Commentaries on the Torah

A deeper look at Torah’s enigmatic prohibition of mixing meat and milk sheds new light on life in the womb and after birth as a metaphor for the arduous journey towards personal and collective redemption. (Based on the Maamar Va’eira 5724 and other sources.)

Rabbi Yosef, the Talmud relates, would celebrate Shavuot, the Festival of the Giving of the Torah, with a unique banquet. The puzzling statement he said in connection with the feast is the subject of this class. Probing the layers of the Sage’s words reveals startling new depth to our appreciation of G-d’s most precious gift. (Based on Likutei Sichos volume 16)

Contemporary, spiritually seeking Jews are often drawn to Hinduism and Buddhism, attracted by teachings that espouse oneness and transcendence. This class explores the origins and differences between Judaism and Eastern faiths. The results are revelations that many will undoubtedly find astounding.

This class is a synopsis of the Chassidic discourse (maamar) the Rebbe delivered in the famous Purim farbrengen (gathering) of 1958. The maamar is based on the teaching of our Sages that when the wicked Haman erected the wooden gallows to hang Mordechai, G-d in Heaven declared that it would not come to pass, “For Abraham has already preceded you when he invited the angels to find shade under the tree”. The maamar traces the mystical history of Abraham’s tree and, as always, leaves us with novel and inspiring insight.

Saturday night, after Shabbat ends, we eat a special meal called "Melave Malka" (lit. "bidding farewell to the Queen.") What are the sources in Scripture and Talmud for this custom? What are its deeper meanings?

The plague of darkness did not affect the Jewish people, as the Torah says (Exodus 10:23), "For Israel, there was light in all the places they were." Rashi differ from the Midrash as to whether this light was one of the miracles of the plague. This class explores the nature of this miracle and it’s illuminating message for our lives. (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 31)

"Think good and it will be good" is not just a feel-good slogan. It means that by trusting in G-d, we actually elicit His help from on High. Find out what happened when Moses doubted if he was deserving of G-d's help. (Based on Likutei Sichos volume 36, Sicha 1.)

Among the early Talmudic commentaries, there are two opinions about the chronology of events commemorated on Chanukah. One says that the war was won on the 24th of Kislev and that the first day of Chanukah, the 25th of Kislev, is the anniversary of the first day of peace. The other says that on one day, the 25th of Kislev, the Maccabees both won the war and rededicated the Temple.

A deeper meaning to why the copper wash-basin in the Temple was made from mirrors used by the Jewish women to beautify themselves throughout their slavery in Egypt.

Two altars -- one inner, one outer; one of gold, one of copper -- as they correspond to two very different versions of our emotional experience of life.