Torah Books

The world, our Sages tell us, stands on three pillars—Torah, Avodah (Prayer) and Acts of Kindness. This class will explore the inner dimension and effect of these 'pillars', both on the individual and the world at large. (Based on the maamor Podoh B'sholo...

We should never underestimate the power of our good behavior on others, even someone with a long history of belligerence like Esau.

Two Names, Two Paths of Divine Service Our SagesBerachos 13a. compare the verse:Bereishis 35:10. “Your name will no longer be Yaakov. Instead, your name will be Yisrael,” with the verse,Ibid. 17:5. “Your name will no longer be Avram,” and state that a per...

Overview The prophet Obadiah was a contemporary of Elijah the prophet. He lived in the days of King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel. In fact, he was the manager of their entire estate. We encounter him in the story of Elijah and his confrontations with K...

Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XV, p. 281ff. I. Several interpretations are offered for the verse: Bereishis 32:25. “And Yaakov remained alone.” Among them: a) The Talmud states Chulin 91a. (and this interpretation is quoted — with slightly different wording — by ...

Names are significant. They reveal the inner nature of the person or people called by that name. The Jewish people are called by two names, Yaakov and Yisrael. Each of these names has a distinct meaning and significance.

The prophecy of Zechariah, that Mashiach will appear as “a poor man, riding on a donkey,” is an image frequently depicted and referred to in Jewish art and literature. Why is the imagery of a donkey associated with Mashiach?

“It is the duty of chassidic women and girls to stand in the front line of every activity [that seeks] to strengthen the observance of Yiddishkeit.” This excerpt from a letter, written back in 5696 (1936), reflects a trend that was developed and grew unde...

In this week’s Sidra Jacob, after his struggle with the angel, is told that his name is now to be Israel. And yet we find him still referred to, on subsequent occasions in the Torah, as Jacob. Yet after Abraham’s name was changed from Abram, he is never a...

As a remembrance that Jacob's sciatic nerve was damaged in his wrestling match with an angel, the Torah forbids us from eating the sciatic nerve (gid hanashe) of an animal. Interestingly, this also shows us the extent to which every detail of our lives is...