The Sedra Behar 5781
In this week's video for Parshat Behar, we explore the profound commandment of Shemitah. The Torah uses a unique double expression, Shabbat Shabbaton, a Sabbath of complete rest, to describe this seventh year when the land must lie fallow. While Hebrew rarely repeats words for emphasis, this phrase signals something extraordinary. Commentators like the Ibn Ezra and the Sforno explain that this isn't just a physical break for the soil, but a total rest for both body and soul. Much like our weekly Shabbat, the Shemitah year serves to fix the reality of God as Creator in our hearts. By [...]
A Unique Telling of the Purim Story Politics and Intrigue
Today we are looking at the Purim story through a lens of politics and intrigue. We often think of Purim as just a story of miracles, but it is also a story of careful maneuvering and understanding human nature. From King Ahashverosh's deep paranoia to Haman's dangerous ego, the megillah is filled with political strategy. We will see how God provides the medicine before the illness by placing Esther in the palace exactly when she is needed. We'll also discuss Mordechai's genius in saving the king without asking for a reward, ensuring the king remained in his debt. This history [...]
Belief and Heresy 1
Many people believe that Judaism is primarily defined by our actions, our rituals, and how we treat others. While these are vital, Judaism is first and foremost a system of beliefs and true knowledge about reality. In this series, we will examine the fundamental principles of our faith and what it means to deny them. We start by looking at the first three principles from Maimonides' famous list. We will discuss the belief in Hashem as the sole Creator and Director of all existence, the profound and complex concept of God's absolute unity and indivisibility, and the essential truth that [...]
Belief and Heresy 2
Today, we continue our journey through the Rambam's thirteen fundamental principles of faith, focusing on the fourth through the ninth. We discuss the eternity of God as the first and the last, and the vital principle that God alone is the object of our prayers, without any intermediaries. We then explore the authenticity and supremacy of prophecy, starting with the truth of the prophets and the unique, foundational role of Moshe Rabbeinu. We also reaffirm our belief that the Torah we hold in our hands today is the exact same one given to Moshe at Har Sinai, and that this [...]
Belief and Heresy 3
Over our previous sessions, we have explored the core pillars of our faith, and today we conclude by examining the final four of the Rambam's thirteen fundamental principles. We begin with the understanding that Hashem is intimately aware of all human deeds and even our innermost thoughts. We then address the reality of reward and punishment, recognizing that our actions have spiritual consequences. We also reaffirm our daily anticipation of the coming of Mashiach, holding steadfast in the belief that he will arrive. Finally, we discuss the fundamental belief in Techiyat HaMeitim, the resurrection of the dead, which will occur [...]
Belief and Heresy 4
Shalom and welcome to our fourth video in this series on belief and heresy. Having spent our first three sessions establishing the fundamental principles of Jewish faith, we now turn to a more difficult topic: the consequences of denying these core beliefs. We will examine the words of the Rambam in his laws of repentance, where he identifies categories of individuals who lose their portion in the World to Come. From those who deny the resurrection or the coming of Mashiach, to those who publicly defy the Torah or separate themselves from the community, the Rambam outlines how certain actions [...]
