Torah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef Marcus: Recent Episodes
Rabbi Yosef Marcus
A live class on various topics in Torah, exploring the rich wisdom of Judaism, from biblical stories to Talmud, from Maimonides to Chasidic thought. Class is given by Rabbi Yosef Marcus, director of Chabad NP and editor of the Kehot editions of the Pirkei Avot, Haggadah, Psalms, and Megillat Esther. Visit www.chabadnp.com for more info and to support the class. For questions or comments, email rabbi@chabadnp.com.
The crown of priesthood and king ship are not available tomorrow just anyone. But the crown of Torah can be obtained by anyone who dedicates their life to it. Rambam Laws of Talmud Torah chapter three.
The new cycle of traversing the entire breadth of Torah law began today Sunday, April 23, 2023. Get on the train and take a journey through the body of divine wisdom. 20 minutes a day (if you listen on hi speed) will give you the entire corpus of Jewish law in under three years. Welcome on board!
The Akedah is uncomfortable subject. Trigger warnings abound. Yet it is a foundational story of our people. Here's part II of our series reading the text. Genesis chapter 22, verses 6-12.
Tonight we got rather kabbalistic. What is the world of Atzilut? What's it like to be a soul of Atzilut? Who in history were the souls of Atzilut? What is the function of Malchut in Atzilut? Why is Shechinah, the Divine presence, also called G-d's word, mother and queen? From Epistle 25 of Igeret Hakodesh by the Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad.
The builders of the Tower wanted to wage war directly with G-d. Yet G-d treats them with kids gloves, especially in comparison to the generation of the flood. Why?
Turns out G-d is more concerned with how we treat each other than how we treat Him (!).
In this portion we also learn from G-d how to be patient judgment, even when you hear that someone's building a tower to fight G-d.
Text: Genesis chapter 11, verses 1-9
What triggered Abraham's final test?
Why does a "chasid" say Hineni ("Here I am")?
Why is Jerusalem called Mount Moriah?
All this and more in The Binding of Isaac, part I
Text: Genesis Chapter 22 with Rashi: Vayera-Torah-Reading Akeidah
Can you desecrate the holiday to retrieve a shofar at the top of a tree? Can you swim across a river for it? Can you clean a shofar on the holiday and what cleanser can never be used to clean a shofar?
Bonus: A sermon tip to be derived from the latter law.
Text source: Laws of Rosh Hashanah, Shulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe #586
Why a "Trump" shofar would not be kosher and why in Berkeley they would agree you should take off your hearing aids to hear the shofar. One of the most powerful sounds of Judaism is the piercing cry of the shofar. It cuts through layers of apathy to the heart and core of the soul. In this 4th installment of the seemingly very technical laws of Rosh Hashanah, we discover deep lessons on the power of a mitzvah, no matter who does it, the importance of sincerity and maintaining the pure, unembellished sound of the soul.
Text source: Laws of Rosh Hashanah, Shulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe #586 https://www.chabadnp.com/library/article_cdo/aid/3376117
The first two chapters of the Alter Rebbe's Laws of Rosh Hashanah (Shulchan Aruch HaRav).
Why does G-d require that we have the testimony of witnesses who have seen the new moon in order to establish Rosh Chodesh -- shouldn't the astronomical calculations suffice?
Bonus: chasidic aphorisim from one of the hidden tzadikim sheds new light on the Kohen's blessing before the priestly blessings.
Who is kosher to testify for the new month? Bonus readings: Chasidic aphorisms on the importance of implanting love for others in your heart. Kiddush Hachodesh by Rambam, chapter 2.
How the ancient Jewish calendar was made: witness interrogation, leap years, and astronomy. A text-based class using Maimonides' Mishneh Torah, laws of Kiddush Hachodesh Sundays Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30 pm on Zoom @ chabadnp.com/zoom with Rabbi Yossi Marcus
Sefardic Custom on blessing for Hallel; connection of Hallel and Aaron; and what it’s like in the World to Come
Plus: why the penitent transcends the perfectly righteous. Rambam, Laws of Teshuvah, chapter seven.
Didn’t G-d harden Pharaoh’s heart? And can I lose my free choice but in a good way? Maimonides chapter 6, laws of repentance
What did the king have in mind with this lavish feast? Why was Vashti punished?
Insights and commentary on the first chapter of the Scroll of Esther
How a Scheduling Miscommunication Led to the Golden Calf
Aaron Attempts to Stall (after seeing that Hur was murdered) but Things Go Badly Quick
See something, do something. Moses empathizes with his brethren, thus evoking a commensurate Divine response.
Jacob's best years are in Egypt, ironically, and as his passing nears, Joseph brings his two sons for their grandfather's blessing.
Jacob heads to Egypt with a stop in Beersheba. G-d promises to go with Jacob and ensure that Jacob will be buried in the Holy Land. The Torah recounts all of Jacob's descendants at the time of his descent to Egypt, which numbered 70, corresponding to the 70 nations of the world.
Judah approaches Joseph with diplomatic words. But Rashi helps us read between the lines to hear the veiled threats. Joseph finally reveals his true identity and risks his life to spare the brothers embarrassment.
Joseph tells his shocked brothers he has not hate in his heart for them. Not they, but G-d, sent him to Egypt. He tells them to hurry to bring their father to Egypt, and to avoid the blame during the drive home.
Pharaoh's dreams reminds of the song: "Where were you when the gelt was there, when life was sweet like sugar? "Now you're here, when the gelt is gone -- come let's have a l'chaim." Years of famine not only follow the plenty, they completely eviscerate the former from memory. The importance of not forgetting the good times.
Fasten your seatbelt for a high speed rendition of Toldot. Isaac loves Esau, digs well, and wants to pass on the blessings of Abraham to Esau. Rebecca loves Jacob and plots to have Jacob receive the blessings. Who will win? Find out in the The Great Blessing Heist.
Sarah dies after hearing about the binding of Isaac. Was this simply shock or something deeper?
Abraham negotiates hard for the Cave of Machpelah--insisting he wants to pay full price.
Wouldn't it be great if we went through life with doors opening for us (as they do at Disneyland rides)?
Eliezer servant of Abraham has just such an experience when given the mission of finding a wife for Isaac.
How do we get some of that Eliezer magic in our own lives?
Based on Likkutei Sichot vol. 25
G-d appears, Abraham runs, the angels eat, and Sarah laughs. A fascinating start to parshat Vayeira.
G-d tells Abraham to "go for yourself" -- this journey will be for Abraham's benefit and even pleasure. The mission that the soul is given to descend into this world is for its own benefit. Only in this world, with all its challenges, will the soul be shown its highest self -- the land where I will show and reveal the greatest "you."
How to overcome the flood of thoughts that threaten to douse the fire of our love for G-d? Enter the Ark -- the words of Torah and prayer. In this way the waters of the flood uplift the Ark and serve as a purification and refinement.
- G-d wanted the tree to taste like its fruit but the earth had other plans. Why?
- The inner significance of the fire we light after Shabbat
- The first Shabbat guests
- Why day three is double the goodness
- Three explanations why the Torah starts with a Bet not an Alef
Not unlike the haunted shack at Knott's Berry Farm, certain rules of nature, as well as a certain legal norm, go bye bye when you enter the Sukkah.
This longer than usual farbrengen/class takes us on a deep dive into the legal and mystical enigmas of the Sukkah.
Bonus: The deeper meaning of the Sukkot jugglers and how "juggling" is the secret to living the ideal life.
The parsha begins with the directive: look! Pay attention, and choose what is good. We learn about the mitzvah to destroy idolatry and not to destroy that which is Divine. But why would we have to be instructed about such a thing? Rabbi Yishmael offers a novel understanding of the verse.
f you swerve out of your lane, just straighten the wheel, get back in your lane, and keep going. No need to give up the reins entirely. Yet when we make other mistakes, we are sometimes inclined to just throw in the towel. In today's parsha, Moses tells the people that if they play it right (observe the mitzvot with love and excitement), things will be awesome materially. The risk there is that once they're living large they may forget their Creator. They would then be exiled to foreign lands. Nevertheless, even in exile, keep doing the mitzvot -- tefillin, mezuzah, educating the young. Keep driving, and in the end, we will return to continue observing the mitzvot in the Land promised to our forefathers.
Despite our failures, G-d has not given up on us. His compassion and affection is still strong. Tap into your inner Moses, stay strong, and keep trucking.
"Guest" appearance: 8th Day's "Little bit of Moses in Me".
Moses recalls the writing of the second tablets, the ark he was commanded to make for it, which was different from the ark of the Tabernacle. It was the former that was taken out to war, except in the days of Eli, when the latter was taken out during a war with the Philistines. This was a big mistake and the Philistines captured the ark -- a lesson in making sure religion doesn't become detached from G-d.
Moses continues to warn the people that they should not let the success they will see in Canaan get to their heads. Wasn't for your righteousness that you will succeed but because of the shortcomings of the Canaanites and the promise G-d made to the Patriarchs.
In today's teaching Moses warns the Jewish people not to forget where they come from. Once they enter the Land things are going to be great! Food, health, wealth, prosperity from all sides. Don't make the mistake of attributing all that success to yourselves. Remember the One who took you from slavery and miraculously sustained you through your desert trek.
Today's teaching touches on the benefits of sticking with the program when the going gets tough and you're not "feeling it." Moses started a mitzvah, but the ones who finished it get the credit. Which mitzvah was that? And why does the credit go to the concluders?
We are commanded to love G-d. But how to do we go about that? The story of chassidic singer Avraham Fried and Aviv Geffen sheds some light.
We also read the most well known verse in the Torah, Hear O Israel, the L-rd our G-d, the L-rd is one. Yet at the end of Aleinu, we say that "on that day", when Mashiach comes, G-d will be one. Because until Mashiach comes, there are people worshipping other "gods". Only on that day will G-d be the undisputed One. Turns out that every time we say Shema, we're being reminded of the reality that will pervade in the times of Mashiach.
Moses recounts the events at Sinai, including a repeat of the Ten Commandments. A variation in the wording of the 4th commandment leads us to a Rashi about two words that were stated simultaneously and what that tells us about how to get the most out of the gift of Shabbat.
Two layers of meaning in "there is nothing in addition to G-d" / ein od milvado. Maimonides vs. Rashi; being in it yet above it; the secret to winning.
"But, rabbi, how do we know that the Judaism we have today is not the result of "broken telephone" over the generations? And, were the rabbis going overboard with all the "fences" and protections? I mean, like, seriously?
Also: Torah's immutability is foundational to Judaism. But why? Can't mitzvot change with the times?
Plus -- G-d to Moses: "It's enough. You're not going into Israel." Also G-d to Moses: "There's more for you than this."
Finally: why does the Babylonian Talmud say, "Come and hear" whereas the Jerusalem Talmud says, "Come and see"?
Moses sees an opening and tries yet again to gain entry to the Land. What is the difference between seeing and hearing and what is the advantage of each?
In the midst of Moses' rebuke, he alludes to a future time of return to greatness. We also learn why those who fought the Israelites are compared to bees and what to expect for this Shabbat, the Shabbat of "Vision." Bonus: why death will be swallowed up in the Messianic age. Double bonus: What is the history of the Haftorah?
Moses continues to recount the foibles of the Israelites, the process of appointing judges, and tips for the judges to remain loyal to the law.
"That reminds me of a story...." -- my taxi driver who was not an anti-Semite but was new to English. Also: when it's time to leave the mountain, even Sinai, it's time to leave. Plus: how it could have been if the Israelites had not allowed their fears and insecurities to get in the way. For questions and comments email rabbi@chabadnp.com.
The fifth book, Devarim, or Deuteronomy, is spoken almost entirely by Moses in the first person. Why this change from the first four books of the Torah? And how, counter-intuitively, does this make the fifth book an even greater expression of Moses' absolute dedication to G-d? Plus: more advice on how do rebuke. For questions or comments, email rabbi@chabadnp.com.
Thirty-six days before his passing, Moses begins “the talk” to the Jewish people. Rebuke ensues but it is done softly out of respect of the Jewish people. What is the lesson there as we commemorate G-d’s rebuke during these “three weeks” of mourning? And why was it necessary for Moses to translate the Torah to seventy languages? Couldn’t that have been done later at some future point in history when translation would become needed?
G-d confirms that the daughters of Zelophead were right on -- "they perceived that which eluded even Moses." Moses thinks he's been given a pass and might yet enter the Holy Land but G-d tells him, Sorry, no can do. So Moses asks G-d to appoint a good leader to replace him and G-d chooses Joshua. What qualities did Moses say were needed in a leader? And why did G-d choose Joshua?
The land is to be divided by tribe size, but Divine intervention will seal the deal with a "talking lot." Tribe of Levi is counted and the daughters of Zelophehad come forward to present their case to Moses. Why are they traced to Joseph? And why were the women not included in the "decree of the spies"?
The Jewish people are counted once again, as G-d enwraps the name of each of the 65 families with His Name Y-H. Why those two letters? And why are they out of order with the H before the Y? Also (in the Q&A), why does the Torah use up all that real estate to go through all the names? Why not state it succinctly summing it all up in a few verses?
The tribes question Phineas' act, ascribing it to a cruel streak that he supposedly inherited from Jethro, who fattened calves only to have them slaughtered for idols. What impels us to ascribe negative motivation to the good acts of others? And what can we do about it? Also, what do you do when nobody seems to be doing anything?
Moab is trembling, worried that the Israelites are coming for them. (Do you ever worry needlessly?) They seek to hire Balaam to curse the Jews. G-d gives Balaam three no's: don't go, don't curse them, and, no-thank-you, they don't need your blessings. What's so terrible about a blessing from Balaam? And in the end, doesn't Balaam in fact bless the people?
Ripple effects of Aaron's death: the clouds of glory disappear and the Amalekites smell blood. A prayer and promise fend off the enemy but the Israelites are overwhelmed by it all and lash out. We learn about the two ways to battle Amalek: the path of logic or that of the transcendent ark that cleared the way to serenity.
Three go up the mountain and two come down. The people can't believe that Aaron, who defied the Angel of Death, has himself died. They mourn for him thirty days, the man who instilled peace betwen disputants and between husband and wife. The story of the "Jew from Baltimore" helps us understand that Aaron's diplomacy was not a lie -- it was the ultimate truth.
Fresh off the big news that he won't be going into Israel, Moses gets right back to work, for the very people that caused him to lose his chance to go into Israel. Being able to pivot immediately instead of lingering in the expired situation is the mark of the truly great. Moses reaches out to Edom and asks for permission to pass through their land on the way to Israel. Edom, being Edom, says no with a capital N.
Miriam passes away; the well dries up; Israelites complain; Moses rebukes and hits the rock. Lessons in staying calm under fire and the high standards that the saintly are held to.
The Torah reiterates the mysterious law by which the one handling the purifying waters becomes impure and Rashi offers the homiletic interpretations of Rabbi Moshe HaDarshan about various aspects of the red heifer.
Known as the Chok of all Chukim, the rationale for the laws of the Red Heifer escaped even King Solomon. We'll dive into these laws and see how the Chassidic masters applied them in how to overcome the "inner death" of lethargy and numbness.
It's human nature to be jealous, and Korach takes it to an extreme. But Aaron is not just "not jealous" -- he rejoices in Moshe's appointment as leader. This is also the connection to the kehunah being called a "covenant of salt." Why salt?
Without a prayer, Moses asks Aaron to stop a plague by offering incense. It works. G-d commands Moses to have each tribe present a staff and Aaron's staff miraculously blossoms and produces almonds. Why almonds?
Moshe makes one last attempt to sway Dathan and Aviram; the earth swallows Korach and his cohorts; the pans of the 250 incense offerers are used to coat the Copper Altar.
Dathan and Aviram dig in their heels, even ready to be blinded (or: claiming they cannot be "blinded," i.e., fooled). Moshe says he's never taken even one donkey from the Israelitesand asks G-d not to turn to the offering (which offering? two interpretations) of the rebels.
Korach -- egotistical populist driven by jealousy, or spiritual yearner seeking closeness to Hashem? Both?
Why does the Parsha wrap up with the laws of Tzitzit? And why therefore are women exempt therefrom? Techincally, women are exempt from all time-related mitzvot -- and Tzitzit are only obligatory at night. But...we propose that the parsha ends with Tzitzit since it is the answer to the spies' fears, since wearing Tzitzit will remind you of your mission and you won't be "consumed by the land." Yet the women were never frightened by the words of the spies in the first place and therefore merited to enter the Land. Only the men were told they would have to die in the desert. So...it follows that women are exempt from Tzitzit. See also Kli Yakar on the first verse of the parsha regarding what would have happened in the spies were women instead of men.
How does Challa connect to the spy story? And why is someone who says Shema but doesn't don tefillin like "offering a sacrifice without libations"?
Why is the source of ten for a minyan derived from the spies? Two reasons. What is the "gateway talk" that leas to lashon hara? Forty years in the desert for the Israelites (except Caleb and Joshua, the Levites, and the women, who all get to enter the Land).
Kalev argues against fear but the Israelites don't buy it. Moses argues with G-d about their fate, which, in end, is that the generation of the Exodus will not enter the Land of Israel, whereas Kalev will inherit Chevron.
The spies circle the land over 40 days. They return with the mammoth fruits and defeatist report. Caleb and Joshua fight for the truth: if the Creator gives you a job in His world, no giant is tall enough to stop you.
The people who were impure and couldn’t offer the Pesach offering are offered a second chance. And so are we.
...and don't wait till you're "settled" to "set up shop." Every day and every moment is a whole world.
After 10 days shy of a year, on the 20th of Iyar, we move from Sinai on (what could have been) a three-day journey to the promised land; 2) Moshe asks Yisro to stay
Was there anything positive that came out of all the kvetching and challenging of G-d and Moses that went on in the desert?
G-d leaves it up to Moshe to decide whether or not to send the spies. He does, and tells them what to look for and what to bring back.
We’re not in Leviticus anymore, yet the Levites are taken up a lot of the ink. As Rambam taught, anyone can choose to live life like a Levite.
What is the inner meaning of lighting the menorah in a way that the flames arise on their own? What does it mean that “Ahron did not deviate”?