Learning Likutei Sichos

How the Parah Adumah is a template for the super-rational nature of Judaism.

Belief and anticipation for the arrival Moshiach is fundamental to Judaism. A closer look at how Rambam spells this out crystalizes the role and function of Moshiach.

A proper analysis of Rashi’s explanation for the census following the plague conveys Moshe's sense of responsibility to his people.

Why would the Torah feel the need to tell us that Moshe followed G-d's instructions to relate these laws to the people?

True love means you don't go easy on someone.

No power in the world can harm us, but we have to ensure that we don't harm ourselves.

Every failure is a potential portal to greatness.

In the mitzvah of Torah study, the emphasis placed on teaching Torah to children conveys a lesson in how to learn Torah as G-d intended it.

The deeper meaning behind putting Tefillin on your arm before your head.

Don't reduce Judaism to an intellectual experience.

The value of completing a mitzvah.

Does G-d ever dish out bad things?

Is the Beis HaMikdash holy because Hashem chose to make it holy, or do we add any value?

Why a king is the heart (not the mind) of the nation.

A Jew may not settle in Egypt. The question is why not? After all, the ancient Egyptians are long gone from that country.

Understanding the Midrash on why kids should begin their studies in the book of Vayikra, teaches how the purity of little children illustrates the essence of our connection to Hashem.

The Shabbos before Pesach is called the "Great Shabbos” because it commemorates a great miracle, which gets to the heart of what makes Shabbos so special.

The ironic names of the double Parsha Tazria-Metzora teaches us that every mitzvah seeds the spectacular spiritual reality of Moshiach's times.

Why spiritually advanced people have to learn not to "devour" their fellow Jews.

Can you really love every Jew like yourself? Explore two similar statements on Ahavat Yisrael by Rabbi Akiva and Hillel.

Prayer and counting the Omer share the unique power to change reality.

From the mishnah stating to run to do a mitzvah we learn three levels of enthusiasm for mitzvahs we should all aspire to.

Analysis of the way the Rambam describes the special joy on Sukkos accentuates how doing Judaism with joy is a big deal.

How a person can unravel spiritually and what we can do to help them.

Why G-d created the original tongs—a lesson in spiritual growth.

Why the best person to advise you about life is someone fully immersed in Torah study.

Three people who empower us to live as Jews should—unconstrained by the struggles of life.

Why don't we all write our own Torah scrolls as mandated by the Torah?

Each of us has unique qualities and that is what makes our nation whole—as illustrated in the tribal leaders’ role in the greater community.

The inaugural sacrifices of the Nesi'im (leaders of the tribes) illustrate how Judaism shifted exponentially when the Torah was given.

Explore the spiritual difference between the first and second Pesach, as we examine three perspectives on Pesach Sheni and their corresponding form of Teshuvah.

Rashi tells us that the Torah’s narrative regarding the Pesach offering observed in the desert the year following the Exodus, does not follow chronological order. Learn how the reason behind this chronology change, which is the negative aspersion the narrative casts on our people, teaches us the need to beseech G-d for what is important to us.

Reconciling how the spies were sent by Moshe, yet not commanded by Hashem and how men of such greatness made such a grave mistake, offers a lesson in balancing faith and understanding.

The mitzvah of separating Challah, biblically has no specified amount, yet the Sages identify how much challah to give the Kohen. This all becomes clearer with understanding the deeper connection between taking Challah and rejecting idolatry.

Explore the broader ideas of unity and diversity, which helps explain the inner dynamics of the mutiny between Korach and Moshe. This will offer a deeper understanding of the two types of punishments for Korach and those who rebelled—burned by fire and swallowed by the earth.

How is it possible that the parsha is called Balak, the name of a wicked gentile? To understand this, we first explore the Torah referencing names of specific forms of idolatry.

The liberation of the Frierdiker Rebbe on the 12rh of Tammuz is connected to both the parsha of Chukas and Balak. The key lies in his unique Mesiras Nefesh, self-sacrifice for Judaism in three parts.

What happened to the Clouds of Glory after the passing of Aharon? We don’t find mention of them returning—like with the well of water following the passing of Miriam.

A higher level of trust serves as preparation to the Future Redemption, similar to the period prior to entering the Land of Israel. This parallel is conveyed in the theme shared in the beginning of the Haftorah of Balak and the end of the parsha.