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, we have two Torah readings. One is called “Nitzavim,” which means “to stand firm,” and… Read More »PARSHAT NITZAVIM-VAYELECH 5784 – FREE WILL
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 This week’s Torah reading is called “Ki Tavo” – “When… Read More »PARSHAT KI TAVO 5784 – THE FIRST FRUITS
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 reading is called Ki Teitzei. It’s one of those readings that has so many teachings, so many mitzvot (commandments),… Read More »PARSHAT KI TEITZEI 5784 – THE WAR
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? This week’s Torah reading is called Shoftim, which means judges. The Torah is talking about appointing judges and officers in… Read More »PARSHAT SHOFTIM 5784 – JUDGES IN YOUR GATES
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? (Noahides are not commanded to eat Kosher. Noahides have… Read More »PARSHAT RE’EH 5784 – GO BEYOND YOUR NATURE
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. One of the subjects in this week’s reading is about the מָן (man), the bread that came down from heaven. The blessing that… Read More »PARSHAT EKEV – THE TEST OF RICHNESS AND POORNESS
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?… Read More »PARSHAT DEVARIM 5784 – OUT OF THE MOUTH OF MOSES
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? This week,… Read More »PARSHAT MASEI 5784 – LIFE IS A CONSTANT TRIP
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 is called Pinchas. The name Pinchas refers to a person and… Read More »PARSHAT PINCHAS 5784 – TAKE ACTION!
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… Read More »PARSHAT BALAK 5784 – CROUCHED LIKE A LION
