This shiur explores the core point of struggle in our battle with Yavan. We will see how the triumph of meaning over vanity and soulfulness over superficiality is inextricably tied to bayis: the Jewish home, and to woman – the nurturer.

Although this time of year corresponds with the frigid winter, it is not a period of morbidity and despair, rather of hope and positivity. This is borne out by a deeper study of the mazal (zodiac sign) of Kislev: keshes (a rainbow). The hues of the rainbow’s light, coupled with the neiros Chanukah, iconize the […]

The Sukkah symbolizes refuge and protection, not only from the physical elements but from all danger. Most meaningfully, it shelters us the from stigmatizing feeling of unworthiness in Hashem’s eye, cradling us in the realization that He accepts us just as we are.

Our past sins need not be seen as devilish and fundamentally dirty, as the proverbially demons which we forever chase. To the contrary, authentic teshuvah is an art of reframing, recasting uncomfortable failure as a welcome opportunity for personal growth. We do not castigate any aspects of ourselves, but rather redirect wayward passions of the […]

The shofar is blaring and noisy. It seeks to be invasive! Like the shrill alarm clock, it wakes us up from our stupor and spiritual apathy. But then comes and even more powerful sound, powerful in its silence–the ”קול דממה דקה”, our quiet inner voice. Lasting teshuvah is cast by the spell of this composed […]

Many people assume that this period is associated with the frightful judgment which awaits us on Rosh Hashana. This attitude is deeply rooted in lore, for example the Yiddish legend that ‘’in Elul even the fish tremble.’’ However, when we research the significance of Elul in primary sources a very different perspective emerges. Elul is […]

Humanism, culture, and character development. All of these are valuable, even indispensable, but only as means to Matan Torah. First one must be a mensch, but menshlachkeit within itself rings hollow. Only Torah- our connection the Divine- can infuses meaning to our existence.

This shiur will develop the metaphor of marriage between the Jewish people and Torah. Just like in human relationship, this marriage is based not only on passion and love, but on loyalty and trust as well. We are ‘’good listeners’’ who hear want the Torah wants, and remain fully committed to her interests.

In this shiur we will trace the key to self-liberation– a holy ‘‘chutzpah’’ and unwillingness to accept the dreary status quo.

The loving exchange between parents and children at the Seder by extension informs our conception of Hashem as our Father in Heaven. This awareness turns the whole notion of authority figures on its head; the image of a caring parent supplants the tyrannical model of authority exuded by Pharaoh in Mitzrayim.