CHUKAS

You Are Precisely Where You Need To Be

Why Moshe didn’t enter Eretz Yisroel

In this class, we will uncover important life lessons about embracing our circumstances and not seeking to evade them.

G-d who issued a decree by which Moshe will not merit to enter the land. The person who had led the nation through plagues, rebellion, sea-splitting miracles, the giving of the Torah at Har Sinai – all with the express intent of eventually ushering the people across the finish line and into the promised land, will now instead die in the desert and never see his dream fulfilled.

Why?

Lesson 6

Beyond Presumption of Innocence

While a presumption of innocence can protect defendants from liability, it is not quite a declaration of uprightness. Jewish law goes so far as to presume every person’s core goodness. See how this view can lead us to a truly upright world.

KORACH

Is being jealous a bad thing? Korach is often referred to as the epitome of what's wrong with being jealous. If he was that evil, why would there be a parsha named for him?

In this class we learn the positive impact of being jealous, and what we can learn from Korach.

Shelach

Is it Courage or Recklessness?

What comes to mind when you think of courage? Bravery? We will probe the various dimensions of courage, and draw an important distinction between who appears to overcome fear, and where a reasonable level of fear is ignored when it should’ve been reckoned with.

We will discover that there is a third type of courage, which takes fear head-on and is designed at disarming fear itself; this is the type of courage that is rooted in faith in the capacities of Hashem and in the idea that He does not assign a burden heavier than we can carry.

We will analyze these ideas by first addressing two important questions that arise when studying the story of the Spies.

BAHALOTECHA

How do you know, when someone "really" means it?

As the Jewish people are about to celebrate Passover, a group of people complains about missing out. G-d then gives them a second chance.

When someone is in trouble, what sign will tell you they need real help? 

How does G-d know we meant it?

Lesson 4

Beyond Personal Freedom

With 613 commandments in the Torah and myriad rules expounded in the Talmud, can Judaism ever be called “liberating”? Let’s delve into the Exodus, the covenant, and the ways in which laws can lead to the purest human freedom.

Lesson 3

Beyond Taking Offense

You may feel a moral urge to speak up against an offensive action. But might you have a legal responsibility to deter someone from certain behaviors? Judaism says: Yes. In this lesson, we discuss why and when.

BAMIDBAR - Shavuot

There is no one like YOU.

Finding a meaning in life, can be complex. As we glean from contrasting King David and King Saul. We see how each and every one of us is created with a divine plan, mission and purpose, that no one like it was ever created before. It's our task to stay on course, and use our G-d given talents to complete the mission. 

Beyond Right: The Values that Shape Judaism's Civil Code

Lesson 2

Beyond Restitution

In seeking to restore the rights of plaintiffs, Jewish courts actively assist offenders in achieving full repentance too. Why? Discover the advantage of properly undoing damage over mere compensation.

Bechukotai

The End of days, or the beginning of days. This week the Jews are told the reward and punishments for observance, or lack of it, in following G-d's word. The reward sounds really out of this world, with unfathomable types of change in the nature of the world. An unseemingly possible utopian reality. Can it really happen?