Torah Cafe

In 1796 a small book was published in Belarus called Lekutei Amarim. Over time the book became known as the Tanya. In the past 200+ years since the printing, the Tanya has been printed thousands of times and changed the lives of millions becoming one of the most influential Jewish books of all time.

What is the Book of Tanya about? Why is it life changing?

Learn about the book of Tanya, it's most important points and why the book has changed the lives of so many.

Do we believe there is an end of time? What will happen to us? What will our world look like? What will happen after the End of Time?

A fascinating discussion about the Jewish belief in the End of Times and what will happen then.

The prophet Isaiah said that G-d has made Jewish people a 'Light to the Nations'. What does it mean to be a 'Light to the Nations'? What does that mission entail? How do we light up other nations?

A discussion about the festival of Chanukah and the Jewish role to humanity, to 'Light up the Nations'. 

Some 2300 years ago a Jewish group of rebels led by the Maccabees rose up against the Syrian Greek empire. They fought for Judaism against the enforcement of Hellenist culture in the land of Israel. We celebrate their victory every year on Chanukah.

The key battle between Judaism and Hellenism has continued. We continue to struggle with Hellenism and every Chanukah renew our efforts to overcome the challenges Hellenism poses to Judaism. Learn about the Chanukah battles still being waged today.

he Torah describes many great miracles that happened thousands of years ago such as the ten plagues, the splitting of the sea, fall of manna, revelation at Sinai.

Why don't miracles happen anymore? Why don't we seen them? Discover how miracles work and why we don't see them anymore.

When Jewihs children turn 12 or 13 they celebrate their Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah. 

What is a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah? Why does it happen at 12 or 13 years old? What does the ceremony entail? What needs to be done to become a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah?

Learn about the Bar Mitzvah and the Bat Mitzvah, its traditions and its true meaning in Judaism.

A Jewish funeral simple, quick but very important.  Its general format has not changed for over four thousand years. Traditionally, Jews hold the funeral within 24 hours of passing  Before the funeral can take place, the body of the deceased must be prepared for burial in accordance with Jewish tradition.

Yet receiving a proper funeral and burial has always been the single greatest end of life wish among our ancestors with many going to great lengths to ensure they are buried Jewishly. Attending the funeral has also been a central Jewish value with family, friends and community dropping all their plans for the day to attend the funeral.

Why such a hasty and simple but crucially important funeral? listen to a crucial discussion on this important topic. While not a pleasant topic to discuss, we will all  have to face it and when we do, we need to know what our Jewish traditions are.

In recent years, society has debated the roles of gender in society and the rights and treatment of transgender. What does Judaism say about gender roles in society and transgender rights?

Learn about the Jewish perspective on gender roles and transgender rights.

Often people say it is never okay to lie but is that true? Should you lie to your spouse when the truth would offend them? Should you lie to a friend when the truth will hurt? Should you lie when the truth will be very costly?

Judaism takes a very nuanced approach when it come to telling the truth. A fascinating discussion about the Jewish value of truth and under what circumstances it is okay to lie.

The Eruv, has been an important part of Jewish communities for thousands of years. It involves creating a virtual wall around a community that according to Jewish law will allow people within the wall to carry things on the streets on the Shabbat. Dozens of Eruvs have been built in the US, many of them controversial.

A discussion of what the Eruv entails, how it works and how to build a communal Eruv.