All Classes

Two Roads Diverged in the Woods of History: The Path of Enlightenment and the Path of Surrender. Which One Will Triumph?

In this text based class on Likkutei Sichos vol. 30 Vayishlach we explore the unique relationship between Dinah and her mother Leah as extroverted women.

This text-based class on Likkutei Sichos vol. 10 Vayeitzei (said by the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Shabbos Vayeitzei, 9 Kislev, 5732, 1971), explores the strange fact that while Leah gives one reason for naming her oldest son Reuben, the Talmud and Rashi offer a completely different interpretation for the name. Leah names him Reuben (which means seeing), because “G-d saw my pain; now my husband will love me.” But how could she be sure about that? 

Rashi says that in trying to impress and deceive his father Isaac, Esau would ask his father, "How does one tithe the salt and the straw?” Yet this seems strange. For this question implies not extra piety but absolute ignorance! For it is a clear law that these items are exempt of all tithing obligations.

The class goes on to explore this Rashi on two levels—the literal and the mystical. In the first we discover the intelligence and depth of Eisav’s question, considering the unique properties of salt and straw. Then we go on to explain this question from a deeper perspective, analyzing the majesty and tragedy of Eisav, whose struggles were unique and who attracted the deep love and empathy of his father. The prophet says that G-d loathes Eisav. But the Kabbalists show us how easy it is to miss the real message of the verse.

The class aims at liberating us from the erroneous notion that struggling with evil is evil. It is the other way around: Our struggle with evil is where our unique spiritual potential and greatness lay. 

This class is based on Likkutei Sichos Vol. 20 and Vol. 25 Parshas Toldos.

This class, presented to women in Lech Lecha 5770 (October 2010), explores a strange verse: "And G-d took Abraham outside, and He said, 'Please look heavenward and count the stars, if you can count them.' And He said to him, 'So will be your children.'"

What do these words mean? Do they mean that the Jews will be uncountable, just like the stars? Well this interpretation is contradicted by the reality of history. In every generation, the members of the Jewish nation could be counted. Before the Holocaust, we were 18 million; today, we are around 14 million. Yet there are far more than 14 million stars!

This text-based class, in Likkutei Sichos vol. 15 Parshas Lecha Lecha, explores the four stages of spiritual development from Adam to Noach, to Avraham, to Moshe. 

The Rebbe Rashab once said: “The portion of Bereishit, is a happy portion. G-d is creating universes and creatures and is satisfied that ‘it is good.’ Its ending, however is not so pleasant. Still in all, it is generally a happy Torah portion and in all Jewish communities there is joy and delight - we have begun the Torah anew. With the next week's reading, Noah, comes the Flood. It is a depressing week, but with a happy ending - Abraham our father is born. But the truly joyous week is Lech-Lecha. Every day of the week we live with Abraham Our Father. 

An obvious question comes to mind: indeed, why are these weekly readings so divided? Why mar the “happy portion” of Bereishit with its depressing ending, especially since these last few verses actually begin the story of the Flood, the central theme of the next week's reading? A similar thing happens at the end of Noah: after a detailed description of Noah's life and the events of the Flood and the Tower of Babel, the portion concludes with a brief account of the birth and early life of Abraham, whose life is to fill, with rich detail, the next three Torah portions. Surely, a far more natural division would have been for Noah to begin with the final eight verses of Bereishit, and for Lech Lecha to open with Abraham's birth, a scant seven verses before the end of Noah!

The class takes us on an incredible journey to discvoer four levels of one's spiritual and emotional develpment, expressed in how we view ourselves, others, and the world around us. We discover a tale of four loves.

This class was presented on Parshas Lech Lecha 5774 (October 2013) to seminary students of Beth Rivkah girls school in Brooklyn, NY.

What is the genesis of Judaism? How did our faith begin? What was the first conversation between G‐d and the first Jew, Abraham?

“Go for yourself from your Land, from your Birthplace, and from your Father’s House to the Land I will show you.” But what a strange way of phrasing this eviction notice! If you had to pack up your bags and leave the Country, the realities of Geography dictate that you would have to first leave the house, then leave your birthplace, and only then could you leave your country. So why phrase this command in the reverse order?

By reversing the geographical order, the Torah reveals that G‐d is commanding far more than just Abraham's physical departure from his country. He was challenging Abraham to make a departure from his inner “stories” that might obstruct the full realization of his true “I,” of his true existence.

In a text based class, on Likkutei Sichos vol. 10 Noach, we explore the Torah's choice of language when describing Shem and Yafes covering the father's nakedness. We go on to explain the words of the Baal Shem Tov that the other person is always a mirror of you. If you are pure, you see purity in others. But is this true? Can’t I be pure and see the filth in the other person? It depends on what you see.

A blueprint for dealing with difficult people and judging compromised behavior.

A lecture presented at a JCW event in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, NY, Elul, 5775, September 2015.

This text-based class on Likkutei Sichos vol. 9 Parshas Ki Savo, explains why Jews were not obligated to perform the mitzvah of Bikurim (bringing the first ripe fruits to the Kohen in Jerusalem) till the entire land was conquered and settled by the entire nation.

It moves on to explain the difference between the two giants in Jewish history who share the birthday of 18 Elul: the Baal Shem Tov's school of Chassidic thought vs. the Alter Rebbe's school of Chabad thought.