The Parasha with Rabbi Dweck

In Shittim, Moav and Midian lure Israel into Baal Peor, triggering a plague and the public rebellion of Zimri with a Midianite princess, until Pinchas spears them and is vindicated by God.

A punitive strike against Midian follows, including Bilaam’s death, and Moshe’s fury when captives are brought back, underscoring the need for vigilance, clear identity, and daily self-scrutiny taught by Rambam and Ramhal.Rabbi Dweck has held rabbinic leadership roles in the US and the UK. He is the Rosh Bet Midrash of TheHabura.com and the Rabbi Levy Chair of Jewish Wisdom at the London School of Jewish Studies.For more, check out rabbijosephdweck.com.Instagram: https://instagram.com/rabbidweckTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidweckYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiJosephDweck

A reflection on Parashat Balak, highlighting its uniqueness as a Torah portion where Bnei Yisrael remain largely in the background while Balak, Bil'am, and God drive the story. Balak, fearing Israel after their victories over Egypt, Sihon, and Og, hires Bilaam—renowned for effective blessings and curses—to attack Israel spiritually...Rabbi Dweck has held rabbinic leadership roles in the US and the UK. He is the Rosh Bet Midrash of TheHabura.com and the Rabbi Levy Chair of Jewish Wisdom at the London School of Jewish Studies.For more, check out rabbijosephdweck.com.Instagram: https://instagram.com/rabbidweckTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidweckYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiJosephDweck

It is 38.5 years since the last parasha. We have a new cohort of the nation most of whom were children when they left Egypt. Miriam dies, Aaron dies and Moses is sentenced to death. In this episode we examine the event that sealed Moses' fate and explore what might have been happening for Moses that contributed to his actions.

The core issue exposed by Korah, Datan, and Abiram is boundaries: low self-worth produces confusion about identity, role, and limits, and Korach’s call to flatten hierarchy (“everyone is holy”) is presented as an assault on the Torah’s foundational principle of differentiation in creation...

Rabbi Dweck has held rabbinic leadership roles in the US and the UK. He is the Rosh Bet Midrash of TheHabura.com and the Rabbi Levy Chair of Jewish Wisdom at the London School of Jewish Studies.For more, check out rabbijosephdweck.com.

Sign up for the newsletter at tinyurl.com/RJDSpotify.Instagram: https://instagram.com/rabbidweckTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidweckYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiJosephDweck

Subscribe to the newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/RJDSpotify.Life’s central task is meeting the potential God gave you, in partnership with HaKadosh Baruch Hu, returning through teshuvah whenever you lose the path. Parashat Shelah reveals a deadly obstacle: crippling shame and inferiority. ..

Rabbi Dweck has held rabbinic leadership roles in the US and the UK. He is the Rosh Bet Midrash of TheHabura.com and the Rabbi Levy Chair of Jewish Wisdom at the London School of Jewish Studies.For more, check out rabbijosephdweck.com.Instagram: https://instagram.com/rabbidweckTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidweckYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiJosephDweck

Subscribe to the newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/RJDNewsletter.Moshe, now profoundly developed and close to God, experiences the demand as rejection and feels unable to carry the people, until he learns that some burdens must be given back to God as a true partner. 

Rabbi Dweck has held rabbinic leadership roles in the US and the UK. He is the Rosh Bet Midrash of TheHabura.com and the Rabbi Levy Chair of Jewish Wisdom at the London School of Jewish Studies.For more, check out rabbijosephdweck.com.Instagram: https://instagram.com/rabbidweckTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidweckYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiJosephDweck

Subscribe to the newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/RJDSpotify.

The daily lighting of the menorah symbolizes releasing hidden potential, embodied by Aharon’s wholeness, lack of jealousy, and ability to see unique beauty in every person and draw them near to Torah...Rabbi Dweck has held rabbinic leadership roles in the US and the UK. He is the Rosh Bet Midrash of TheHabura.com and the Rabbi Levy Chair of Jewish Wisdom at the London School of Jewish Studies.For more, check out rabbijosephdweck.com.Instagram: https://instagram.com/rabbidweckTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidweckYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiJosephDweck

Subscribe to the newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/RJDSpotify.

Parashat Naso explores how the Torah treats seemingly private behavior as a national concern, seen in laws like Nazir and Sotah that culminate publicly in the Mikdash, the nation’s “capital.” The discussion challenges John Stuart Mill’s claim that people should do whatever they want as long as they don’t harm others, arguing that private actions shape character, trust, and the social fabric...Rabbi Dweck has held rabbinic leadership roles in the US and the UK. He is the Rosh Bet Midrash of TheHabura.com and the Rabbi Levy Chair of Jewish Wisdom at the London School of Jewish Studies.For more, check out rabbijosephdweck.com.Instagram: https://instagram.com/rabbidweckTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidweckYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiJosephDweck

Subscribe to the newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/RJDSpotify.Parashat Bemidbar opens Sefer Bamidbar as Israel prepares to leave Mount Sinai for the Promised Land, beginning with a census and an ordered tribal formation around the Mishkan.

The repeated emphasis on “limishpehotam, lebet abotam” highlights family, tribe, and named individuals, showing unity built through distinct identities rather than erased differences...

Rabbi Dweck has held rabbinic leadership roles in the US and the UK. He is the Rosh Bet Midrash of TheHabura.com and the Rabbi Levy Chair of Jewish Wisdom at the London School of Jewish Studies.For more, check out rabbijosephdweck.com/app.Instagram: https://instagram.com/rabbidweckTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidweckYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiJosephDweck

Subscribe to the newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/RJDSpotify.As the Book of Leviticus draws to a close, the Torah presents its most searching question to the Jewish people: what does it actually mean to be in covenant with God?Rabbi Dweck has held rabbinic leadership roles in the US and the UK. He is the Rosh Bet Midrash of TheHabura.com and the Rabbi Levy Chair of Jewish Wisdom at the London School of Jewish Studies.For more, check out rabbijosephdweck.com.Instagram: https://instagram.com/rabbidweckTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidweckYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RabbiJosephDweck