Torah Ohr Parshas Vayeira

Why does the Torah so often describe G-d in human terms? Does G-d have a personality?

This foundational maamar gives us insight into these questions by exploring the kabbalistic concept of the sefiros. We use the human psyche as a metaphor to understand the dual nature of the sefiros and how they bridge the gap between Creator and creation.

ד״ה ״פתח אליהו״

Follow along in the maamar here.

Here is a chart of the mashalim used in the first few paragraphs of the maamar.

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Torah Ohr Parshas Lech Lecha

The first seventy-five years of Avraham Avinu’s life tell a remarkable tale of personal discovery and heroic sacrifice, but none of that makes it into the story told in Parshas Lech Lecha.

We begin with Hashem’s instruction to embark on a journey and with that, Avraham begins for the first time to access the limitless potential of his soul by channeling it towards his unique life’s purpose.

Torah Ohr Parshas Noach

Did we really need the drama of a massive flood to teach a few crooks a lesson? Based on a verse from Shir Hashirim, we discover that the flood waters are not a vengeful punishment but a peaceful cleansing and powerful lesson for living a focused life. Stand unprotected and you’ll get washed away by the flood of worldly distractions. Build yourself an ark and those same waters will lift you up to heights you never dreamed of.

Torah Ohr Parshas Bereishis

What was so terrible about eating from the Tree of Knowledge? And why did it result in so much shame?

In this episode, we’ll discover that ‘knowledge’ isn’t always a good thing and how that first encounter with good and evil changed the human psyche forever.

Follow along in the maamar here.

Join us on a 12-week journey through Torah Ohr on Bereishis.

Explore the stories of Bereishis through a fresh lens and discover the inner strengths you never knew you had.

Find out more at batshevalearningcenter.com/bereishis

Stories of Sorrow, Lessons of Hope - Part 3

This episode explores four different angles on a story from the end of Maseches Makkos that describes four sages observing the aftermath of the destruction. Three of them cry, but the fourth, Rabbi Akiva, laughs.

As they discuss the reasons for their reaction, we learn some powerful lessons about finding hope in darkness.

The Gemara describes in great detail how Titus was tortured for seven years by a mosquito that entered his head through his nose. What is the meaning of this strange punishment, and why do Chazal spend so much time telling us this tale?

We'll explore this story through the lens of multiple commentaries. Most significantly, we'll look at how the Maharal uses this story to argue against the rationalist views that were popular in his time.

In this episode, Mushky Steinmetz explores the fascinating story told in Maseches Gittin about R. Yochanan Ben Zachai's clever escape from the walls of Yerushalayim and his conversation with Vespasion, the Roman general.

The story concludes with R. Yochanan Ben Zachai making three requests of the future emperor. What is the meaning of these three requests? Why not ask for the salvation of the entire Jewish people and what is it about these three things that make them keys to the Jewish nation's survival and redemption?

In this episode, we introduce our new series, "Stories of Sorrow, Lessons of Hope" with Mushky Steinmetz.

This series will explore stories from the Gemara related to the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash and some of the messages the commentators take out of them.

This final episode in our zman grama series is short enough to fit into your pre-Pesach schedule and packed with everything you need to know about the connection women have to the mitzvos we perform at the seder. 

Adi Bitter explores the source and reason behind each mitzvah and explains if and why women are obligated to perform them. She ends with a beautiful takeaway about internalizing the deeper message of the seder at all stages of our lives.