About the Course
Ask people on the street to name the greatest speeches in history, and they might say, “I have a dream” or “ask not what your country can do for you.” Those may have been great speeches. But the most consequential speeches ever delivered can’t be watched on YouTube. They were given thousands of years ago. And they didn’t just move a crowd. They shaped a people.
“Speeches of Biblical Proportions” is a ChabadU course about four acts of leadership: Joshua, at the edge of death. Samuel, alone against the crowd. Solomon, at the happiest moment of his life. Ezra, facing a generation slipping away. Four leaders who stood before their people, saying what had to be said, and changing everything thereafter.
Join Rabbi Mendel Dubov in unpacking these speeches. Discover the background, the drama, and the meaning. And you may be surprised how relevant they still are today.
This four-week series begins Tuesday, Nov 10 (30 Cheshvan).
Joshua’s Farewell and the Call to Commitment
November 10, 2026
Joshua was at the end of his life, the era of open miracles was drawing to a close, and the Jewish future was suddenly being tested. To reaffirm their commitment, the aging leader orchestrated a remarkable turning point. Uncover the brilliant strategy behind Joshua’s final words and learn how to spark unshakeable commitment in your life.
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Samuel’s Warning and the Fight for Identity
November 17, 2026
When the Jewish people demanded a king “like all other nations,” the prophet Samuel protested, exposing the danger of trading Divine destiny for political trends. Explore Samuel’s warning and learn the ultimate secret to Jewish success and endurance.
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Solomon’s Temple Dedication and the Blueprint of Prayer
November 24, 2026
The First Temple is complete. It is the absolute zenith of Jewish history. Standing before an ecstatic nation, King Solomon delivered a prayer that answered the ultimate paradox: How do you fit an infinite G-d inside a finite building? Unpack this address to unlock the mechanics of prayer, repentance, and everyday miracles.
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Ezra’s Tears and the Radical Rescue of a Generation
December 1, 2026
The exile was over, but the Jewish spirit was flickering. Arriving in a spiritually fractured Jerusalem, the sage Ezra didn’t give a polite sermon. His words shook the people to their core. Dive into history’s greatest masterclass on teshuvah (repentance) and see how one leader’s faith-laced words salvaged the Jewish future.
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Level: Intermediate -
Length/Effort:30 Minutes / week
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Category: Bible and Jewish History
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Institution: ChabadU
Meet the Presenter
Rabbi Mendel Dubov serves as rabbi and director of Chabad in Sussex County, NJ.
He is a popular columnist at Chabad.org and Jewish.tv, on the subjects of Bible and Jewish history, his work garnering hundreds of thousands of views.
Rabbi Dubov lectures across the US and abroad and has published several books on Jewish thought including his bestseller, "Shall We Have Another? A Jewish Approach to Family Planning.”