Groundbreaking Sichot

What happens when someone chooses to sin instead?

The story does not say where the dove found the leaf, nor how this convinced Noah that it was safe to unseal the door of the vessel that had kept him and his family safe for an entire year.

It is surprising to say that Abraham was concerned about his reward, when Maimonides singles out Abraham as a paragon of serving G‑d “purely out of love.”

No sinning is good, but sins against our own neighbors are the worst.

The Rebbe provides an interpretation of Rashi’s commentary that overturns nearly a thousand years of presumed understanding.

The world can be a confusing place at times. Don’t be fooled by grand gestures designed to make a good impression.

Isaac had attained such a lofty nature that his body was a loyal agent of his soul.

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

Life’s challenges are not a punishment, but a means to help us reach our full potential.

When you have occasion to give, give generously. Let the receiver know that you do so with enthusiasm and a full heart.

Why was it so important for Jacob to be buried in the Holy Land immediately?

G-d paid us forward, because He believed we would justify His belief in us.

The ultimate purpose was that the departing Israelites would learn an eternal message that would resound for generations.

Killing the foal seems so pointless. What possible good could come of it?

Was there not even a single person who deserved to be spared?

When we kindle our Chanukah candles each year, the light that glows is the spirit of faith and determination of the Maccabees.

Sukkot reminds us that we are continually in G-d’s warm embrace, enveloped by His infinite love.

Aside from the commandment to act with compassion and kindness, there is a commandment to do so with the appropriate motivation.

Even if we feel it necessary to take another person to court, ensure it remains a “case” and does not descend into a “quarrel.”

Why would Maimonides go to such extraordinary lengths to list all the Biblical commandments and then fall entirely silent when it comes to the Rabbinic ones?

The Tabernacle with which the Israelites sojourned through the desert was entirely level, why would the Temple in Jerusalem need to be different?

What does the question even mean? How would one “bribe” the Creator anyway?

Why was it only Rabbi Akiva who was able to see things in this positive light?

The summary verse of the first part of Matot appears to omit the most salient point!

What happens in a situation where a person has income but is in a physical or mental state that renders him unable to fulfill his charitable obligations? Is he exempt from being charitable, or must others contribute from his resources on his behalf?

Sometimes the term “clouds of glory” is used, while at other times it simply refers to “clouds.” Why is this?

Moses sets an example for us how to never give up trying to inspire positive change in ourselves and others.

Moses felt that the Israelites had no reason to fear the inhabitants, as they had all seen the great miracles wrought against the much more powerful Egyptians.

The Torah specifies that “the people” did not abandon Miriam, whereas Rashi suggests that it was an honor accorded to her by G‑d.

It seems that Rashi's second comment is twice as long, yet half as clear.

Is it OK to sneak a peek behind the veil that shrouds the commandments and attempt to unravel their mysteries?

Rashi’s comment at the very beginning of our Torah portion seems over complicated.

Robbing is akin to slaying someone, but if the aggressor has remorse we let him off the hook!?

See how a nuance in a simple one-line Rashi can be examined, unpacked, and understood in an entirely new light.

Even the uninformed are regarded as “pure” during the major festivals. Why?

When festivals occur on Shabbat, the rituals are not be practiced by individuals. Why is matzah different?

If the kohen is already wearing linen clothes for the separation of the ashes, why ask him to change into a different set of linen clothes for the removal of the ashes?

Why would an infinite, all-knowing, omnipotent G‑d wish for people to offer up animal sacrifices? It seems to be a pointless waste of resources and needless dispensing of life.

When is there an obligation to name the source you are quoting? And what does that really teach us?

Mordechai was "great ... and accepted by most of his brethren." Why just most? Was it just "politics"?

Building a Temple in the desert!? Where do you get all the materials from?

What are the steps that are designed for entering the faith? Can they be done without the temple standing in Jerusalem? And what is the lesson for everyone?

For generations, the commentators have struggled with this story. : Why would Moses not have come to this realization on his own?

Why were the rabbis so hostile to the idea? Translating the Torah into other languages was nothing new!

G‑d instructed Moses to ascend the mountain “in the middle of the day,” making it clear that they had no power over what would happen.

Can anyone convert to Judaism?