Torah Cafe

Lot, Abraham's nephew has a notable role in the story of Abraham, traveling with him to Canaan until they eventually separate. Abraham later risks his life to save Lot from captivity and G-d saves him from Sodom before it was destroyed.Who was Lot, why does he play such an important role in Abraham's story and what is his historical impact?

Wine has a prominent role in the Torah and Jewish sources. Wine is found in many stories in Tanach )Scripture) and was part of the service in the Holy Temple. Later, our sages instructed us to recite Kiddush, Havdalah and many other important Jewish prayers and events with a cup of wine. Yet, as an alcoholic drink, there is a clear downside to wine.What is the Torah's view on wine? Why is wine used extensively in Jewish practice?A fascinating discussion about the role of wine in Judaism.

Any Jewish celebration usually involves Jews forming a circle and dancing. While circle dancing isn't unique to Jews, it is the most common form of jewish dancing particularly among Chassidim who dance almost exclusively in circles. What is the deeper significance behind the circle and how is it connected to dancing?

On Sukkot, there was a special water pouring ceremony in the Temple in Jerusalem. In preparation for the ceremony, there were great celebrations in the Temple called Simchat Beit Hasho'eva, the Water Drawing Celebration. Though the Temple no longer stands and we no longer have the water pouring ceremony or the celebration, we still celebrate on Sukkot in commemoration. A fascinating discussion about the Water Pouring Ceremony and the Water Drawing Celebration. 

Teshuvah - Return is one of the most powerful gifts that G-d has given to us. It allows us to clean up our missteps and mistakes and allows us to return to our true deeper selves. How can we do Teshuva - Return? What are the steps of Teshuvah? How can we connect to our deeper selves?A fascinating discussion about the unique gift of Teshuvah.

On the first eve of Rosh Hashanah, there is a custom to eat a number of special foods, some of which are universally eaten by all Jewish communities and some that are unique to specific communities. A fascinating discussion about the special foods that we eat on Rosh Hashanah Eve. 

People often argue that we should live and let live. We should not bother others about things that they do that do not directly harm anyone else. What is the Jewish approach? Should we let everyone decide their values on their own and respect those decisions or do we have a moral responsibility to ensure everyone else acts as they should?A fascinating discussion about the Jewish approach to the question; should I care what other people do? 

In 1897, Rabbi Shalom Ber, the Rebbe of Lubavitch opened a new Yeshiva - school for advanced Jewish learning called Tomchei Temimim. The school was unique as the first Chassidic Yeshiva that studied Chassidus in additional to the Talmud and Halacha (Jewish Law) studied in all Yeshivas.In the years since, the Yeshiva has graduated tens of thousands of students, many of whom became leaders and builders of Jewish life across the world.A fascinating discussion about the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva and why it had such an enormous impact. 

Chacham Yosef Chayim of Baghdad was the greatest rabbi and sage of the Iraqi Jewish community and perhaps the entire Sephardic world in the 19th century. Chacham Yosef Chayim's became known by the name of one of the countless books he authored Ben Ish Chai. He became famous as a master scholar, Halachic (legal) expert, Kabbalist, preacher, author and Jewish leader. 

As humanity has developed and industrialized, we became increasingly concerned about the impact of our development and industrialization on the environment. Many believe that we are not concerned enough and much more needs to be done to care for and avoid harm to the environment.What is the Jewish view on caring for the environment? Do we have a responsibility towards the environment? Should we be concerned about the environment even at the cost of human development?