Rabbi Zushe Greenberg

Torah Class - Parshat Beha’alotcha: The Secret Of The Menorah

The Menorah is one of the best-known Jewish symbols.
prominent in the Temple and in the visions of the prophets.
What does it symbolize?

It Won’t Happen To Me People tend to think that bad things will never happen to them. This Parsha teaches us how to handle the “Day After.”

(Parshat Achrei-Kedoshim)

Torah Class - Sfirat Ha’omer: The Omer: A Chametz Transformation

Before Passover, we scrub our houses clean of all leavened bread. Yet, just a few weeks later, chametz becomes a most important element of the Holy Temple service. Why the transformation? What does it represent in the journey of the soul?

Passover All Year Long

When was chametz prohibited all year round, and what does it have to do with thanksgiving?

The TikTok Controversy (Passover)

Liquid Courage (Parshat Tetzaveh)
Why did Esther live undercover? What is the meaning of wine, wine, and wine again?

The Convert’s Power
Why is the story of Yisro so compelling?
(Parshat Yitro)

Torah Class - Parshat Mishpatim: Alternative Justice System
How could manna from heaven serve as forensic evidence in Moses's court, and how could lions participate in Solomon's judicial proceedings?
The Torah is not in the Heavens!

Click here for the class handout

With Two Hands!
People tend to get very heated in their political debates these days. What’s a better way to go about it? How should we set our priorities?
(Parshat Beshalach)

Why Didn’t They Flee
Why didn’t the German Jews leave Germany? Didn’t they see the writing on the wall?
(Parshat Bo)

An Atheist? Don’t Believe Him!
Aharon Barak, the ideological head of Israel’s left, was photographed wearing tefillin. Can an Israeli really be an atheist?
(Parshat Va'era)

The Mensch From Malden Mills
How did Moses arrive at Mount Sinai?
(Parshat Shemot)

Mr. Relevant
Who is the new rising star in football, and which biblical characters does he resemble?
(Parshat Vayechi)

Joseph An Imposter?
What’s the connection between Moses, Joseph and the Rebbe?
(Parshat Vayigash)

Torah Class - Parshat Vayigash: Growth From Hardship

How can we give encouragement to a person going through a crisis? How did G-d encourage Jacob on his way to a difficult exile in Egypt?

The Public Menorah Battle
What effect has the public menorah had on Jewish self esteem?

(Parshat Mikeitz/Chanukah)

Are Israelis Really Secular?
Joseph’s sale still haunts us today. What does it tell us about fighting antisemitism?
(Parshat Vayeshev)

#antisemitism #Vayeshev

Torah Class - Parshat Vayeshev: The Secret Of Success
Betrayed by his brothers as a boy, abused by his master and let down by those close to him, he keeps on smiling, helping others, and eventually saves the world! What is his secret?

Everything In Its Time
Chabad just opened up a new country – Zambia. Or did it?
(Parshat Vayishlach)

G-d’s Will Vs. G-d’s Wisdom (Parshat Vayeitzei)

Torah Class - Parshat Vayishlach: The Master Solution
What trait can help us become close to G-d, reach a deep understanding of the Torah, improve our personal and work relationships, and contribute to every facet of life?

Consistency Is The Name Of The Game
Rabbi A Schindler’s visit to the Rebbe’s Farbrengen.
(Parshat Toldot)

Torah Class - Toldot: Isaac’s Legacy
Our forefather Abraham introduced the concept of monotheism and hospitality. Jacob's legacy was the 12 tribes of Israel. But what was Isaac's legacy?

The Wallet Test (Parshat Vayeira)
What do people do when they find wallets on the floor, for real?

Chayei Sarah: The Historic Match
Abraham sent his servant Eliezer to find a wife for his son Isaac. When Eliezer arrived at his destination he prayed to G-d and was promptly answered. A comparison with prayers of Moses and King Solomon reveals that Eliezer the servant was answered quicker. Why?

Torah Class - Parshat Vayeira: Fake Hospitality?
Abraham hosted G-d Himself in his tent. When he saw three passing Arabs, he asked G-d to wait while he welcomes and cares for them. Only later did he reveal that his guests were in fact angels in disguise… Did Abraham keep G-d waiting for a fake mitzvah?
An original analysis of the Biblical story.

Torah Class - Parshat Lech Lecha: Renewal, Joy, And Progress
The three cardinal principles for life we are taught by the Torah’s first three portions. Don’t get stuck in the past, don’t fall into a rut, and don’t become complacent.

The Industrial Revolution Of The Tower Of Babel
The builders of the Tower of Babel invented bricks, thereby revolutionizing construction. Pharoah later used the same techniques for the building of the pyramids. Are the two great construction projects related? A study of History, Incarnations and education.

Marriage Is Not A Union, It’s A Reunion
How were Adam and Eve really created, and why? The unspoken truth about human beings.
(Parshat Breishit)

The Dokshitzer Niggun
How did a girl in Camp Ramah learn a niggun from Dokshitz?
(Sukkot)

Torah Class - Hakhel: A Once-In-Seven-Years  Affair

Break The Doors Down
Why do you put yourself in a box? Open the doors for every single Jew!
(Rosh Hashana)

Royalty - Lessons we can learn from the Royal funeral
(Parshat Nitzavim)

“Long Live The King” — That’s You!
Who is a king in Jewish tradition, and what is his role?
(Parshat Ki Teitzei)

The Pulse Of The World
Gorbachev, the Rebbe, and how to be a “heart” of the Jewish people.
(Parshat Shoftim)

A Conversation On The Plane
What do Israeli kids know about Judaism? Why did Moses break the tablets? And what is the secret to Jewish continuity?
(Parshat Ekev)

Torah Class
Parshat Va'etchanan: The Lesson Of The Shema
We recite the passages of Shema twice daily. The order of the passages has three important lessons to teach every Jew.

The Right Time For Rebuke

The Jewish people sinned many times during their years in the desert. But Moses chose a very specific time and method to rebuke them, teaching us an invaluable lesson regarding interpersonal relations.

Torah Class - Parshat Matot-Massei: Egoism Or Altruism
Just before entering the Land of Israel, a drama unfolds: Two tribes prefer to remail outside. Why? How Does Moses respond? And why does he add more people to their group?

The President's Visit (#Parshat #Balak)

Parshat Pinchas: A Challenging Relationship

Which relationship is more challenging - my relationship with G-d or with my neighbor?  
And which relationship does Jewish tradition consider more important?

Be A Rock
What is wrong with our society? How can we make a difference?
(#Parshat #Chukat)

Torah Class - Parshat Balak: G-d's Secret Logic
Why do bad things happen? Are catastrophes G-d's retribution for our sins?

Torah Class - Parshat Chukat:
Moses Hit The Rock. So What?

The Rebbe Vs. The Joint
What is the nature of true Jewish leadership?

(In honor of Gimmel Tammuz)
(Parshat Shelach)

Gimmel Tammuz: Complete Leadership

The Three Leaders
(Parshat Be'halotecha)

Be A Popcorn Jew!
What can we learn from the recent food shortages?
(Parshat Bamidbar)

Torah Class - Parshat Shelach: Solving Forgetfulness

The Peter Principle
Did you know, people are most likely to end up in jobs for which they are not qualified.

#Shavuot

Suing For Grandchildren
“Honor your father and your mother.” The question is: to what extent?

Torah Class - Parshat Naso: To Be A Mensch

The Torah gives us 613 commandments and gives Seven Noahide Laws to society at large. But one rule applies to everyone equally - and yet it was left unsaid: - Be A Mensch!

The Seasonal Jew
Why do Americans have seasons for everything, and what does Shemitah teach us about it?
(Parshat Behar)

The Ten Children Award
Celebrating Mother’s Day every day.
(Parshat Kedoshim)

Sweet Revenge
The secret to Jewish existence.
(Parshat Achrei Mot)

The Best Birthday Gift
How did Moses celebrate his 120th birthday?

11th of Nissan/Yud Alef Nissan

Why Is Hitting So Bad?
What does Moses teach us about violence?
(Parshat Tazria)

Why Are We In The Middle Of Every Conflict?
(Purim)

Are We Hebrews Or Jews?
Do you identify by what you do or by what you don’t do?

Parshat Vayakhel

Immortal Medicine
Bacteria seems to be winning the battle against antibiotics, which were hailed as the savior of mankind. Is there anything that really works? Is there anything immortal?

(Parshat Tetzaveh)

Smitten With Love
Does Israel exist because of the Holocaust or despite it? Was the Tabernacle built because of the golden calf or despite it? And what did the rabbi say when a young yeshiva student was smitten?
(Parshat Terumah)

Paranoia Or Opportunity?
What will be our response to the hostage crisis in Texas.  

Parshat Mishpatim

The Hostage Crisis (Parshat Yitro)
Lessons from Texas.

Emotional Intelligence

#Parshat #Beshalach

Parshat Bo/Yud Shevat - Reinventing Yourself
Covid has forced many of us to reinvent ourselves. Let’s learn how to do it from the experts.

The Modern Maccabees
Ryan Turell gave up full scholarships for Kosher & Shabbos.

#Parshat #Va'era

It’s All About Loyalty
(Parshat Vayechi)

Curing An Open Wound
An Israeli doctor’s ingenious cure, and its spiritual reflection.
#Parshat #Vayigash