Toras Chaim

Why is Bamidbar called the book of numbers? What is the relationship between this week’s parsha and the counting of the Omer? How do we prepare for Shavuos? Is tribalism good or bad? What was the 13th gate in Yechezkel’s prophecy for? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the Weekly Parsha, by Rabbi Elchono...

Why doesn't the torah openly discuss "Olam Habah"? When is the "right" time for rain? What does it mean to toil in torah? Are the blessings and curses in this week's parshah natural or supernatural? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the Weekly Parsha, by Rabbi Elchonon Cohen....

What does shmittah have to do with har sinai? Why does Pirkei Avos begin with "Moshe received the Torah on Har Sinai"? What was unique about Har Sinai? What is the Torah's message of shmittah? What is true humility? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the Weekly Parsha, by Rabbi Elchonon Coh...

Our first podcast from our new home! Why are minor (underaged) kohanim mentioned specifically in the prohibition with the dead? What can disqualify a kohen from service? What can we learn from kohanim's prohibitions? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the Weekly Parsha, by Rabbi Elchonon Cohen.  Comm...

Why are the Ten Commandments repeated in this week's parsha? Why is Moshe told to gather ALL of the jewish people? What is special about the land of Israel? Is honoring your parents an interpersonal mitzvah or between us and God? What is "Kedushah"? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the We...

What was the reason for the death of Nadav and Avihu? What do driving and paskening Halacha have in common? Are human beings rational or emotional creatures? Is davening an emotional or rational experience? What can we learn from mindfulness meditation? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the Weekly Parsh...

How to we celebrate the holiday of freedom, given the situation in Israel and the hostages that remain without any kind of freedom for over 6 months now? Rabbi Elchonon Cohen presents a number of ideas to help prepare for pesach in this difficult time. Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the Weekly Parsha, by Rabbi Elchonon Cohen.  Comments, questions and requests are welcome!  Instagram: @O...

Why is the Metorah required to leave the camp? What is the significance of the ingredients in the Metzorah purification? What do the names of the types of Tzara'as signify? What should we learn from the missile attack on Israel? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the Weekly Parsha, by Rabbi Elchonon...

Content warning: this episode discusses mature topics such as human reproduction. Listener discretion is advised. What is "tumah"? How are birth and death related? Why does a woman bring a sin offering after giving birth? What is tzara'as? What does this week's parsha teach us about our power as human beings? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode...

Why was Aharon so critical in the inauguration of the Mishkan? Did Aharon experience PTSD? It was "the eight day" of what? Why did Avraham need to be told to circumcise? What are well called upon to do with that which is given to us? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the Weekly Parsha, by Rabb...

What is special about the way the Kohanim serve? Do financial incentives/disincentives really make a difference? Are habits good or bad? What can we learn from the sacrifices about our day to day life? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the Weekly Parsha, by Rabbi Elchonon Cohen.  Comments, questions and...

What is the significance of the small Aleph in the word Vayikra? Why did Moshe need to be called? Why do we have such a hard time relating to Korbanos? Is there something we can do in their stead? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the Weekly Parsha, by Rabbi Elchonon Cohen.  Comments, questions and requ...

Where did all of the materials of the mishkan go? What is the meaning of the word mishkan? How was the mishkan "testimony"? What's up with censorship of Tanach? What is the message behind the prohibition of Kilayim? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the Weekly Parsha, by Rabbi Elchonon Coh...

Why did Moshe gather everyone together? What is the connection between the gathering and the golden calf? What is the real relationship between the mishkan and shabbos? Are mob mentalities always bad? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the Weekly Parsha, by Rabbi Elchonon Cohen.  Comments, questions and...

When were the Jewish people counted? Why did each person give only have of a shekel? What is the problem with counting the Jews? Where did the money for the karbanos come from? Why is this story read before purim? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the Weekly Parsha, by Rabbi Elchonon Cohen.  Comments, q...

Why is the golden mizbeiach discussed in this week's parsha? Who was originally supposed to serve in the Mishkan? What does the avodah described in this week's parsha teach us about building a relationship with God? Why were the kohanim chosen to serve? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from the Week...

Could there be a grammar mistake in the Torah? When did the instructions for the Mishkan take place? How could the Jews commit the sin of the golden calf just 40 days of the revelation of God at Mount Sinai? How do we elevate our lives? How does the Jewish calendar work? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons fro...

What is the difference between interpersonal mitzvos and those between us and God? What can this week's parsha teach us about treating others? How was Moshe instructed to give over these laws to the Jewish Nation? How can the Torah allow for something like slavery? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningful Life Lessons from...

What made Yisro join the Jewish nation? Why does the Torah stress Yisro's relationship to Moshe? Why is a convert so significant when it comes to receiving the Torah? What is the meaning of the mitzvah to "know God"? What can we learn about Kiruv from this week's parshah? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim: Meaningf...

What is the inherent danger of segulos? Why is parshas haman a segula for parnassah? Why did God take us on a circuitous route out of Egypt? What was special about the manna and what does it tell us about our own livelihood? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim is a weekly parshah series, in which we will learn the week's torah por...

Why did Hashem send Moshe repeatedly on a mission that was doomed to fail? Where do we find strength to keep going through a seemingly hopeless situation? Does God have a sense of humor? Are we our own worst enemy? Is Torah poetry or prose? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim is a weekly parshah series, in which we will learn the week...

What is the significance of the period of time known as Shovevim?  What do the different names of God signify?  Why is the exodus from Egypt so significant in Jewish history?  Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim.  Toras Chaim is a weekly parshah series, in which we will learn the week's torah portion with a focus on Toras Chaim - the study of t...

What is the difference between liberty and freedom? Why does the Torah stress the separate tribes of Jews? How does difficulty bring about redemption? How can we recreate the immediacy of God's presence at Mt. Sinai? Learn the answers to all of this, and more, on this week's episode of Toras Chaim. Toras Chaim is a weekly parshah series, in which we will learn the week's torah portion...

Why is the belief in moshiach fundamental to being a practicing Jew? Why is kindness to someone who has passed considered "Chesed shel emes" - true kindness? Why does honoring your parents merit a long life? Learn these answers and more in this week's parsha class. Toras Chaim is a weekly parshah series, in which we will learn the week's torah portion with a focus on Toras Chaim...

What was the meaning of the exchange that Yehudah had with Yosef? Did the brothers achieve full repentance for selling Yosef? Did Yosef forgive his brothers? Learn the answers to these questions and more on this week's episode of Toras Chaim. Toras Chaim is a weekly parshah series, in which we will learn the week's torah portion with a focus on Toras Chaim - the study of the torah - not a...