meaning of the phrase, “If you go in my statutes.” Considering that mitzvah observance is stipulated by the next phrase in the verse, “and observe My commandments,” what […]

May 5, 2018 at 2:19 AM 0 comments

Parashat Behar – Do you know where you came from?

Parashat Behar – Do you know where you came from?

Duration of class: 42:05        

May 3, 2018 at 6:53 AM 0 comments

Parashat Behar – Be a Moshe Rabenu

Parashat Behar – Be a Moshe Rabenu

Duration of class: 41:26          

April 30, 2018 at 4:37 AM 0 comments

Slave Rights

Slave Rights

“…No non-kohen may eat holy things… But if a kohen acquires a person, as a monetary acquisition, he may eat of it…” – Vayikra 22:10-11 וְכָל זָר לֹא יֹאכַל קֹדֶשׁ . . וְכֹהֵן כִּי יִקְנֶה נֶפֶשׁ קִנְיַן כַּסְפּוֹ הוּא יֹאכַל בּוֹ – ויקרא כב, י-יא The Sages taught that one may not derive benefit from this world without first reciting […]

April 30, 2018 at 1:22 AM 0 comments

Parashat Emor – How does G-d do Mitzvot?

Parashat Emor – How does G-d do Mitzvot?

Duration of class: 1:24:07          

April 29, 2018 at 8:14 AM 0 comments

Goal Oriented

Goal Oriented

“…When you come to the land that I am giving you, the land shall rest a Shabbos to G-d. For six years you may sow your field …but in the seventh year, the land shall have a complete rest…” – Vayikra 25:2-3 כִּי תָבֹאוּ אֶל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי נֹתֵן לָכֶם וְשָׁבְתָה הָאָרֶץ שַׁבָּת לַה’: שֵׁשׁ שָׁנִים תִּזְרַע שָׂדֶך . . […]

April 29, 2018 at 4:26 AM 0 comments

A Little Big

A Little Big

“…And G-d spoke to Moshe on Mount Sinai, saying…” – Vayikra 25:1 וַיְדַבֵּר ה’ אֶל משֶׁה בְּהַר סִינַי לֵאמֹר – ויקרא כה, א The Midrash relates that the great mountains of the world all vied to be chosen as the site where G-d would give the Torah to Bnei Yisrael. Yet G-d selected the smallest of all the mountains, Mount […]

April 29, 2018 at 3:02 AM 0 comments

Out of Control

Out of Control

“…For the children of Israel are servants to me; they are my servants, whom i took out of the land of Egypt…” – Vayikra 25:55 כִּי לִי בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עֲבָדִים עֲבָדַי הֵם אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִי אוֹתָם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם – ויקרא כה, נה Why does the verse repeat itself, saying “B’nei Yisrael are servants to me; they are my servants whom I took […]

April 27, 2018 at 8:40 AM 0 comments

Parashat Emor – What really happens when you pray!

Parashat Emor – What really happens when you pray!

Duration of class: 41:28          

April 22, 2018 at 12:32 AM 0 comments

Parashat Acharei – Can you prove me wrong?

Parashat Acharei – Can you prove me wrong?

Duration of class: 56:36          

April 19, 2018 at 12:20 AM 0 comments

Parashat Acharei – How to switch the death penalty

Parashat Acharei – How to switch the death penalty

Duration of class: 34:21          

April 15, 2018 at 10:10 AM 0 comments

Parashat Metzora – Make G-od happy

Parashat Metzora – Make G-od happy

Duration of class: 57:02          

April 13, 2018 at 2:54 AM 0 comments