Category: Holiday Teachings

Video–Yom Kippur: Leave Your Begging Bowl at the Door

The Sod Yesharim suggests a very powerful practice to get the most out of our highest of holy days, Yom Kippur. (Sod Yesharim is the third Rebbe in the Ishbitz line of chassidut. He wrote in the mid/late 1800's).

Elul and the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy

The prayer is that HaShem should feel free to choose the speediest path to redemption, and that we should have the depth of vision (of x-ray vision) to see and truly experience (to whole-heartedly embrace) the good of it.

Video–Rosh HaShana and the Kabbalistic Mystery of Nesira

R. Tsadok notes that Rosh Hashana (humanity's birthday) is actually a very strange Yom Tov given the debate between Hillel and Shamai about whether its better to be born...or not.

Rosh HaShana Through the Years

A bounty of teachings on how to prepare for Rosh HaShana and how to direct one's intentions on the day itself. Teachings about teshuva, prayer and shofar.

Shame and Sinat Chinam–Tisha B’Av, 2021

This is a video of Sarah Yehudit’s teaching on Tisha B’Av evening after

ZOOM EICHA READING FOR WOMEN PLUS CLASS AFTERWARDS

WOMEN’S EICHA READING by Hanna Yaffe CLASS afterwards by Sarah Yehudit Schneider Given

Videos/Audio of Sarah Yehudit’s Tisha B’Av Teaching, 2020

This first video is Sarah Yehudit’s teaching, itself. The second video is the

Tisha B’Av Teachings Through the Years

Tisha B’Av teachings over the years (2007-present).

The Temple for Which We Are Supposed to Yearn

Illustrated Video Teaching: On Tisha B’Av we mourn the loss of our House of Holy Presence (aka Bet HaMikdash), the heart of our people, that turns us from a throng into a higher order unity called Kenesset Yisrael, a synonymous term for Shekhina. Without our holy hub it is hard to contain the ricochet of our clashing extremes that produce the causeless hatred that prevents our inner peace. But what is it, really, that we are missing? It is probably not what most assume.

Sifra, Sefer, Sippur

The Torah, says Sefer Yetzira, is really three in one. There’s the Torah of Bereshit, the Torah of Sinai, and the Torah of souls. Our job, says the Baal Shem Tov, is to unify these three Torot with every word we speak and breath we take.

Shavuot through the years

Shavuot teachings over the years (2008-2016).

A Kabbalistic Kavanna for Eating Matzah at the Seder

Pesach 2021 / 5781 by Sarah Yehudit Schneider Matzah on Pesach is a powerful remedy that penetrates to the soul’s depths and heals ancient wounds.

Pesach Through the Years

Pesach teachings over the years (2003-present.)

Purim 2021–Who is Charvonah…

Charvonah is a seemingly insignificant character in the Purim story. He is one of the king’s attendants who appears at the beginning with those who convey the kings fateful summons to Vashti and then again at Haman’s demise. It is here, in this second mention, that he delivers his single line:

Purim High Council Prayer and Meditation Happening for Women

We are Inviting women from around the world to join the actual Jerusalem-based event via zoom (enabled by Shifra Hendrie who has offered her expanded zoom link for the occasion). And… Sharing the nusach/script of the ceremony so you can prepare for the event and, if you are unable to join our Jerusalem ceremony, you can create your own High Council, either on your own or with friends.

Purim High Council Prayer and Meditation Happening for Women–2

Purim High Council Prayer and Meditation Happening for Women

Our Fruit Tree and Vegetable Kingdom Role Models

On Tu B’Shvat we celebrate our generous and magnificent fruit trees that selflessly nourish the world for no other reason than that it’s what they are designed to do. May we honor them back by preserving their habitat, mulching their soil, protecting their pollinators, providing fresh water, repelling their pests and (on their new year’s day) praying for them to enjoy a healthy, lush and fruitful year.

Tu B’Shvat through the years

Tu B’Shvat teachings over the years (2007-present).

Tu B’Shvat Hagada for sale

The Still Small VoiceTu B'Shvat Hagada, fifteen years in the making, is finally available for public enjoyment.

The Chinukh of Chanukka

Since Chanukka and Purim reference toward the future, R. Luria associates them with Mashiach ben David, and the 7th marriage blessing when “the woman of valor becomes the crown to her husband.” R. Luria brings fascinating evidence of the gender shifts that weave through the messianic lineage and narrative.

Chanukka through the years

Just as eyes are windows to the soul, so the Chanukka lights are windows into the soul of the chag.

The Coveted Sukkah of Sodom

"Anyone who fulfills the mitzvah of sukkah in this world, will get a perpetual share (are you ready for this) in the Sukkah of Sodom” [Pesikta d'Rav Kahana].

Chai Elul—A Rosh HaShana Teaching for the Baal Shem Tov’s Birthday

R. Tsadok notes that Rosh Hashana (humanity's birthday) is actually a very strange Yom Tov given the debate between Hillel and Shamai about whether its better to be born...or not.

The Key to Sorting Truth From Lie

The chink that precipitated our Tisha B'Av fiasco was a defect in our ability to distinguish truth from falsehood. It was a flaw in our listening skills. As soon as we manage to fix that fault and only take truth to heart, we will meet the condition of “heeding [HaShem’s] voice (אם בקולו תשמעו) and Mashiach will come, today (היום).