Parsha- SoulWords

The name of this week's Torah portion Emor literally means "speak." Why is it important that we speak? What is the special power of speech?

The Torah reading of Kedoshim begins: "You shall be holy because I, the L-rd your G-d, am holy." Why is this single statement considered to be the foundation of mitzvah observance?

Why does the Torah require one to bring a sin offering for an inadvertent sin? What is the point of atoning for something that was an accident? The answer can only be understood by first explaining the Torah's view on our subconscious motives.

In this week's portion, Moshe makes a financial audit of the charitable contributions made toward the building of the sanctuary in the desert. Why does Rashi say that Moshe counted "the weight" of the donations made by the people and not the value? To answer this question, we must answer another question: What is the […]

What are the real causes of shame and self-consciousness and what can be done to overcome them? The answer lies in understanding the mysterious "tachash" animal (sometimes translated as a unicorn) whose colorful skins were used to decorate the sanctuary in the wilderness.

Four fifths of our people did not leave Egypt at the time of the Exodus. Why will the coming redemption with Moshiach be different? Why is the answer to the wicked son of the Haggadah to remind him that if he had been in Egypt he would not have been redeemed? We will understand all […]

Just before they were separated for twenty-two years, Yaakov shared a final message with his son Yosef. How did these words keep Yosef alive through all of his trials and travails? What message would you want to be your last to your child?

How did our patriarch Yaakov finally separate himself from his abusive father-in-law Lavan? What can we learn from this story about how to deal with people whose fragile egos feel assaulted by our very existence? Based on Hasvaaduyos 10 Kislev, Shabbos Parshas Vayeitzei 5746 pp. 655-656 and 664-666.

Which is more essential to life: material security or spiritual clarity? Looking at the first Jewish home, our mother Sarah's tent, we can answer this question and also settle an ideological debate between two great 20th century Jewish psychologists, Abraham Maslow and Viktor Frankl.

Should we be concerned when high profile celebrities spread anti-Jewish hatred? The answer is contained in this week's Torah portion of Vayeira.

The story of Avraham's travels in the Torah reading of Lech Lecha leads to a discussion about whether doing G-d's will is supposed to actually make our lives better.

The Jewish people have always turned to the words of Torah for comfort and strength. What important lesson does the story of Noah's Ark teaching us about the need to immerse ourselves in the holy words of Torah?

The Bais Yaakov (son of the Izhbitzer) explains a deeper truth about sins against G-d and how they reconcile with a divine plan that can never be abrogated. In the parsha, Yosef explains to his brothers that they did not send him to Egypt but rather G-d sent him. What Yosef was trying to communicate […]

The Alter Rebbe writes a letter to his chasidim after his release from prison warning them not to gloat over their adversaries. Rather, he explains, they should conduct themselves like Yaakov our father who responded to G-d's kindnesses toward him by feeling exceedingly humble.

The Shelah explains the deeper reason why Yaakov Avinu spoke about marital intimacy in ways that may seem inappropriate to us.

The unique praise of Yaakov Avinu is that all of his offspring followed in his path. What was Yaakov Avinu's secret to success in marriage and raising children? In an edited farbrengen from 5725, the Rebbe explains how success at home has to do with knowing when to not really be present and when to […]

The Sfas Emes explains that the greatness of Sarah our Matriarch is that no matter what was going on in her life, she retained her connection to G-d so that, from her perspective, it could truly be said that every day of her life was "a good day."

The Shem MiShmuel asks how Avraham could plead for mercy on behalf of the people of Sodom when they were so cruel to others. Isn't kindness to the Sodomites actually cruelty to their victims?

The Ben Ish Chai explains how Avraham Avinu was able to exhibit astounding alacrity when it came to doing mitzvos yet when he needed to deal with mundane matters he remained emotionally detached.

How Noach fell short as the spiritual leader of his generation. A textual study of the Kedushas Levi (R' Levi Yitzchak Berditcherver) on the Torah portion of Noach. At the Thursday Night Men's Cholent class.

What does the Torah portion of Vayeilech reveal about the hidden joy within Shabbos Shuvah? Based on Sefer HaSichos 5749 pp. 6-7.

Is everything G-d does really for the good? If so, are we meant to always feel that way? Two classic Aramaic translations of a single word represent two different perspectives on evil. Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 19, pp. 133-139.

Understanding the relationship between a leader and his people from the fact that Moshe was blamed for the sin of the Golden Calf although he was not present when it happened. Based on Likkutei Sichos, vol. 21, p. 175.

The Torah describes the mitzvah of the arm Tefilin as an action ("you shall bind them... on your arm") whereas the mitzvah of the head Tefilin is described as a state of being ("they should be... on your head.") What is the legal and mystical distinction between these two expressions? What does it teach us […]

In this week's portion, Moshe blesses the people "May you be multiplied one thousand-fold and may G-d do for you that which He said about you." What are these two blessings? And why is the second one so vague? Hear the strange story of when the Baal Shem Tov and his students bankrupted a poor […]

In this week's Haftarah, the prophet Yirmiyahu rebukes his people: "They say to the wood, 'You are my father,' and to the stone, 'You gave birth to me.'" What are the "stone" and "wood" of our day? How do we identify and rectify the idol worship in our own lives? Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. […]

The worship of Ba'al Peor was considered loathsome even by pagans. How were so many Jews in the wilderness attracted to it? The truth is that the core belief of Ba'al worship is very much alive and prevalent today in the worldview known as materialism. How do we combat this popular ideology that reduces all […]

The Torah portion of Chukas describes the passing of Aharon and how his loss was greatly mourned by the Jewish people. Why was Aharon so universally beloved? And what can we learn from this about our own hidden potential? Based on Sichos Kodesh 5741, vol. 4, pp. 439-440.

Why did 250 followers of Korach accept a challenge that they knew would lead to their deaths? And why did Moshe tell them that he empathized with their desire? In preparation for the Rebbe's yahrzeit on 3 Tammuz, we consider the Rebbe's call for every Jew to assume a role of leadership. Based on Likkutei […]

Why do we have to know that the mission of the Spies took place "in the days of the ripening of the grapes"? What eternal lesson is there for us? How is life like a grape? Why are the Spies described as "men"? What does this teach us about the differences between men and women […]

Anyone could light the Menorah in the Temple, even a non-kohen; yet only a kohen could prepare the wicks and oil. What is the deeper meaning of this law and how does it apply to our lives? Whose responsibility is it to light the fame of Yiddishkeit in the hearts of other Jews? Based on […]

Every country takes a census. What is unique about the census of the Jewish people is that it is carried out directly by none other than Moshe himself. We see from this that when it comes to anything dealing with the Jewish people, nothing less than the most dignified treatment is called for. This helps […]

In this week's portion of Bechukosai, the Torah promises us: "And I will remove the wild beast from the land." The Midrash relates an argument between R' Yehudah and R' Shimon as to exactly what this will mean in the times of Moshiach. Will there no longer be wild beasts or will the wild beasts […]

When does Torah say that we need to be forced to give? What did the Lubavitcher Rebbe tell a philanthropist's wife about the secret of giving? What is the difference giving that is human and giving that is G-dly? Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 17, pp. 255-66.

What do you do when it seems that even Hashem has given up on you? The question arises based on Rashi's commentary that the future Destruction of the First Temple was already hinted to in the Torah. We examine the paradigmatic story of Elisha ben Avuya seemingly being rejected from doing repentance. Based on Toras […]

Our Sages say that Torah both begins and ends with an act of kindness. Is this only to teach us the importance of kindness or is there a deeper lesson? From a letter written during Aseres Yemei HaTeshuvah 5705, the Rebbe explains an amazing lesson for each of us in our own spiritual highs and […]

Following the Song of Haazinu, it says that Moshe and Yehoshua taught the song together. Rashi explains that this was in order that the people should not later question the authority of Yeshoshua when he became Moshe's successor. Why was this important and why did most people misunderstand who Yehoshua was? Based on Likkutei Sichos […]

The Torah reading of Nitzavim always comes before Rosh Hashanah. How does its opening verse of "all of you are standing today... to pass into the covenant with G-d" teach us the secret for preparing for the New Year? And what's the difference between tolerance and interdependence? Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 2, pp. 398-401.

In this week's Torah portion, a word appears twice that has no exact parallel in Scripture: "he'emarta" and "he'emircha" in the verses "G-d has set you apart to be his nation" and "You have set G-d apart to be your L-rd." Rashi says that the only similar word in Scripture is in Psalms where it says "the sinners are proud (yisamru) of their sins." Why does […]

The month of Elul is described as a powerful time when G-d is accessible or "the king is in the field." How is this connected to the Torah portion of Ki Seitzei?

Rashi comments on a verse in this week's portion that we should follow the rulings of Torah judges “even if the judge tells you that right is left, and that left is right." Does this mean that if reality is one way, and a rabbi makes a halachic decision the opposite way, the Torah wants […]

This week's parsha contains the prohibition against destroying even one stone of the Bais Hamikdash. How then, according to His own rules, did Hashem permit Himself to tear down the entire building, unleashing all the pain and tribulations of Exile that came with it? Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 29, pp. 11-14.