Weekly Women's Class by Rabbi YY Jacobson

We All Have an Inner Knowing; But Maybe We Don't? When Moshe Was Given a New PathIt is almost incomprehensible. G-d always gave him decisive directives. Suddenly, G-d tells Moses, I am staying out of this one. Yet astonishingly, Moses does not back off. Why? A reflection on two models of Judaism, two models of relationships, helps us appreciate when and how to trust ourselves in life. This class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, Parshas Shlach, 24 Sivan, 5786, June 9, 2026, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9935

Have Secular Values Destroyed Our Standards of Jewish Education? What Happened to Good Old Discipline?This class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 17 Sivan, 5786, June 2, 2026, Parshas Be'haloscha, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9929

Surrender Is an Infinite ProcessThis class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 10 Sivan, 5786, May 26, 2026, Parshas Nasso, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9926

A Mountain Over Your Head? When You're Feeling Disconnected from Your SpouseIt is one of those strange, intriguing, poignant, and profound Talmudic tales. It includes such wonders as a dialogue with G-d-the-Scribe, instantaneous time travel, and the convergence of humility and self-expression in the evolution of Judaism. When Moses ascended on High (after the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai on Shavuos), he found G-d sitting and tying crowns on the letters of the Torah. Moses said before G-d: Master of the Universe! Who is preventing You from giving the Torah without these additions? What is lacking in the words themselves that You must add crowns as well? G-d said to him: There is a man who is destined to be born after several generations—Akiva the son of Yosef is his name. He is destined to derive from each and every ‘thorn’ of these ‘crowns’ mounds upon mounds of halachos (laws). It is for his sake that the crowns must be added to the letters of the Torah. Moses said before G-d: Master of the Universe! Show him to me. G-d said to him: Turn around. Suddenly, in a classic case of “back to the future,” Moses finds himself 1600 years ahead of his day. He went and sat at the end of the eighth row in Rabbi Akiva’s study hall. Rabbi Akiva is teaching Torah to his disciples, but Moses does not understand what they are saying. Moses’ strength waned; his energy departed from him. He was demoralized. When Rabbi Akiva arrived at the discussion of a particular exposition, his students asked him: Master! From where do you derive this? Rabbi Akiva said to them: It is a halacha, a law, transmitted to Moses from Sinai. When Moses heard this, his mind was put at ease. The entire story seems absurd. For starters, how could Moses not comprehend the lecture of Rabbi Akiva? Moses studied on Mt. Sinai for forty days at the “feet” of the best teacher of all time, G-d Himself. What is even stranger is Moses’ response. When he fails to understand, his strength wanes; his energy is deflated. But then, when Reb Akiva quotes him, his mind is put at ease… Was Moshe’s ego first shattered by his lack of understanding and then placated by hearing his name quoted? What happened to the legendary humility of Moses? It was at the Farbrengen of Shabbos Parshas Shemini, 26 Nissan, 5726, April 16, 1966, when the Lubavitcher Rebbe offered a most powerful and extraordinary explanation of this Talmudic narrative. The sermon takes on a fascinating journey through the Mesorah of Judaism, from master to student. We enter with Moses into the study hall of Reb Akiva, and we discover the great revolutionary composing unsurpassed symphonies of Torah wisdom. View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9921

The Untold Story of Global Terrorism: Are You the Bow or the Arrow?This powerful and life-changing women's Lag Baomer class, on why we shoot arrows on Lag Baomer, was presented on Tuesday, Lag Baomer, 5786, May 5, 2026. It is a most perplexing and fascinating story—Hagar and Yishmael—and it is read every Rosh Hashanah. Did you notice a very strange expression? As she walks away from her thirsty child, not to be with him at his moment of distress and not see his death, the Torah says, she sits down at a distance, “a bowshot away.” It is the only time such an expression is used in Tanach. What is it supposed to mean and symbolize? It could have just said, “she sat at a far distance”?! And then a few verses later, we come back to the bow. Yishmael, her son, becomes an archer, “the master of the bow.” What’s the significance of this detail? He may have also taken on pickleball or yoga. Why is this important? There is a profound message here, and it will teach you about our world today more than any website, newspaper, or book in the world. It will also teach us our mission today during turbulent times. There are three ways to respond to tension, pressure, and anxiety. The Hagar away: You look away, or you run away. The Yishmael way: You become the master of tension, making the world panic as you smile. Today we want to discover a third way. This is the Jewish way, and it’s the Jewish secret. We are the “masters of the arrow.” The secret of the arrow is: The deeper the tension, the more you apply the pressure, the further it strikes, with more impact and intensity. We are the Divine arrows of history. The more tension we experience, our “arrows,” our force and light, soar and reach the greatest of distances with the deepest might and power. The story of Jacob, David, Joseph, Moses, and Esther—captures the powerful secret of Jewish history. Reb Akiva taught us how to take the bow of Yishmael and transform it into transformative growth, becoming G-d's arrows to transform the world from darkness to light, from exile to redemption.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9917

The Story of the Blasphemer: You're Not Guilty, But Cursing G-d/Reality Robs You of Your Inner RadianceThis class, exploring the perplexing and disturbing story of the Blasphemer who was stoned to death, was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, Parshas Emor, 11 Iyar, 5786, April 28, 2026, The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9911

When to Trust Your Therapist: Three Vital Steps for Every Parent, Teacher, & MentorThis class, exploring the three phases of emotional healing according to the Baal Shem Tov, was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 4 Iyar, 5786, April 21, 2026, Parshas Achrei - Kedoshim, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY. How do you know when to trust the person giving you advice? How do you know to trust your own advice? Three steps we each need to engage in in our work of healing: Surrender, unblending, and sweetening. This is why Hashem tells the first Jew: Leave your earthiness and ego (surrender), your birth template (unblending), and your anger (sweetening). These are also the three stages in our annual calendar of Pesach (surredner), counting of the Omer (unblending), and Shavuos (sweetening). View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9905

How Much Longer Will I Hide? The Splitting of the Sea and the Death of the Ego.This class, exploring the deeper meaning of passing through the sea after leaving Egypt, was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 6 Nissan, 5786, March 24, 2026, Parshas Tzav, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY. Why do we say "Dayanu" if G-d would have split the sea but not taken us through it? How would that help anyone? A profound explanation of living in two states of consciousness simultaneously, in the state of infinite oneness, and in the state of a fragmented ego, represented by the sea vs. the dryland. We tell the story of Raba bar bar Chana, who went to BBQ on an island, which turned out to be a whale, and turned over on him. Living in times when G-d is expediting consciousness, many of us are falling apart. It is time to let go! Just let it all go. As the sea splits in our lives, and we experience ego-death, some of us come to life; some of us perish. The death of the Egyptians by the sea came from the very experience that saved the Jews. When oneness is revealed, some parts of us live; others wither away. View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9887

Hashem Didn't Make a Miracle in Iran; He Did Something Much BiggerThis class, dissecting the war of America and Israel against Iran, which began on Feb 28, 2026, Shabbos Zochor, 11 Adar, 5786, was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 28 Adar, 5786, March 17, 2026, Parshas Vayikra, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9879

Is My Loneliness Serving Me? When My Nervous System Felt that Hitler Controlled the WorldThis class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 30 Shevat, 5786, February 17, 2026, Parshas Terumah, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY. It explores the reason we announce about Shekalim and Kilayim on the first day of Adar, and the fascinating Talmudic story about the man who would complain about his marriage, how when the love was potent, even a narrow bed did the magic, yet now when the love is not strong, even a large bed does not suffice.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9872

How Do I Know Why My Soul Came Down? Liberating Myself from Social StereotypesThis class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 16 Shevat, 5786, February 3, 2026, Parshas Yisro, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9864

Pharaoh and His 3 Henchmen: When You Know Your Nervous System, You Can Live with Agency, Presence, and RegulationThis class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 2 Shevat, 5786, January 20, 2026, Parshas Bo, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9855

Pharaoh Was Searching for a Miracle that Would Blow Away Moshe and AaronThis class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, Parshas Vaera, 24 Teves, 5786, January 13, 2026, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.

A Peek Into Moshe's Mind: The Day You Stop Living for Others and Go Into Flow with Your Own EnergyThis class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, Parshas Shemos, 17 Teves, 5786, January 6, 2026, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9849

Refusing to Live Behind Walls: When Jerusalem and My Soul Are Under SiegeThis class, explaining the historic story behind the fast of the 10th of Teves and its psychological relevance in our lives today, was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 10 Teves, 5786, December 30, 2025, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9839

Why the Chanukah Struggle Is Still Going On: Can I Choose Experience over Reason?This class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 26 Kislev, 5786, December 16, 2025, Parshas Miketz, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9830

Your Soul Craves Authentic Tranquility; That's When Things Begin to Fall ApartThis class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 19 Kislev, 5786, December 9, 2025, Parshas Vayeshev, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY. The class explores the reason for the name of the parsha, "Vayeishev," which means "settling down," when the entire portion records the collapse of the first Jewish family. And how can one grasp the words of the Midrash and Rashi that Yaakov was supposedly punished for craving to enjoy tranquility in his life? It seems so cruel. The class is based on an address by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, forty years ago, Shabbos Vayeishev 5746 (1985). We discover the meaning of authentic serenity and how to achieve it in life. Sometimes, when your life and family begin to unravel, healing has begun.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9827

"And Yaakov Remained Alone:" As You Heal, Some Will Shun You While Others Will Embrace YouThis class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 12 Kislev, 5786, December 2, 2025, Parshas Vayishlach, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9823

"Every Liar Has a Teacher:" Why Yaakov Had to Marry LeahThis class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 5 Kislev, 5786, November 25, 2025, Parshas Vayetzei, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY. The Medrash describes a hidden scene on the wedding night of Yaakov and Leah. Throughout the night, Yaakov kept calling the bride “Rachel,” and Leah answered each time. In the morning, when the deception was revealed, Yaakov confronted her: “How could you answer to the name Rachel? You are just like your father, Lavan—a deceiver!” Leah replied with the shocking line: “Is there a barber without students? Didn’t your father call for Esav, and you answered ‘I am Esav’?” At first glance, Leah appears to justify deception with deception—but that cannot be the message. The matriarch of Klal Yisrael wouldn’t base righteousness on revenge or moral equivalence. To understand her words, the shiur introduces a profound idea. The Torah writes “הִיא לֵאָה” (“she is Leah”) but spells it “הוּא לֵאָה” (“he is Leah”), hinting that Yaakov’s shock that morning was not simply discovering who Leah was, but discovering who he was. Leah became a mirror. When Yaakov deceived Yitzchak by dressing as Esav, he spiritually adopted the role of Esav—not in wickedness, but because Hashem needed him to carry both types of Jewish souls: those of pure light (Rachel) and those who struggle, fall, rise, and wrestle their way to greatness (Leah/Esav archetype). The moment Yaakov declared “I am Esav,” he entered the world of struggle—which meant the soulmate for that part of him was no longer Rachel alone, but Leah, who embodies exhaustion, complexity, and inner confrontation. Thus, Leah’s response was not defensive sarcasm but a deep revelation: “I didn’t merely deceive you; I stepped into the place you created. You became Esav for a holy purpose—and therefore, your Esav-part must marry its counterpart. I am the mirror of the struggle inside you.” In this view, the switch under the chuppah wasn’t random trickery. It was a continuation of Yaakov’s own spiritual journey. Rachel represents his light, innocence, and clarity; Leah represents his darkness that can be transformed into light—the hard inner work, the exhaustion, the buried pain, the shadow that must be redeemed to access deeper strength. Ultimately every Jew descends from both Rachel and Leah—both the part of us that feels aligned and luminous and the part that feels heavy, complicated, and exhausted. True wholeness comes only when both are embraced. That is why Yaakov is buried with Leah, not Rachel. His life’s completion came not only from the parts that felt easy and beautiful, but from the parts that demanded courage, mirroring, self-confrontation, and transformation. The message of the Medrash is that our “Leah moments”—our struggles, shadows, and discomfort—are not punishments but invitations to greatness. And that is the deeper meaning of the badeken: by veiling the kallah, we declare, “I am ready to marry not only the parts of you that I see now, but also the hidden parts I cannot yet see — and this commitment is only possible if I am also willing to meet, accept, and marry the hidden parts within myself.”View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9817

When You Grasp the Dynamics of Your Two Souls, You Liberate Yourself from ShameThis class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 27 Cheshvan, 5786, November 18, 2025, Parshas Toldos, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9813

Don't Run from Your Mistakes: Why the First Jewish Child Was Named LaughterThis class was presented by Rabbi YY Jacobson on Tuesday, 13 Cheshvan, 5786, November 4, 2025, Parshas Vayera, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY. Why would Sarah deny the truth that she laughed? The Torah says, “because she was afraid.” Afraid of whom? Why was she afraid to tell Abraham that she laughed? After all, she was 89 years old, and Sarah stood her own in the presence of Abraham. Maybe the Torah means she was scared of G-d. But that is senseless. Did she believe that you can hide from G-d? Even more strange is the response to her denial. “But He said, ‘No, you laughed indeed.’” What was this all about? A he said/she said game in the therapist’s office? She said I never laughed; he says: No you did laugh! Okay great. Now what? The biggest question is this: When this miracle child is actually born, the name he receives is Yitzchak, which means LAUGHTER! Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter; everyone who hears will laugh with me!” Strange. When Sarah hears she will have a child, she laughs. G-d gets upset over the fact that she is laughing. He confronts Abraham about her laughter. She denies it. Then Abraham, or G-d, says: No, you did laugh, Sarah! And then when the baby was born, they gave him that very name—laughter! There seems to be some strange theme unfolding here. One of the Chassidic masters, the Sefas Emes, provides a marvelous commentary. It was the moment that created the eternal and legendary Yiddishe Mamme, who will stop for nothing to protect and to believe in her children, and offer them the maternal holding, the fit of inner regulation, peace, and self-love. Cynicism undermines our feminine energy in very profound ways. It buries our trust. Our mother Sarah needed not only to avoid it, but to transform it. View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9789

The Journey from Trauma to Trust; When I Need to Cover My Eyes In Order to SeeThis class was presented on Tuesday, 6 Cheshvan, 5786, October 28, 2025, Parshas Lech Lecha, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9784

Noach Before Toldos: Showing Up for Our Children and the World from a Space of Internal CalmThis class was presented on Tuesday, 29 Tishrei, 5786, October 21, 2025, Parshas Noach, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9781

Don't Do Teshuvah Because You Hate Yourself; Do Teshuvah Because You Love YourselfThis class was presented on Tuesday, 8 Tishrei, 5786, September 30, 2025, Parshas Ha'azinu, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9771

Coronating the King: Bringing Hashem into the Most Shameful, Lonely Parts of Your BeingThis class was presented on Tuesday, 23 Elul, 5785, September 16, 2025, Parshas Nitzavim, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY. We explore the first question asked by G-d to Adam on the first Rosh Hashanah of history: Ayeka, where are you? He did not ask him why he sinned and ate from the tree of knowledge; he asked him: Why do you need to hide from me? Can you come out of your hiding place so we can enjoy the garden together? We analyze the inner fear and shame that paralyze so many of us, and deprive us of the ability to experience internal love and bliss. The coronation of Hashem on Rosh Hashanah is the invitation to bring infinite Divine acceptance into those very shameful and scary places. The life-changing experience of embracing all our parts and allowing the love to flow freely and uninhibitedly.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9767

Elul & Rosh Hashanah Without Anxiety: Is Chassidus Really About Healing Trauma?This class was presented on Tuesday, 16 Elul, 5785, September 9, 2025, Parshas Ki Savo, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9761

Can You Communicate Without Defensiveness? The Incredible Lesson of Shimon Hamsoni and Rabbe AkivaThis class was presented on Tuesday, 11 Av, 5785, August 5, 2025, Parshas Vaeschanan, at The Barn in Montebello, NY. There is a story in the Talmud, in which Shimon the Imsonite retracts his entire theory that the term "Es" indicates the inclusion of another person or item, due to a single verse in this week’s portion, “You shall fear -- Es -- the Lord your G-d.” How can we be in awe of anybody but G-d? Yet his student, Rabbi Akiva, rescues his teacher’s refuted theory. The obvious question is what did Rabbi Akiva discover which Shimon did not? Shimon could not entertain the notion of including anything in the commandment to fear G-d. For him, such a proposition would be blasphemy. Why did Rabbi Akiva, then, not have a problem of adding Torah scholars to the mitzvah of fearing G-d? How is it that for what Shimon was blasphemy was for Rabbi Akiva perfectly acceptable, and even a mitzvah?! You were selected to win the Nobel Prize for your contribution to physics. You received your tickets to Norway to attend the lavish ceremony. You were featured on the cover of Time magazine, and have been interviewed by hundreds of journals and networks. Minutes after you received the call that the Nobel Committee had chosen you from 40 possible candidates, you went from being an anonymous physicist spending the last 45 years in a laboratory to becoming a world-class scientist whose name will be immortalized in the annals of scientific innovation and discovery. You become a household name. The world is buzzing with your praise. And then… the unthinkable happens. Hours before you go to the airport to fly to Norway, you discover a subtle mistake in one of your 20,000 equations. It is a mistake that no eye has perceived and perhaps will not be perceived for many years. But it is a mistake. Your calculation is erroneous. You have refuted your discovery. You now have a choice to make. Will you allow the “small truth” to destroy your eternal glory? What would you do? It is such a story that the Talmud is addressing. If only we can internalize this type of integrity our lives can be transformed.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9744

When the False Moshiach Came to the Baal Shem Tov for Healing; When Unkelus Raised Titus, Baalam, and Yeshu from the GraveThis class was presented on Tuesday, 4 Av, 5785, July 29, 2025, Parshas Devarim, at a new location, The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY. The class tells the incredible story of Unkelus, who raised three people from the grave: Titus, Balaam, and Yeshu. What the Maharal and Reb Tzadok explain about the core of the Jewish soul, and how we must never confuse our blockages with our essence. We explain the downfall of Yeshu and Shabti Tzvi, and the incredible story of the false Messiah coming to the Baal Shem Tov for spiritual healing. We discuss how to view our struggling children and students who may be engulfed in confusion and pain.View Source Sheets: http://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9740

Consciousness Has Been Upgraded; Are You Ready? Learning How to Trust Your Inner Divine Voice This class was presented on Tuesday, 12 Tammuz, 5785, July 8, 2025, Parshas Balak, at a new location, The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY. View Source Sheets: http://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9728

Moshe Was Told He Couldn't Enter the Land, So We Discovered the Holiness of Our CravingsThis class was presented on Tuesday, 5 Tammuz, 5785, July 1, 2025, Parshas Chukas, at a new location, The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: http://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9720

“To Everything There Is a Season:” Learning How to Transition from “A Time of War,” to “A Time of Peace”This class was presented on Tuesday, 28 Sivan, 5785, June 24, 2025, Parshas Korach, at a new location, The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY. What empowered Netanyahu? What was the difference between the October 7th failure and the incredibly successful war against Iran? View Source Sheets: http://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9713

History Is Changing, Don't Stand on the SidelinesThis class was presented on Tuesday, 21 Sivan, 5785, June 17, 2025, Parshas Sh'lach, at a new location, The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: http://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9704

When You Feel that Hashem Sees and Records Every Word with Love, You Change HistoryThis class was presented on Tuesday, 29 Iyar, 5785, May 27, 2025, Parshas Bamidbar, at a new location, The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: http://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9697

Connection with G-d Does Not Mean I'm Not Triggered; It Means I Know Who I Am and Assume Ownership of the Direction of My LifeThis class was presented on Tuesday, 22 Iyar, 5785, May 20, 2025, Parshas Behar-Bechukosai, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY. The class explores three forms of acquisitions in Jewish law, reflecting three paths in our service of G-d. Selling the tree, selling the future fruits of the tree, and selling a tree for its fruits. Generally it is assumed that there are two moral paths through life. There is the sure, tranquil path of the perfectly righteous person who has succeeded in remaking his very character and personality—a path that few can aspire to and even fewer achieve. And there is the path of the imperfect soul whose life is an endless battle—a battle in which defeat is always a possibility and, in the long run, a statistical inevitability. A path which runs along the edge of a moral precipice, in which the slightest misstep or lapse in vigilance sends one hurtling into the abyss. Is there no other way? Is there no middle ground between utter perfection and perpetual self-doubt? Is there no way to gain control over one’s life short of remaking one’s inner self? Such was the moral landscape of man until Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi wrote the Tanya and introduced us to the "banuni," “the intermediate man.”View Source Sheets: http://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9691

Stories of Abuse & Triumph: The Girl Was Being Violated; They said She Was Seeking Negative AttentionThis Lag Baomer class was presented on Tuesday, 15 Iyar, 5785, May 13, 2025, Parshas Emor, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY. There is no other sage in the history of Judaism who has all of the Jewish people celebrating on the day that he passed away. Why is the yarzeit of Reb Shimon ben Yochai marked in such a unique and universal way? How did Reb Shimon bar Yochai end up in a cave? It seems like a classic Jewish story and conversation. One Jew, Reb Yosei, remains quiet about Rome. Reb Yehuda praises the Romans for elevating the standards of life; and Reb Shimon is critical because he said it was for narcissistic purposes. But is there a deeper theme behind this debate? The fact that the Talmud records the details of the debate, and gives us the names of the debaters, instead of just saying that Reb Shimon criticized the government, indicates there is some depth and gravitas to this debate, and that the names are important. As it turns out, the debate on Rome fascinatingly reflects a debate between Reb Yehuda and Reb Shimon in many aspects of Jewish law. The Talmud states: Chezekiah stated in the name of Rabbi Jeremiah, who said it in the name of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, "I am able to exempt the whole world from judgment from the day that I was born until now!” (Sukkah 45b). What is that supposed to mean? The Midrash states in Avod Derabi Nasan ch. 16: Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai would say: From this you know that Israel will never see the face of purgatory. But how can a sage say such a thing?View Source Sheets: http://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9685

The Kamatz and the Patach: As We Get Closer to Redemption, Our Hearts Ache to Emerge from LockdownThis Women's Kedoshim class was presented on Tuesday, 8 Iyar, 5785, May 6, 2025, Parshas Achrei Mos-Kedoshim, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY. The class explores the distinction between two identical words in Shmini and Kedoshim, "Ani," one with a Kamatz and one with a Patach. When we need to close our hearts and when we need to open it. When it comes to food and other pleasures and necessities, we must master the art of discipline and self-control. When it comes to relationships, we are capable of living with an open, confident heart.View Source Sheets: http://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9679

Solar Faith Vs. Lunar Faith: Why the Women Rejected the Golden Calf and Were Given the Holiday of Rosh ChodeshThis class was presented on Tuesday, Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the month of Iyar, 5785, April 29, 2025, Parshas Tazria-Metzora, at The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY. This text-based class explores a Chassidic discourse by Rabbi Shmuel Schneerson, the fourth Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rebbe Maharash, L'Havin Inyan Rosh Chodesh, presented on Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, 5640, October 18, 1879. The discourse explains why the holiday of Rosh Chodesh was given primarily to women. Weexplore the reason the Jews created the Golden Calf, and the unique gifts of the feminine—its ability to embody the oneness of G-d in a visceral way, rather than in a sublime, aloof way.View Source Sheets: http://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9665

Your 15-Step Pesach Program To Make Space for all Your Parts and Discover Your Inner Blissful LightThis class, a detailed 15-step guide to experience your seder with mindfulness, serenity, and personal relevance, was presented on Tuesday, 10 Nissan, 5785, April 8, 2025, Parshas Tzav, at a new location, The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.

The Hay of the Matzah Vs. the Ches of Chametz: You Can't Force Your Nervous System to Surrender - Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 3 Nissan, 5785, April 1, 2025, Parshas Vayikra, at a new location, The Barn @ 84 Viola Rd. in Montebello, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9645

For the Cosmic Conductor, Every Note Is Indispensable: Reconnecting to Your Own Life-Force - Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 25 Adar, 5785, March 25, 2025, Parshas Pekudei, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. Why did Moshe feel compelled to account for every coin he received? Did people think Moses packed away some of the cash to buy real estate in Saudi Arabia or purchase his private jet? Even if it is important to know that Moses gave an accounting to teach us transparency, the Torah could have simply said that Moses gave an accounting of all the gold, silver, and copper contributed to the Sanctuary project. The theme of the entire second book of the Torah, Shemos, is dedicated to nation-building. In Genesis, we are referred to as “benei Yisroel,” the children of Israel; we are a family, and a fragmented one as such. It is only in Exodus, when we are first called an “Am,” a nation. This is the pervading thread of the entire book of Shemos. While the narratives of Genesis focus on individuals—Adam, Eve, the snake, Cain, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Lot, Hagar, Ishmael, Isaac, Rebecca, Esau, Jacob, Rachel, Leah, Judah, Joseph etc.—Exodus is a book about a people, a nation. Individuals are mentioned, of course, but all these names are discussed as representatives of a nation or assisting the formation of a nation. Shemos is about the collective, not the individual. Here comes a profound challenge. Does nation-building, by definition, come at the expense of the individual? Sure, you can't have a nation without individuals joining together, but perhaps the value of the individual is only insofar as he or she becomes a part of the whole. The value of my “I” is only because it contributes to the “We.” The class explored the profound need for each of us to be seen, and to be able to truly see others, especially our children and students, see them in their full power and presence.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9635

You Have Permission to Enjoy Your Life, Without Denying Your Pain - Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 18 Adar, 5785, March 18, 2025, Parshas Vayakhel, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9629

Haman Goes Crazy Because Mordechai Does Not Believe He Really Exists - Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Monday, 11 Adar, 5785, March 11, 2025, Parshas Ki Sisa, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9613

How Vashti Triggered Her Husband's Core-Wound; How Esther Used It to Save a World - Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 4 Adar, 5785, March 4, 2025, Parshas Tetzaveh, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. The lecture explores the first chapter of the Book of Esther. Why did Vashti trigger such anger in the Persian King? Why does the order of her title keep changing, as well as the musical notes relating to her? We also learn to observe the genius of Queen Esther, who brilliantly played Haman's ego against Achashverosh's paranoia. The lesson we learn about the courage of Esther and the power to look inward at our deepest triggers and core-wounds, and how when darkness is exposed it loses its power.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9608

Why Only Holy Insanity Can Heal the Tortured Soul: The Secret of the Shitim/Acacia Wood - Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 27 Shvat, 5785, February 25, 2025, Parshas Terumah, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9604

The Emotional Demise of Your Brother: An Examination of the Murder Laws in Mishpatim Through the Narratives of Yaakov and Eisav - Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 20 Shvat, 5785, February 18, 2025, Parshas Mishpatim, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9594

From Yisro to Trump: When a Gentile Teaches Jews How to Speak about Israel - Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 13 Shvat, 5785, February 11, 2025, Parshas Yisro, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9588

“Just Move On, Don't Take It to Heart” Doesn't Work: Why Moshe Instructed the Jews to Gaze at Egypt - Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 6 Shvat, 5785, February 4, 2025, Parshas Beshalach, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9570

Moshe's Mission: Humility Is Never About Self-Bashing; It Is Seeing Yourself as a Channel for Infinity - Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 21 Teves, 5785, January 21, 2025, Parshas Vaera, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. Why did Amram marry his aunt, a relationship that would be later forbidden? Moshe, who gave the Torah, was born from this flawed union? Why did Moshe, the humblest of men, say to G-d he is ready to be priest and king? Why was Saul rebuked for arrogance when he actually refused to be king and rejected the power? Why did Moshe tell Hashem, "Who am I?" Did he think G-d did not know him well? The class delves into the mechanism to liberate ourselves from being captive to the inner voices of fear, anxiety, insecurity, and the need for validation—by energetically discovering how we are channels for infinity. We discuss what makes a good therapist, rabbi, teacher, leader, and mentor. When therapists or rabbis are not worked out emotionally, they can wreak havoc. Great teachers, healers, and leaders are mirrors, reflecting back to you who you really are. When these mirrors are broken, you start believing you are broken, and you become dependent rather than confident and self-reliant.

What Happens When You Stop Being Afraid to Try? The Invisible Arm of the Universe - Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 14 Teves, 5785, January 14, 2025, Parshas Shemos, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

There Was No One in the World to Hold Your Hand and Tell You that You Are Not Guilty. How Do You Recover from This? Yosef's Secret - Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 7 Teves, 5785, January 7, 2025, Parshas Vayechi, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. We all carry pain in our hearts. Sometimes it's an old wound that won't let go, sometimes a betrayal that's hard to forget, and sometimes a deep feeling of loneliness that no one understands. This class reveals the deep secret of Yosef—the person who went through the greatest darkness and turned it into light. How did a boy who lost his mother at the age of 8, was thrown into a pit full of snakes by his brothers, sold into slavery, accused of a false conspiracy, and spent 12 years in prison – how did he manage not only to survive but to love with so much joyful presence, happiness, and serenity? How did he remain sensitive and open rather than become cynical and stone-like? If you are dealing with: • Deep mental pain • Traumas from the past • Emotional crises • Loneliness and disconnection • An injury that is hard to forget • A feeling of helplessness This class will show you how to get out of the darkness andinto the light, reconnect with the joy of life, and discover the divine power that lies within us.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9550

The Ultimate Greek or the Ultimate Jew? The Battle Over Yosef's Identity - Weekly Women's Class: This class was presented on Tuesday, 30 Kislev, the sixth day of Chanukah, 5785, December 31, 2024, Parshas Vayigash, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY. The Midrash describes an odd detail in Greek persecution of the Jews during the time of the Chanukah story: The Jew's were forced to write a renunciation of their faith on the ‘horn of an ox.' What on earth did the poor ox have to do with this sorry chapter in Jewish history? Pharaoh is mesmerized by Joseph's wisdom. "Can there be another person who has G-d's spirit in him as this man does?" Pharaoh asks his advisors. "There is none as understanding and wise as you," he says to Joseph. "You shall be over my house, and according to your word shall all my people be ruled; only the throne I will make greater than you." Pharaoh says to Joseph: “I am Pharaoh; yet without you, no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” There is something strange here. It seems that Pharaoh is concerned Joseph will usurp his position and he must tell him, not once but twice, that he is working under the king. But what would trigger this concern? If you are dealing with an unscrupulous person, we can understand this type of talk. But it is obvious that Pharaoh was impressed by Joseph's wisdom and humility. What is more, Pharaoh told Joseph, “according to your word shall all my people be ruled.” Clearly, this is “my people.” I am their leader. Why the need to state again, “only the throne I will make greater than you." Also the words of Pharaoh to Joseph are strange: “Only the throne I will make greater than you." What a strange expression to employ. Why does he not say, “the throne remains greater than you?” or something similar. Does Pharaoh need to increase the greatness of the throne due to Joseph's appointment? What is even more enigmatic are the words of the Midrash, that Pharaoh's words to Joseph teach is that also G-d remains greater and holier than His people. This is so strange. was the second Rebbe of Ger, Rabbi Yehudah Leib Altar (1847-1905), known as the Sefas Emes, who presented a deeper explanation of this midrash. We also come to understand the conflict between the Greeks and the Jews embodied by the festival of Chanukah.View Source Sheets: https://portal.theyeshiva.net/api/source-sheets/9533