Adam Naming the Animals | Beyond the Story: Bereishis (Ep. 1)

Why did Noach spend 120 years building the teivah and work around the clock feeding its animals while so much of his mission unfolded miraculously? Understanding when Hashem requires human effort and when He provides without it reveals the true relationship between hishtadlus and bitachon: our work creates a vessel, while the blessing comes entirely […]

Why was Adam’s ability to name the animals proof that his wisdom surpassed that of the angels? In the first episode of BEYOND the STORY, Rabbi Shais Taub explores the deeper meaning of this familiar Torah story—and what it reveals about our ability to recognize the Divine within physical life. Rediscover the Torah stories you’ve […]

The name of this week's Torah portion Emor literally means "speak." Why is it important that we speak? What is the special power of speech?

The Torah reading of Kedoshim begins: "You shall be holy because I, the L-rd your G-d, am holy." Why is this single statement considered to be the foundation of mitzvah observance?

Why does the Torah require one to bring a sin offering for an inadvertent sin? What is the point of atoning for something that was an accident? The answer can only be understood by first explaining the Torah's view on our subconscious motives.

In this week's portion, Moshe makes a financial audit of the charitable contributions made toward the building of the sanctuary in the desert. Why does Rashi say that Moshe counted "the weight" of the donations made by the people and not the value? To answer this question, we must answer another question: What is the […]

What are the real causes of shame and self-consciousness and what can be done to overcome them? The answer lies in understanding the mysterious "tachash" animal (sometimes translated as a unicorn) whose colorful skins were used to decorate the sanctuary in the wilderness.

Four fifths of our people did not leave Egypt at the time of the Exodus. Why will the coming redemption with Moshiach be different? Why is the answer to the wicked son of the Haggadah to remind him that if he had been in Egypt he would not have been redeemed? We will understand all […]

Just before they were separated for twenty-two years, Yaakov shared a final message with his son Yosef. How did these words keep Yosef alive through all of his trials and travails? What message would you want to be your last to your child?

How did our patriarch Yaakov finally separate himself from his abusive father-in-law Lavan? What can we learn from this story about how to deal with people whose fragile egos feel assaulted by our very existence? Based on Hasvaaduyos 10 Kislev, Shabbos Parshas Vayeitzei 5746 pp. 655-656 and 664-666.