Parashat Shoftim – Do we believe in Astrology?

Parashat Shoftim – Do we believe in Astrology?

How would I behave if I would know the future? would I act different? will my life be different if I could know the future? knowing the future could make a big difference but the Torah thinks different.   Duration of class:51:58                

August 21, 2017 at 6:22 PM 0 comments

A Cycle of Growth

A Cycle of Growth

“…Safeguard the month of spring and offer a Pesach to Hashem, your G-d; for in the month of spring, Hashem, your G-d, brought you out of Egypt at night…” – Devarim 16:1 שָׁמוֹר אֶת חֹדֶשׁ הָאָבִיב וְעָשִׂיתָ פֶּסַח לַה’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ כִּי בְּחֹדֶשׁ הָאָבִיב הוֹצִיאֲךָ ה’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ מִמִּצְרַיִם לָיְלָה – דברים טז, א The Torah commands us to structure the calendar […]

August 18, 2017 at 2:06 AM 0 comments

A Tale of Two Donors – Parashat Re’eh

A Tale of Two Donors – Parashat Re’eh

As much as you generously give… Each man according to his ability to gift, according to the blessing of G-d, your G-d. (Devarim 16:10-17) The Torah speaks here of two different donors, one who is being instructed to give as much as his generosity allows, and the other according to his gift-giving abilities. These two donors are people of different […]

August 17, 2017 at 4:26 PM 0 comments

Let Them Eat Meat

Let Them Eat Meat

“…When Hashem, your G-d, expands your borders, as He has spoken to you, and you say, “I will eat meat,” because your soul desires to eat meat… However, be strong in not eating the blood…” – Devarim 12:20-23 כִּי יַרְחִיב ה’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ אֶת גְּבֻלְךָ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר לָךְ וְאָמַרְתָּ אֹכְלָה בָשָׂר כִּי תְאַוֶּה נַפְשְׁךָ לֶאֱכֹל בָּשָׂר בָּשָׂר . . רַק חֲזַק […]

August 14, 2017 at 2:41 AM 0 comments

Parashat Re’eh – Do you want to be rich?

Parashat Re’eh – Do you want to be rich?

Everyone wants to be rich. But most will be just happy with less struggles of finance in their life. What is the best way for blessings of money in my life?   Duration of class:1:01:17                

August 13, 2017 at 10:19 PM 0 comments

Parashat Ekev – Why do we need to pray?

Parashat Ekev – Why do we need to pray?

Since it does not say clearly in the Torah that we need to pray and also three times a day, where do we find that this is a commandment from the Torah? and why three times a day? and what is the point of praying?   Duration of class:55:34              

August 7, 2017 at 5:07 PM 0 comments

The Greatest Reward of All

The Greatest Reward of All

“…He will bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your soil, your grain, your wine, and your oil, the offspring of your cattle and the choice of your flocks…” – Devarim 7:13 וּבֵרַךְ פְּרִי בִטְנְךָ וּפְרִי אַדְמָתֶךָ דְּגָנְךָ וְתִירשְׁךָ וְיִצְהָרֶךָ שְׁגַר אֲלָפֶיךָ וְעַשְׁתְּרֹת צֹאנֶךָ – דברים ז, יג A task’s value and significance is reflected in its […]

August 6, 2017 at 2:16 AM 0 comments

Controlling Your Mind and Heart

Controlling Your Mind and Heart

“…And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for a reminder between your eyes…” – Devarim 6:8 וּקְשַׁרְתָּם לְאוֹת עַל יָדֶךָ וְהָיוּ לְטֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ – דברים ו,ח The Torah commands us to wear Tefillin, comprised of the Tefillin shel Yad tied on the arm, and the Tefillin shel Rosh worn on the […]

August 3, 2017 at 2:33 AM 0 comments

Parashat Va’etchanan – How can I love G-d?

Parashat Va’etchanan – How can I love G-d?

In this week’s Parasha the Torah is teaching us we must love G-d, but realistically how can that be done? how can I develop love to Hashem? Duration of class:50:00                

August 2, 2017 at 5:17 PM 0 comments

Keep Your Enemies at a Distance

Keep Your Enemies at a Distance

“…He drove out the enemy from before you, and said, ‘destroy!’…your enemies will deny [their identities] to you, but you will tread upon their heights…” – Devarim 33:27-29 וַיְגָרֶשׁ מִפָּנֶיךָ אוֹיֵב וַיֹּאמֶר הַשְׁמֵד . . וְיִכָּחֲשׁוּ אֹיְבֶיךָ לָךְ וְאַתָּה עַל בָּמוֹתֵימוֹ תִדְרֹךְ – דברים לג, כז-כט In Moshe’s blessings to the Jewish people, we find two distinct attitudes toward the […]

October 21, 2016 at 1:51 AM 0 comments

The Joy of Achievement

The Joy of Achievement

“…And to Zevulun he said: “rejoice, Zevulun, in your departure, and Yissachar, in your tents…” Devarim 33:18     ולזבולן אמר שמח זבולן בצאתך ויששכר באהליך – דברים לג, יח Moshe’s blessing to Zevulun and Yissachar distinguishes itself by its emphasis on their roles being a source of joy, “Rejoice, Zevulun, in your departure, and Yissachar, in your tents.” This can be […]

October 20, 2016 at 2:15 PM 0 comments

Humble As Ever

Humble As Ever

“…And Moshe came and spoke all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and hoshea son of nun…” – Devarim 32:44     ויבא משה וידבר את כל דברי השירה הזאת באזני העם הוא והושע בן נון – דברים לב, מד The Torah recounts the first time that Moshe and Yehoshua jointly addressed Bnei Yisrael: “And Moshe came […]

October 13, 2016 at 1:05 AM 0 comments

Finding Faith

Finding Faith

“…He found them in a desert land…” –  Devarim 32:10 ימצאהו בארץ מדבר – דברים לב, י Rashi explains this verse as praise of the Jewish people: “G-d found them faithful to Him in a desert land, for they accepted His Torah, His sovereignty and His yoke upon themselves.” Why does the Torah refer to the Jewish people’s faith as something […]

October 11, 2016 at 2:11 PM 0 comments

Close to the Heavens

Close to the Heavens

“…Listen, o heavens, and i will speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth…” – Devarim 32:1     האזינו השמים ואדברה ותשמע הארץ אמרי פי – דברים לב, א The Sifri observes that when Moshe addressed the heavens, he said הַאֲזִינוּ, which means, “listen,” whereas when he addressed the earth, he said וְתִשְׁמַע, which means, “hear.” The […]

October 10, 2016 at 9:06 AM 0 comments

Moshe’s Retirement

Moshe’s Retirement

“….Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, and i will speak these words into their ears…. (Devarim 31:28)

October 7, 2016 at 2:14 AM 0 comments

Two Last Instructions

Two Last Instructions

“Assemble the people… in order that they hear, and in order that they learn and fear Hashem, your G-d, and they will be careful to do all the words of this Torah. …and now, write for yourselves this song, and teach it to the children of Israel; place it into their mouths…” – Devarim 31:12-19 הַקְהֵל אֶת הָעָם . . […]

October 4, 2016 at 10:51 AM 0 comments

Hakhel: Bracing for Change

Hakhel: Bracing for Change

….Assemble the people: The men , the women and the children, and your strangers in your cities, in order that they hear, and in order that they learn and fear G-od, your G-od and they will observe to do all the words of this Torah…. (Devarim 31:12)   Hakhel is observed every seven years, in the year following Shemitah. Why […]

October 3, 2016 at 4:17 PM 0 comments

The Perfectly Timed Yartzeit

The Perfectly Timed Yartzeit

“….This day I am one hundred and twenty years old, I can no longer go or come…..”(Devarim 31:2) The Talmud (Kiddushin 38a) explains: ‘This day’ need not be stated; why then is it stated? It teaches that G-d sits and completes the years of the righteous from day to day and month to month. The Tanya (Igeres Hakodesh 27) teaches […]

October 2, 2016 at 8:09 PM 0 comments

Parashat Ki Tavo – Graduation….

Parashat Ki Tavo – Graduation….

Parashat Ki Tavo “…..Yet until this day, g-d did not give you a heart to know, eyes to see, and ears to hear. i led you through the desert for forty years… you must safeguard the words that constitute this covenant….” (Devarim 29:3-8) …ולא נתן ה’ לכם לב לדעת ועינים לראות ואזנים לשמוע עד היום הזה; ואולך אתכם ארבעים שנה במדבר.. […]

September 23, 2016 at 2:52 AM 0 comments

Don’t Make Yourself at Home….

Don’t Make Yourself at Home….

“….And he went down to Egypt and sojourned there with a small number of people ….” (Devarim 26:5) וַיֵּרֶד מִצְרַיְמָה וַיָּגָר שָׁם בִּמְתֵי מְעָט – דברים כו, ה And he went down to Egypt – forced by Divine decree. —Passover Hagaddah If Yaakov’s descent to Egypt was by Divine instruction, why did Yaakov feel forced? Could it be that Yaakov, […]

September 20, 2016 at 2:13 AM 0 comments