Aleph Beta: Va’Etchanan: Building an Intimate Relationship with God
In Parshat Va'Etchanan, Moses speaks, a lot - but it all seems so boring, and disconnected. What is he REALLY talking about?
Noach: Why Aren’t Dinosaurs In the Torah?
Why is there is no mention of dinosaurs, and other prehistoric animals, in the Torah?
Aleph Beta: Vayeishev: Harlots & Coats & Goats, Oh My!
Is Vayeishev,this weeks parsha, a chapter in Genesis or an episode of Game of Throne?!
Shemini: Why Did God Reject Nadav and Avihu
This week's parsha discusses the sudden and disturbing death of two of Aharon's sons, Nadav and Avihu
Aleph Beta: Devarim: What Does It Mean To Have Faith?
Drawing on the Maharal, Rabbi Fohrman gives us a novel approach to faith, and challenges us to rise to this level of intimacy with God and with each other.
Miketz: Why Didn’t Joseph Write Home?
This new perspective helps us understand Joseph.
Pekudei: a Giant Chiasm in Sefer Shmot
How do the pieces of this puzzle come together to help us understand how the Torah builds together?
Aleph Beta: Pinchas: What Does It Mean To Be Zealous For God?
Is Pinchas, the title character of this parsha, and Eliyahu, the prophet of Kings, really one and the same?
Aleph Beta: Lech Lecha: Was Abraham The First Wandering Jew?
God just promised Abraham the land. Why is it that, though God keeps reassuring that this land is his, he refuses to settle down?
Vayakhel: What Does It Mean To Be Tzelem Elokim?
This exciting and daring video and challenges us to be more God-like in our actions.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Bechukotai: Is God our Boss or our Partner?
But what happens if we actually become partners? As the Rabbis well understood, that should be a game changer.
Aleph Beta: Noach: The Failure of Humanity
Examining the frequent failures of humanity in this parsha and how they set the scene for Abraham.
Aleph Beta: Shoftim: The Significance of Saving Private Ryan
On the eve of battle, 4 groups can leave. Who are the 4 & what does it mean "allowed to go home"?
Vayakhel – What Does It Mean To Be Created In The Image Of God?
Both the mishkan and Shabbat are in this week's parsha. What is the thematic, conceptual connection between the two?
Tetzaveh: The Hidden Secrets In The Walls Of The Mishkan
What are the secrets God encoded within the Mishkan's walls? How can we integrate it into our lives?
Aleph Beta: Ki Teitzei: How To Merit Long Life
The promise for long life only comes from 2 commandments; What's the connection between them?
Kedoshim: How Can I Find True Love?
Rabbi Fohrman explains how the Torah provides the building blocks of true love.
Tzav: What Does It Mean To Survive?
In this week's video, we explore a section of Talmud that teaches about the 4 individuals who would bring a Thanksgiving sacrifice - but one of these four doesn't belong. Who is it?
Vayeitzei: the Tears of Yaakov and the Tears of Esav
Are we really meant to applaud Yaakov's behavior?
Re’eh: Jewish Slavery
We give slave gifts? If he wants to stay, we pierce his ear?!
Va’era: Did God Take Away Pharaoh’s Free Will?
According to the simple meaning of the text, it seems God took Pharaoh's free will. Rabbi Fohrman argues that the precise language-- kaved/chazek--shows that God DID allow Pharaoh to pursue his vision
Aleph Beta: Va’era: Seeing God In Science
Rabbi Fohrman asks about an interesting name of God and leads a whirlwind tour of modern cosmology
Tazria: The Bizarre Purification of the Metzora
In this week's parsha, we are introduced to a strange set of laws related to the metzora, one afflicted with tzara'at. How do we relate to such laws?
Terumah: Is There a Face Hiding in the Mishkan?
The mishkan represents the 'face' of God.
AlephBeta: Yitro: The Marriage of God and Israel
Parshat Yitro contains the most important piece in the narrative of the Jewish people, the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai, when the nation and God are 'married.
Naso: What Does The Torah Teach About Parenting?
The Torah may be suggesting something different than we have ever expected: the way we ask God to treat us may also be the way we ourselves should treat our children.
AlephBeta: Beshalach: What Does It Mean to Have Faith?
After Israel sings a song of thanksgiving, curiously, Miriam then leads the women of the nation in a second song. Why?
Parsha Emor: Is There A Shabbat In Other Realms?
Rabbi Fohrman makes a fascinating argument about how Shabbat works and shows that there are shabbatot in different realms.
Emor: What Sabbath Is All About
In this video, Rabbi Fohrman makes a fascinating argument about how Shabbat works and shows that there ARE Shabbatot in different realms.
Aleph Beta: Vayishlach: Becoming a Person of Integrity
How do we reconcile Jacob's behavior, tricking his brother and lying to his father, with our vision of Yaakov as an ish emet, a man of truth?