Rabbi Tuvia Serber

This class teaches Tanya, Book of Beinonim (intermediate people). This is the most basic book of Chabad Chassidism by the Alter Rebbe, Rabi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, of blessed memory. This class explains the difference in impurity between forbidden relationships and wasting seed.

This class teaches Tanya, Book of Beinonim (intermediate people). This is the most basic book of Chabad Chassidism by the Alter Rebbe, Rabi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, of blessed memory. There is a level of impurity called "brilliant shell" which can be elevated to holiness or lowered to impurity.

This week's readings contain many commandments. One of them is called Orla, which refers to the fruits of the first three years of a new planted tree. A simple and powerful lesson can be learnt from it's details.Based on Likkutei Sichot, vol. 3, p. 993

This class teaches Tanya, Book of Beinonim (intermediate people). This is the most basic book of Chabad Chassidism by the Alter Rebbe, Rabi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, of blessed memory. Evil and it's different levels that give life to all impurity and bad things in the world. The difference between ancient non-Jews and modern Bnei… Leer más »Tanya: Chapter 6, second part

The names of this week's Torah reading appear to be the opposite of their content. A closer look into the meaning of those names and the ideas on the readings reveals a deep connection. Also, a deep relationship between these two readings. Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 22, p. 70

This class teaches Tanya, Book of Beinonim (intermediate people). This is the most basic book of Chabad Chassidism by the Alter Rebbe, Rabi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, of blessed memory. The animal soul also has the same structure of the divine soul. The definition of "the other side".

This week's Torah reading is called Shemini, which means Eighth. Clearly, the eight comes after the seven, however, in this case, the seven and seem to be disconnected: What does the eighth mean? Based on Likkutei Sichot, vol. 17, p. 92

This class teaches Tanya, Book of Beinonim (intermediate people). This is the most basic book of Chabad Chassidism by the Alter Rebbe, Rabi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, of blessed memory. The amazing virtue and elevation of knowing Torah, above keeping it an even learning it.

This class explains what Judaism expects of non Jews regarding the holiday of Pesach: what do they have to do? What can they do and what can they not do? Sources: Rambam, Laws of Kings, ch. 10, laws 9 y 10 Radvaz, there Rashi on Sanhedrin 58b Sefer Sheva Mitzvot Hashem, Fundamentals of faith, ch. 3, laws 2, 3 y 6 Sefer Mitzvot Hashem, p. 432

This week's Torah reading talks, among other things, about the fire in the Altar of the Temple. The Torah is an instruction and lesson book for all times and places. What is the lesson of the fire in the Altar? Based on Likkutei Sichot vol. 1, p. 217

This class teaches Tanya, Book of Beinonim (intermediate people). This is the most basic book of Chabad Chassidism by the Alter Rebbe, Rabi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, of blessed memory. The garments of the soul of thought, speech and action are actually higher spiritually speaking, than the soul itself.

This week's Torah reading opens the book of the laws of the Temple and Tabernacle. One of the main services there was that of the offerings. What lessons can we extract from them? Based on Likkutei Sichot, vol. 1, p. 939

This class teaches Tanya, Book of Beinonim (intermediate people). This is the most basic book of Chabad Chassidism by the Alter Rebbe, Rabi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, of blessed memory. The garments of the soul: thought, speech and action.Love and fear of G-d as the motivation for the fulfillment of Mitzvoth.What happens when a Jew… Leer más »Tanya: Chapter 4, first part

This week there are two readings. Each one of them represent, in their names and in their content, the idea of group vs. individuals, general vs. particular. What lesson can we learn from them? Based on Likkutei Sichot, vol. 21, p. 250

This class teaches Tanya, Book of Beinonim (intermediate people). This is the most basic book of Chabad Chassidism by the Alter Rebbe, Rabi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, of blessed memory. The attachment to the sages of the time. The structure of the soul.

This is a free translation of a talk from the Rebbe of parashat Yitro, 1965. Printed in Likkutei Sichot, vol. 11, p. 74. 1. Regarding what is written in our Torah portion: “And Jethro said: Blessed be the L-rd who has delivered you” — our Sages of blessed memory said: “It is a disgrace for Moses and the six hundred thousand [Israelites] that they did not say ‘Blessed’ until Jethro came and said: ‘Blessed be the L-rd.’” This requires understanding: what is the meaning of “that they did not say ‘Blessed,’ etc.”? After all, Moses and the Children of Israel sang a song to the L-rd after the miracle of the Splitting of the Sea! And it cannot be explained that the disgrace was that they did not say “Blessed” regarding the Exodus from Egypt (but only regarding the Splitting of the Sea), for if so, “the main point is missing from the text.” This can be understood by prefacing what is written in the Zohar: that until Jethro came and acknowledged the Holy One, blessed be He, the Torah was not given to Israel. And when Jethro came and said, “Blessed be the L-rd who has delivered you, etc.; now I know that the L-rd is greater than all the G-ds, etc.,” through this he effected that “the Holy One, blessed be He, was exalted above and below, and afterward He gave the Torah in completeness.” Apparently, this is difficult to understand: how is it possible that all the great spiritual stature of Moses and Aaron and the six hundred thousand of Israel — before Jethro came — was still not sufficient for the Torah to be given to Israel, and that they merited it only after Jethro also acknowledged the Holy One, blessed be He, and said, “that the L-rd is greater than all the G-ds”? 2. All the above will be understood by first introducing the following question: At the beginning of the portion it is written, “And Jethro, priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard all that G-d had done.” One must understand: what is the verse teaching us here by emphasizing that he was a “priest of Midian”? Seemingly, it would have sufficed to inform us briefly: “And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, heard.” Moreover, regarding “priest of Midian,” there are two interpretations: a) “Priest” in the sense of a minister — meaning that Jethro was the chief (or prince) of Midian. b) A priest of idolatry (see Rashi below: “for he was familiar with every form of idolatry in the world, etc.”). According to the second interpretation — that he was a priest of idolatry — this is most puzzling: does the Torah come here to relate something derogatory about Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law? Especially when from the content of our portion it appears that the intention is the opposite — to recount Jethro’s praise. The explanation is as follows: in truth, the verse does not use the title “priest of Midian” to diminish Jethro’s importance, but on the contrary, to describe his former greatness and honor (in the land of Midian), through which his virtue is emphasized even more when he came to convert — to the extent that “his heart motivated him to go out to the wilderness, a place of desolation, to hear words of Torah.” For even according to the second interpretation of “priest of Midian” (that he was a priest of idolatry), this indicates Jethro’s greatness in terms of knowledge and intellectual grasp. For the root of the error of those who went astray and were drawn after idolatry came (primarily) through intellectual understanding and reasoning. As Maimonides writes: “They said: Since G-d

This week's Torah reading talks about the Kiyor, a big washing basin for the Kohanim (priests) to wash their hands and feet before starting the daily service in the Temple. The material used to build it and it's usage has an eternal lesson.

This class teaches Tanya, Book of Beinonim (intermediate people). This is the most basic book of Chabad Chassidism by the Alter Rebbe, Rabi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, of blessed memory. The descent of the soul from God's brain, so to speak.

This class analyzes the definition of idolatry according to Judaism and the different perspectives regarding how does that definition applies (or not) to Christianity.

In this week's Torah reading we learn about the garments of the High Priest. Even from there, we can extract lessons for life. Based on Sefer HaSichot 5748, vol. 1, p. 314.

This class explains parts of the introduction of a classic Jewish book: The Sefer HaChinuch, the Book of Education. With this introduction we can understand the basic ideas of Judaism and the message for non Jews also.

This class explains parts of the introduction of a classic Jewish book: The Sefer HaChinuch, the Book of Education. With this introduction we can understand the basic ideas of Judaism and the message for non Jews also.

In this week's Torah reading we learn about the donations the Jewish people gave for the building of the Tabernacle (Mishkan). There were, actually, three types of donations with several differences: what do they represent in the spiritual realm? Based on Likkutei Sichot vol. 1, p. 162

This week's Torah reading starts with a word "And": "And these are the rules". There are different types of rules in the Torah and "Mishpatim" represents rational rules. What is the word "And"? BAsed on Likutei Sichot, vol. 3, p. 899

This class teaches Tanya, Book of Beinonim (intermediate people). This is the most basic book of Chabad Chassidism by the Alter Rebbe, Rabi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, of blessed memory. The soul of non Jews. The soul of Jews. Rambam vs. The Maharal of Prague on the definition of God.

This week's Torah reading relates how Yitro came to meet Moshe in the desert. He blessed G-d in a way nobody had done before, and our sages take that a something very special: why? Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 11, p. 74

This class teaches Tanya, Book of Beinonim (intermediate people). This is the most basic book of Chabad Chassidism by the Alter Rebbe, Rabi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, of blessed memory. Questions on what is an intermediate man. The first soul: the animal soul.

This class explains, with sources, whether non Jews can recite the Shema Israel verse(s) in the Torah. This particular verse talks about the unity and uniqueness of God.

This week's Torah reading has many subjects. There is a scene where the Jewish people were in front of the Reed See and the Egyptians were behind them. They cried out to G-d for help. Rashi, the father of all commentators, explains an interesting comment on that. Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 11, p.52

This class summarizes the last chassidic discourse that the Previous Rebbe, Rabi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, of blessed memory, gave for printing, for the day of his passing.

This class is the first of the text of Tanya, Book of Beinonim (intermediate people). This is the most basic book of Chabad Chassidism by the Alter Rebbe, Rabi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, of blessed memory.

This class explains a teaching by the Baal Shem Tov: when a person sees evil in others, it's a proof that you have that within yourself. Why?

This week's Torah reading contains the commandments of Passover (Pesach). One of the centers of the holiday is the prohibition of eating leavened bread and the obligation to eat unleavened bread. BAsed on Likutei Sichot, vol. 1, p. 129

This is a chassidic discourse by the Rebbe, Rabi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of the year 1984. In this discourse the Rebbe explains the spiritual meaning of the war against the nations of the Land of Cnaan and against Amalek, the difference between them and their lessons.

This week's Torah reading starts with the answer G-d gave to Moshe. What was the argument really about and what can we learn from there? Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 3, p.854

This is a chassidic discourse by the Rebbe, Rabi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of the year 1984. In this discourse the Rebbe explains the spiritual meaning of the war against the nations of the Land of Cnaan and against Amalek, the difference between them and their lessons.

This class explains the difference in the commandments from before to after the Giving of the Torah, and explains its implications to non Jews, Bnei Noach.

This week's Torah reading contains a story about the fear of Moshe and an eternal lesson in trust and faith in G-d. Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 36, p. 1

This class is the second of a series where the most basic book of Chabad Chassidism is summarized. The most basic themes and ideas of the Jewish perspective on serving God.

In this week's Torah reading we learn about about the last years of Yaakov's life. There is an interesting conversation between him and Yosef about Yaakov's burial place that sheds light into how we have to think about God, in general, and about Mashiach in particular. Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 25, p. 270

This class is the first of a series where the most basic book of Chabad Chassidism is summarized. The most basic themes and ideas of the Jewish perspective on serving God.

In this week's Torah reading we find Yaakov sending Yehuda as an emissary to Egypt to check the Land of Goshen, where the Jews would live. Why not asking Yosef, that was already there, to check the place? BAsed on Likutei Sichot, vol. 3, p. 827

This class is a part of the longer explanation explaining the service to God according to the Rambam. In this part, the explanation of the commandment to love God. ¿How can there be a commandment to feel?

In this week's Torah reading we find Yosef interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh. Even though his magicians offered different interpretations, none of the found favor in the eyes of Pharaoh. What was the real wisdom of Yosef? What is the lesson for us? Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 15, p. 339

This week's Torah reading, Vayeshev, tells the story of Yosef, one of the most interesting characters in Torah. His brothers throw him in a pit and the Torah describes what the pit was like: "It was empty, there was no water". Our sages extract an important lesson out of this description. Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 15, p. 324

This class is a part of the talks of the Rebbe on the 19th of Kislev 1956. The Rebbe explains two words in a letter by the fifth Rebbe of Chabad regarding this special day: light and life. Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 2, p. 463.

In parashat Vayeshev we find the dreams of Yosef. When compared to those of Pharaoh we find interesting differences that bring out fundamental lessons in life. Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 3, p. 805

This week's reading starts with Yaakov sending a message to his brother Eisav about having lived the last years with Lavan in Charan. Our sages interpret the wording of the message in a special way and that itself gives us an important teaching about priorities in life. Based on Likutey Sichot, vol. 1, p. 68

This class is a part of the talks of the Rebbe on the 19th of Kislev 1956. The Rebbe explains two words in a letter by the fifth Rebbe of Chabad regarding this special day: light and life. Based on Likutei Sichot, vol. 2, p. 463.

This week's Torah reading relates the stories of Yaakov and his family. At one point, when he run away from the house of Lavan, his father in law, Lavan pursued Yaakov and complained: why did you steal my gods? The analysis of this question in the original Hebrew sheds some light into spiritual exile. Based on Hitvaaduiot 5746,, vol. 1, p. 664.