The Menorah has long been one of the most central symbols of Judaism. The original Menorah was a pure gold, 7 branched candelabra that stood in the Holy Temple.

A discussion about what the original Menorah looked like, how it was made, what happened to it and the big debate over the shape of its branches.

Historically, Jews would make brisket to eat on the Jewish festivals. Why brisket? Surprisingly, it is not only a great choice for a holiday dinner, there is an important history behind it.

The Midrash is a central part of Judaism and Jewish teachings but what exactly is the Midrash? Is the midrash a single book, collection of books or genre of scholarship? Is the Midrash stories or law? Are all its stories true? Who wrote the Midrash? How did it develop?

A fascinating class all about the Midrash!

For more than 150 years society has debated over two economic structures "socialism" where the government manages the economy to ensure every gets an equitable part and "capitalism" where individual citizens manage the economy in a free market with only general regulatory oversight by the government.

Which of the two systems does the Torah prefer? What would the ideal Jewish economic structure look like?

A fascinating discussion about the Jewish perspective on this important debate.

One of the most complex and controversial commandments regarding food (kosher) is not to eat Chadash (new grain) and to only eat Yashan (old Grain)

What exactly is the commandment and is it relevant for us today?

Learn about the mitzvah of Chadash and the big controversy over whether we should be concerned about it today.

Yechezkel was one of our great prophets from the late Biblical Period and author of the Book of Ezekiel, one of the books of Tanach. The visions of Yechezkel were full of esoteric experiences, warnings about the destruction of the Temple and descriptions of redemption.

The Torah commands us to protect ourselves, guard our health and avoid doing anything that will harm us.

A discussion about the Torah's rules for health and safety.

G-d inflicted Ten Plagues on the Egyptians so that they will let his people go. Kabbalah teaches that the plagues were not random but each had a very particular purpose and goal. 

A discussion about the mystical meaning of the Ten Plagues

In addition to the reading from the Torah in the synagogue every Shabbat and holiday, we also read a Haftorah from one of the books of our Prophets. When did the Haftorah start? Why do we do it? How do we choose the Haftorah each week?

A fascinating discussion about the Haftorah.

We all love watching sunset, but when exactly is the sunset, the moment when day switches to night?

This question is very relevant in Judaism since Shabbat and Jewish holidays begin at sunset. Time is a central pillar in Judaism. Shabbat and Jewish holidays begin and end at certain times. Many commandments must be fulfilled on specific days, at specific times or during the day or night. Jewish scholars have analyzed time and debated classifying days, nights and other moments for over 3,000 years,

A discussion about Zemanim - Time in Judaism