Chabad of Oxford Seminars

Rabbi Reiss provides fascinating background and insight into the famous Purim poem, "Shoshanat Yakov".

Rabbi Brackman presents a talk of the Lubavitcher Rebbe explaining Rashi’s commentary on a verse in Proverbs 15:15.

Rabbi Glauberman discusses various complications in determining the weekly Parsha in the Persian period.

This parable was presented by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi to explain the mystical side of the month of Elul, leading to Rosh Hashana, and has been commented on in intriguing ways by his successors.

Which is the preferred path, love or fear of G-d?

What is the source for this addendum?

'Im ofes rova ha-kein" (If the nest is empty) by R. Efraim Ben Yitzchak Chazak of Regensburg.

A brief outline of Repentance as viewed by the Rebbes of Chabad.

A Purim insight from Sifrei Kabbalah Al HaTorah, manuscript MS. Opp. 722, housed in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.

How the hiddenness of G-d in the Purim story facilitates true service of G-d.

Reflections on Purim through the lens of Maimonides.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe reads the Talmudic story of Rabba and Rabbi Zeira's Purim banquet (Bavli, Megiillah 7b).

A rabbinic perspective on Queen Esther and the scroll that bears her name.

Which direction should we take?

A masterpiece of Sephardic art and its incredible journey from Catalonia to Bosnia.

The 12th-century Haggadah at Corpus Christi College:

An analysis of the Oxford manuscript of the 16th Venetian Rabbi, Elijah Menachem Chalfan (MS Opp. 722)

When did the custom to add the letter ה before the word Shalom during the 10 days of repentance emerge?

Reflections on a Chassidic Teaching

Mesilat Yesharim and its Kabbalistic Foundations

How the various names of G-d define our relationship with Him.

Tracing the history of repentance

Are we to feel joy in the repentance process?

The convergence of Torah & science in the thought of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Is Rashi coming to explain the simple meaning of the text?

The Rebbe, Rabbi Joseph Ber Soloveitchik and Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

An introduction to the Torah of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

An analysis of a Chassidic discourse delivered in 1967 titled Rani v'Simchi.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe's perspective on the sometimes conflicting ideals of faith and reason.

How Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Ashkenazi (the Chacham Tzvi) defended the view of Rabbi David Nieto, Rabbi of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish community in London in the 18th century. Does nature reflect G-d?

Is G-d's name in the Megillah? Finding a needle in a haystack.

What did Purim look like 2000+ years ago?

A look at Yehudah ha-Kohen's Midrash ha-Ḥokma.

Why is G-d not mentioned in the Megillah?

Learning from Esther lessons with a powerful message for today.

A day of judgment or a Holiday?

Analysis through the lens of manuscripts of Mishneh Torah held at the Bodleian Library, Oxford.

An analysis of some of the prayers recited on the day before Rosh Hashanah.

An exploration of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi's two versions of his Letter on Repentance, which he included in the Tanya.

The presence of the "other" in the Divine Self.

How free will enables repentance.

Love of nature as a way to love G-d.

Individualised education and the Haggadah.

We are well aware of the practicalities of Pesach. But how do Jewish texts promote emotional responses to the Festival?

Who were these sages? Why do we open the Haggadah with this story?

'It is I, and none other’ in the Haggadah text through the eyes of Rabbi Jacob Emden, Rabbi Schneur Zalman o Liadi, and Rabbi Shalom Dovber Schneersohn.

Chaim Saiman describes the textual basis for two differing modes of Seder night. Are we to draw out the recital of maggid and delay the consumption of the matzah? Or is it preferable to conclude the maggid section sooner and save discussion for after eating?

Exploring this piyyut through the eyes of the Hebrew manuscript collection of the Bodleian Library, Oxford

What is the source of this vivid metaphor?

Thoughts on the personal dimension of the High Holidays.

How this story is highlighted over the High Holidays—in illustration and liturgy.

An analysis of a discussion in the Talmud and it's theological ramifications.

How our commitment enables us to contribute to society.

Communicating spirituality to the Non-Jew.

Why did the menorah in the Temple only have 7 candles?

What is the origin of the dreidel game? Why do we give chanukah gelt?

A tribute to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks of Blessed Memory

How Science complements Torah.

How the Lubavitcher Rebbe shaped the thought of Rabbi Sacks.

How metaphysical nature of light helps elucidates the refrense to Chanukah as the "Festival of Lights".

An analysis of some of the Talmudic discussion regarding the manner in which we kindle the Chanukah menorah. Is Chanukah a universal holiday?

Tracing the history of the Hebrew language.

How the text of the Haggadah was formed with the child in mind

How the Rebbe reframed Rashi's approach to the Biblical texts of the Haggadah

The crucial role of women in the miracles of the Exodus

Why must we eat the afikoman before midnight?

The Seder Night according to early Mishnah manuscripts.

Should we narrate the tale of the Exodus or discuss the laws surrounding the Passover sacrifice during the Seder night?

An adaptation of a discourse from the Lubavitcher Rebbe given on the 11 of Nissan 5737 (1077)

What is the story behind this enigmatic song found in many Haggadot?

The power of sleep and the mistake the Jewish Nation made before the giving of the Torah.

How can we replicate the feelings aroused by the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai when we study Torah? A discourse on Shavout from the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

Exploring a four year teaching by Rabbi Shalom Dovber Schneersohn, which began on Shavuot, 1912

What is the Chabad custom regarding the reading of the book Ruth?

The value of silence.

How Rosh Hashanah is both a day of Judgment and a Festival.

A discourse of the second Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Dov Ber Schneuri, published in 1816.

How is G-d to judge favourably?

How small differences in the text of Etz Chaim by Rabbi Jacob ben Judah of London illuminates Jewish practice in Medieval England.

We must repair our realtionships with others before we seek a relationship with G-d.

How to appreciate every individual.

What we can learn from a simpleton.

The case for exploring human nature and identity through the lens of the Chassidic masters

How the seventh Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, revealed the inner dimension in every area of Torah.

An examination of the niggun 'shamil' taught by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Medel Schneerson, on Simchat Torah night, 1958.

The Baal Shem Tov and the Kavvanot of Rabbi Isaac Luria – how to actualize intent.

The importance of philosophy according to a 14th-century scholar.

A short overview of the state of contemporary Chassidic Yiddish as a spoken language.

A look at attitudes to the traditional Jewish language in groups such as Belz, Gur, Breslav and Chabad.