Shows
Torah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusWhen To Schedule a Rosh Hashanah Bris?Laws of Rosh Hashanah Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch part II
Text source: Laws of Rosh Hashanah, Shulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe #584
2022-09-0734 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusRam’s Head and Pomegranates? Rosh Hashanah Foods & CustomsThe first two chapters of the Alter Rebbe's Laws of Rosh Hashanah (Shulchan Aruch HaRav).
2022-08-3141 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusYou Can Be 100% Right Yet Be So Wrong: Art of the Calendar V2022-08-2236 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusJoe Shmoe from Kfar Saba’s Big Moment: Art of the Calendar IVWhy does G-d require that we have the testimony of witnesses who have seen the new moon in order to establish Rosh Chodesh -- shouldn't the astronomical calculations suffice?
Bonus: chasidic aphorisim from one of the hidden tzadikim sheds new light on the Kohen's blessing before the priestly blessings.
2022-08-1932 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusThrough the Clouds: Art of the Calendar IIIBonus: Chasidic thought on who’s doing whom the favor 2022-08-1536 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusThe Calendar Saboteurs: Art of the Calendar IIWho is kosher to testify for the new month? Bonus readings: Chasidic aphorisms on the importance of implanting love for others in your heart. Kiddush Hachodesh by Rambam, chapter 2. 2022-08-1231 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusArt of the Jewish Calendar I: Kiddush HachodeshHow the ancient Jewish calendar was made: witness interrogation, leap years, and astronomy.
A text-based class using Maimonides' Mishneh Torah, laws of Kiddush Hachodesh
Sundays Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30 pm on Zoom @ chabadnp.com/zoom with Rabbi Yossi Marcus2022-08-1032 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusLaws of Tisha B’AvWhen Tisha B’Av falls on Shabbat and is observed on Sunday 2022-08-0547 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusReward and PunishmentRambam laws of Teshuvah chapter nine
2022-08-0141 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusMy Spouse Is Scared By My Religious Awakening
2022-07-2951 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusParadise DescribedSefardic Custom on blessing for Hallel; connection of Hallel and Aaron; and what it’s like in the World to Come2022-07-2715 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusWhen Someone Shames You Over Past DeedsPlus: why the penitent transcends the perfectly righteous.
Rambam, Laws of Teshuvah, chapter seven.
2022-07-2230 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusCan I Lose My Free Choice?Didn’t G-d harden Pharaoh’s heart? And can I lose my free choice but in a good way? Maimonides chapter 6, laws of repentance 2022-07-2025 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusDo I Really Have Free Choice?A study of Maimonides on the concept of Freedom of Choice, part I
2022-07-1533 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusJLI: Meditation from Sinai Lesson 52022-03-041h 08Torah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusStory of Purim part I -- the king throws a 180 day partyWhat did the king have in mind with this lavish feast?
Why was Vashti punished?
Insights and commentary on the first chapter of the Scroll of Esther
2022-02-2326 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBetween The Lines of the Golden Calf Debacle
How a Scheduling Miscommunication Led to the Golden Calf
Aaron Attempts to Stall (after seeing that Hur was murdered) but Things Go Badly Quick2022-02-1630 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusJethro Advises Moses (Yitro 3)2022-01-2125 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusAt Mount Sinai (Yitro 5)2022-01-2127 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusJethro Arrives (Yitro 1)2022-01-1739 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusTest of the Tasty Manna (Beshalach 5)2022-01-1449 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusHow Does Trust In G-d Work?2022-01-1254 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBeshalach 1: Pharaoh Takes the Bait2022-01-1036 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBasi Lgani I2022-01-0729 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBasi Lgani II2022-01-0723 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBo 3 and 4: Moses Leaves Pharaoh in a Huff2022-01-0420 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBo 1 and 2: G-d to Moses: Come with Me to the Pharaoh2022-01-0328 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusVaeira 5: Pharaoh Remains Super Stubborn2021-12-3145 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusVaeiera 4: Need I Thank One Who is Just Doing His Job?2021-12-3029 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusShemot 4: Moses at the Burning Bush2021-12-2324 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusShemot 3: Three Interventions in One AliyahSee something, do something. Moses empathizes with his brethren, thus evoking a commensurate Divine response.
2021-12-2231 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusShemot 2: Three Heroic WomenThings heat up in Egypt, and Moses is born, filling his house with light 💡.
2021-12-2136 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusShemot 1: Joseph Who?2021-12-2028 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusVayechi 1: When to Bow to a FoxJacob's best years are in Egypt, ironically, and as his passing nears, Joseph brings his two sons for their grandfather's blessing.
2021-12-1436 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusVayigash 4 and 5: What Troubled Jacob About Heading to Egypt?Jacob heads to Egypt with a stop in Beersheba. G-d promises to go with Jacob and ensure that Jacob will be buried in the Holy Land. The Torah recounts all of Jacob's descendants at the time of his descent to Egypt, which numbered 70, corresponding to the 70 nations of the world.
2021-12-1025 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusVayigash 1 and 2: Them‘s Fightin‘ WordsJudah approaches Joseph with diplomatic words. But Rashi helps us read between the lines to hear the veiled threats. Joseph finally reveals his true identity and risks his life to spare the brothers embarrassment.
2021-12-0731 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusVayigash 3: Avoid the Blame GameJoseph tells his shocked brothers he has not hate in his heart for them. Not they, but G-d, sent him to Egypt. He tells them to hurry to bring their father to Egypt, and to avoid the blame during the drive home.
2021-12-0728 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusMiketz 1: Where were you when life was sugar sweet?Pharaoh's dreams reminds of the song:
"Where were you when the gelt was there, when life was sweet like sugar?
"Now you're here, when the gelt is gone -- come let's have a l'chaim."
Years of famine not only follow the plenty, they completely eviscerate the former from memory.
The importance of not forgetting the good times.
2021-11-3025 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusToldot: The Great Blessing HeistFasten your seatbelt for a high speed rendition of Toldot. Isaac loves Esau, digs well, and wants to pass on the blessings of Abraham to Esau. Rebecca loves Jacob and plots to have Jacob receive the blessings. Who will win? Find out in the The Great Blessing Heist.
2021-11-0536 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusChayei Sarah 3:The Amazing Rivkah2021-10-2714 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusChayei Sarah 2: Eliezer is sent on a mission2021-10-2713 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusChayei Sarah 1: No Free LunchSarah dies after hearing about the binding of Isaac. Was this simply shock or something deeper?
Abraham negotiates hard for the Cave of Machpelah--insisting he wants to pay full price.
2021-10-2533 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusChayei Sarah: Mr. Toad‘s Wild RideWouldn't it be great if we went through life with doors opening for us (as they do at Disneyland rides)?
Eliezer servant of Abraham has just such an experience when given the mission of finding a wife for Isaac.
How do we get some of that Eliezer magic in our own lives?
Based on Likkutei Sichot vol. 25
2021-10-2503 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusVayeira 2: Abraham Challenges G-d2021-10-1931 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusVayeira 1: Three Angels, Four JobsG-d appears, Abraham runs, the angels eat, and Sarah laughs. A fascinating start to parshat Vayeira.
2021-10-1841 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusLech Lecha 1: Get Movin‘G-d tells Abraham to "go for yourself" -- this journey will be for Abraham's benefit and even pleasure. The mission that the soul is given to descend into this world is for its own benefit. Only in this world, with all its challenges, will the soul be shown its highest self -- the land where I will show and reveal the greatest "you."
2021-10-1128 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusNoach 2: The Cosmic MikvahHow to overcome the flood of thoughts that threaten to douse the fire of our love for G-d?
Enter the Ark -- the words of Torah and prayer. In this way the waters of the flood uplift the Ark and serve as a purification and refinement.
2021-10-0425 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusNoach Part 1: The Flood is Coming2021-10-0424 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBreishit 1: The Willy Wonka TreeG-d wanted the tree to taste like its fruit but the earth had other plans. Why?
The inner significance of the fire we light after Shabbat
The first Shabbat guests
Why day three is double the goodness
Three explanations why the Torah starts with a Bet not an Alef
2021-10-0151 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBeware: Strange Things Happen in the SukkahNot unlike the haunted shack at Knott's Berry Farm, certain rules of nature, as well as a certain legal norm, go bye bye when you enter the Sukkah.
This longer than usual farbrengen/class takes us on a deep dive into the legal and mystical enigmas of the Sukkah.
Bonus: The deeper meaning of the Sukkot jugglers and how "juggling" is the secret to living the ideal life.
2021-09-2758 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusKi Tavo 1: An Attitude of Gratitude2021-08-2630 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusKi Teitzei 32021-08-2026 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusRe'eh 1: Have a Look SeeThe parsha begins with the directive: look! Pay attention, and choose what is good. We learn about the mitzvah to destroy idolatry and not to destroy that which is Divine. But why would we have to be instructed about such a thing? Rabbi Yishmael offers a novel understanding of the verse.
2021-08-0231 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusEikev 6: Don't Let Go of the Wheelf you swerve out of your lane, just straighten the wheel, get back in your lane, and keep going. No need to give up the reins entirely. Yet when we make other mistakes, we are sometimes inclined to just throw in the towel. In today's parsha, Moses tells the people that if they play it right (observe the mitzvot with love and excitement), things will be awesome materially. The risk there is that once they're living large they may forget their Creator. They would then be exiled to foreign lands. Nevertheless, even in exile, keep doing the mitzvot...2021-07-3041 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusEikev 5: Hashem Still Believes in YouDespite our failures, G-d has not given up on us. His compassion and affection is still strong. Tap into your inner Moses, stay strong, and keep trucking.
"Guest" appearance: 8th Day's "Little bit of Moses in Me".
2021-07-2924 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusEikev 4: When Religion Becomes Detached from G-dMoses recalls the writing of the second tablets, the ark he was commanded to make for it, which was different from the ark of the Tabernacle. It was the former that was taken out to war, except in the days of Eli, when the latter was taken out during a war with the Philistines. This was a big mistake and the Philistines captured the ark -- a lesson in making sure religion doesn't become detached from G-d.
2021-07-2825 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusEikev 3: Don't Let it Get to Your HeadMoses continues to warn the people that they should not let the success they will see in Canaan get to their heads. Wasn't for your righteousness that you will succeed but because of the shortcomings of the Canaanites and the promise G-d made to the Patriarchs.
2021-07-2729 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusEikev 2: How You Got the Corner OfficeIn today's teaching Moses warns the Jewish people not to forget where they come from. Once they enter the Land things are going to be great! Food, health, wealth, prosperity from all sides. Don't make the mistake of attributing all that success to yourselves. Remember the One who took you from slavery and miraculously sustained you through your desert trek.
2021-07-2617 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusEikev 1: Sticking with the ProgramToday's teaching touches on the benefits of sticking with the program when the going gets tough and you're not "feeling it." Moses started a mitzvah, but the ones who finished it get the credit. Which mitzvah was that? And why does the credit go to the concluders?
2021-07-2516 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusVa'etchanan Part 5: The Heretic and the HassidWe are commanded to love G-d. But how to do we go about that? The story of chassidic singer Avraham Fried and Aviv Geffen sheds some light.
We also read the most well known verse in the Torah, Hear O Israel, the L-rd our G-d, the L-rd is one. Yet at the end of Aleinu, we say that "on that day", when Mashiach comes, G-d will be one. Because until Mashiach comes, there are people worshipping other "gods". Only on that day will G-d be the undisputed One. Turns out that every time we say Shema, we're...2021-07-2338 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusVa'etchanan Part 4: The Two Critical Elements of ShabbatMoses recounts the events at Sinai, including a repeat of the Ten Commandments. A variation in the wording of the 4th commandment leads us to a Rashi about two words that were stated simultaneously and what that tells us about how to get the most out of the gift of Shabbat.
2021-07-2218 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusVa'etchanan Part 3: Deep StuffTwo layers of meaning in "there is nothing in addition to G-d" / ein od milvado.
Maimonides vs. Rashi; being in it yet above it; the secret to winning.
2021-07-2124 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusVa'etchanan Part 2: How Judaism is not a Game of Broken Telephone
"But, rabbi, how do we know that the Judaism we have today is not the result of "broken telephone" over the generations? And, were the rabbis going overboard with all the "fences" and protections? I mean, like, seriously?
Also: Torah's immutability is foundational to Judaism. But why? Can't mitzvot change with the times?
Plus -- G-d to Moses: "It's enough. You're not going into Israel."
Also G-d to Moses: "There's more for you than this."
Finally: why does the Babylonian Talmud say, "Come and hear" whereas the Jerusalem Talmud says, "Come and see"?
2021-07-2029 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusVa'etchanan Part 1: Moses' Final PleaMoses sees an opening and tries yet again to gain entry to the Land. What is the difference between seeing and hearing and what is the advantage of each?
2021-07-1924 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusDevarim 5: Hope Peeks From the CracksIn the midst of Moses' rebuke, he alludes to a future time of return to greatness. We also learn why those who fought the Israelites are compared to bees and what to expect for this Shabbat, the Shabbat of "Vision." Bonus: why death will be swallowed up in the Messianic age. Double bonus: What is the history of the Haftorah?
2021-07-1625 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusDevarim 4: A Love/Hate RelationshipMoses continues to recount the foibles of the Israelites, the process of appointing judges, and tips for the judges to remain loyal to the law.
2021-07-1422 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusDevarim 3: "Too Many Jews""That reminds me of a story...." -- my taxi driver who was not an anti-Semite but was new to English. Also: when it's time to leave the mountain, even Sinai, it's time to leave. Plus: how it could have been if the Israelites had not allowed their fears and insecurities to get in the way. For questions and comments email rabbi@chabadnp.com.
2021-07-1319 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusDevarim 2: Uniqueness of the Torah's Fifth BookThe fifth book, Devarim, or Deuteronomy, is spoken almost entirely by Moses in the first person. Why this change from the first four books of the Torah? And how, counter-intuitively, does this make the fifth book an even greater expression of Moses' absolute dedication to G-d? Plus: more advice on how do rebuke. For questions or comments, email rabbi@chabadnp.com.
2021-07-1224 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusDevarim 1: Euphemistic RebukeThirty-six days before his passing, Moses begins “the talk” to the Jewish people. Rebuke ensues but it is done softly out of respect of the Jewish people. What is the lesson there as we commemorate G-d’s rebuke during these “three weeks” of mourning? And why was it necessary for Moses to translate the Torah to seventy languages? Couldn’t that have been done later at some future point in history when translation would become needed?
2021-07-1127 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusPinchas 4: Moshe's Request of G-dG-d confirms that the daughters of Zelophead were right on -- "they perceived that which eluded even Moses." Moses thinks he's been given a pass and might yet enter the Holy Land but G-d tells him, Sorry, no can do. So Moses asks G-d to appoint a good leader to replace him and G-d chooses Joshua. What qualities did Moses say were needed in a leader? And why did G-d choose Joshua?
2021-07-0229 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusPinchas 3: The Daughters of Tzlafchad Speak UpThe land is to be divided by tribe size, but Divine intervention will seal the deal with a "talking lot." Tribe of Levi is counted and the daughters of Zelophehad come forward to present their case to Moses. Why are they traced to Joseph? And why were the women not included in the "decree of the spies"?
2021-07-0126 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusPinchas 2: Enwrapped in G-d's NameThe Jewish people are counted once again, as G-d enwraps the name of each of the 65 families with His Name Y-H. Why those two letters? And why are they out of order with the H before the Y? Also (in the Q&A), why does the Torah use up all that real estate to go through all the names? Why not state it succinctly summing it all up in a few verses?
2021-06-3027 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusPinchas 1: The Psychology of Ascribing MotivesThe tribes question Phineas' act, ascribing it to a cruel streak that he supposedly inherited from Jethro, who fattened calves only to have them slaughtered for idols. What impels us to ascribe negative motivation to the good acts of others? And what can we do about it? Also, what do you do when nobody seems to be doing anything?2021-06-2919 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBalak Part 1: Beware the Blessing of a BalaamMoab is trembling, worried that the Israelites are coming for them. (Do you ever worry needlessly?) They seek to hire Balaam to curse the Jews. G-d gives Balaam three no's: don't go, don't curse them, and, no-thank-you, they don't need your blessings.
What's so terrible about a blessing from Balaam? And in the end, doesn't Balaam in fact bless the people?2021-06-2028 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusChukat Part 6: No room left in the heartRipple effects of Aaron's death: the clouds of glory disappear and the Amalekites smell blood. A prayer and promise fend off the enemy but the Israelites are overwhelmed by it all and lash out. We learn about the two ways to battle Amalek: the path of logic or that of the transcendent ark that cleared the way to serenity.
2021-06-1830 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusChukat Part 5: How to Self-ConsultThree go up the mountain and two come down. The people can't believe that Aaron, who defied the Angel of Death, has himself died. They mourn for him thirty days, the man who instilled peace betwen disputants and between husband and wife. The story of the "Jew from Baltimore" helps us understand that Aaron's diplomacy was not a lie -- it was the ultimate truth.
2021-06-1720 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusChukat Part 4: Can You Pivot Like Moses?Fresh off the big news that he won't be going into Israel, Moses gets right back to work, for the very people that caused him to lose his chance to go into Israel. Being able to pivot immediately instead of lingering in the expired situation is the mark of the truly great. Moses reaches out to Edom and asks for permission to pass through their land on the way to Israel. Edom, being Edom, says no with a capital N.
2021-06-1627 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusChukat Part 3: Losing Your Temper will Cost YouMiriam passes away; the well dries up; Israelites complain; Moses rebukes and hits the rock. Lessons in staying calm under fire and the high standards that the saintly are held to.
2021-06-1534 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusChukat Part 2: Parallels Between Red Heifer and Golden CalfThe Torah reiterates the mysterious law by which the one handling the purifying waters becomes impure and Rashi offers the homiletic interpretations of Rabbi Moshe HaDarshan about various aspects of the red heifer.
2021-06-1415 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusChukat Part 1: The Quintessential Counterintuitive LawKnown as the Chok of all Chukim, the rationale for the laws of the Red Heifer escaped even King Solomon. We'll dive into these laws and see how the Chassidic masters applied them in how to overcome the "inner death" of lethargy and numbness.
2021-06-1421 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusKorach Part 6: Aaron and Korach are Polar OppositesIt's human nature to be jealous, and Korach takes it to an extreme. But Aaron is not just "not jealous" -- he rejoices in Moshe's appointment as leader. This is also the connection to the kehunah being called a "covenant of salt." Why salt?
2021-06-1116 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusKorach Part 4: Aaaron's Run-in with the Angel of DeathWithout a prayer, Moses asks Aaron to stop a plague by offering incense. It works. G-d commands Moses to have each tribe present a staff and Aaron's staff miraculously blossoms and produces almonds. Why almonds?
2021-06-0917 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusKorach Part 3: Drastic MeasuresMoshe makes one last attempt to sway Dathan and Aviram; the earth swallows Korach and his cohorts; the pans of the 250 incense offerers are used to coat the Copper Altar.
2021-06-0821 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusKorach Part 2: Moshe's Accountant Makes a Surprise AppearanceDathan and Aviram dig in their heels, even ready to be blinded (or: claiming they cannot be "blinded," i.e., fooled). Moshe says he's never taken even one donkey from the Israelitesand asks G-d not to turn to the offering (which offering? two interpretations) of the rebels.
2021-06-0715 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusKorach Part 1: Korach Questions Aaron's AppointmentKorach -- egotistical populist driven by jealousy, or spiritual yearner seeking closeness to Hashem? Both?
2021-06-0623 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusShlach Part 6: Why women are exempt from TzitzitWhy does the Parsha wrap up with the laws of Tzitzit? And why therefore are women exempt therefrom? Techincally, women are exempt from all time-related mitzvot -- and Tzitzit are only obligatory at night. But...we propose that the parsha ends with Tzitzit since it is the answer to the spies' fears, since wearing Tzitzit will remind you of your mission and you won't be "consumed by the land." Yet the women were never frightened by the words of the spies in the first place and therefore merited to enter the Land. Only the men were told they would...2021-06-0417 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusShlach Part 5: Challa is the answer to the spiesHow does Challa connect to the spy story? And why is someone who says Shema but doesn't don tefillin like "offering a sacrifice without libations"?
2021-06-0315 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusShlach Part 4: The VerdictWhy is the source of ten for a minyan derived from the spies? Two reasons.
What is the "gateway talk" that leas to lashon hara?
Forty years in the desert for the Israelites (except Caleb and Joshua, the Levites, and the women, who all get to enter the Land).
2021-06-0224 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusShlach Part 3: "No reason to fear"Kalev argues against fear but the Israelites don't buy it. Moses argues with G-d about their fate, which, in end, is that the generation of the Exodus will not enter the Land of Israel, whereas Kalev will inherit Chevron.
2021-06-0123 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusShlach Part 2: "We were like grasshoppers"The spies circle the land over 40 days. They return with the mammoth fruits and defeatist report. Caleb and Joshua fight for the truth: if the Creator gives you a job in His world, no giant is tall enough to stop you.
2021-05-3120 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBehalotcha Part 3 - Second ChancesThe people who were impure and couldn’t offer the Pesach offering are offered a second chance. And so are we.
2021-05-3023 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBehalotcha Part 4 - Hashem's In Charge......and don't wait till you're "settled" to "set up shop." Every day and every moment is a whole world.
2021-05-3027 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBehalotcha Part 5 - On the MoveAfter 10 days shy of a year, on the 20th of Iyar, we move from Sinai on (what could have been) a three-day journey to the promised land; 2) Moshe asks Yisro to stay
2021-05-3021 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBehaltocha Part 6 - The "Ahm" Starts Kvetching AgainWas there anything positive that came out of all the kvetching and challenging of G-d and Moses that went on in the desert?
2021-05-3024 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusShlach Part 1 - Free Choice is GivenG-d leaves it up to Moshe to decide whether or not to send the spies. He does, and tells them what to look for and what to bring back.
2021-05-3021 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBehalotecha part 2 - Consecration of the LevitesWe’re not in Leviticus anymore, yet the Levites are taken up a lot of the ink. As Rambam taught, anyone can choose to live life like a Levite.
2021-05-2622 minTorah On My Mind with Rabbi Yosef MarcusBehalotcha part 1 - Raising up the flamesWhat is the inner meaning of lighting the menorah in a way that the flames arise on their own? What does it mean that “Ahron did not deviate”?
2021-05-2625 min
Reunion RoadmapMarcus Bowman: Financing the Kingdom, part 3Is there a spiritual dimension to commerce? Since the Bible has much to say about money and fair business dealings, we can say yes to that question. But how might the people of God use the tools of commerce to build relationships and communities?This is what we asked Marcus Bowman as we concluded our visit with him. As BYNA’s Finance Director, Marcus has given much thought to these questions, and he has some inspiring ideas. He also has some wise observation on how to preserve and maintain loving relationships with family and friends who may no...2020-08-3150 min
Reunion RoadmapMarcus Bowman: Financing the Kingdom, part 2What is the right way to deal with changes in our perceptions of the world that seem to conflict with the perceptions we have held all our lives – and which our families and friends still hold? This is a question the Torah Awakening among Christians has caused multitudes to consider, including Marcus Bowman. In this second part of our conversation with him, Marcus walks us through the process he and his wife, Michelle, experienced as they became aware of some things in scripture that they had not seen in their upbringing. Barry Phillips and David Jones...2020-08-2445 min
Reunion RoadmapMarcus Bowman: Financing the Kingdom, part 1Which is easier: the journey to a new home half a continent away, or the journey into a new dimension of one’s walk of faith?Marcus Bowman can address that from personal experience! He and his wife, Michelle, grew up in a close community in Indiana, but early in their marriage moved to Washington State to plunge into new opportunities. At the same time, they journeyed from their denominational heritage of the Old German Baptist Brethren into the Torah Awakening. Those simultaneous journeys brought them to the Administrative Council of B’ney Yosef North America, where Marc...2020-08-1750 min