Yearly Cycle

This class introduces the key components that comprise and determine the structure of the Jewish calendar which follows the lunar cycle.

This class presents the mystical elements of the Jewish leap year; an extra month is added to compensate for the difference of days between the solar and lunar year.

This class presents the deeper meaning to the mitzvah of sounding the shofar.

This class explains the extraordinary nature of the most sacred day of the year: Yom Kippur.

This class provides a comprehensive understanding of the central themes of Sukkot.

On Sukkot we are visited in the sukkah by the seven ushpizin, “guests”; why do they come and what does it mean?

This class presents a comprehensive understanding of the deeper meaning behind the miracle of Chanukah.

This class teaches the special significance of the last day of Chanukah, which is referred to as Zos Chanukah.

The tenth of Tevet is a fast-day when we mourn the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.

This class explains the special significance of Tu B’shvat – the New Year for the trees.

The seventh of Adar is the birthday and yahrtzeit of Moshe; discover the special quality of the day he was born.

This class provides a thorough understanding of the deeper reason and root cause for the decree and salvation in the Purim story.

This class illuminates the deeper dimension of the Megillah – book of Esther; why there’s no mention of G-d’s name in the text and the different times for its reading.

The significance of Purim Kattan; the semi-festive day celebrated on a Jewish leap year in the first Adar.

In the weeks prior to Pesach we read from the Torah special parshiot in addition to the weekly parshah; here we examine the order of these readings.

On the Shabbat preceding the month of Adar we read the Torah portion of shekalim – the giving of the half shekel.

On the Shabbat before Purim we read the portion of remembering amalek; here we explore why a special Torah reading was instituted specifically for this remembrance.

On the Shabbat prior to the month of Nissan we read a special Torah portion which details the laws of the red heifer; an offering used to cleanse the ritually impure before bringing the Paschal lamb.

This class takes a deeper look at the purpose of the ten plagues that afflicted the Egyptians and what they represent.

Laws and customs for Passover, from koshering the kitchen to what items we may use and eat.

This advanced class offers a comprehensive overview of the halachot of Pesach: cleaning the house, koshering the kitchen, the laws for a year when Erev Pesach fall out on Shabbat, and the steps of the seder.

A second opportunity was given for those who missed out on bringing the paschal (Pesach) sacrifice. There are profound spiritual lessons of teshuvah that we learn from this.

What is the status of this second Pesach; is it a separate holiday or just an extension of Pesach? This has spiritual ramifications in the service of G-d.

On Lag Ba’omer the plague killing the students of Rabbi Akiva for not respecting each other, ceased. How is it possible that these greats didn’t have the proper love for one another?

On Lag Ba’omer we celebrate the passing of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, author of the Zohar. Why is this great reason to celebrate?

This class presents a detailed understanding of the mitzvah to count the forty nine days of the Omer, the days between Pesach and Shavuot.

The Omer offering is brought on the second day of Pesach and the Shtei Halechem offering is brought on Shavuot; what do their differences represent according to Kabbalah?

This class details the special spiritual dimension of the month of Iyar.

On the first day of the month of Sivan the Jewish people arrived at Mt. Sinai after leaving Egypt: what is its significance?

The second day of Sivan – a few days before the giving of the Torah – is called “yom hameyuchas”, the special day; why is this day special at all?

This class teaches the significance of Erev Shavuot, the day before the giving of the Torah.

This class examines the extraordinary transformative impact the giving of Torah accomplished.

The six days following Shavuot are special because they too are days for bringing the holiday sacrifices; why are the times for these sacrifices on ordinary, non-holidays?

This class presents the kabbalistic approach to the meaning of the summer months.