Shemot Videos

The Parshah report gets a new look, jono tries to enslave gefilte fish and Itche's lawyer shows up. Hilarity... whatever, you know what's coming

Faith means absolute trust in G-d. But there is something still greater than faith. (“Parsha Perks” with Dr Michael Chighel | Shemot)

A lesson based on Moses's complaint to G-d that the divine plan to redeem the Israelites from Egypt actually made their lives worse.

So many of us search, yearning to find our deepest and truest selves. This can involve traveling to distant lands, seeking out therapists and teachers, spending copious hours and dollars on our quest. Yet, by turning outside ourselves, we may encounter something dramatically different.

This is G-d’s message to his oppressed people. And this is G-d’s solace to us in our moments of misery.

Pharaoh issued a merciless decree to drown the newborn Jewish boys. What was his scheming plan for the girls?

Topics include: Moses as the perfect specimen of the human species, the name "Moses" and its symbolic connection to water, why Moses thought the people would not believe him, and the importance of crying out to G-d for redemption.

An analysis of Rashi’s commentary regarding the donkey that Moses uses to transport his wife and children down to Egypt (Exodus 4.20). The class concludes with a profoundly spiritual and personal message. (Likutei Sichos vol. 31)

"Think good and it will be good" is not just a feel-good slogan. It means that by trusting in G-d, we actually elicit His help from on High. Find out what happened when Moses doubted if he was deserving of G-d's help. (Based on Likutei Sichos volume 36, Sicha 1.)

The unusual circumstances of Moses’ son’s brit milah (circumcision) and what it teaches us about how that mitzvah may be performed -- and by whom.

The Jewish bondage in Egypt contains the all-too-familiar horrific story of anti-Semitism that marks our history. What is the reason behind this hatred and what is the ultimate solution?

Exodus opens with re-narrating the details of the descent into Egypt that's already been copiously documented. This seeming redundancy serves as our initial point of departure. Following fairly simplistic elucidation, we swiftly move into esoteric metaphor, terminology and ideas – the very notion of which appears irreconcilable. The ensuing wide-ranging discussion presents profound insight into foundational details of the human condition with Kabbalistic ideas, which serve to effectively illuminate why only through a continuing pattern of proverbial Exile and Exodus, can we set free the deepest essence of our consciousness!

“And it came to pass in those days that Moses grew up and went out to his brothers and looked at their burdens” (Exodus: 2:11). Is this verse simply telling us that Moses matured? And what lesson is in it for us?

When G-d shows Moses a sign by having him turn a staff into a snake, G-d asks Moses, (Exodus 4:2) "What is this in your hand?" But the two words, "mah zeh" ("what is this") are spelled in the Torah as one word, "mizeh" ("from this.") How does the term "mizeh" hint to the Alter Rebbe and Maimonides whose yahrzeits are this week?

When G-d charges Moses with the task of leading the Jews out of Egypt, Moses asks G-d what His name is and G-d responds, "I will be what I will be." How does this cryptic answer help us understand the problem of evil and suffering?

Study some of the highlights of the weekly Torah portion with insights from various commentaries.

The second book of the Torah, which is called the Book of Names, begins with again listing the names of the twelve tribes. Explore the importance and influence of a name, and other intriguing curios on Jewish names. For example, why don’t we find reference to anyone being named Gad and Asher – names from the twelve tribes – throughout the entire Talmudic era?

The little-known and largely misunderstood story of Moses’ parentage is presented along with fascinating facts about the birth of our Jewish redeemer. Discover detailed descriptions of his first hours on planet earth; learn where his mother hid him, and why his family sent him down the river.

When confronted with a situation that seems hopeless, don’t resign yourself to inactivity with the excuse that the little you can do can’t possibly make a difference.

A deeper look into the names of Miriam, Moshe and G-d, and how understanding our own names and abilities can help us access our soul powers.

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

Faced with the prospect of their baby boys being killed by the Egyptians, the Jews in Egypt followed the lead of Amram, the father of Moses, in flouting Pharaoh's decrees and continuing to have children. These young boys would become the generation to leave the bondage in Egypt and perceive revealed G-dliness at the splitting of the Red Sea.

While the Egyptians enslaved and persecuted the Jews, the Tribe of Levi was given much more freedom than the rest. They were actually allowed to study Torah and engage in holy pursuits. Moses and Aaron who were Levites as well, could have simply ignored the plight of their Jewish brethren and not been any the worse off. But in the end, it was specifically their concern that helped bring the Jews to redemption.

Do we need to sacrifice to be a Jew? A chassidic story and a lesson from Moses at the burning bush.

After thirty complete days, we redeem the firstborn son through giving five silver coins to the Kohen in the boy’s stead. Understanding the mitzvah of Pidyon HeBen on five levels.

The parsha of Shemot contains 124 verses and the mnemonic for are the words ‘vayikach’ and ‘maday’. Explore the coded message in the mnemonic and its connection to the general themes of the Parshah.

When G-d enlists Moshe to redeem the Jews from Egypt, Moshe wants to know which Divine name he should share with the Children of Israel. Rashi sees a profound lesson in that question. (Exodus 3:13-15)

Analyzing the true meaning of ‘Bitachon’, placing one’s trust in G-d, which goes beyond having faith in G-d. The analysis begins with a closer look at the biblical narratives wherein Moses and Jacob seem to display a lack of complete trust in the Al-mighty. (Based on a talk of the Rebbe in Likkutei Sichos vol.36 p.1)

Analyzing the Torah’s narrative of Moses’ fear immediately following the episode of smiting the Egyptian who beat a Hebrew slave. This offers great insight into the true meaning of trust in G-d, and how it differs from faith.

When Hashem gave the Israelites the Egyptian wealth at the Exodus was it to punish Egypt or to compensate the Jews? (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 21, sicha 2)

There is a clear link between the lifework of the Alter Rebbe and the parsha of Shemos, which is about the state of Golus (exile). (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 16 Shemos - Teves 24)