ב"ה
Letters and Numbers of the Festivals—Purim
What is the difference between Purim, which is celebrated on the 14th day of the month, and Passover and Sukkot which are celebrated on the 15th day of their respective months? The answer lies in the fact that the number fourteen in Hebrew is represented by the letters yud (10) and daled (4), which spell the word "yad" which means "hand."
The Ten Commandments Are Only for Moses?
Our Sages explain that the Ten Commandments were stated in the second person singular, rather than the plural, in order to provide Moses with an argument in defense of the Jewish People after they had worshipped the Golden Calf: Moses would be able to, and in fact did, argue that the commandment forbidding idolatry was addressed to him alone and not the people! This class will address this apparently bizarre defense and will shed light on the deeper nature of idolatry and its antidote.
The soul of Shabbat
A new and deeply personal appreciation of Shabbat emerges as we examine: (a) the nature of work forbidden on Shabbat; (b) the connection between Shabbat and the construction of the Sanctuary; (c) why the Torah singles out the prohibition of kindling a fire to teach something novel about the Shabbat labors. (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 36, parshas Vayakhel)
On Shabbat work is forbidden. But what defines work? The Torah defines work as any of the activities that were required for the construction or function of the Mishkan, the Divine Sanctuary. This class will explain the deeper connection between Shabbat and the Mishkan, and thereby outline the Divine template for a meaningful life. (Maamar, Vayakhel Moshe 5714)
Letters and Numbers of Torah - Vayakhel
In the beginning of this week's portion, Moses gathers the Jews together and tells them (Exodus 35:1): "These are the things that G-d commands to do." In this verse, the word "to do" (la'asot) is missing the letter vav. How does our labor during the work week "fill in" this missing vav?
Parshah Curiosities: Vayakhel
The Torah’s gives a glowing description of the women’s exceptional contributions towards constructing the Mishkan—highlighting the feminine superiority of faith. This class also uncovers intriguing nuggets on the art of spinning goat-hair, a ghost-written prayer, and the special connection to Rosh Chodesh.
Exploring Rashi on the tribal leaders’ contributions to the Mishkan
This class examines the Torah’s criticism of the Jewish leaders in the desert for appearing sluggish in their contributions to the building of the Tabernacle. Rashi, in his analysis of this story, teaches us a fundamental lesson in leadership. Based on Lekutei Sichos 12)
The final law in the Rambam’s laws on constructing the Beis HaMikdash addresses the daily pre-dawn inspection by the Kohanim with torches in their hands. The exception is Shabbos, where they inspected with stationed lamps to avoid a rabbinic prohibition. Delve into the depths of this halacha. (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 21 Vayakhel, sicha 1)
In last week’s class, the basic human needs of food, clothing and shelter were explored on multi-levels: physical, psychological, spiritual and the Divine. This class will continue to develop this theme together with the implications and lessons for our daily lives. (Based on Maamar Vayakhel Moshe 5714)
The Uppermost Covering of the Mishkan
The uppermost covering of the Divine Sanctuary, the Mishkan, was the hide of a creature the Torah identifies as the 'Tachash'. The Sages disagree as to what type of creature it was, but all agree that it existed only then and that its hide was multicolored. This class will address Rashi's commentary on the subject and reveal the profound spiritual message contained therein. (Likutei Sichos vol. 31)
The High Priest's apron-like garment called the "ephod" had gems over the shoulder straps with the names of the twelve tribes engraved in them. The classical sources differ as to the order in which the tribes were named on the jewels. A spiritual interpretation of these opinions is that they describe two kinds of Jewish unity. (Based on Likutei Sichos, vol. 36.)
The order for constructing the sanctuary
We find a discrepancy in the sequence of instructions to build the mishkan. Presented is a mystical understanding of the order of three things G-d conveys to Moses differently from how Moses instructed the people: resting on Shabbat, building the structure, and making the vessels.
Understanding this forbidden labor on five levels
The prohibition on Shabbat to light a flame is explicitly stated in the Torah, different than the other 39 categories of forbidden labor, which are only implicitly derived from the labors performed in the construction of the mishkan. Why does the Torah single out kindling a fire?
The requirement to eat bland, unleavened bread i.e. Matzah made exclusively from flour and water at the Seder, is unique to our observance. By contrast, at the original Seder in Egypt on the night before the Exodus, it was permissible to eat enriched matzah, i.e. flour mixed with fruit juice or egg. In explaining the reason for this difference, this class reveals the spiritual significance of matzah and its critical message for experiencing true personal growth.(Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 16, p. 122.)
The Wise Son in the Passover Haggadah
Much has been written about the wise son's question in the Haggadah, for his question appears to betray nothing but ignorance. This talk reveals the enormous profundity of the wise son's question—a question we all need to ask. (Based on the maamar Ki Yishalcha Bincha 5738—a chassidic discourse of the Rebbe, which upon publication, he personally distributed to thousands of men, women and children)
The Dress Code for Exodus
The night before they left Egypt, the Children of Israel were commanded to eat matzah and bitter herbs together with the Paschal lamb "waist-belted, shoes on your feet and staff in your hand". Thus class will explore the spiritual dimension of this dress-code and its guidance for our personal exodus. (Based on the maamor V'kocho 5737)
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