As the daughter of Max Azria of the BCBG fashion empire, Joyce's life revolved around the pursuit of materialism until she began her own spiritual journey--to a life imbued with the beauty of Shabbat, mitzvot, and faith in G-d.

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 5 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

Unpack layers of Biblical and rabbinic text to understand the inner mechanics of this sometimes-overlooked but super-important holiday.

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

Eli and Ezzy wonder what life would be like if they were still slaves in Egypt.

Experience the miraculous exodus of the Jewish people out of the mighty Egyptian empire—in a unique, fun-filled (and educational) style!

Being Jewish is fun in so many ways. Why do you like being Jewish?

Sarah and Avi find a letter “mem,” and help him find a mitzvah that starts with the letter “mem.”

A virtuous heroine. A wicked villain. It’s the ancient, true story of Queen Esther, brought vividly to life in a delightfully educational way.

Want to know what Judaism is? Start with this fun video.

In a healthy relationship, the love must deepen and grow, or the relationship is at risk of becoming static and stale. The same is true in our relationship with G‑d.

Topics include: The definition of true perfection as the mixture of perfection and corrected imperfection, reward and punishment as cause and effect, why it's so difficult to perform your appointed mission in life.

The famous story from the Midrash about how Abraham destroyed the idols in his father's shop. An excerpt from the full DVD “Young Abraham”.

Feel the rhythm…hear the beat….and let your spirit get you jumping on your feet! Get ready to sing, dance and exercise together with Mendy and his friends in this exhilarating animated workout video for the whole family.

Take an exciting trip back in time to the court of King Ahasuerus and his beautiful Jewish wife Queen Esther as you watch the dramatic story of the Jewish victory over Persian persecution.

A fun art video on how to make a beautiful Passover painting of the three matzahs and four cups of wine, with the Splitting of the Sea as the background.

Watch a fun video showing how to make a gorgeous painting of Shabbat candlesticks and a beautiful sunset in the background.

Feel the rhythm…hear the beat….and let your spirit get you jumping on your feet! Get ready to sing, dance and exercise together with Mendy and his friends in this exhilarating animated workout video for the whole family.

Even laymen are obligated to be learned in Torah. But how much is one actually obligated to study? How often?

The Mitzvah ATM is about to dispense the Torah in honor of the holiday of Shavuot. One snag, though: It wants trustworthy guarantors...

Learn the basics of which foods are kosher, how to shop for kosher foods and keep a kosher kitchen, and why this mitzvah is so important.

Jono learns a lesson about being humble when he has to dress up in a very cute little mountain costume and sing an adorable little song. Oh, and no monologues this week.

In a healthy relationship, the love must deepen and grow, or the relationship is at risk of becoming static and stale. The same is true in our relationship with G‑d.

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

In order to get some intimation of the Infinite One Who is beyond all conception, the mind naturally fills in what is inconceivable with ideas that are logical and comprehensible. A still deeper appreciation of Infinity thus requires a certain hollowing out of the mind.

One of the worst things for a relationship is casual neglect. Here’s how to prevent a relationship from slipping into autopilot mode.

Topics include: The definition of true perfection as the mixture of perfection and corrected imperfection, reward and punishment as cause and effect, why it's so difficult to perform your appointed mission in life.

Ezra the Scribe ordained that on the Shabbat before Shavuot, and again before Rosh Hashanah, the Torah readings containing the calamities that will befall the Jewish people for failure to observe the commandments shall be read. This class explores the inner meaning behind these dire warnings and reveals their uplifting message.

Even laymen are obligated to be learned in Torah. But how much is one actually obligated to study? How often?

A big focus of this Torah portion is the importance of Torah study, and all the many blessings it brings. This is a timely lesson in strengthening our commitment to daily Torah study.

The parshah of Bechukotai contains 78 verses and the mnemonic for it is the word Uzah. Explore the coded message in this Masoretic note and its connection to the general themes of the Parshah.

Whereas the commandments are generally divided into Statutes, Testimonies and Laws, in this case, the verse states: “If you follow My statutes and observe My commandments and perform them.” The word for statute, “Chok,” shares a root with the Hebrew word for engraving, “Chakikah,” teaching us that the exile cannot impact the very essence of a Jew, for Torah and the commandments are engraved, etched onto the essence of a Jew’s soul.

A profound and novel understanding of Torah's promise of material reward for fulfilling the commandments. (Likutei Sichos vol. 37, p.79)

After mentioning various curses for failing to perform G-d’s laws, the Torah says that at the end of time, G-d will bring an end to the Jewish people's exile by remembering the Patriarchs: “And I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham I will remember….” (Leviticus 26:42) Why are the patriarchs listed in reverse chronological order? And why is the name Jacob (Yaakov) spelled yud-ayin-kuf-vav-vet with an extra vav, when it is always spelled yud-ayin-kuf-vet without a vav?

If one endeavors to substitute his animal sacrifice with a different animal, whether superior or inferior, both maintain a holy status. Learn about this mitzvah of Temurah (exchanging sacrifices) on five levels of understanding.

Several days ago a Texas mom named Candace Payne posted a video of herself laughing hysterically wearing a talking Chewbacca mask; it's since gone viral. Chewbacca roared, she laughed, and millions are laughing with her. But why? The setup is mundane: A woman in a van with a silly mask and a dash cam, yet incredibly the whole world went ape over it. This class finds an incredible link to the weekly Torah portion, and gets to the bottom of this remarkable phenomenon—giving you a Torah-true timeless take on this latest trend to sweep social media. Listen, learn and be delighted!

Learn the profound connections between the weekly parsha and its related Haftorah.

G-d promises us blessings if we do what He says. In this segment, Rashi exposes a whole new dimension to those blessings that we may have easily overlooked.

Unpack layers of Biblical and rabbinic text to understand the inner mechanics of this sometimes-overlooked but super-important holiday.

Ask any child what we celebrate on Shavuot, and the obvious answer is the giving of the Torah at Sinai; yet the Torah makes no mention of it. How do we make sense of this glaring omission?

An overview of some the unique customs associated with the holiday of Shavuot, along with their practical reasons and spiritual explanations.

The Mitzvah ATM is about to dispense the Torah in honor of the holiday of Shavuot. One snag, though: It wants trustworthy guarantors...

A short overview of the customs and meaning of the holiday of Shavuot, celebrating the giving of the Torah.

In explaining why the sacrifices that a Jew was obligated to offer in the Temple in honor of Shavuos were not offered on the holyday itself but during the weekdays which follow, this class offers insight into the nature of G-d’s choice of the Children of Israel.

Each holiday has its special mitzvah that is unique to the respective festival (like shofar on Rosh Hashana, matzah on Passover etc.). Yet, it seems we don’t find in the Torah any particular mitzvah for Shavuot?!

Shavuot, when we received the Torah at Sinai, is the culmination of the Exodus on Passover. Yet, on Passover we stay clear of the smallest amount of chometz, but on Shavuot two loaves of leavened bread were offered in the Holy Temple.

The giving of the Torah reconciles the dichotomy in everything and reveals the unifying essence in both the spiritual and the material.

If one had a disturbingly ominous dream, Halachah allows one to fast even on a Sabbath or Festival – notwithstanding the obligation to feast on these days – since the person is distressed over his dream, he would derive 'pleasure' from fasting and not from eating. The one exception to the rule is Shavuot—the Festival of the Giving of the Torah. On Shavuot one must eat! This appears strange, given that all the other festivals celebrate a physical, bodily salvation, whereas Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah—a profoundly spiritual event?! The answer explores the nature of pleasure and the essence of Shavuot. (Likutei Sichos vol. 23 pp. 27)

In the Talmud, there is a dispute between the sages as to what date the Torah was given at Sinai. According to one opinion, Moses added an extra day of preparation before the giving of the Torah. How could Moses depart from G-d's timeline?

Associating dairy-delicacies with the annual celebratory observance of Matan Torah (giving of the Torah) seems as natural as blintzes and sour cream; yet the origins of this near ubiquitous custom appear artificial and even contradictory to the mandated holiday meat menu. Mixing medieval manuscripts with contemporary clarification, a sweet and fruitful medley of delightful insight, rhyme and reason emerges. See how a desire to flavor Shavuot with a taste of times bygone set “Milky Way” customs into orbit and how to best balance this curious minhag with the Halacha!

Understanding the nature of differing opinions in Torah, and how the Halachic ruling does not favor one view and reject the other, but rather unites them both.

Many reasons are suggested to explain why we eat dairy foods on Shavuot. Of all the classic reasons offered, the one that appears to be the simplest is strangely absent. This class will explain why, and in so do doing will address the great mission of the Jewish people that began at Sinai. (Based in part on Likutei Sichos vol. 8, Naso 3)

Rabbi Yosef, the Talmud relates, would celebrate Shavuot, the Festival of the Giving of the Torah, with a unique banquet. The puzzling statement he said in connection with the feast is the subject of this class. Probing the layers of the Sage’s words reveals startling new depth to our appreciation of G-d’s most precious gift. (Based on Likutei Sichos volume 16)

Discover the 6 steps of spiritual preparation the Jewish People observed at Mt. Siani, over a six-day period prior to the Giving of the Torah, and how you can take these spiritual steps today, as our ancestors did more than 3,300 years ago.

Though not the majority opinion, there is an important school of thought that perceives the five days following Shavuot as an organic continuation of the holiday – a curious prolongation of hallowed time not found anywhere else in our Jewish calendar. The source for this unique convention seems rooted in the Talmud, yet its logic seems less than ironclad. The Rebbe provides a fresh and deeply insightful perspective on the essence of Shavuot itself that ultimately sheds illumination and clarity about the unusual expansion of the holiday’s broadened circumference.

A lively discussion of what happened at Mount Sinai when G-d gave the Torah to the Jews. In American Sign Language.

Be inspired with these exciting videos on Shavuot and the Giving of the Torah

In this Talmud class we’re onto a Shavuot track with teachings from Tractate Shabbat that narrate the events surrounding the revelation at Sinai.

This text-based class on a Shavuot discourse focuses on our special relationship to G-d that is metaphorically described as a faith-infused “marriage.” It's a Ma'amar (formal Chasidic discourse) that was delivered by the Rebbe in 1988, on a Shabbat afternoon just hours before Shavuot. Based on the final verse in the Haftorah: “I will betroth you to me with Faith,” it provides remarkable insights into what happened at Mount Sinai and why it’s relevant to us today. A powerful, insightful, and timely teaching about the Giving of the Torah that’ll help you better appreciate and prepare for this special holiday.

How do you explain and make the Ten Commandments relevant to children? Watch how Rabbi Manis Friedman explains them in a fresh way so that even a puppet could understand.

The Talmud in Pesachim quotes Rav Yosef exulting the holiday of Shavuos when the Jews received the Torah: “Said Rav Yosef, “If not for this day, how many Yosefs would wander the market?” If the Talmud notes the name of a sage, the name obviously has some relevance, and can add meaning to the teaching. So in the case of the teaching, why is Rav Yosef mentioned?

A pre-Shavuot webinar on the real reason we stay up late, forgotten liturgical compositions, the right way to eat dairy and other Shavuot customs.

'It is I, and none other’ in the Haggadah text through the eyes of Rabbi Jacob Emden, Rabbi Schneur Zalman o Liadi, and Rabbi Shalom Dovber Schneersohn.

The Budapest House: A true story of a family caught up in the Hungarian Holocaust and the traumatic aftermath.

What is the status of an individual forcibly converted to Islam according to Maimonides?

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

As the daughter of Max Azria of the BCBG fashion empire, Joyce's life revolved around the pursuit of materialism until she began her own spiritual journey--to a life imbued with the beauty of Shabbat, mitzvot, and faith in G-d.

The modern Seder mandates of Matzah and Maror are the primary focus of this class about the edible component of the Passover Seder. Dinner notwithstanding, Passover night is vastly different than any other Jewish festival. Most will feature formal holiday

The precise order of the Seder night’s formal rituals convey much about the mechanism of the holiday conventions. An interesting example of this is the fact that the Seder's telling part (Maggid) ends with a cup of wine, and the edible part begins with a

The young yeshiva student, with matzah in hand, set off to do the Rebbe’s mission.

A keynote address at an event in Miami celebrating the Rebbe’s life, vision and leadership in honor of the 120th birthday anniversary.

Join Rabbi YY Jacobson to learn the Rebbe’s birthday Maamr in honor of the 11th of Nissan.

We all know the mitzvah to love your fellow Jew, but how do you love another as yourself?

A special event in NYC exploring the life and legacy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe of righteous memory, in honor of his birthday on the 11th of Nissan. Join in to connect, unite and celebrate this momentous occasion.

Join the greater community of South Florida as they unite to celebrate the birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, his vision, leadership and inspiration. The event features renowned speaker Rabbi YY Jacobson, and musical performances by Shulem and Yaakov Lemm

These are the verses of Scripture that present the remarkable story of Purim's formal canonization and induction into eternity. The fascinating story of how the holiday (along with its sacred observances) was enacted! The long string of extraordinary even