Kabbalistic teachings explain that if G-d ever allows for a descent in goodness and holiness, it can only be for the purpose of achieving something even greater. This concept, in fact, sheds light on a peculiar statement in the Mishnah. An address about the unique holiday marked on the 15th of Av.

Mindu Hornick MBE, describes her heart-wrenching experiences in Auschwitz and a slave-labor camp.

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

When tragedy struck, the rabbi needed to find inner strength, faith, and focus to be there for his daughter, his grandchildren, and most of all himself.

Charity and Redemption: Why the sages say that we “will only be redeemed because of tzedakah”

Marriage thrives on a healthy flow of giving and receiving. Drawing from the relationship between G-d and the Jewish people, this class explores how true receiving activates giving, and why the giver must first create safety and leadership. You’ll learn how a wife invites giving by becoming a willing receiver, and how a husband strengthens the relationship by initiating and leading with responsibility and respect. Like G-d, who gently asks to be welcomed, a strong marriage begins when both partners understand how to start the flow.

Tisha b’Av, the ninth of Av, is Judaism’s national day of mourning. Learn the history and significance of this tragic day, and how from the tragedy is planted the seeds of hope.

Larry Goldstein calls the Tefillin Customer Support line, G-fish answers, and, of course, hilarity ensues.

The first of seven haftorahs describing G‑d’s promise of ultimate comfort and consolation begins with G‑d’s command to Isaiah, “Comfort, comfort My people!”

The Torah instructs us to know and understand that there is nothing else but Hashem, not only in the heavens above, but even in the earth below. Learn a foundational teaching of Chassidus on the oneness of Hashem, which explains the novelty of this truth.

Sukkot is a Jewish holiday celebrated by taking off work, celebrating in a hut, and waving unusual bouquets. This video will give you the whole story.

Watch a visual presentation on the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple), the center of our nation and the place where we were closest to G-d. This webcast provides a general overview of the Temple’s magnificent structure and the awesome experience one encountered.

How to perform the havdalah ceremony at the conclusion of Shabbat and festivals.

The mitzvah of dwelling in the sukkah returns us to simpler values and simpler times.

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman provides a first entry into authentic and practical Jewish meditation. Taking us step by step through the words of the first morning prayer, providing imagery and concepts for mindful focus.

The Torah describes the revelation at Sinai by saying: "You have been shown, in order to know that the Lord He is G-d; there is none else besides Him." (Deuteronomy 4:35) Rashi explains that the way G-d showed the people is that "He tore open the heaven and earth." How are we to understand this unusual imagery?

Put in the proper perspective, even a whale of a challenge can be nothing at all. (Parsha Perks | Ve’etchanan | with Dr Michael Chighel)

Fear can prevent us from reaching our goals and dreams. In this week's Torah portion, Moses describes the cause of fear, the turmoil it creates within us, and its spiritual antidote.

Even though Moses’ fervent prayer seems to not have been granted, he teaches us to never give up on our prayers being answered.

Understanding the power, protection and blessing of the Mezuzah.

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 173 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

The Torah commands us: You shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart. How can we be expected to feel a love for Him if the feeling is not embedded in our heart?

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

The Parshah report gets an exclusive interview with one of the original Jews who left Egypt and wandered through the desert

The Shema contains fundamental beliefs about G‑d, Torah and mitzvot. But much of the second paragraph repeats the first. Why the need for this repetition?

The Torah (Deuteronomy 10:17) tells us that G-d “does not show favor, nor does He take bribes.” Yet in the Midrash our sages declare that there is a way to bribe Him! This class reveals the secret to bribing G-d. (Likkutei Sichos, vol. 34, p. 59)

"When you eat and have been satisfied, you shall bless." The laws of reciting grace.

Isaiah’s prophecy teaches the importance of becoming one’s own comforter and nurturer.

Study some of the highlights of the weekly Torah portion with insights from various commentaries.

The quest for a full appreciation of a specific comment of Rashi, once again serve as a segue into a much broader understanding of foundational Torah concepts like the meaning of Mitzvot, the Land of Israel and the nature of personal religious duties . We are introduced to a Talmudic statement about the importance of Tefillin that seems vastly exaggerated. Varying explanations are capped with an amazing mystical manuscript that remarkably clarifies the “Head-Tefillin Effect”, transformationally illuminating the spiritual achievement of putting on Tefillin – even if it just once-in-a-lifetime!

Are the head and arm tefillin one mitzvah or are they two separate mitzvahs? The text is nuanced— pointing to two different perspectives on the mind/heart interplay.

We cannot ignore the “heel” mitzvot. They must be done with the same enthusiasm as the “head” mitzvot, because ultimately they are both the wish of G‑d.

A hot dog vendor and a construction worker chat about a frozen man.

Prayer is a time to focus inward towards our essential connection with G-d.

An analysis of the first two paragraphs of the Shema express two modes of interaction with the divine, and an inspiring and encouraging message for our times. (Likutei Sichos vol. 9)

The Torah commands us to “love G-d with all your heart”. The Hebrew word for 'heart' is spelled with an extra letter: the letter 'vet' appears twice. Our Sages explain that this means that we are to love G-d with both inclinations of the heart, the good (yetzer tov) and the evil (yetzer hara). But how can one possibly love G-d with one's evil inclination?! This class offers three answers in ascending sequence and offers a parallel model for a blissful marriage.

This class analyzes an aspect of the weekly Torah portion. While providing a basic understanding of the subject matter, the lesson delves into its deeper and more complex dimensions with emphasis on the spiritual relevance to our daily lives. Inspiration for both the novice and advanced student.

In the verse "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord, your G-d, demand of you?" (Deuteronomy 10:12) the word for "what" (mah) can be read as "hundred" (meiah) by adding a letter alef. What does it mean that G-d asks for a "hundred" from us? Where does the extra alef come from? How are both of these connected to the fact that we read this portion about a month before Rosh Hashanah?

Learn enlightening layers of meaning and insights behind the after-blessing (known as Grace After Meal) recited after eating bread.

If you undertake something good, but can’t finish it and someone else takes it over the finish line, who gets the credit?

Don't reduce Judaism to an intellectual experience.

The value of completing a mitzvah.

An analysis of the difference between the Alter Rebbe's treatment of the mitzvah of bentching (food blessings) in his Shulchan Aruch vs. in his Siddur.

The three mitzvahs of tefillin, tzitzis and mezuzah are designed to constantly remind us of our connection to Hashem. Yet the Rambam singles out mezuzah—discover how your mezuzah changes your life.

Fear can prevent us from reaching our goals and dreams. In this week's Torah portion, Moses describes the cause of fear, the turmoil it creates within us, and its spiritual antidote.

The Talmud states in Tractate Taanit: “Never were there more joyous days for the Jewish people than the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur,” listing five or six joyous events that occurred on 15 Av throughout history. What is it about the energy of the 15th of Av that attracts so much joy?

Blessings for joy and healing in the days approaching the fifteenth of Av, an auspicious day on the Jewish calendar.

On the 15th of Av young men and women would meet in the vineyards of Jerusalem for the purpose of finding their soul-mate. The beautiful girls among them would declare that a young man aught set his eyes to beauty alone. The Talmud does not censure them, even mildly. But surely, as Scripture states, "Charm is false and beauty has no substance"?! (Likutei Sichos vol. 19, p. 80)

“There were no greater festivals for Israel than the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur. On these days the daughters of Jerusalem would go out . . . (for matchmaking).” This cryptic passage of the Talmud—like many others—requires further study, elaboration and context to better understand its meaning and significance.

Connecting the dots between dancing in circles, a full moon, breaking the ax, and escaping death.

The fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Av is described as a great festive day. The mystics explain that its specialty is connected to coinciding with a full moon (similar to the holidays Passover and Sukkot). Discover a life-changing insight gleaned from the full moon.

Throughout our history, this day has been one of celebration and joy. Here is why.

This Talmud class is about the 15th day of Menachem-Av. This date is identified in the Gemara as the holiday once celebrated as the happiest of them all! The final Mishnah in tractate Taanit states that Israel has no days as festive as the fifteenth of Av and Yom Kippur! The Gemmara asks for an explanation for this surprising statement about the festive nature of the fifteenth of Av. Initially, we may find the Talmud’s answers somewhat perplexing, but with proper analysis and the deep insight provided by our Rabbis, especially the brilliant explanation by the Rebbe, we'll find it totally enlightening and truly uplifting!

We see that the more necessary something is for survival, the more available it is. For example, a house can be expensive, clothing is more affordable, food even more, and air which we need to breathe, is free. The same is true with Torah and commandments. While commandments have their limitations in time and other requirements, Torah study is something which can always be done, pointing to how necessary it really is for our survival.

Kabbalistic teachings explain that if G-d ever allows for a descent in goodness and holiness, it can only be for the purpose of achieving something even greater. This concept, in fact, sheds light on a peculiar statement in the Mishnah. An address about the unique holiday marked on the 15th of Av.

On Yom Kippur and the 15th of Av the maidens of Jerusalem would go out to its vineyards where young men had gathered, like them, to find their partner in marriage. There the maidens would dance wearing borrowed white gowns. This class addresses the spiritual dimensions of this sublime encounter.

The 15th of Av is from the most festive days of the year. The gemara relates as cause for rejoicing, that it’s the day they broke the axes. Discover how Tu B'Av counteracts the tragedy of Tisha B'Av.

At the end of gemara Taanis, we learn of the lesser known festival of the 15th of Av, when the daughters of Jerusalem would go out and say some interesting things, which get us to ask what is the value of a Jewish person?

By Rabbi Yisroel Noach Lipsker

After she left a Christian cult, she reconnected with her boyfriend--now husband--and embarked on a life journey of sharing Judaism with others.

The Torah instructs us to know and understand that there is nothing else but Hashem, not only in the heavens above, but even in the earth below. Learn a foundational teaching of Chassidus on the oneness of Hashem, which explains the novelty of this truth.

Tisha b’Av, the ninth of Av, is Judaism’s national day of mourning. Learn the history and significance of this tragic day, and how from the tragedy is planted the seeds of hope.

Hashem wants us to inherit Israel, do we? A deeper understating of Rashi’s commentary teaches us that when we rely on Hashem and declare that Hashem gave us Eretz Yisrael, we are protected and saved in a flash.

The Torah lists the 42 places where the Jewish People journeyed to in the desert. Why does the Torah refer to the destinations where they encamped as journeys? Learn a profound message regarding our mission to always travel higher.

The two tribes of Reuven and Gad asked Moses to stay in the land Trans-Jordon, where there is sufficient pasture for their flock. How were they different from the spies in not wanting to settle in the land of Israel? And why was half the tribe of Menashe

Dreaming of an incredible life can bring you a wondrous life. This is what radical commitment to Hashem looks like.

Does Teshuvah help if it's not altogether sincere? Learn a powerful lesson about teshuvah from the sons of Korach.

Like the story of Pinchas, almost everything in the world can be channeled for a positive or destructive objective. What is the barometer to know if it’s virtuous?

Marriage thrives on a healthy flow of giving and receiving. Drawing from the relationship between G-d and the Jewish people, this class explores how true receiving activates giving, and why the giver must first create safety and leadership. You’ll learn h

Why would a tzadik make a bracha that implies he doesn't deserve Hashem's blessings?

Why every Parah Adumah must link back to Moshe.

The Talmud is a repository of Jewish learning, tradition, and law, written in a blend of Hebrew and Aramaic.

Mendel was just seven years old when his father suddenly passed away, leaving behind four orphans. The Rebbe took a unique interest in the Scharf children, showering them with attention, love, and paternal concern – which we can all learn from. Watch Rabb

The individual who chopped wood in the desert and desecrated the Shabbos, ironically, was out to prove a point about keeping Shabbos. He demonstrated how though good intentions are wonderful, but action is the key.

The spies were deeply spiritual people with high ideals, yet they were misguided and missed the point. This leads to fascinating dive into the Rambam’s definition of attaining the ultimate level of love of Hashem. A lesson from the spies: The goal of Juda

When Moshe sent the spies, were they kosher? If not, why send them. If yes, why did Moshe pray that Yehoshua be save from their plans?

Rambam states that one of the core values of Judaism is the belief that Hashem empowers humans with prophetic ability. Then he details the qualities needed to access prophecy, which tells us what we need to believe about Nevuah.

Is the celebration of Yom Tov all about meat? Is the mitzvah of Simcha on Yom Tov spiritual or physical enjoyment? Is there a mitzvah of Simcha on Shabbos?

The Second Passover offering is brought by those who didn’t bring the Korban Pesach a month earlier in its proper time. Is Pesach Sheni relevant if one didn't miss Pesach? And what is its value today without the Korban?