Ki Tisa Videos

When one partner betrays the other, for reconciliation to occur, each must feel that “we are so connected that you mean more to me than whatever it was that you did.”

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

Gefilte Fish gives an in-depth analysis of the Golden Calf, explains the importance of not worshipping idols, and complains about the lack of Fresca in the IKS studio.

Moses questioned how a compulsory offering could achieve atonement. What he learned changes our basic understanding of human decency.

Topics include: How the half shekel donation rectified the masculine aspect of the soul, why we have ten fingers and ten toes, and Aaron as a reincarnation of Abraham’s brother Haran.

Never write yourself off as a failure and not worthy before G-d.

In response to Moses's request, "Reveal to me Your Glory", G-d shows him His 'back', which Rashi explains to mean the "knot of G-d's tefillin". This class will address the inner meaning of this and the message of hope it conveys for all of us. (Likutei Sichos, vol. 21)

A deeper meaning to why the copper wash-basin in the Temple was made from mirrors used by the Jewish women to beautify themselves throughout their slavery in Egypt.

Two altars -- one inner, one outer; one of gold, one of copper -- as they correspond to two very different versions of our emotional experience of life.

The priests would wash their hands in the laver (“kiyor”) each morning before working in the Temple. What are the laws of the morning handwashing ritual?

The sin of the Golden Calf is from the greatest tragedies in Jewish history. Examining the status of gold in the Torah serves as a model for the proper approach to new discoveries in technology.

In this portion, we read G-d's Thirteen Attributes of Mercy: "G-d, G-d, compassionate G-d and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth, preserver of kindness for two thousand generations. " In the word "notzar" (preserver of kindness) the letter nun is unusually large. Later in the portion, G-d prohibits the Jews from serving "another god." The letter reish in the word "acher" (other) is also unusually large. What is the meaning of these large letters?

Moses asked G-d "show me Your Glory" to which G-d responded, "No man can see Me and live." Does G-d have a face? What does it mean to see G-d? What did Moses want and what did he end up getting?

Less than forty days after experiencing divine revelation at Sinai, the Jewish people sin in worshiping the golden calf. It seems inexplicable that they completely deny G-d after all they had just experienced.

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

The parsha of Ki Tisa contains 139 verses and the mnemonic for is the name ‘Chananel’. Explore the coded message in the mnemonic and its connection to the general themes of the parshah.

Upon learning of the grave sin of the golden calf, Moses descends the mountain and breaks the tablets. Why the need to break the tablets, instead of simply not giving them to the Jewish people?

The most sacred service in the Holy Temple is the ‘Ketoret’ or incenses. Discover incredible secrets of this strange blend made of assorted aromatic herbs and drugs. How was this mysterious compound of holy hallucinogens created? This class may elevate your consciousness and possibly even shed light on the debate over legalizing marijuana today!

Eyeing the Half-Shekel giving that enables national-census taking, we see Moses being shown a fiery coin; begging the obvious question: why the superfluous visual aid? A full investigation of this conundrum leads us into a passionate place of parallel perspectives. The emergent emphasis on incomplete pieces seems entirely incompatible with characteristic Mitzvah perfection and wholesomeness. Layers of fascinating insight unfold, providing extraordinary clarity and a profoundly inspiring and enriching spiritual message for the ages!

Why weren't the women involved with the sin of the golden calf? And how can even our darkest mistakes uplift us?

As committed Jews in an imperfect world, we’re constantly trying to balance our mundane responsibilities with our spiritual aspirations. We’re even encouraged to engage with the world to transform it into a G-dly place.

The only thing to be done with sinful behavior is to stop it, to repent for it, and never to return to it. As for the power of desire that leads to the sin, it has significantly more positive possibilities.

The sensual aspect of human existence is heavy with potential for impure doings. And yet this same potential holds the secret of the copper laver used by the Kohanim to wash their hands and feet in preparation for their holy services in the Mishkan.

The opening words of this parshah -- "Lift up the head and give..." -- as an instruction to become elevated to a higher state of consciousness by giving to others. Presenter: Rabbi Glass

An examination of Rashi’s commentary on contributing a half shekel and a closer look at some discrepancies between our printed version of Rashi and an ancient manuscript housed in the Bodleian Library, Oxford.

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.

According to Jewish law, one must wash each morning before prayers just like the priests would wash before performing their service in the Holy Temple. What is the difference between washing for holiness and washing for purity? (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 31, p. 184.)

The priests would wash before performing their service in the Holy Temple. This is the basis for our washing before prayer. We study two applications of this law, one in Maimonides and one in the rulings of R' Shneur Zalman of Liadi.

Five layers of meaning to the mitzvah of giving half a shekel.

The most sacred and powerful service in the Holy Temple was the offering of the Ketoret incenses (even transcending the animal sacrifices). Explore the mystical dimension of this exceptional offering of anomic fragrances that have the transformative properties.

When the Torah makes a seemingly innocuous comment on how to prepare the oil to anoint the Mishkan and its implements, Rashi uses that insight as a catalyst to explore two fundamental viewpoints on whether Judaism focuses on the present or its potential outcomes.

The Torah repeats the law against mixing meat and milk in this Torah portion. Rashi explains what new insight the Torah expects us to gain from the repetition.

How the golden calf brought the giving of the Torah to completion. (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 16 Ki Tisa)

Moses ask G-d to show him His glory. Then Hashem teaches him how to pray wrapped in a Tallis and reciting the thirteen attributes of mercy. G-d tells Moshe that you can only see my back (and not my front) and Rashi interprets this to mean the knot of the head Tefillin. (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 21 Ki Tisa, sicha 3)

The nuclear power of a Jewish soul, as reflected in the incredible story of the half shekel.

Does Judaism focus more on the now or on the future? Examining the two divergent views of Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Meir and their unique applications.

The Scroll of Esther narrates the remarkable story of planned genocide of the Jewish People, and the ensuing, statistically impossible confluence of events, unmistakably recognized miraculous Divine deliverance. Intriguingly, one particular verse receives seemingly inordinate year-round attention. The quest to appreciate its deeper meaning leads to shedding light on the importance and potency of joy, as mystical insight about our dynamic relationship with G-d, also teaches how joyous engagement can reveal latent potential and enable fuller relationships -- leading to greater giving, personal satisfaction and achievement.

Moses descends Mt. Sinai and shockingly encounters the Jewish people worshipping the golden calf. Tune in to discover how Moses dealt with his people's betrayal of G-d.

In the Book of Exodus, the Jewish people are instructed to contribute a half-shekel coin towards the building of the tabernacle as “atonement for their souls,” and the commentaries explain that it atoned for the grievous sin of the golden calf.

True peace is apparent only between people who have opposite perspectives and still manage to live in harmony with each other. Guest Expert: Chana Weisberg. (From “Messages”—Season 4, Episode 7)