Parsha Pearls

The differing perspectives of Moses and Aaron shows us how to deal with sorrow and grief.

Fascinating details of the spiritual malady called Tzaraat demonstrates how even constructive criticism must be rooted in love.

The Torah teaches that saving a life trumps the observance of almost all mitzvahs. Yet the Torah singles out Shabbat, discover why.

What is the spiritual meaning of nullifying chametz?

Prior to Shavuot we read the portion detailing the harsh consequences for forsaking G-d and His Torah. Is there another way to process these unsettling words?

The formation of the twelve tribes, divided into four camps surrounding the Tabernacle, represent the four keys for balanced living.

The Torah details the different jobs of the three Levite families in carrying the Tabernacle when journeying through the desert. Discover how this symbolizes three models of a Jew’s journey in life.

The Second Passover teaches us how we can fully embrace the present without being hampered by the past.

Contrasting the blunder of the ten spies that Moshe sent versus the success of the two spies Joshua dispatched conveys a fundamental lesson in our personal growth.

In describing the rebellion of Korach, the Talmud says Korach created discord—even though he claimed to champion equality.

Every step of our past is by divine design for where we need to go in the present.

The names of the five books of the Torah point to five possible stages in life, culminating in the roadmap for a life worth living.

The Ten Commandments first appear in the book of Exodus, and later it’s repeated by Moses in the book of Deuteronomy with nuances. Discover the meaning behind the variations.

Are the head and arm tefillin one mitzvah or are they two separate mitzvahs? The text is nuanced— pointing to two different perspectives on the mind/heart interplay.

Is our relationship with the Torah in the form of seeing or listening?

The Torah instructs to set up judges and police in every city. Learn a personal message about controlling your own inner city.

The Torah connects the mitzvah of sending away the mother bird with the mitzvah of honoring parents—giving us the prescription for long life.

Learn the importance of gratitude for the natural gifts in life from the mitzvah of Bikkurim.

Is Torah a heavenly ideal or is it a down-to-earth and practical way of life?

An uplifting message drawn from the last two mitzvahs detailed in the Torah, the collective Hakhel gathering and writing your own Torah scroll.

Discover the flow and continuum of the High Holiday season—a month packed with holidays, from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur to Sukkot.

Discover the difference in the unity represented by the Four Kinds versus the unity of the Sukkah. And learn the spiritual reason behind the Chabad custom to shake the Lulav specifically in the Sukkah.

The opening word of the final portion of the Torah alludes to the Torah’s prescription for a blessed life. Be ready for a fun Gematria, where we decode the word’s numerical value.

What is the meaning behind the special light created on the first day of creation?

Following the great flood, G-d showed a rainbow as a sign that He won’t drown the world again with a flood. Is the beautiful rainbow a positive or negative symbol?

When Abraham travels to Egypt, he tells them that his wife Sarah is his sister. This perplexing story begs for a deeper interpretation. Learn the spiritual meaning and relevance of this narrative.

When G-d promises Abraham and Sara a son at their old age, Sara laughs. The key to understanding her reservation for a miracle lies in the reading from the Prophets, the Haftorah, where there’s a similar miraculous birth.

The Torah definition of Hatzlacha is well beyond the conventional understanding of success. An insight from the narrative of Eliezer going to find a match for his master.

Why would Isaac want to bless the wayward son Eisav, instead of the righteous Jacob? Discover the backstory of our people and how Rebbeca ultimately shapes our destiny.

The mystics teach that Rachel and Leah represent two types of souls. Which one is the architype of our people?

Discover the symbolism and special power of Benjamin.

A fascinating insight into why the Chassidic New Year – the 19th of Kislev – is called a constant festival.

What was behind the historic divide between Yosef and his brothers? Discover how ultimately, it stemmed from their apposing perspectives on how to serve Hashem.

Joseph's men searched for a silver goblet. The Maccabees hunted for a jar of pure oil. There must be a hidden connection.