SHEMOS

The Heroes of Today

We take pride in the stark difference that sets us apart from our enemies, namely that where they glorify and seek death, we are a people that cherishes and loves life.

The Torah is a Torah of life; Hashem is the source of life.

So where does a religion so deeply devoted to life and its perpetuation, make room for dying for the "sanctification of G-d name"?

How and why do we imbue our children with the readiness to die for their adherence to the Torah of Life?

VAYECHI

This Land is Our Land… …Or is it?!

As the ever-present war in Eretz Yisroel rages on, some of us are faced with the age-old question, or, for the assertion that we stole this land from our Arab predecessors, who had lived there peacefully until the alien Jews, who came from so far as Europe or beyond, to ‘colonize’ it and expel them.

There are facts, numbers, names and dates to back up the claim; so…what do you say to that?

Are we indeed thieves? Did we steal the land from its rightful inhabitants? What right or claim do we have to it?

Let us backtrack to when it all began, and when we say all, we mean literally all…as in everything, to the beginning of creation.

VAYIGASH

Creating A Buffer Zone

Big negotiations today are all about what's going to be "the day after" the war ends, and victory is announced.

One of the greatest issues is the need for a demilitarized buffer zone. This is a key component for the safety and security for any country.

In the fast the Rabbis have set for the mourning of the Holy Temple, the most important one is the for the siege on Jerusalem. Why is the siege more significant then the actual destruction?

How does all this apply to us, as we are not policy makers or in the military?

Revealing How Its Mystical Secrets Relate to You

The Essence of Everything.

Uncover the reality that precedes everything, the essence of the Divine Self, and the surprising purpose of our physical universe. Learn insights into the human self’s deepest motivation and purpose and our capacity to repair wrongs.

MIKEITZ

Can You Split the Child?

In the Haftorah we read of the famous story, when King Solomon is asked to preside over the case of two women arguing over the guardianship of a child.

The wisest of all men issues a ruling, which has long been hailed as a brilliant solution to the quarrel: let the child be split in half, and each woman will receive her share.

This of course, exposed the legitimate mother, namely the woman willing to forego her ‘share’ of the child, in favor of not cutting him, heaven forbid.

In this shiur we will analyze this episode more in depth, and challenge some if its premises, to extract profound life lessons from it.

VAYEISHEV

Dreams. Do They Mean Anything?

We read in the Torah the dreams Joseph has recounted to his brothers. Why did Joseph tell these dreams to them, if it would only cerate more animosity, than they already had towards him?

Do dreams actually mean something?

Is there anything true about dreams? Or is is just some wishful thinking? or a just a nightmare?

Explore the Torah's view on dreams and its interoperation. with this we can better navigate the story of Joseph and his brothers.

Revealing How Its Mystical Secrets Relate to You

The Great Concealment.

Explore the process of tzimtzum, or how G-d conceals His infinity to create space for our reality. See how this translates into guidance for empowering others and seeking growth potential in life’s darkest moments.

VAYISHLACH

The Innocent Civilians

In this week’s Parsha, we study the first military conflict in history that we waged against the enemies who arose against us. This was the first time we took up arms to defend our ownership of the land and deter our enemies. At that time, a moral question arose: Who are we fighting against? Who is defined as an enemy? Should we only target those directly involved in the crime, while the rest are considered innocent, or are those who are not directly involved also implicated in their own way?

As we recall, Dinah was kidnapped by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the ruler of the city of Shechem. While still holding on to her in his home, he appeared before the Yaakov and offered the two nations to merge and marry each other. Shimon and Levi, however, unsheathed their swords, and in a cunning operation, they not only targeted the kidnapper and his father but also all the residents of the city—citizens who were not involved in the injustice committed by one individual.

Interestingly, the Torah leaves the story ambiguous and open to interpretation. The leading biblical commentators throughout generations to present conflicting and opposing views on the matter. It seems that the Torah wants to teach that engaging in violence is a complex and delicate matter, from which no one emerges unscathed. Shedding blood is an event that harms not only the enemy but also the morals of our own fighters.

Thus, we must delve into the depth of the issue and consider it from various perspectives—both physical and spiritual.

Revealing How Its Mystical Secrets Relate to You

The World of Chaos.

Study the primordial spiritual universe of Tohu, its purpose in creation, and its enduring impact on human nature. Discover the roots of inner moral conflict and the key to harnessing our negative natures to achieve fulfillment.

VAYETZEI

In The Darkest of Times, I Pray.

In recent days, a moment has been publicized that can leave no one indifferent. Since that fateful Simchat Torah morning, there was a solitary moment of happiness, a moment of "light" in a dual sense: the rescue of Ori Megidish from captivity in Gaza, where she was founds alive, and safe. A video was circulated a few days before the rescue: her mother, Margalit Megidish, participating in a ceremony of separating challah for the salvation of her daughter. She stands and pleads with G-d for deliverance and salvation, and suddenly, she utters with a pounding heart, "Hashem, I love you."

But where does this come from? Whom does she love? Her life fell apart; her daughter is in Gaza, in the hands of creatures beyond human description, and she loves the A-lmighty?!

Does she feel Him with her? Does she have energy left to love?! This moment captures the deepest and most profound dimension of our relationship: "And our faith in the darkness."

The faith that G-d does not forsake us and is always by our side. Faith doesn't produce answers and doesn't explain why, but it provides the strength to live with the questions. It awakens an intuition above reason and understanding, that even in chaos, He is present, and even when He seems distant – He is close. And when it seems like He has abandoned us– He is protecting and shielding us as always.