Commentaries on the Torah

Tractate Bava Basra concludes with a discussion of which type of guarantor must make an official "kinyan" obligating himself at the time of the loan. In this class, we will analyze a dispute between the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds plus the deeper, spiritual meaning behind this legal concept. Based on Likkutei Sichos, vol. 26, p.145.

One of the Ten Commandments states (Exodus 19:10) "the seventh day is a Sabbath to G-d; you shall perform no labor." This class examines three levels of resting from labor -- in action, in speech, and even in thought. (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 11, p. 80)

Manna, the bread from heaven consumed by the Jewish people for forty years in the wilderness, is superior to regular bread in three specific ways. These three qualities may also be compared to the qualities of Shabbat, the day of rest. (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 16.)

In the fortieth year, on the first day of the month of Shevat, Moses began translating the Torah into the various languages of his time. What is the significance of Moses' translation? Is translating the Torah always a good thing, or can it also have negative repercussions? (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 36, p. 38.)

How Reuven, Shimon, Levi and Yehudah represent four different phases we experience as we go through the order of the morning prayers: 1) Reuven—the first paragraph of Shema, 2) Shimon—the second paragraph of Shema, 3) Levi—the blessings after Shema, and 4) Yehudah—the Amidah prayer. (Based on the discourse "Yehuda Achecha Yoducha 5738.")

How Reuven, Shimon, Levi and Yehudah represent four different phases we experience as we go through the order of the morning prayers: 1) Reuven—the first paragraph of Shema, 2) Shimon—the second paragraph of Shema, 3) Levi—the blessings after Shema, and 4) Yehudah—the Amidah prayer. (Based on the discourse "Yehuda Achecha Yoducha 5738.")

The Scroll of Antiochus is an account of the Chanukah story written originally in Aramaic. What can we learn about Chanukah by comparing the Scroll of Antiochus to the Purim story written in the Scroll of Esther?

In honor of the "Chasidic New Year" celebrated on the 19th day of Kislev, Rabbi Moishe New shares a chasidic story from which we can learn what Chasidism is all about.

Jewish people have three daily prayer services. The first is Shacharit (the morning prayer), then Minchah (the afternoon prayer), and finally Maariv (the evening prayer.) But from another perspective, one can argue that since the Jewish day begins at sundown, the first prayer is really the evening prayer. Does it make a difference if we view the order of the prayers as morning/afternoon/evening or as evening/morning/afternoon?

Did the angels who visited Abraham actually eat or just pretend to eat? Is one supposed to follow local custom or just make an appearance of doing so? The Midrash and the Talmud give two different answers. (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 36 p.172)