The decorative vestments of the Kohanim are woven with threads of symbolism. The beautiful breastplate held the two components of Judaism - mind and heart, and action. Rabbi Carmell explores the danger of using one without the other, and how the appropriate measures of each form true Torah observance.
The highest crown of all is Torah. Have you ever considered that your deeper values express the incredible Jew hidden within? And hear how 'Zachor' shows why Purim is superior, even to Yom Kippur.
We understand that the Tabernacle is the Garden of Eden incarnate. The elegant garments of the priests are a commemoration of the pure nakedness before the first sin. Rabbi Kahn discusses the metaphysical role of the clothing and how they can be used to relate to God on a personal level.
Judaism is a hands on religion where how one thinks and acts is of far greater importance than mere external looks. Why then are the priestly garments of Aaron and his sons so detailed and ornamental? Why the focus on the external? Rabbi Kirzner finds the threads of eight great desires that exist within all of us, and ties them to the deeper side of the eight garments of the Kohanim.
Each piece of clothing the Kohanim wore in the Beis Hamikdash was specifically set up to counter a negative trait in man. One of the most puzzling is the Tzitz, which was meant to atone for azus - brazenness. Rabbi Lopiansky shows how Amalek epitomized the trait of chutzpa, and how we fight it with the understanding of what tomorrow means.
From Moshe's birth up until this parsha his name is all over the place. But isn't it strange that his name is not even mentioned once in this weeks parsha? Rabbi Wagnesberg also examines the essence of Moshe's character and how it perfectly complemented his brother Aharon.
This parsha, full of information about the Mishkan and the service meant to take place within it, is meant to fall out just before Purim. Follow Rabbi Wagensberg on a fascinating journey into Acheshverosh’s mind and the shocking goal he mean to achieve with the great feast he prepared. Learn how true service of Hashem goes far deeper than simply walking the walk, and how the inner thoughts and intentions we have when we do mitzvos is what really brings us closer to the Divine.
When looking at Purim Katan as the end of the yearly cycle, it seems obvious that this is a day we are paradoxically distant from Hashem. Howthen can we be expected to connect to Him at this time? Rabbi Wagensberg proves that if we do our best, Hashem will finish the job down to the last detail - and reward us as if we did the whole thing.
How does this parsha help us prepare for Purim, which comes directly afterward? Rabbi Wagensberg takes an incredible trip into Persia as he explores the main characters of Esther and Mordechai. Learn how Esther’s modesty harks back to the sense of smell, reaching to pure and untainted spirituality, and how the Jewish nation tapped into that to achieve salvation.
Even people with hearts as hard as rocks will benefit from this class, as Rabbi Wagensberg explain that the callousness of a person is only external. On the other hand, internally, we have such a capacity for softness. The words in this talk will certainly melt away even the hardest of hearts.