Yitro Videos

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

There’s a lot we can learn from the order and sequence of stories in the Torah. In this week’s Torah portion, we begin with the story of Jethro and go on to read about the Ten Commandments, encompassing all the fundamentals of the Torah.

The Parshah Report this week has been preempted by an infomercial. Get your credit card ready.

As Author of the Torah, as well as Author of the universe, G-d has the ultimate Authority on all matters great and small. And yet does this mean that human beings can never speak with authority? Are we just silent pawns in a divine chess game?

The double miracle at Mount Sinai tells us when to aim upwards and when to bring it down.

The Bible is the world’s best-seller, providing practical guidance to living a higher life. Here are 10 nuggets of wisdom that can change your life.

The fourth of the Ten Commandments is to honor and observe the Shabbat, the holy Sabbath. “Six days you shall labor…. and on the seventh day you shall rest,” why are we commanded to work?

Topics include: Jethro as a reincarnation of Cain, how we draw the Ten Commandments of Torah into the Ten Utterances of Creation, and why the revelation at Sinai is the basis for our belief in Moses.

The Torah records that at the giving of the Torah at Sinai the people saw the sounds and heard the sights. G-d wasn’t simply trying to impress with a spectacular production.

Before G-d gave the Torah to the Jewish people, He instructed Moses to first speak to the women and then to the men. Moreover, Scripture indicates that the messages were not the same. This class explores its significance, addressing the uniqueness of feminine spirituality.

Jethro, father in law to Moses, advised Moses to create a judicial hierarchy to adjudicate the Children of Israel, for otherwise the burden of being the peoples' sole judge would clearly 'wear you out'. With G-d's consent the system was indeed put in place. But how could Moses himself not see the obvious need for these measures?! This class delves into the unique relationship that Moses has with his people. (Likutei Sichos vol. 16)

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

The Torah we received at Sinai is the true cure for all that ails us. This is alluded to in the very first word of the Ten Commandments.

The first of the Ten Commandments reads “I am the L-rd, your G-d, who took you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage” (Exodus 20:2) What does the reference of the Exodus add to this fundamental mitzvah to believe in one G-d?

The "taamim" (cantillation notes) used for reading the Ten Commandments differ when read alone than when read communally in the synagogue. What is the meaning of this special version of musical notes?

When G-d instructed Moses to prepare the people to receive the Torah at Sinai, He said: "Speak to the house of Jacob, and tell the sons of Israel" (Exodus 19:3). The "house of Jacob," our sages explain, are the women; "the sons of Israel," the men.

Study some of the highlights of the weekly Torah portion with insights from various commentaries.

How do we perform the commandment of "remembering" Shabbat? Maimonides explains that it is by marking the beginning of Shabbat by reciting Kiddush and marking the end of Shabbat by reciting Havdallah.

The parsha of Yitro contains 72 verses and the mnemonic for is the word ‘yonadav’ (descendant of Yisro). Explore the coded message in the mnemonic and its connection to the general themes of the parshah.

The Torah’s narrative detailing Mass Revelation at Mount Sinai and the momentous giving of the Torah to the entire Jewish people demonstrates the unique relationship between Jewish women and our holy Torah. Discover the secret story behind the instructions Moses received about engaging the Jewish women before the Jewish men, and see how that impacts Judaism today. You’ll also learn the mysterious story of a special gold necklace worn by our matriarch Leah!

The central theme of the parsha is Matan Torah; the momentous mass revelation our people experienced at Mount Sinai. Discover scintillating secrets of this unparalleled event in this incredible exposé on the proverbial Sinai Shofar sounding that, quite literally, blew the Israelite nation away.

The giving of the Torah was the greatest Divine revelation in history. Rashi reveals how the Torah’s very specific description helps us appreciate exactly how close G-d was during that one-time event.

What is so novel in Yitro’s seemingly obvious idea for Moses to create a hierarchy of leadership, hence a system of delegation, which Moses didn’t initiate on his own?

The gateway to tolerance is humility; but humility must be tempered with healthy and guarded self-assurance.

Have fun watching an exciting puppet show for children and learn the parsha of the week with Rabbi Wagshul.

Rabbi Yosef, the Talmud relates, would celebrate Shavuot, the Festival of the Giving of the Torah, with a unique banquet. The puzzling statement he said in connection with the feast is the subject of this class. Probing the layers of the Sage’s words reveals startling new depth to our appreciation of G-d’s most precious gift. (Based on Likutei Sichos volume 16)

Our Sages explain that the Ten Commandments were stated in the second person singular, rather than the plural, in order to provide Moses with an argument in defense of the Jewish People after they had worshipped the Golden Calf: Moses would be able to, and in fact did, argue that the commandment forbidding idolatry was addressed to him alone and not the people! This class will address this apparently bizarre defense and will shed light on the deeper nature of idolatry and its antidote.

One of the Ten Commandments states (Exodus 19:10) "the seventh day is a Sabbath to G-d; you shall perform no labor." This class examines three levels of resting from labor -- in action, in speech, and even in thought. (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 11, p. 80)

Prior to the giving of the Torah, G-d instructs Moses: "Speak to the house of Jacob, and tell the sons of Israel" (Exodus 19:3). The "house of Jacob," our Sages explain, are the women; "the sons of Israel," the men. Explore this special feminine role on five levels of understanding.

What is the instruction in the First Commandment?