Rabbi Motti’s Minute

Through pandemics, wars, personal loss, and uncertainty, one truth endures: our cry can pierce the sky. This episode — delivered at the Bas Mitzvah of Tzippy Wilhelm — reflects on a Rosh Hashanah birth, the Shofar’s timeless message, and the power of a unique voice. They can’t take away your unique cry, and that cry can break through to the heavens.

In this class, we explore the Torah’s perspective on warfare: the call for peace before battle, the preparation of soldiers, the laws of siege, the treatment of captives, and the charge to preserve holiness within the camp itself.

In this class, we explore the importance of the legal system in Jewish thought: the role of the Sanhedrin, the Torah’s call for judiciousness in every area of life, and how the parsha of Shoftim speaks to today’s major halachic debates.

In this episode, we explore the delicate balance between being affable and authentic. How do we remain humble and kind without compromising truth? How can we guard our time and energy from what drains us while staying connected to our deepest sense of purpose and holiness?From people-pleasing to people-respecting, from distraction to discipline, these Mishnayot guide us in building a life of integrity and spiritual clarity—rooted in Torah, humility, and inner strength.Join us as we unpack timeless wisdom for navigating the tensions of modern life with grounded joy and intention.

Why is forgetting Torah seen as so severe? What makes intelligence spiritually risky?In this episode, we explore Torah as our spiritual lifeline, the transformative power of repetition, the origin of the yarmulke, and the true foundation of wisdom: a fear of losing one’s connection with Hashem and the resolve to turn learning into action.

In this class on Parshat Pinchas, we explore the values Moshe seeks in the next Jewish leader highlighting servant leadership, earned authority, and a deep sense of responsibility. We also reflect on the power of consistency in Jewish life and the enduring qualities that define true leadership.

In this class, we explore the profound teachings of Pirkei Avot 3:7 on ownership and free will—what Hashem has given us, and what we give back to Him. We also examine the two dimensions of our relationship with Hashem: one expressed through the natural world, and the other accessed through Torah—boundless, infinite, and beyond.

In this class, we explore the story of the prophet Bilaam — a man with great spiritual power, who stood at a crossroads: would he use his gift to bless or to curse?Through his first blessing to the Jewish people, we reflect on:The two identities of the Jew — the struggler and the masterWhy our being can never be cursed, only our behaviorThe unique calling and solitude of the Jewish nationHow Hashem protects us from external threats — while calling on us to guard ourselves from within

In this class, we explore three timeless teachings from Pirkei Avot that help us live with purpose and spiritual clarity:Vulnerability & Focus: Recognizing our moments of emotional or spiritual vulnerability — and choosing to fill that space with Torah and higher thought.Servitude & Service: Understanding that every life involves service — and we can choose whether to serve governments, financial needs, or our higher calling.The Essence of Torah Study: Exploring why both independent and group learning are essential to realizing our mission as a people.

In this class, we delve into one of the Torah’s most enigmatic commandments — the Parah Adumah, or Red Heifer. Why does contact with death create ritual defilement? And why is the purification process itself so paradoxical? Join us as we explore the deeper meaning behind ritual purity, the spiritual mystery of the Red Heifer, and the historical context and future hope tied to this ancient and powerful mitzvah