Behar Videos

Jono learns a lesson about being humble when he has to dress up in a very cute little mountain costume and sing an adorable little song. Oh, and no monologues this week.

Torah charges us to cherish and preserve the environment, for all of nature is purposeful and is by Divine design. We are G-d’s custodians of the world.

Topics include: What the Rebbe told the president of the United States about the meaning of the Sabbatical year, the importance of Mt. Sinai being a relatively small mountain, and the spiritual symbolism of the Jubilee year.

The agricultural restrictions of the seventh (shemita) year, how it is practiced by Jewish farmers in the Land of Israel today, and how it affects kosher consumers.

The Torah specifically links the mitzvah of resting on the Sabbatical year to Mount Sinai. This demonstrates a powerful lesson in the proper approach to work and higher living.

You may already know that the giving of the Torah -- which we celebrate on the holiday of Shavuot -- took place at Sinai. But what is Sinai? The Torah speaks of a wilderness called Sinai as well as a mountain by the same name. What is the difference between the desert and the mountain? And how does that shape our understanding of what happened there years ago?

The parshah of Behar opens with the mitzvah of Shemita, the grounding injunction to refrain working the Holy Land’s soil every seven years. This ground-breaking class uncovers treasures buried just beneath the crust of this most unusual biblical commandment. In addition to garnering a clear understanding of the exceptional scriptural syntax and a range of unique Torah teachings, you’ll discover a whole new level of consciousness and learn how to retain an oasis of calm even as some of the structures we may have centred our lives around appear to be collapsing!

Our entire existence is on loan from G-d. The question is, can we make the divine loan into a divine investment?

An interesting look at how various laws concerning the Sabbatical and Jubilee years affect economics.

The 24th chapter of Tractate Keilim deals with laws of ritual impurity (tumah) as it applies to various vessels, foremost amongst them the different type of shields—for combat, for training purposes and for sport. This class will address the spiritual dimension of these laws and their personal application in the service of G-d. (Based on Sefer Hasichos 5750, p. 695)

The Sages say that he who acquires a slave acquires a master for himself. What are the rules that govern indentured servitude? Maimonides "Laws of Slaves" is used as a primary source. (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 37)

What does the Torah say about this thankfully antiquated practice? If slavery as an institution is recognized by the Bible, how do we reconcile this with the eternality of the Torah?

The different categories of servants in the Torah, and their symbolism and relevance even nowadays in our spiritual service of G-d.

Rashi maps out when the different elements of Judaism were originally taught and the Rebbe derives from it a fascinating insight into how we practice Judaism.

In ancient times, a destitute man could sell himself as a slave. Are his children enslaved with him? A fascinating insight with a powerful lesson about our difficult Jewish history.

Shabbos is a weekly rest, while Shemittah is agricultural pause every seven years. Together, they teach us how a Jewish person should engage the world. Learning Likutei Sichos vol. 12, Behar (sicha 1)