Torah Cafe

Racism, has been a feature of our culture and world for the past 200 years, Particular groups or races believed themselves to be superior to others while they believed other races to be inferior. Races led to horrible tragedies from the Holocaust to the Rwandan genocide as well as to to pervasive persecution and inequality from Aparteid in South Africa to Jim Crom in the South.

What does Judaism say about racism? Do we see any meaningful difference between races and ethnic groups?

A minyan made up of ten Jewish adult men is necessary for many of the synagogue prayers such as the Kaddish, repetition of the amida and to read the Torah.

What is a Minyan? Why does it require 10 Jewish adult men and why is it necessary for certain parts of the synagogue prayer?

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