Torah Cafe: The Parsha Experiment – Eikev: Appreciating Our Creators
Is it possible God afflicted the nation of Israel through the past 40 years of the desert, withholding food and water from them...on purpose? How can we have a relationship with a God like that?
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?
Vayeitzei: the Tears of Yaakov and the Tears of Esav
Are we really meant to applaud Yaakov's behavior?
AlephBeta: Shelach: Optimism vs. Pessimism
Are pessimists just rationalists, and is hope just naivete?
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?
Aleph Beta: Vayechi: We Are Family – Culmination of Abrahamic Legacy
This week closes sefer Breishit; How did we come so far from the ideal nation set up by Abraham?
Aleph Beta: Terumah: Is God Talking To Me Through The Laws of the Mishkan?
How can we as 21st century Torah learners, find meaning and relevance in the Mishkan's construction?
Shmot: If Midrash is Real, Why Isn’t It Peshat?
Rabbi Fohrman discusses the medrash and suggests we put ourselves into the eyes of Pharaoh's daughter to help us see that when we want to achieve something, God will help us find a way to do it.
Aleph Beta: Yitro: Seeing Ten Commandments In the Burning Bush
Connecting the Ten Commandments to the story of Moses and the Burning Bush.
Korach: Rejecting Israel’s Leaders
We’ve seen Israel complain over and over, but never before have they tried to undermine and dispose of their leaders. Join us as we...
Aleph Beta: Beshalach: Fruit Trees In the Sea?
A strange midrash of fruit trees surrounding the Nation of Israel as they walked to freedom
Aleph Beta: Yitro: Does God Care About ME?
Truly knowing God isn't just a matter of national relationship, most importantly it's a personal one
Aleph Beta: Matot-Masei: The Art of Negotiation
Analyzing the request to live on Jordan's other side to understand true communication: Trust&Respect
Aleph Beta: Shmot: Does God Really “Love” Us?
Rabbi Fohrman explores a midrash about God's names in this week's parsha
AlephBeta: Bo: God’s Justice in Action
Before performing the 10th plague God makes a fundamental argument about the ultimate nature of justice.
Aleph Beta: Pinchas: What Is True Leadership?
Why does the Torah group "random" stories together in Parshat Pinchas? Are they really RANDOM?
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?
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?
Aleph Beta: Devarim: What Did Moses Do Wrong?
Moses begins Sefer Devarim reviewing much of the 40 years in the desert & why he can't enter Israel
Aleph Beta: Miketz: Reversing the Sale of Joseph
Exploring the connection between Pharaoh's dreams and the story of Joseph being sold into slavery.
Korach: Can We Change God’s Mind?
In this week's video, Rabbi Fohrman points to two fascinating stories which force us to ask a theological question: what impact, if any, can we have on God? Is it possible for us to influence God?
Aleph Beta: Mishpatim: Did Our History Become Laws?
Be Forewarned: Rabbi Fohrman on our forefathers and foremothers forming the law.
Vayeishev: Who Really Sold Joseph?
This week's parsha course unravels the sale of Joseph and discusses the implications "blame." Where does responsibility begin? And most importantly, how do I make moral decisions?
Aleph Beta: Shmot: Every Saga Has A Beginning – Meeting Moses
Who was Moses become he became MOSES?!
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"?
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...
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: Vayishlach: From Jacob to Israel
Rabbi Fohrman addresses "What is in a name?"
The Parsha Experiment – Ha’azinu-V’Zot Habracha: The Inspiring Conclusion To The Torah – Part...
In this week's video, we close the entire Torah, and we ask ourselves, what lessons can we learn today? How can we be inspired by the Torah's messages, and fulfill our destiny as a people?