Commentaries on the Torah

Korach led a mutiny to usurp the position of kohen gadol (high priest) for himself. What did Korach understand—and misunderstand—about the greatness of serving G‑d as the high priest?

Ask any child what we celebrate on Shavuot, and the obvious answer is the giving of the Torah at Sinai; yet the Torah makes no mention of it. How do we make sense of this glaring omission?

A look at the increasingly popular interest in the holiday of Lag BaOmer, which was instituted by the author of the Zohar, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, to commemorate the day of his passing.

The story of Pesach Sheni (the Second Passover) and its timeless lesson for us.

The world was created with ten utterances. What does this come to teach us? Certainly, it could have been created with a single utterance...

In the Haggadah, our Sages debate the precise number of plagues visited upon the Egyptians in Egypt and at the crossing of the Red Sea. The spiritual relevance of their respective views provides guidance and inspiration for our own personal exodus.

This class raises a number of disturbing difficulties with the opening paragraph of the Haggadah. The astounding answers provide new insight into the meaning of freedom and a new appreciation of Passover.

Mordechai’s and Esther’s different roles in the Purim story, and their influence on the way in which the megillah was ultimately written and canonized as part of the Bible.

How the first women and mother of humanity is integral to Redemption and the world perfected. This class on the 19th of Kislev, a monumental day on the Chassidic calendar, reveals the significance of the number nineteen.

The reason for the change of clothes worn by the Kohen when clearing the Mizbeach (altar), and its inspiring and personal message. (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 37 Tzav)