Shoftim Audio Classes

In this week's Torah portion we are commanded to use witnesses to establish the law. There are two types of witnesses; ones that observe and later clarify an event, and ones that are integral to actually establishing and creating the event.

A five minute weekly Torah insight based on the wellsprings of Torah and Chassidut.

The Kabbalistic approach to the weekly Torah reading

Mikhail Gorbachev was a Russian politician who served as the last leader of the former Soviet Union. There is an incredible story involving Gorbachev, which serves as a powerful reminder to us all that "Jews by nature are beyond nature". When we tap into this higher level of reality, it allows us to rise above the hardships that the natural world seems to put before us. We as Jews are stronger, bigger and greater than the forces of nature, which is why we are still here as a nation. By fulfilling the Mitzvah of trusting our prophets, we are confirming our belief in Hashem's higher power.

A five minute weekly Torah thought based on the teachings of Chassidut.

Being a positive prophet, remaining optimistic in the wake of disaster.

The verse “Be wholehearted with G-d” is interpreted as a commandment not to probe into the future, but to put our faith and trust in G d. What's wrong with doing that?

An overview of the weekly Parshah, through the eyes of the many commentators, enriching your understanding of how our great history unfolded.

The five books of Torah are the blueprint for creation. Each Torah portion presents one dimension of the vast eternal plan. The Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory, revealed the theme of each portion in his talks. Presented here is a class on one of these talks.

An in depth presentation of Chassidic teachings on the weekly Parshah.

An advanced presentation of Chassidic teachings on the Parshah.

Get a detailed overview of the weekly Torah portion sewn together with keen insights and timely life messages.

The verse (Deut 17:14) "When you settle in the land... and you say, 'Let us appoint a king...'" is the basis for the mitzvah for the Jewish people to appoint a monarch. Why is the Hebrew word for "when you settle" (v'yashavta) written with an extra letter "hei" at the end?

There is always some explanation, some justification, some perspective for another’s behavior. If you cannot see it, you are not fit to be a judge.

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

An analysis of the legal difference between ownership of property and the proprietary rights one has over one’s own body. We look particularly closely at laws in Maimonides’ Laws of The Sanhedrin. (Based on Likkutei Sichot, vol. 34, p. 106)

Admission of guilt is tantamount to the testimony of one hundred witnesses. This is true only of monetary obligations. If however, one admitted in a court of law to a transgression that carries a penalty to be applied to the person himself, such a confession is of no consequence. This class will explain the reason for this discrepancy and will explore the layers of the nature of ownership. (Likutei Sichos vol. 34, Sicha 2)

Isaiah's words spur us on to reach the ultimate in Divine comfort.

The Torah gives the Sages the power to enact new laws and observances. We look at the "rabbinical holidays" of Chanukah and Purim.

The Torah says (Deut. 18:13) "Be wholehearted with your G-d" in contrast to those who seek fortune tellers and other ways of knowing the future. Rashi explains that G-d doesn't want us to probe the future, but to simply accept whatever comes. But aren't we supposed to be proactive? Doesn't G-d expect us to do our part as well? How is this to be understood?

The parshah of Shoftim contains 96 verses, and the mnemonic for it is the name Selu. Explore the coded message in this Masoretic note and its connection to the general themes of the Parshah.

Explore the difference between the role of Torah and prophecy, specifically the unique prophecy of Moshe, and learn why Moshe's project prophecy consolidates the integrity of the Torah. (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 19 Shoftim)

A journey through the weekly Torah portion briefly explaining the text in plain English—based on the commentary of Rashi.

In depth study of the weekly Torah portion.