Toras Chaim

Why is Yom Kippur a joyful day, and how do we feel that joy? What is Teshuva? How do we do it? Is it easy or difficult to do Teshuva? Can we really say we will never do something again? If you enjoy the Toras Chaim Podcast, please help us spread the word! You can share a link on social media, leave a review or rating on your favorite podcast platform, or best of all, discuss what you've learned at...

What is the reason behind the choice of the reading for the first day of Rosh Hashana? Is Rosh Hashana really the anniversary of the creation of the universe? What is special about the Jewish people? How can we best prepare for the judgement of Rosh Hashana? If you enjoy the Toras Chaim Podcast, please help us spread the word! You can share a link on social media, leave a review or rating on your...

How do we process the terrifying warnings of last week's Parsha? What is the connection of this week's reading to the time of year? How many different groups are mentioned in the opening verses? Is it possible to ignore the pain of others? If you enjoy the Toras Chaim Podcast, please help us spread the word! You can share a link on social media, leave a review or rating on your favorite po...

In this week's episode Rabbi Elchonon and his wife Miriam discuss the Torah's message to the people on entering into the land, and the challenge of maintaining an awareness of G-d as the source of our blessings. One of the reasons for that challenge: the feeling of being "crushed" or indebted to the giver of the good. If you enjoy the Toras Chaim Podcast, please help us spread th...

In this week's episode (in memory of Harry Pascal, Aaron ben Mordechai HaKohen), Rabbi Elchonon Cohen and his wife Miriam discuss the Torah's perspective on the sanctity of human life in even the most atrocious of circumstances, and how to maintain moral excellence in an atmosphere of collapsing morals by acknowledging our humanity while still striving for better. If you enjoy the Toras Ch...

In this week's episode, Rabbi Elchonon Cohen teaches about the difference between hearing and seeing, plus a lot more! If you enjoy the Toras Chaim Podcast, please help us spread the word! You can share a link on social media, leave a review or rating on your favorite podcast platform, or best of all, discuss what you've learned at the shabbos table! We love to hear from our listeners. Be...

In this week's episode, Rabbi Elchonon Cohen teaches about the concept of reward and punishment, belief in God, and why judgement isn't always a bad thing. If you enjoy the Toras Chaim Podcast, please help us spread the word! You can share a link on social media, leave a review or rating on your favorite podcast platform, or best of all, discuss what you've learned at the shabbos table...

The Megillah of Eichah, which we read on Tisha B'av, starts with a question - How? Is this a rhetorical question? Rabbi Elchonon Cohen helps you get into the right mindset for Tisha B'av with this special episode of the Torash Chaim podcast. If you enjoy the Toras Chaim Podcast, please help us spread the word! You can share a link on social media, leave a review or rating on your favorite...

What is the point of rebuke? In this week's episode, Rabbi Elchonon Cohen discusses Moshe's rebuke of the nation at the end of his life, and what we can learn from it. We also discuss anti-semetism, and God's promise to us, and how that gives us hope in difficult times. If you enjoy the Toras Chaim Podcast, please help us spread the word! You can share a link on social media, leave a r...

In this week's episode, Rabbi Elchonon Cohen talks in depth about gender roles in Judaism, as well as the creative powder of speech and more. If you enjoy the Toras Chaim Podcast, please help us spread the word! You can share a link on social media, leave a review or rating on your favorite podcast platform, or best of all, discuss what you've learned at the shabbos table! We love to hear...

Rabbi Elchonon Cohen teaches about the story of Pinchas in this week's parsha. Was he a vigilante? Did he do a good thing in the eyes of God? What can we learn from this story? If you enjoy the Toras Chaim Podcast, please help us spread the word! You can share a link on social media, leave a review or rating on your favorite podcast platform, or best of all, discuss what you've learned at...

In this week's parsha class, Rabbi Elchonon Cohen teaches about the story of Bilham, and delves into a fascinating discussion: Does magic exist? If you enjoy the Toras Chaim Podcast, please help us spread the word! You can share a link on social media, leave a review or rating on your favorite podcast platform, or best of all, discuss what you've learned at the shabbos table! We love to he...

What is the difference between”Chukim” and “Mishpatim"? Why was Elazar, and not Aharon, in charge of the Parah Adumah? Why does the red heifer need to be wholly red? Is there a unifying theme to this week’s Parsha? What is the significance of death? 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 Pars...

What is the danger of Machlokes? What did Korach “take”? What was really bothering him? How did Dasan, Aviram and Ohn get dragged in? Is “sleep on it” a good tactic? 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 requests are welcome!  Instagram: @...

What is Lashon Hara?  Who were the people that were sent as spies to the land of Israel?  What was their mission?  Did G-d want the Jews to send spies? If not, why did he let them?  What was special about Yehoshua’s name?  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.  Co...

Why was Ahron upset? What was unique about the Menorah in the Mishkan services? What was the job of the Levi'im in the Mishkan? Why do the Levi'im shave, while the nazir grows his hair out? 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 req...

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...