The Practical Parshah

A weekly live class with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan on the weekly Torah reading highlighting Biblical sources for Jewish laws and customs.

In the first portion of the Torah, Adam and Eve receive the commandment to "be fruitful and multiply." What are the parameters of this mitzvah today?

The life of Noah raises questions of how to address the moral failings of others, from zealous extremism on one hand to insularism and apathy on the other.

How, when and if to speak up for what’s right, when the people who are acting improperly are your own family members.

G‑d’s visit to Abraham following his circumcision teaches us some important guidelines in how to properly perform the mitzvah of bikkur cholim—visiting the sick.

Abraham’s response to the loss of his wife, Sarah, teaches us how to properly honor those who have passed on.

Emulating our forefather Isaac's financial success and how he apportioned his wealth to tzedakah—charity.

We learn from our father Jacob an important lesson in when and how to forgo a personal religious stringency in the face of a greater obligation.

The story of Jacob’s struggle with an angel provides the source for the prohibition of eating the sciatic nerve of an animal. In this class, other complicated issues involving the preparation of kosher meat are also discussed.

Rachel's firstborn son, Joseph, being sold into slavery as a source for the mitzvah of monetarily redeeming the firstborn son of a Jewish woman.

The Torah tells us that both of Joseph’s sons were born before the famine began in Egypt. What do the commentaries say we are supposed to learn from this?

In this week's portion in which Judah promises the safe return of his brother Benjamin, we look at the severity of oaths and vows, how to know when you've made one and how to be released from it once you have.

In this week’s portion, Jacob gives his sons his last will and testament. What does Jewish law say about how to bequeath an inheritance to heirs?

The unusual circumstances of Moses’ son’s brit milah (circumcision) and what it teaches us about how that mitzvah may be performed -- and by whom.

Moses would not pray anywhere within Pharaoh’s capital city because it was full of idols. Where – besides for a synagogue – can a Jew pray? Where is a Jew forbidden to pray?

In this week’s Torah portion, the Jews leave Egypt and receive the commandment to keep the Passover. What practical preparations are needed to be ready for Pesach?

A double portion of manna would fall from heaven on Fridays. We discuss the mitzvah of the “double Shabbos loaves” (lechem mishneh) and other customs of the Shabbat meal.

The difference between “remembering” and “keeping” the Shabbat.

The strict prohibition against two Jewish litigants taking their case to secular courts.

Every synagogue is known as a “miniature sanctuary” (mikdash me’at.) How does one show respect for a shul?