The DataBeis with Rabbi Yehoshua Eisenberg

A panoramic view of Parshas Vayigash with a focus on the following questions: ● The showdown between Yosef and his brothers is strikingly familiar. Have we seen this before? When and where? When you notice it, the parallels are staggering. Will history repeat itself? Will this time be different? ● Why does the Torah spend so much time elaborating on Yosef's economic legislation, policies, and gove...

One of the tragedies for which we mourn and fast on Asarah B'Teiveis is the translation of the Torah at the hands of Ptolemy which took place on the 8th of Teiveis (today's date). But, what exactly is so tragic about the translation of the Torah? Translations grant us access to Talmud Torah! Did anyone fast when the Schottenstein Gemara was printed? Is Artscroll doing the wrong thing? Let's talk a...

A few minutes of Mussar and inspiration for the month of Teiveis & Asarah B'Teiveis.

In this workshop, we discuss Nusach, structure, themes of Selichos in general and particularly on Asarah B'Teiveis.

A few minutes of Mussar and inspiration on Parshas Vayigash. ■ What is the moral of Mechiras Yosef? Don't sell your brother? Why couldn't Yosef's brothers figure that out?! ■ The Beis HaLevi teaches us that Yosef pierced his brothers with the fiery Mussar of "Ani Yosef HaOd Avi Chai?" as if to say, "Did you care about MY father's wellbeing when you sold me?" But, if the brothers Poskin'd that Yose...

This Friday is Asarah B'Teiveis and that means we'll be reciting Selichos this week. (And maybe one of us will be leading it too.) But, before we can even get to Nusach, I have a challenge for you.

Some thoughts, reflections, and emotions from last year's celebration of the 13th Siyum HaShas, a life-changing event and experience.

Chanukah is not just about the Menorah. On THIS Zos Chanukah, we remember the often forgotten vessel and Avodah of Chanukah and yearn for its restoration. Have a Freilechin Zos Chanukah!

A panoramic view of Parshas Mikeitz with a focus on the following questions: 1. Why didn't Yosef write home? Why did Yosef put on a charade? Why did he frame Binyamin? 2. Why does Parshas Mikeitz end of a cliffhanger? The Torah is not a movie! Such an abrupt finish is uncharacteristic of the Torah. But, what if Mikeitz DOES have a conclusive ending hiding in plain sight? 3. What does the rare Haft...

This Shabbos, we will read one of the rarest Haftaros, the story Shlomo HaMelech and the "custody battle" [Melachim Aleph 3:15-4:1]. But, WHAT does this story have to do with Parshas Mikeitz? Everything! (You could check out Artscroll for some connections. If you're not 100% satisfied with what you find there, then give this Shiur a listen here.)

Running out of "Chanukah tunes"? Don't panic! Let's talk. In this Ba'al Tefilah Workshop, we'll review some tips pertaining to song choices on Chanukah. The main options to consider are to (1) "repeat" and hope for the best, (2) resurrect "Halleil classics," (3) get "thematically creative," or (4) go "timeless."

Have you ever noticed that Succos and Chanukah are both 8 days? Have you ever noticed that both a Succah and a Menorah/Chanukiyah must not be higher than 20 Amos? Did you know that the connections don't end there? Sfas Emes reveals that Chanukah is the offspring of Succos. What does that mean? Find out!

A few minutes of Mussar and inspiration on Halleil, Parshas Vayeishev and Mikeitz.

I was recently a guest on Nobody Talks Shidduchim, an insightful and entertaining podcast on various issues pertaining to the world of Shidduchim (Jewish "matchmaking"). On this episode, I was a part of a discussion about the "Role of Gender Roles" in relationships, Halachah and Hashkafah. The interview section that I'm featured in starts at 8:09 and ends at 35:30. Thank you, Yonah and Chani, for...

A panoramic view of Parshas Vayeishev with a focus on the following questions: 1. What were Yaakov & Yosef thinking? Why did Yaakov Avinu "play favorites"? Why did Yosef "boast"? Why did Yaakov send Yosef to his brothers who hated him? 2. What is the story of Yehudah and Tamar doing in the middle of our Parsha?

Bring some Kedushah to your Kedushah with this week's special workshop on Kedushah for Shabbos Musaf, packed with advice and several different demos of song options which you may want to consider for your next time at the Amud.

The most widely known Jewish holiday is wildly misunderstood and it's meaning has been corrupted. This is best depicted by one of the most ironic memes on the subject which read: 'For those who may not be aware...      Hanukkah ISN'T Jewish Xmas, anything about Jesus, all about presents, or upstaging Xmas because it's 8 days.      1) Hanukkah IS celebration of maintaining one's minority identity a...

A few minutes of Mussar and inspiration on Parshas Vayeishev.

A panoramic view of Parshas Vayishlach with a focus on the following question: Vayishlach seems to contain many "unrelated" stories, from Yaakov's showdown with Eisav, to Dinah's capture, to Rochel's death, to Reuvein's sin, etc. What they all ostensibly have in common is that they are trials Yaakov Avinu experienced.      However, the Parsha signs off with the passage of Eisav's progeny, conclusi...

On this Real-Talk Torah, my brother R' Daniel joins me once again as we confront the disturbing and confusing story of Reuvein and Bilhah? What exactly happened?

A few more minutes of Mussar and inspiration on Parshas Vayishlach.

Going through the Nusach for Musaf for Shabbos.

In the first ever Parsha Panel, my brothers R' Daniel and R' Mendy join me as we discuss the heavy issue of the Torah observance of the Avos. Did they truly fulfill the entire Torah before it was given? Is that even possible? What do the sources have to say? And what are we even supposed to do with this information?

A few minutes of Mussar and inspiration on Parshas Vayishlach.

A panoramic view of Parshas Vayeira with a focus on the following questions: 1. Why did it take Yaakov so long to get married? Why did he wait until he was so old? 2. Why did Yaakov have to marry so many wives? Was it just a coincidental, natural turn of events? 3. Why do we need to know about Yaakov's financial rivalry with Lavan?