Ki Tisa Audio Classes

Why does G-d, in this week's Torah portion, not only agree with Moses, that he did the right thing in breaking the Tablets of Stone, but even praises him? Thus implying that there is something inherently positive in the act of breaking the Tablets.

Experience the gems of the Parsha with the classic commentaries, and a kabbalistic twist.

Why was the ‘Kiyor’; wash basin, used as a preparation for the Kohen’s service in the Holy Temple, placed inside and in the center of the Temple, and not outside, before entering?

A five minute weekly Torah insight based on the wellsprings of Torah and Chassidut.

Get a detailed overview of the weekly Torah portion sewn together with keen insights and timely life messages.

Less than forty days after experiencing divine revelation at Sinai, the Jewish people sin in worshiping the golden calf. It seems inexplicable that they completely deny G-d after all they had just experienced.

Money plays a large role in many people’s lives, but does it have any spiritual value?

An in depth look at the weekly Parsha based on the talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

A five minute weekly Torah thought based on the teachings of Chassidut.

An overview of the weekly Parsha, through the eyes of the many commentators, enriching your understanding of how our great history unfolded.

An overview of the weekly Parsha, through the eyes of the many commentators, enriching your understanding of how our great history unfolded.

An in depth presentation of Chassidic teachings on the weekly Parshah.

The grave sin of the golden calf and what it really consisted of; for how is it possible that they worshiped idols after all that they just experienced?

This class explores the reasons why Moshe broke the luchos, the tablets, and the positive he meant to accomplish through their breaking.

Welcome to M-Cast, where we take a look at topics in the weekly Torah portion and see how it relates to the coming of Moshiach.

An advanced presentation of Chassidic teachings on the Parshah.

The priests would wash their hands in the laver (“kiyor”) each morning before working in the Temple. What are the laws of the morning handwashing ritual?

When one partner betrays the other, for reconciliation to occur, each must feel that “we are so connected that you mean more to me than whatever it was that you did.”

We all make mistakes, but usually we recover and we move on. But sometimes, our mistakes have devastating consequences; the damage can seem irreversible. This week’s Torah portion is about one of those mistakes. The sin of the golden calf was so catastrophic that we are atoning for it to this day. Yet ironically, the name of this parsha Ki Tisa, suggests anything but an epic downfall. Ki Tisa literally means “when you will lift up". The message is clear: no matter how low we may have fallen, we can harness this great descent to reach higher with an even greater ascent. This week's story is about a Jew who seemed too far-gone, but something amazing happens that turns it all around.

In this portion, we read G-d's Thirteen Attributes of Mercy: "G-d, G-d, compassionate G-d and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth, preserver of kindness for two thousand generations. " In the word "notzar" (preserver of kindness) the letter nun is unusually large. Later in the portion, G-d prohibits the Jews from serving "another god." The letter reish in the word "acher" (other) is also unusually large. What is the meaning of these large letters?

Two altars -- one inner, one outer; one of gold, one of copper -- as they correspond to two very different versions of our emotional experience of life.

Moses asked G-d "show me Your Glory" to which G-d responded, "No man can see Me and live." Does G-d have a face? What does it mean to see G-d? What did Moses want and what did he end up getting?

Study some of the highlights of the weekly Torah portion with insights from various commentaries.

According to Jewish law, one must wash each morning before prayers just like the priests would wash before performing their service in the Holy Temple. What is the difference between washing for holiness and washing for purity? (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 31, p. 184.)

The sin of the Golden Calf is from the greatest tragedies in Jewish history. Examining the status of gold in the Torah serves as a model for the proper approach to new discoveries in technology.

Upon learning of the grave sin of the golden calf, Moses descends the mountain and breaks the tablets. Why the need to break the tablets, instead of simply not giving them to the Jewish people?

The most sacred service in the Holy Temple is the ‘Ketoret’ or incenses. Discover incredible secrets of this strange blend made of assorted aromatic herbs and drugs. How was this mysterious compound of holy hallucinogens created? This class may elevate your consciousness and possibly even shed light on the debate over legalizing marijuana today!

The parsha of Ki Tisa contains 139 verses and the mnemonic for is the name ‘Chananel’. Explore the coded message in the mnemonic and its connection to the general themes of the parshah.

Eyeing the Half-Shekel giving that enables national-census taking, we see Moses being shown a fiery coin; begging the obvious question: why the superfluous visual aid? A full investigation of this conundrum leads us into a passionate place of parallel perspectives. The emergent emphasis on incomplete pieces seems entirely incompatible with characteristic Mitzvah perfection and wholesomeness. Layers of fascinating insight unfold, providing extraordinary clarity and a profoundly inspiring and enriching spiritual message for the ages!

The Scroll of Esther narrates the remarkable story of planned genocide of the Jewish People, and the ensuing, statistically impossible confluence of events, unmistakably recognized miraculous Divine deliverance. Intriguingly, one particular verse receives seemingly inordinate year-round attention. The quest to appreciate its deeper meaning leads to shedding light on the importance and potency of joy, as mystical insight about our dynamic relationship with G-d, also teaches how joyous engagement can reveal latent potential and enable fuller relationships -- leading to greater giving, personal satisfaction and achievement.

When the Torah makes a seemingly innocuous comment on how to prepare the oil to anoint the Mishkan and its implements, Rashi uses that insight as a catalyst to explore two fundamental viewpoints on whether Judaism focuses on the present or its potential outcomes.

The Torah repeats the law against mixing meat and milk in this Torah portion. Rashi explains what new insight the Torah expects us to gain from the repetition.

In response to Moses's request, "Reveal to me Your Glory", G-d shows him His 'back', which Rashi explains to mean the "knot of G-d's tefillin". This class will address the inner meaning of this and the message of hope it conveys for all of us. (Likutei Sichos, vol. 21)

Out of the 613 Mitzvot, there were only five times when G-d had to show Moses a physical example of the commandment. What can we learn from the fiery coin that Hashem showed Moshe? Too often we judge the people around us based on how they appear. This week’s engaging story is a poignant reminder to never judge another.

How the golden calf brought the giving of the Torah to completion. (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 16 Ki Tisa)