“Dust and Ashes”: On comparing our attributes to G-d’s

The 18th of Elul is the birthday of two “great luminaries,” the Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe. From the moment of birth, a person’s mission begins. He becomes an active force in the lives of others, and day by day his ability to interact with the world increases. Those blessed with exceptional spiritual capacities immediately radiate holiness around them; they are destined to elevate the world to remarkable divine heights.

Two sisters share what it was like to be raised by a woman who literally put her life on the line for Judaism in the Soviet Union time and time again.

How the Jewish New Year is celebrated and what it tells us about every human being and our relationship to G-d.

Experience the miraculous exodus of the Jewish people out of the mighty Egyptian empire—in a unique, fun-filled (and educational) style!

Rabbi B sings about the seven special fruits and grains that the Land of Israel is blessed with: Wheat, barley, grapes, figs, dates, pomegranates and olives. (The chorus is based on the verse in Deuteronomy 8:8.)

Watch an art video showing how to make a beautiful painting of a fruit tree for the New Year of Trees.

Sarah and Avi, with help from Mitzvah Bird, return a little lost challah to his home.

A virtuous heroine. A wicked villain. It’s the ancient, true story of Queen Esther, brought vividly to life in a delightfully educational way.

Feel the rhythm…hear the beat….and let your spirit get you jumping on your feet! Get ready to sing, dance and exercise together with Mendy and his friends in this exhilarating animated workout video for the whole family.

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 210 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

Eli and Ezzy wonder what life would be like if they were still slaves in Egypt.

Feel the rhythm…hear the beat….and let your spirit get you jumping on your feet! Get ready to sing, dance and exercise together with Mendy and his friends in this exhilarating animated workout video for the whole family.

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

The famous story from the Midrash about how Abraham destroyed the idols in his father's shop. An excerpt from the full DVD “Young Abraham”.

Take an exciting trip back in time to the court of King Ahasuerus and his beautiful Jewish wife Queen Esther as you watch the dramatic story of the Jewish victory over Persian persecution. (Please be advised this video may be too graphic for younger kids.)

Join Eli as he makes everybody’s favorite: chicken soup with matzah balls for the Shabbat meal.

Watch how matzah is made for Passover, and have fun learning all about Passover. Presented by Rabbi Moshe Grossbaum of the Living Legacy in Bergen County, NJ.

Join a group of girls as they learn to bake Challah for Shabbat.

When Roy employs his friend Marvin to help strike the set of Parshah report in anticipation of the approaching last episode, Jono stages a sit-in. By sitting. In a box.

A song of hope, giving thanks for another day. In memory of my forever thankful friend Mendel Cotlar. (Composed, Lyrics & Performed by Mendel Lazaroff in loving memory of Mendel Cotlar, o.b.m.)

When Roy employs his friend Marvin to help strike the set of Parshah report in anticipation of the approaching last episode, Jono stages a sit-in. By sitting. In a box.

The joyous climax of all divine comfort—the revelation of G‑d’s sovereignty in this world.

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

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

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

Torah and mitzvot are never very far from a Jew. They are no farther, in fact, than his or her identity

What does it really mean to repent? What feelings or actions does true repentance consist of?

It is a commandment incumbent on every man and woman to write a scroll of the Torah. How does a "regular Jew" fulfill this mitzvah?

The parsha of Nitzavim contains 40 verses and the mnemonic is the word ‘levavo’ (his heart). Explore the coded message in the mnemonic and its connection to the general themes of the parshah.

The parsha of Vayelech contains 70 verses (though really only 30) and the mnemonic is the name Adoniyah. Explore the coded message in the mnemonic and its connection to the general themes of the parshah.

Learn why Rashi specifically explains select details when clarifying the verse on the mitzvah to read the Torah during Hakhel. (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 19 Vayelech sicha 4)

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.

Uncover the meaning behind circumcising our hearts. Discover how this alludes to finding the love in Elul, beyond Teshuvah for our shortcomings.

How can we truly unite with another? Only by realizing that every person has a quality that is unique that only he or she can contribute.

One stick man schmoozes with another stick man on an airplane. Lives are changed. How’s that for a blurb?

A group of warriors prepare for an epic quest to the end of the ocean.

Rosh Hashanah is not just the start of a new calendar year; it is the renewal of G‑d’s interest in our world that comes as a result of our accepting Him as King.

The sages teach that the enlarged letter Lamed in Deut 29:27 "and He cast them into another land" hints to the purpose of exile. How is this connected to the fact that in the following verse, there are precisely 11 dots placed above 11 consecutive letters?

Blessings for success in the practice of law. Every Jew has to prepare their case at this time to be presented before the Heavenly Court on Rosh Hashanah.

On Rosh Hashanah, we are reminded of the Jewish mother’s dedication and self-sacrifice in fostering our nation’s deep commitment to G‑d.

A deeper look into the meanings and customs of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year: From crowning G-d as our king to blowing the Shofar and dipping apple into honey.

If you had one wish to be granted by G‑d ... what would it be?

Watch these inspiring Rosh Hashanah and High Holidays videos and learn its traditions and meaning

That first day of school, your first job interview, your first day in your own home, the first day of the rest of your life...

What parent can resist the desperate cries of his or her child? The call of the shofar is our raw guttural cry to our Father in Heaven.

The meaning and symbolism behind the shape of the ram’s horn sounded on Rosh Hashanah.

How the simple sound of the ram’s horn on Rosh Hashanah represents a Jew’s heartfelt cry to G‑d.

What is the purpose of the Ten Days of Repentance? Is it a time of solemn introspection or a time of rejoicing? Guest Expert: Rabbi Manis Friedman. (From “Messages”—Season 4, Episode 25)

Understand the meaning and the structure of the Rosh Hashanah prayer services and "why we do what we do."

The three-part structure of the Rosh Hashanah morning prayer service is based upon the three themes of G-d's coronation as King, the memory of His commitment to us, and the sounding of the shofar.

What is the precise order for sounding the various notes of the shofar? What does the participant do during this part of the service?

Rabbi Itche Kadoozy attempts to deliver a Rosh Hashanah message. 255 times.

Just a regular, run-of-the-mill Itche Kadoozy video about the meaning of Rosh Hashannah. Except with lots of bee jokes. Don't worry, we made the video and it still doesn't quite make sense to us.

How to prepare mentally and emotionally for Rosh Hashannah as the 48-hour period on which we connect to our "higher self" by crowning G-d as King.

Rosh Hashanah is not just the start of a new calendar year; it is the renewal of G‑d’s interest in our world that comes as a result of our accepting Him as King.

The Divine attribute of Malchut (Kingship) is described as the bridge between G-d's infinity and His presence within finite creation.

From the story of the prophetess Chanah, we learn the proper way to approach G‑d and express our needs. (A text-based discussion of the first chapter of Samuel I.)

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 52 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

The prophet Isaiah declares: “Seek G‑d when He can be found, call to Him when He is near.” The Talmud explains: “This refers to the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.”

This series examines three major themes of the days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: 1) the coronation of G-d, 2) a time of judgment, and 3) a time for repentance.

Rosh Hashanah as the yearly coronation of G-d as king. First in a 3-part series about the High Holidays.

Rosh Hashanah as the yearly Day of Judgment. Second in a 3-part series about the High Holidays.

Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the ten days in between are a time of "teshuvah" (returning to G-d.) Third in a 3-part series about the High Holidays.

G‑d is on the campaign trail to be crowned as King of the Universe again this year, and He wants your vote.

Joey and his pals find themselves stranded underwater just as Rosh Hashanah is about to begin!

Several times a year, the Rebbe would write a "michtav klali", a public letter addressed to "all sons and daughters of Israel wherever they may be." In this lecture, we review one of those letters, a Rosh Hashanah message from 1974

Rosh Hashanah is like brain surgery. Every little action can have an enormous impact.

The holiday of Rosh Hashanah marks the New Year, a time of renewal and change; yet the beginning of the yearly cycle also contains the polar theme of steadfast resolve and continuity.

On Rosh Hashana we read in the Haftorah about the birth of the prophet Samuel. Childless for many years, one year on Rosh Hashana, his mother Chana offered a prayer that elicited the Divine blessing resulting in his birth. The Talmud states that Chana's prayer is the model which all prayer aught emulate. This class will explain how to access the awesome power of prayer any time and especially on Rosh Hashana. (Likutei Sichos vol. 29, p.182)

The combined parsha of Nitzavim and Vayelech encapsulates two opposite features: Torah’s firm foundation and changing growth, which are both needed in living a life of Torah. They also serve as a preparation for Rosh Hashanah and the entire coming year.

Watch a cute video and see what a mezuzah is all about.

Two sisters share what it was like to be raised by a woman who literally put her life on the line for Judaism in the Soviet Union time and time again.

John Corre details the biographies of Benjamin Disraeli and Sir Moses Montefiore and notes some overlaps and similarities in their respective stories.

Ferziger discusses modern Israel's land scarcity issue with regards to burial and a proposed solution called likkut atzamot which echos ancient Jewish burial customs.

Dr. Sher discusses the history of the Rylands library, the various collections of Jewish documents contained there, and iconic jewish manuscripts that can be found there.

Do we know how to fully give gratitude? We can learn it from the mitzvah of Bikurim, the first fruit. Unpack the view of the Sifri vs. the approach of the Talmud. There are two ways to show gratitude to Hashem.

Why even the tiniest crack in a stone of the Beis Hamikdash is a massive problem. A detailed analysis of Rambam on these laws of the Beis Hamikdash.

Celebrating the Jewish children of Australia and their incredible Torah knowledge!

Compare and contrast the various types of forbidden mixtures, and discover how and why Shatnez is different.

Is Hashem in breach of his own mitzvah of paying your workers as soon as they complete their work? When we do a mitzvah should we be rewarded immediately?

What is the role of a Jewish officer of the court? A careful reading of Rashi tells of two types of officers.

A closer look into Rambam on what happens when all the justices on the Sanhedrin can’t find anything positive to exonerate the defendant. Can a Jew ever be a truly lost cause?

Rashi illustrates how some things are only prohibited because of our poor choices.

Why we need to give lots of tzedokah in Elul.

Did you know that the Jewish people dedicate an entire month to prepare for the New Year? Watch this explainer on the month of Elul.

We all know that Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, but it’s really so much more than apples dipped in honey. Learn all about this profound holiday.

This class focuses on the laws, requirements, and proper techniques for placing a mezuzah on a doorway. The lesson addresses topics such as choosing appropriate cases, determining which rooms and doorframes require a mezuzah, identifying the correct place

If the two tablets belonged to the nation as a whole, how could Moshe have the right to break them?

In the siyum and end of tractate Taanis, the Gemara encourages to increase learning Torah as the nights become longer. A closer look at the Rambam on meriting the crown of Torah, illuminates why learning Torah at night is transformative.

Tisha b’Av, the ninth of Av, is Judaism’s national day of mourning. Learn the history and significance of this tragic day, and how from the tragedy is planted the seeds of hope.

Hashem wants us to inherit Israel, do we? A deeper understating of Rashi’s commentary teaches us that when we rely on Hashem and declare that Hashem gave us Eretz Yisrael, we are protected and saved in a flash.

The Torah lists the 42 places where the Jewish People journeyed to in the desert. Why does the Torah refer to the destinations where they encamped as journeys? Learn a profound message regarding our mission to always travel higher.