Torah Class - Passover/Pesach: The 5th Cup Why do we drink four cups of wine at the Seder; can I drink a fifth? Why do we pour another cup for Elijah; is he sitting down at our Seder table?

Celebrating The Rebbe’s Birthday The Rebbe was a very private person; when did the Rebbe’s birthday become a public affair?

Torah Class - Parshat Tazria: Shabbat And Circumcision Why do we circumcise on Shabbat? Can't we just delay the surgery by a day, and not violate Shabbat? The history of circumcision and the surprising qualification required of the circumciser.

A Lesson From The Eclipse In the first moments of creation, the sun and moon didn’t have the same relationship as they do now. What lesson can we take from them?(Parshat Shemini)

Torah Class - Parshat Hachodesh: How Much Are 2 Mitzvot Worth? 2 Mitzvot stood between the Jewish people and the Exodus, and 2 Mitzvot can bring our redemption. A journey between Moses in Egypt, Rabbi Matya in Rome, and the Lubavitcher Rebbe in New York.

The Other Bridge (Parshat Tzav)Everyone has been talking about the tragic bridge collapse in Baltimore. But there is also another bridge which came down—the remarkable story of Joe Lieberman, the Shabbat-observant Senator who blazed a Jewish trail in the US Government.

Torah Class - Parshat Tzav: Blasphemy Or Heartfelt Cry? A young Jewish woman married to a Greek officer storms the Holy Temple, kicks the altar, and shouts "wolf, wolf..." Can anyone give this story a positive spin?

The Fight Of The Waters (Parshat Vayikra) When a group of Yeshivah boys were feeling discriminated against, the Rebbe taught them that G-d always repays His debts.

Torah Class - Purim: Punishment Or Natural Consequence? What was so wrong with attending Achashverosh’s feast? A new perspective on what lay behind Haman’s genocidal plot and the Purim miracle.

Torah Class - Parshat Shekalim: How Many Jews Are There? The history of census counts of the Jewish people, from the days of Moses and kings Saul and David, and the connection to counting ten for a minyan in the synagogue.

Are You All In? The lesson the half-shekel can teach us about our commitment to Judaism.(Shabbat Shekalim)

Torah Class - Purim: Mordechai The “Jew”The word "Jew" is a derivative of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. So why are we all referred to by the name of a single tribe?

Torah Class - Parshat Ki Tisa: The Fiery Showdown What is worse: worshipping idols, or doing a bit of both - idols and G-d? Lessons from the great showdown on Mt. Carmel.

The Solar Eclipse (Parshat Tetzaveh)Who is missing from the Torah’s narrative this week, and how does that reflect on Israeli soldiers?

Minor Purim: Guaranteeing Victory Mordechai and Haman both knew: The children hold the key to victory or failure for the Jewish people. And a little joy goes a long way

Put Others First American Jews are worried about the Israelis, and Israeli Jews are worried about Americans. What is wrong with us? (Parshat Terumah)

Torah Class - Parshat Teruma: The Historic Mistake In The TabletsWhat did Moses put inside the Ark of the Covenant, and how does that inform the correct depiction of the Tablets?

In Judaism – Be Square! (Parshat Mishpatim) A Jewish symbol currently displayed in Jewish institutions worldwide was once used against the Jews. What is that symbol, and what is the correct course of action?

Torah Class - Parshat Mishpatim: Guardians Of The World When a person receives a deposit, they are obligated to guard it. What degree of responsibility do we bear towards the world and the life we receive every morning?Click here for the class handout

You can be G-d’s Matchmaker (Parshat Yisro)

Torah Class - Parshat Yitro: Moral Values Can humanity be governed by a moral code not rooted in belief in G-d? Click here for the class handout

Amalek In The Hague (Parshat Beshalach)Who was Amalek? In the Hague Tribunal everyone is talking about it. Even more importantly, there seems to be a spiritual Amalek blocking our defense of Israel. How can we uproot it?

Torah Class - Parshat Beshalach: What’s Greater Than Prayer? There are moments in life when prayer is not enough - we must act! A lesson about Moses' leadership during times of crisis and the eternal lessons it teaches us. Click here for the class handout

Gratitude Even To An Opponent When Jimmy Carter left the White House and Ronald Reagan took his place, the Rebbe focused on the positive of the outgoing president, instead of talking about the new administration. (Parshat Bo/10 Shevat)

Torah Class - 10 Shevat: The Seventh The Rebbe's historic vision of our generation's mission and how to achieve it. Excerpts from the Rebbe's monumental first address. Click here for the class handout

The Tunnel Crisis I’m sure you all heard about the 770 tunnel crisis. Let me share the 770 story…(Parshat Va'eira)

Torah Class - Parshat Va’era: The Battle Over The Jewish Birthrate A historical journey into the relentless Egyptian efforts to control the Jewish birthrate, and a look at the heroism of Jewish women.Click here for the class handout

The Israeli Sore Spot (Parshat Shemot)Our smartest enemies know how to exploit our divisions. But that also means redemption is around the corner.

Torah Class - Parshat Shemot: Can You Blame People Only For Their Intentions? Moshe condemns Datan for only raising his hands, even before he hit Aviram. Why? Click here for the class handout

Torah Class - Parshat Vayechi: Looks Can Be Deceiving Judaism teaches us not to accept matters at face value, but to delve into their true meaning. What seems positive isn't always good for us. Click here for the class handout

What Makes A Favorite? Someone recently told me about his foray into keeping kosher. It was quite the experience, he said. But why did he cherish such a difficult task? (Parshat Vayigash)

Torah Class - Hei Tevet: The Trial & Victory - What It Means For Us Today.

Genesis: Removing Our Blindspot The hot question is: how did Israel miss the warning sign?. The answer might be right here in the parshah. (Parshat Mikeitz)

Proud And Not Afraid The more we are involved in Jewish life, the less worried we are about Anti-semitism. (Parshat Vayeshev & Chanukah)

The Speech That Echoed Throughout The World When the Alter Rebbe was released from prison, it ushered in an unprecedented level of growth for the Chassidic movement. The Jewish people seem to be on the cusp of a similar moment right now.

Torah Class - Chanukah: Why Chanukah? Moses dedicated the Mishkan, Solomon dedicated the First Temple, but only the Hasmonean rededication became a festival we celebrate until today. Why?Click here for the class handout

Torah Class - 19 Kislev: Self Diagnosis The haters' arguments can teach us what's important, what's true, and what needs improvement.

Torah Class - Parshat Vayeitzei: 238 Hostages – What Can I Do For Them? A fascinating lesson about physical captives, mental captivity, and the road to freedom.Click here for the class handout

Torah Class - Parshat Toldot: Showdown At A Bar Mitzvah A lifestyle of brute power vs. an educational path of faith and spirituality. A 13 year old boy takes on Og the Giant. Click here for the class handout

A Tale Of Two BrothersWhat is the core of the conflict, and what should we do about it? (Parshat Vayeira)

Torah Class - Parshat Chayei Sarah: The Importance Of Knowing What’s Important To You Do you know what is your purpose in life? How does this express itself in your order of priorities? A life lesson from Abraham and Sarah. Click here for the class handout

Torah Class - Parshat Vayeira: Altruism With Benefits Helping others and praying for others isn't self-sacrifice - it's a profitable investment! Click here for the class handout

A New Path At 75 When Abraham was seventy five years old, G-d spoke to him for the first time, setting him on a new path of connection to the Divine. What message could that have for a broken, devastated Israel? (Parshat Lech Lecha)

The Power Of Optimism (Parshat Noach)

Torah Class - Parshat Lech-lecha: War In Israel It is a difficult time for Jewish people. Israel is at war. What can we do to help? How can we deal with the fear and anxiety? And why is it so destructive to speak negatively about fellow Jews at this time? Click here for the class handout

Torah Class - Parshat Noach: Judging People The Right WayWhen are we to say the truth about people’s behavior? And what is the connection to our soul? A powerful lesson from Noach, Moshe and Rashi. Click here for the class handout

God’s Mission Statement (Parshat Bereishit)

Torah Class - Sukkot: What Arouses Joy? Why is Sukkot the most joyous holiday? Is it related to agriculture and economics or perhaps to our failures? The happiest Sukkot in Jewish history. Click here for the class handout

The Fatal Hubris (Yizkor-Yom Kippur) Before the Yom Kippur war, the Israeli government was very hubristic about their abilities. What changed? And what gave them the ability to ultimately win the war?

Diplomatic ImmunityWhen the synagogue reaches Aleinu, everyone breathes a sigh of relief. How did it suddenly end up in middle of High Holiday Musaf? (Kol Nidrei/Yom Kippur)