The days between Passover and Shavuos correspond to the Israelites’ journey from Egypt in the lead up to receiving the Torah at Sinai. The closer they came to their goal, the more their anticipation grew.

The most important things in life we cannot see with the naked eye.

The soul, the brain and the organs….how does it work?

Jono learns a lesson about being humble when he has to dress up in a very cute little mountain costume and sing an adorable little song. Oh, and no monologues this week.

Are you looking for life, liberty and happiness? Learn secret teachings of our Sages about little known, dangerous, mortality-inducing things to avoid, and the things that require a special plea-for-mercy from G-d! (Talmud tractate Berachot 55a)

Unpack layers of Biblical and rabbinic text to understand the inner mechanics of this sometimes-overlooked but super-important holiday.

Once an evangelical pastor, Yaakov Parisi shares the fascinating story of his lifelong journey to becoming Jewish. Recorded at Chabad of Oxford University.

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

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.

Being Jewish is fun in so many ways. Why do you like being Jewish?

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 301 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

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.

Topics include: What the Rebbe told the president of the United States about the meaning of the Sabbatical year, the importance of Mt. Sinai being a relatively small mountain, and the spiritual symbolism of the Jubilee year.

Learn the basics of which foods are kosher, how to shop for kosher foods and keep a kosher kitchen, and why this mitzvah is so important.

The popular prayer of ‘Aleinu’ – the final prayer – conveys the fundamental values of Judaism. Firstly, praise for being a unique people with a unique mission, the unique unity of G-d, and the hope for the time when G-d’s presence will be fully realized in the world.

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman provides a first entry into authentic and practical Jewish meditation. Taking us step by step through the words of the first morning prayer, providing imagery and concepts for mindful focus.

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.

In order to get some intimation of the Infinite One Who is beyond all conception, the mind naturally fills in what is inconceivable with ideas that are logical and comprehensible. A still deeper appreciation of Infinity thus requires a certain hollowing out of the mind.

Jono learns a lesson about being humble when he has to dress up in a very cute little mountain costume and sing an adorable little song. Oh, and no monologues this week.

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

Learn the profound connections between the weekly parsha and its related Haftorah.

Our entire existence is on loan from G-d. The question is, can we make the divine loan into a divine investment?

Torah charges us to cherish and preserve the environment, for all of nature is purposeful and is by Divine design. We are G-d’s custodians of the world.

One of the worst things for a relationship is casual neglect. Here’s how to prevent a relationship from slipping into autopilot mode.

Ezra the Scribe ordained that on the Shabbat before Shavuot, and again before Rosh Hashanah, the Torah readings containing the calamities that will befall the Jewish people for failure to observe the commandments shall be read. This class explores the inner meaning behind these dire warnings and reveals their uplifting message.

A profound and novel understanding of Torah's promise of material reward for fulfilling the commandments. (Likutei Sichos vol. 37, p.79)

The Sages say that he who acquires a slave acquires a master for himself. What are the rules that govern indentured servitude? Maimonides "Laws of Slaves" is used as a primary source. (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 37)

The Torah specifically links the mitzvah of resting on the Sabbatical year to Mount Sinai. This demonstrates a powerful lesson in the proper approach to work and higher living.

A big focus of this Torah portion is the importance of Torah study, and all the many blessings it brings. This is a timely lesson in strengthening our commitment to daily Torah study.

After mentioning various curses for failing to perform G-d’s laws, the Torah says that at the end of time, G-d will bring an end to the Jewish people's exile by remembering the Patriarchs: “And I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham I will remember….” (Leviticus 26:42) Why are the patriarchs listed in reverse chronological order? And why is the name Jacob (Yaakov) spelled yud-ayin-kuf-vav-vet with an extra vav, when it is always spelled yud-ayin-kuf-vet without a vav?

What does the Torah say about this thankfully antiquated practice? If slavery as an institution is recognized by the Bible, how do we reconcile this with the eternality of the Torah?

The different categories of servants in the Torah, and their symbolism and relevance even nowadays in our spiritual service of G-d.

If one endeavors to substitute his animal sacrifice with a different animal, whether superior or inferior, both maintain a holy status. Learn about this mitzvah of Temurah (exchanging sacrifices) on five levels of understanding.

The parshah of Behar opens with the mitzvah of Shemita, the grounding injunction to refrain working the Holy Land’s soil every seven years. This ground-breaking class uncovers treasures buried just beneath the crust of this most unusual biblical commandment. In addition to garnering a clear understanding of the exceptional scriptural syntax and a range of unique Torah teachings, you’ll discover a whole new level of consciousness and learn how to retain an oasis of calm even as some of the structures we may have centred our lives around appear to be collapsing!

Rashi maps out when the different elements of Judaism were originally taught and the Rebbe derives from it a fascinating insight into how we practice Judaism.

G-d promises us blessings if we do what He says. In this segment, Rashi exposes a whole new dimension to those blessings that we may have easily overlooked.

Insights from the weekly Torah portion on how to invest in your most important relationship.

In order to get some intimation of the Infinite One Who is beyond all conception, the mind naturally fills in what is inconceivable with ideas that are logical and comprehensible. A still deeper appreciation of Infinity thus requires a certain hollowing out of the mind.

Unpack layers of Biblical and rabbinic text to understand the inner mechanics of this sometimes-overlooked but super-important holiday.

Each holiday has its special mitzvah that is unique to the respective festival (like shofar on Rosh Hashana, matzah on Passover etc.). Yet, it seems we don’t find in the Torah any particular mitzvah for Shavuot?!

Shavuot, when we received the Torah at Sinai, is the culmination of the Exodus on Passover. Yet, on Passover we stay clear of the smallest amount of chometz, but on Shavuot two loaves of leavened bread were offered in the Holy Temple.

The giving of the Torah reconciles the dichotomy in everything and reveals the unifying essence in both the spiritual and the material.

If one had a disturbingly ominous dream, Halachah allows one to fast even on a Sabbath or Festival – notwithstanding the obligation to feast on these days – since the person is distressed over his dream, he would derive 'pleasure' from fasting and not from eating. The one exception to the rule is Shavuot—the Festival of the Giving of the Torah. On Shavuot one must eat! This appears strange, given that all the other festivals celebrate a physical, bodily salvation, whereas Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah—a profoundly spiritual event?! The answer explores the nature of pleasure and the essence of Shavuot. (Likutei Sichos vol. 23 pp. 27)

In the Talmud, there is a dispute between the sages as to what date the Torah was given at Sinai. According to one opinion, Moses added an extra day of preparation before the giving of the Torah. How could Moses depart from G-d's timeline?

Ask any child what we celebrate on Shavuot, and the obvious answer is the giving of the Torah at Sinai; yet the Torah makes no mention of it. How do we make sense of this glaring omission?

An overview of some the unique customs associated with the holiday of Shavuot, along with their practical reasons and spiritual explanations.

A short overview of the customs and meaning of the holiday of Shavuot, celebrating the giving of the Torah.

The Mitzvah ATM is about to dispense the Torah in honor of the holiday of Shavuot. One snag, though: It wants trustworthy guarantors...

Understanding the nature of differing opinions in Torah, and how the Halachic ruling does not favor one view and reject the other, but rather unites them both.

In explaining why the sacrifices that a Jew was obligated to offer in the Temple in honor of Shavuos were not offered on the holyday itself but during the weekdays which follow, this class offers insight into the nature of G-d’s choice of the Children of Israel.

Though not the majority opinion, there is an important school of thought that perceives the five days following Shavuot as an organic continuation of the holiday – a curious prolongation of hallowed time not found anywhere else in our Jewish calendar. The source for this unique convention seems rooted in the Talmud, yet its logic seems less than ironclad. The Rebbe provides a fresh and deeply insightful perspective on the essence of Shavuot itself that ultimately sheds illumination and clarity about the unusual expansion of the holiday’s broadened circumference.

Associating dairy-delicacies with the annual celebratory observance of Matan Torah (giving of the Torah) seems as natural as blintzes and sour cream; yet the origins of this near ubiquitous custom appear artificial and even contradictory to the mandated holiday meat menu. Mixing medieval manuscripts with contemporary clarification, a sweet and fruitful medley of delightful insight, rhyme and reason emerges. See how a desire to flavor Shavuot with a taste of times bygone set “Milky Way” customs into orbit and how to best balance this curious minhag with the Halacha!

Rabbi Yosef, the Talmud relates, would celebrate Shavuot, the Festival of the Giving of the Torah, with a unique banquet. The puzzling statement he said in connection with the feast is the subject of this class. Probing the layers of the Sage’s words reveals startling new depth to our appreciation of G-d’s most precious gift. (Based on Likutei Sichos volume 16)

Many reasons are suggested to explain why we eat dairy foods on Shavuot. Of all the classic reasons offered, the one that appears to be the simplest is strangely absent. This class will explain why, and in so do doing will address the great mission of the Jewish people that began at Sinai. (Based in part on Likutei Sichos vol. 8, Naso 3)

Discover the 6 steps of spiritual preparation the Jewish People observed at Mt. Siani, over a six-day period prior to the Giving of the Torah, and how you can take these spiritual steps today, as our ancestors did more than 3,300 years ago.

How do you explain and make the Ten Commandments relevant to children? Watch how Rabbi Manis Friedman explains them in a fresh way so that even a puppet could understand.

A pre-Shavuot webinar on the real reason we stay up late, forgotten liturgical compositions, the right way to eat dairy and other Shavuot customs.

Explore the earliest sources for why we stay up all night on Shavuot to learn Torah, and discover the real reason for this seemingly misunderstood custom.

Shavuos celebrates the Giving of the Torah at Sinai. Jews in every generation gather to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments, for on this day they receive renewed strength in their mission to brighten G-d’s world.

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.

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

Why Ezekiel’s vision of the “divine chariot” is the chosen haftorah reading on Shavuos, when it would appear that other scriptural passages that refer directly to the giving of the Torah would make a more appropriate choice, inasmuch as Ezekiel makes no such reference at all! (Based on Likkutei Sichos, vol. 33, p. 18.)

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

In distress King David song-fully calls out to G-d for rescue, but why is the Psalmist singing when he is in danger?

Are you looking for life, liberty and happiness? Learn secret teachings of our Sages about little known, dangerous, mortality-inducing things to avoid, and the things that require a special plea-for-mercy from G-d! (Talmud tractate Berachot 55a)

Exploring the weekly reading from the Prophets, where we uncover the mystical characteristic of the Kohen by exploring Cain and Abel according to Kabbalah.

This song and hymn praises the virtues of the great Talmudic sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the author of the holy Zohar. This song is widely sung on Lag BaOmer when we celebrate his life and passing.

The law of the new grain teaches that spiritual growth starts with speaking your body's language and progresses to stimulating your soul.

Learn the source of anger, and the secret to avoid getting angry.

How many of these important Passover facts do you know?

Judaism divides life into two time zones, "body time” when we're meant to work within the world, and "soul time" when we're meant to transcend the world.

Ch. 2, Mishnah 4-5: Hillel would say: Do not separate yourself from the community. Do not believe in yourself until the day you die. Do not judge your fellow until you have stood in his place. Do not say something that is not readily understood in the bel

A beautiful story about an embarrassed woman in the supermarket teaches us how to love one another.

Our choices, for positive or negative, impact the whole world.

A magnificent forum on tractate Yoma, which teaches about the unique status of the Kohen Gadol and a powerful insight into being Jewish.

A spiritual exploration of the three preconditions for a food item to become ritually impure. The inner dimension of these Temple laws highlights how there is a part of us that is always whole and pure, where nothing – no trauma, no circumstances – can da

A spoken word poem: Dear daughter, it is time to free yourself.

Exuberant prayer can be misguided and we learn this from Rashi's insight into the anatomy of the ear.

A powerful story on a mother’s devotion to doing a bris for her son and the takeaway for parenting and educating children in our times.

Nechama Laber shares how the untimely death of her father brought her to reach out to create a place of love for others and helped her raise her child with special needs.

A spoken word poem on the need for a mentor.

This short video presents the journey of how Mr. Jack Hananya obtained a lifesaving organ donation from Rabbi Zalman Sandhaus. Let's make the world a brighter place with acts of goodness and kindness. A project of Kidney Assist; video production: Yuvla Me

Before they left Egypt, G-d got the Jews to break the laws of Torah to circumcise themselves at night. It was a momentous introduction to a completely supernatural Exodus.

Rashi offers a fascinating insight into how Moshe dealt with the passing of Aaron's two sons. The Rebbe derives a powerful lesson from it on what it means to be dedicated to Hashem.