100 minutes, recorded live. Part of the Opening the Tanya series, live Thursdays at 7:00 PM through the Torah Center.
Watch on YouTubeShort, focused teachings: one idea, about ten minutes (give or take).
Episodes collected here: Jun 11, 2013 to Feb 4, 2020.
Exploring free will in Parshat Bo, how past trauma and victimhood can harden our hearts, and the Rebbe’s inaugural discourse Basi LeGani on drawing divine light into our lowest places.
Exploring the transition from the overwhelming fire of Sinai to the structured sanctuary of the Mishkan on the Eighth Day—and why Nadav and Avihu’s ‘strange fire’ teaches us to balance inner fire with grounded vessels.
Exploring the inner spiritual meaning of ‘When you go out to war against your enemies,’ the link between Oyev (enemy) and Iyov (Job) as the archetype of victimhood, and discovering inner beauty in Elul.
Exploring the First, Second, and Third Temples, the Alter Rebbe’s Likkutei Torah, and the Talmudic insight that the seeds of renewal and redemption are planted within our deepest struggles.
Why the biblical spies feared leaving the spiritual cocoon of the wilderness, the Kabbalah of Shattered Vessels (Shevirat HaKeilim), and how Caleb and Moses model stillness and courage to reclaim our deepest light.
A pre-Shabbat reflection on Parshat Lech Lecha exploring why the Torah introduces Abraham not through a romanticized Siddhartha-style quest, but through a direct call to action and relationship.
Analyzing Moses and Aaron’s departure from Pharaoh in Parshat Bo (‘he turned and he went out’): why true teshuvah requires an inner pivot, and how Purim completes the revelation of Shavuot.
Why Aaron’s staff turned back from a serpent into wood before swallowing the magicians’ staffs: knowing when conflict calls for flexibility and when it demands unyielding moral firmness.
Coinciding with the opening of the Book of Shemot (Exodus), exploring Divine providence in time and how crying out to God from exile begins by reclaiming our inner spiritual core.
Exploring the famous debate between Bet Shammai (kindling eight lights on the first night and decreasing) and Bet Hillel (increasing the light each night) through Chassidic mysticism.
Contrasting the disciples of Abraham and Balaam in Pirkei Avot, the active spiritual power of an Ayin Tova (a generous eye that sees the good in others), and the Sfat Emet and Talmud Berachot on how God turned Balaam’s curses into blessings.
Recorded on Gimmel Tammuz (the 19th Yahrtzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe), reflecting on Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ audience with the Rebbe, Korach vs. Aaron kindling the Menorah (‘raising a flame that burns on its own’), and the song at Miriam’s Well.
Exploring the Kabbalistic concepts of Orot and Keilim (Lights and Vessels), the three garments of the soul (thought, speech, and action), and their connection to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
A concise summary of Week 1 of Opening the Tanya, introducing the Alter Rebbe’s foundational approach to the inner life of the soul.
Moderating an onstage Q&A with former Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov—who survived 505 days in captivity—on Modeh Ani, faith, and waking up to everyday miracles.
Chanting the Chanukah blessings and kindling the menorah surrounded by runners and community members at Chabad of the North Shore’s annual Run-a-Latke 5K.
Remarks on confronting antisemitism and standing in moral clarity with the Jewish people and Israel at an emergency North Shore community unity gathering in Beverly.
Playing guitar and leading city officials and community members in singing ‘Hinei Ma Tov’ beside the menorah at Malden City Hall.
Why the arrival of Adar calls us to proactively cultivate inner joy (simchah), and how Purim serves as the spiritual headquarters for personal transformation.
Exploring the paradox of the Red Heifer, the passing of Miriam, the Alter Rebbe’s liberation, and the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s 28th Yahrtzeit—how Moses and the Rebbe model a shepherd who leaves no single lamb behind.
Why a Torah portion that begins with Sarah’s passing celebrates her life—and how Abraham and Sarah teach us to bring vitality, faith, and resilience to every day.
How Abraham’s covenant transformed the essential relationship between humanity and the Creator, and why stepping into deeper spiritual closeness requires letting go of who we used to be.
Dedicated to the beloved memory of Reb Joel Levine zt"l—exploring a passage from the Mishnah that Reb Joel shared shortly before his passing and what it means to live with radiant joy and love of Torah.
What the opening chapters of Genesis reveal about why God created the world: inviting humanity as partners to refine creation and build an unshakeable relationship with the Divine.
Why we drink four cups of wine and have three matzot at the Seder—and what the rituals of Passover teach us about mentorship, resilience, and spiritual independence.
What the daily Temple offerings and the continual flame on the altar teach us about renewing our creative energy and inner connection during times of pressure and isolation.
If Mount Sinai was the beginning of the Torah’s revelation, how does Purim represent its completion—and how can we apply that connection to enrich our daily lives?
What is truly expected of us when the month of Adar arrives, and how we cultivate a resilient, transformative inner simchah.
Why the Torah is not merely an abstract spiritual guide, but the living blueprint of our relationship with Hashem and our mission to sanctify the earth.
As the Book of Exodus opens with the passing of Jacob’s generation and a new Pharaoh in Egypt, how do we honor great leaders by stepping forward in their footsteps?
Reflecting on Eliezer’s mission in Parshat Chayei Sarah—what it means to be a shliach (emissary) and how sacred trust passes the torch of faith across generations.
Through the Alter Rebbe’s parable of the King in the Field, exploring why we need inspiration and mentorship from beyond ourselves as the High Holidays approach.
Why ‘today is the holiest day, whatever day today is’—and how the Torah’s call to see and choose blessing empowers us to transform every moment.
In the second week of comfort following Tisha B’Av, exploring how we find authentic meaning within the self while balancing it in relationship with others.
As the energy following Tisha B’Av shifts toward comfort and uplift on Shabbat Nachamu, discovering that God too awaits comfort from His people.
Reflecting on the leadership of Moses, the resilience of teshuvah (return), and uncovering the hidden inner strength that carries us toward renewal.
Diving into Parshat Chukat to understand the supra-rational statutes of the Torah, the humility and courage of Moses, and our ancestors’ journey in the desert.
Examining the story of the spies in Parshat Shelach and what the trials of the desert teach us about faith, courage, and bringing holiness into the world.
How authentic Torah embraces rather than denies our humanity, and what the Sanctuary Menorah teaches about lighting a flame in others that rises on its own.
Recorded on Purim Katan during Parshat Ki Tisa: how Megillat Esther bridges prophetic revelation with human initiative, and why the Half-Shekel reminds us that each of us is half of a greater divine whole.
Why God answered Moses’ plea ‘Show me Your glory’ by revealing the knot of Tefillin (kesher shel tefillin)—teaching that healthy boundaries and distinct identity make authentic covenantal intimacy possible.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, a Swampscott neighbor, joins Rabbi Yossi and Layah Lipsker at Chabad of the North Shore to kindle the Chanukah menorah and dance a joyous Hora in front of the ornate wooden Aron Kodesh accompanied by a live Klezmer band.
Jacob as the archetype of the Diaspora Jew who leaves home to grow—and why circling back to face Esau and our unresolved past is the most courageous step toward emotional freedom and reclaiming lost sparks of the soul.
Why Patriarch Jacob is uniquely linked to Shabbat and receives the boundless blessing of Ufaratzta (‘you shall spread forth without limit’), connecting the restorative stillness of Shabbat to the Talmudic law of Dalet Amot.
Creator ‘Crazy Russian Dad’ visits Rabbi Yossi Lipsker at Chabad of the North Shore for a warm, humorous conversation on the Jewish New Year, the shofar, and spiritual renewal.
An exploration of Parshat Korach, the two dimensions of Jewish faith, and the inner meaning of the sin of the Spies—dedicated to the memory of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in honor of Gimmel Tammuz.
A Torah class recorded in honor of Yud-Alef Nisan (11 Nisan), the birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
Why we ask God in the blessing before the Shema to place understanding in our heart rather than our mind, and how Maimonides connects this to spiritual consistency.
A reflection on Parshat Bo and the Talmudic principle of immersing in a mikvah while still clinging to what makes one impure: why emotional freedom begins with consciously letting go.
Recorded on January 1, 2015, coinciding with the Fast of 10 Tevet—reflecting on the mystical meaning of synchronicity when the secular New Year meets the Jewish fast day.
On the first Friday after Chanukah, when the menorah candles are gone, why the mystics call the eighth day Zot Chanukah—teaching that when external lights go out, we ourselves become the lights.
Why Joseph’s greatest trials revolve around clothing—and how he discovers his true essence when he shifts from dreaming about himself to interpreting the dreams of others.
Examining the Kabbalistic meaning of clothing as our social persona and connecting Joseph’s journey to his existential declaration: ‘I am searching for my brothers.’
Connecting the prayer for rain (V’ten Tal Umatar) and Patriarch Jacob’s return home after twenty years to the sacred warmth of coming home for Shabbat.
Why Esau lived carefree in the present moment while Jacob wrestled with the weight of his spiritual destiny—and how his midnight struggle with the angel transformed him into Israel.
Why we greet one another with ‘Good morning’ (Boker Tov) rather than ‘Happy morning’—and how true joy flows from living with purpose right where you are.
Rabbi Yossi Lipsker sings and leads a joyous musical Havdalah service in Swampscott, Massachusetts on Motzaei Shabbat leading into Purim 5773 (February 2013).