From Eden to Purim: Simcha shel Mitzvah
Purim 2018 / 5778 Sarah Yehudit Schneider The Talmud asks: “Why did the Jews of that generation deserve extermination? Because they derived pleasure [נהנו] from the feast of that wicked one [...]
All the Creatures Pray for a Fruitful Harvest
Tu B’Shvat, 5778 / 2018 Sarah Yehudit Schneider All the trees of the field (שִֹיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה) did not yet exist on the earth, and all the wild plants had not yet sprouted. This was because God [...]
A Chanukka Meditation from the Zohar
This Chanukka teaching is dedicated to Yaku, daughter of Heltcha: “Thank you for sharing your light with this world. May blessings of love and healing always be with you on your journeys.” …Karin [...]
Rosh HaShana through the years
Rosh HaShana teachings over the years (2004-present).
Shavuot through the years
Shavuot teachings over the years (2008-2016).
When the Body Gives Light to the Soul
Purim, 5777 / 2017 Sarah Yehudit Schneider Based on the teachings of R. Tsadok HaKohen[1] “To the Jews there was light—אורה…” (the feminine form of the word indicating the Oral Torah, as opposed [...]
The Two Trees at Eden’s Center
Tu B’Shvat, 5777 / 2017 Sarah Yehudit Schneider God made grow out of the ground every tree that is pleasant to look at and good to eat, [including] the Tree of Life in the middle of the garden, [...]
The Menorah: Secret of Ruach HaKodesh
Chanukka 2016 / 5777 Sarah Yehudit Schneider Make a menorah out of pure gold. The menorah shall be formed by hammering. Its base, stem, and [decorative] cups, spheres and flowers must be beaten [...]
The Transmutation of Shame though Teshuva
Rosh HaShana 2016 / 5777 Based on R. Tsadok HaKohen, Tikanat HaShavin 5:10-12, Tsidkat HaTsadik [40] Sarah Yehudit Schneider There are three categories of tikunim, says the Leshem, and every [...]
Solemn Joy, Sweet Sorrow
Tisha B’Av 2015 / 5775 Sarah Yehudit Schneider This year we have an awkward convergence. Tisha B’Av—the day for mourning the woes of our nation—falls on Shabbos—our day of spiritual delight [...]
The Torah of Atzilut — The Torah of Souls
Shavuot 2016 /5776 Sarah Yehudit Schneider The Torah revealed at Sinai (on Shavuot) is not the one in our study halls today. Those Tablets shattered when Moshe, witnessing the Golden Calf, cast [...]
A (Short) Discourse on Freedom
Pesach 2016 /5776 Sarah Yehudit Schneider “The reward phase of history called the world-to-come is characterized by unfettered freedom. Liberty (דרור) is its hallmark. Freedom emanates [...]
Topsy-Turvy Gluon Dance ~~ Purim 2016 /5776
A Model for Ahavat Yisrael Sarah Yehudit Schneider כִּי הָמָן בֶּן-הַמְּדָתָא הָאֲגָגִי צֹרֵר [צורר] כָּל-הַיְּהוּדִים חָשַׁב עַל-הַיְּהוּדִים לְאַבְּדָם וְהִפִּיל פּוּר הוּא הַגּוֹרָל לְהֻמָּם [...]
Meditation #10 – The Obstacle of Strange Fire (part 2 of 2)
A spiritual path asks its adherents to walk their talk. Yet that is easier said than done. Most of us are challenged by the obstacle of Strange Fire. Meditation, and in particular the practice [...]
The Obstacle of Strange Fire — #9
One of the most difficult and subtle challenges of a spiritual path is the matter of “strange fire” which we’ll define as: “taking pleasure from something that violates one’s own [...]
“A Single, Unified Alliance…”
Rosh HaShana 2015 / 5776 Sarah Yehudit Schneider A true story: A woman brings yards of lacy fabric and the sketch of a wedding gown to a seamstress who has nearly two weeks to finish the job. The [...]
Prayer as Meditation — #8
Prayer is called “service of the heart” because it’s challenge (and calling) is to commune with Divinity heart to heart. That happens naturally in spontaneous prayer but with [...]
Textual Study as Meditation — #7
Textual Study as Meditation alternates study with meditation in a way that dissolves their boundaries and eventually fuses them. It is the best of both worlds.
Meditation and Shabbat — Lesson #6
Our break from work on Shabbat creates an atmosphere of rest that permeates both body and soul. But if we also meditate we harness the principle of resonance to bring the peace of Shabbos into [...]
Kabbalistic Underpinnings of Speaking Truth to Lie — Meditation #5
This FIFTH video teaching on Jewish meditation explains how meditation, and in particular the practice called Speaking Truth to Lie, is a powerful agent of Tikun Olam (mending the world). This [...]
Masters of the Saf — Purim 2015 / 5775
In those days, when Mordekhai sat by the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, Guardians of the Saf (Threshold), were angry, and sought to lay hand on king Ahasuerus. [...]
Hillel and Shammai’s Dispute about the Fruit Tree’s New Year
By Sarah Yehudit Schneider The first of Shevat is the New Year for trees, says the School of Shammai. Beth Hillel disputes this and rules that it falls on the fifteenth of the month. [Mishna RH [...]
“…Until there are no stragglers in the marketplace.”
Sarah Yehudit Schneider When is the time for lighting Chanukka candles? The earliest (and preferable) time is sunset but one can still fulfill the mitzvah until pedestrians disappear from the [...]
Sisera’s Mother Sets the Tone for our Rosh HaShana Shofar
Rosh HaShana, 5775 / 2014 Sarah Yehudit Schneider And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month…it is for you a day of teruah(sounding the shofar).[1] : וּבַחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי בְּאֶחָד [...]
Like it Or Not, We Are In This Together
Shavuot 2014 / 5774 Sarah Yehudit Schneider The Torah’s revelation at Sinai was the most profound manifestation of God that ever transpired on the planet. An estimated four million people beheld [...]