Torah reading

In this week's Torah reading we find Yehuda giving a long speech in front of Yosef about the suffering of YAakov in the case that Binyamin stays in Egipt. Yosef, moved by his brother, finally shows himself to his brothers and askes if his father is still alive. What's the point of the question? Furthermore,…  Leer más » Parashat Vayigash - Is my father still alive?

In this week's Torah reading we find the dream of Pharaoh about the cows and the stalks. In a previous reading (Vayeshev) we find the dreams of Yosef. Is there a relationship? What can we learn out of it? What's the connection to Chanukah? Based on Likutei Sichot vol. 3, p. 819

The verse that starts the reading this week appears to be superfluous. The commentaries offer different explanations. There's a commentary of the Maggid of Mezritch that teaches a very fundamental lesson in the service of God. Based on Likutey Sichot vol. 1, p. 76

Parashat VayishlachThis week's reading starts with Yaakov sending a message to his brother Eisav about having lived the last years with Lavan in Charan. Our sages interpret the wording of the message in a special way and that itself gives us an important teaching about priorities in life. Based on Likutey Sichot, vol. 1, p.…  Leer más » Parashat Vayishlach - Life's priorities

In this week's reading we find the trip of Yaakov from Beer Sheva (a holy place) to Charan (an unholy place). This trip can represent the trip of each one of us in many aspects of our lifes. In general: tools to leave your comfort zone. Based on Likutey Sichot, vol. 1, p. 60

Parashat ToldotIn this week's reading we find a repetition of concepts right at the beginning. The Torah is not just a book of stories, rather also a book of teachings. What is the teaching of this repetition? Based on Likutey Sichot, vol. 3, p. 780

In this week's reading we find the story of Eliezer going to look for a wife for Yitzchak. In this mission he encounters numerous miracles. One of the is that the same day he left the south of the Land of Israel, he arrived in Charan (Sirya). Why was that miracle neccesary? Based on Likutey…  Leer más » Parashat Chayei Sara - A rose between thorns

This week's reading starts with God appearing in front of Avraham after having circumcised himself. A cute story by the Rebbe Rashab and his grandfather, the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek, gives us two perspectives on how to deal with our service to God. Based on Likutey Sichot, vol. 1, p. 23

In this week's Torah reading we find Avraham being commanded to leave this land, the place where he was born and the house of his father. How can we apply this story to our personal growth as human beings?

This week's Torah reading relates the story of Noach and the Flood. We know that the Torah is not just a story book, but rather a book of teachings. The Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movements, has a very profound teaching regarding going into the Ark.

This week we have two readings. Getting ready for Rosh Hashana we have two readings that are actually one. But the names represent opposite movements... Based on Likutey Sichot vol. 29, p. 173

This week's reading starts with the Mitzvah of Bikkurim: the first fruits. This commandment offers a number of teachings, besides the specific laws of the practical Mitzvah. In this class, two teachings. Based on Likutei Sichot vol. 2, p. 390

In this week's Torah reading we find lots of Mitzvoth (commandments). The opening verse already gives us an important lesson on how to serve God in the proper way.

This week's Torah reading starts with a commandment regarding Judges and Policemen. Even though the Mitzvah might not apply in a physical sense, it still applies spiritually. What's the meaning?

In this wee's reading we find the definition of animals that can be eaten by Jews and those that can't. The land animals have to have split hoofs and chew the cud. What does it represent in our service to G-d?

Parashat Ekev In this week's reading the Torah relates about the Man (Manna). It contained in itself two opposite qualities: the highest level of richness and a terrible poorness.

In this week's reading we find, among many other Mitzvoth (commandments) the learning of Torah and the reciting of the Shema. A question on the set times for fulfilling these Mitzvoth will help us understand the purpose of each one of them.

This week's reading begins the fifth book of the Torah which are the words of Moses before passing away. Our sages have contradictory ideas on how was this books actually given: out of the mouth of Moses but, with Divine inspiration. How can both things happen at the same time?

The opening of the Torah reading called Masei is about the 42 trips that the Jewish people traveled coming out of Egypt and reaching the Land of Cnaan. Torah is not just a history book, rather also a teachings book. What is the teaching behind all these trips?

In this week's reading we find Pinchas being rewarded with a special gift after having acted bravely in the last event of parashat Balak. A simple teaching for each one of us from Pinchas' attitude.

This week's Torah reading relates the story of Balak and Bilam, how they tried to destroy the Jewish People by cursing them. However, only blessings came out of that. Within the blessings Bilam recites, he describes the Jewish People like a crouched lion. What can we learn from that?

This week's reading starts by stating that this particular rule, am irrational one, is actually the essence of the whole system of commandments (Mitzvot).

In this week's Torah reading we find the discussion of Korach against Moshe and Aharon. In the surface it seems like a power argument, however, it contains in itself a philosophical discussion over what's more important: materiality or spirituality.

At the end of this week's Torah reading we find a story where the Torah itself testifies about the humility of Moshe. However, Moshe spoke to God face to face, took the Jewish People out of Egypt with incredible wonders, etc, what's the room for humility?

In this week's Torah reading, we learn, from a subtle change in the order of the children of Levi, the proper attitude on how to get closer to God nowadays.