Aleph Beta: Acharei Mot-Kedoshim: Social Justice…and Sacrifices?
Rabbi Fohrman asks what's the connection between animal sacrifices and leaving crops for the poor?
The Parsha Experiment – Ki Tavo: How To Make Sense Of The Terrible Curses
Ki Tavo is so difficult to read; how could Hashem be so cruel to us? Join us as we grapple with the incredibly difficult curses of this week's parsha
Parshat Naso: A Guide For…Parenting?
Is parsha Naso teaching us how we should treat our children?
Korach: Can We Influence God?
Is it possible for us to influence God?
Mishpatim: Female Servitude…Wait, WHAT?
In this video, Rabbi Fohrman shows us that the Torah argues that to create a better society, we must be proactive about addressing social and economic inequality.
Shelach: How Can I Trust God When I Don’t See Him?
How could the spies have doubted God? How could they have sinned so egregiously?
Yitro: The Marriage of God and Israel
The nation and God are 'married.'
Aleph Beta: Vayishlach: From Jacob to Israel
Rabbi Fohrman addresses "What is in a name?"
Aleph Beta: Vayakhel-Pekudei: God In Space, God In Time
Rabbi Fohrman considers what it mean to bring God into this world through space and through time.
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: Vayeilech: Moses’ Farewell To Israel; Part 1 of 3
How did Moses feel approaching the land of Israel, knowing he wouldn’t enter Israel with his people?
Shemini: Why Keep Kosher?
What if there was a way for us to think about kosher that makes sense and can strengthen our relationship with God?
Bamidbar: How Can We Transmit God’s Values?
Bamidbar should open with the stories of the desert, right? Evidently not. Why?
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?
Mishpatim: Female Servitude… Wait, What?
Worse, a female child, being sold by her parents!
Aleph Beta: Vayishlach: Difficult Conversations
Join us as we consider the story of the Rape of Dina with the respect and understanding it deserves.
Naso: Adding Godliness To Our Lives
In Parshat Naso, we are introduced to what seems like a hodgepodge of miscellaneous laws. Why is the Torah bringing these up together?
Acharei Mot: How Do Yom Kippur Rituals Save Us From Sins?
The weird rituals of Yom Kippur sound magical… and irrational. How do they grant forgiveness for our sins?
Aleph Beta: Beshalach: Fruit Trees In the Sea?
A strange midrash of fruit trees surrounding the Nation of Israel as they walked to freedom
Shmot: If Midrash is Real, Why Isn’t It Peshat?
We need to put ourselves into the eyes of Pharaoh's daughter.
Aleph Beta: Shemini: What Does Aaron Teach Us About Loss?
What do we learn about overcoming loss from the argument between Moses and Aaron's remaining 2 sons?
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?
Metzora: What Do Tumah and Tahara Mean Today? Part II
This week, in Metzora, we'll dive a little deeper to find the meaning embedded in the strange rituals of becoming tahor, ritually pure.
Aleph Beta: Bereishit: Is The Torah One Big Story? – The Parsha Experiment
Truly understanding the hidden meaning in Parshat Bereishit will provide insight to the entire Torah
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?
Bechukoti: Why Would God Curse His People?
In this week's parsha a stark choice is presented: follow God and live, or abandon Him and die.
Vayikra: Can Leaders Make Mistakes?
In this video, Rabbi Fohrman contrasts the Torah's perspective of power and justice to the philosophy of Richard Nixon's famous line - "When the president does it, it is not illegal."
Aleph Beta: Beshalach: Are We An Ungrateful Nation?
In Parshat Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16) we're introduced to a nation of whiners and complainers. After years of slavery, the Israelites are finally a free...
Aleph Beta: Miketz: Hello From The Other Side
Tackling the story of Sale of Joseph & learning how to reconcile relationships with those we love
Aleph Beta: Va’era: The Exodus and Babe Ruth
Why was there so much repetitive conversation between God and Moses before actual Exodus from Egypt?