Copy to Clipboard

Season

New Season Starting
Thursday, January 23 2020!

Hi!

These days, it seems like nothing has a shelf life longer than a week. Every day brings another superhero franchise, fashion trend, or dieting fad. News cycles shift by the hour, social media feeds and timelines by the second. With everything flickering, flashing, and constantly updating, it’s little wonder life sometimes feel so impermanent.

For me, there’s no better way to slow things down than to pull back, if only for short while, and try to see things from a more timeless perspective. Our own Jewish traditions are filled with so many breathtaking insights, and they won’t fade away into irrelevance in a few days. Connecting to our own heritage, and ultimately to a divine wisdom, makes the all very human things we do feel richer, more meaningful, and part of something longer lasting.

The Torah Studies program at Chabad of Yonkers tries to make this happen every single week. Each class take a topic or idea in Jewish thought to explore, tease out, and bring into play with our own lives. Each one is built around texts that we’ll learn together so that you can see these ideas for yourself, argue over them, and apply them to life your own way. Below, you can see an outline of a few of the upcoming sessions, and I’d love if you could join me for what promises to be a fun, engaging, and deeply rewarding learning experience. They are open to everyone, of all abilities, so bring along a friend too!

Shalom, and have a great week,

Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz

600 N. Broadway, Yonkers. NY

Thursday, January 23 2020

Rashi: An Introduction

A Primer for a New Year of Torah Studies

Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, known as Rashi, a celebrated eleventh-century sage, authored the most authoritative commentary on the Torah. This lesson introduces students to the rich world of scholarship dedicated to his work. This year, embark on a fascinating journey into Rashi's profound insights and timeless wisdom.

Thursday, January 30 2020

Global Reach, Local Concern

Never Too Big to Care for Those Closest to You

It's a common trap: achieving global influence while forgetting family and friends. Avraham's name change associated with his promotion from local chieftain to world leader teaches us to avoid this pitfall and remember the importance of those nearest to us.

Thursday, February 6 2020

A Jewish Take on Hospitality

Inviting Guests: Greater than Seeing G-d Himself

Judaism places immense value on hospitality. The Torah recounts how Avraham paused his Divine encounter to welcome travelers. Explore the logic behind this seemingly exaggerated graciousness and its profound implications.

Thursday, February 13 2020

What Do You Love about Israel?

It’s More than Falafel and the IDF

Polls show Jews worldwide love the Holy Land, but what makes it so special? A close analysis of Rashi’s comments on Abraham’s conversation with his butler reveals a critical, often overlooked idea about the love for Israel.

Thursday, February 20 2020

It’s Not So Good to Be a Goodie-Goodie

The Beauty of ‘The Struggle’

Would you choose to be free of all negative temptation? A close study of two sets of twins in Genesis—Jacob and Esau, along with Peretz and Zerach—argues that the answer should be "No!" Discover the value of struggling against temptation.

Thursday, February 27 2020

Jacob’s Moral Dilemma

Don’t Be Pious at Someone Else’s Expense

Marrying two sisters was forbidden, but so was crushing someone’s feelings. Jacob faced a tough choice and prioritized his values, teaching an eternal lesson about balancing piety with compassion.

Thursday, March 5 2020

Broaden Your Horizons

What an Ancient Sage’s Travels Teach about Exploring New Ideas

Rabbi Akiva, one of the greatest sages, was also an explorer. Learn why this pious scholar traveled to learn about other cultures and what it teaches us about embracing new ideas.

Thursday, March 12 2020

Keep Climbing

Trajectory Is All That Matters

Who builds a city on a mountain slope? An ancient Mesopotamian city captures a key Jewish tenet: two people can be on the same slope but moving in different directions. The lesson? Always aim for the upward trajectory.

Thursday, March 19 2020

‘Take the First Step. I’ll Do the Rest’

One Small Step of Man, One Giant Step from G-d

Why must we put in effort if G-d is the one doing everything? Explore the purpose of our efforts and where our work ends and G-d’s begins, through the story of Chanukah.

Thursday, March 26 2020

When You’re in Pain, Start Yelling

Standing Up for Your Beliefs

When Joseph, still in disguise, threatens to keep Benjamin, Judah steps up and throws a tantrum. What happened to diplomacy? Discover the importance of standing up for what you believe in.

Thursday, April 2 2020

You Can Clean Up Your Own Mess

No Mistake Is Too Great to Fix

The Jewish people have faced many challenges, some self-inflicted, yet we’ve always persevered. Jacob’s parting blessing to his son Benjamin teaches that no challenge is insurmountable.

Thursday, Apr 9 2020

The Ideal Jew

Hint: It’s Not a Rabbi

Scholars and clergy are great, but they’re not the ideal Jew. What is the ultimate goal for all of us? The story of two defiant midwives in ancient Egypt and their Divine reward offers a profound clue.

 

Chabad of Yonkers

600 N. Broadway, Yonkers. NY
www.JewishYonkers.com

 
 

YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF JEWISH INSPIRATION

Torah Studies is a program of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute