To start out this book, which is primarily about sacrifices (korbanot), Rav Binny asks: What is the value of sacrifice in our lives? He also explores the connection between the korbanot, idol worship, and tefillah (prayer).
Parashat Vayikra (2008)
This class is dedicated to the eight boys who fell in the attack at Mercaz HaRav last week, and includes a brief story of a friend of Rav Binny’s who was there at the time. Rav Binny introduces the central theme of the Book of Vayikra, which is ‘sacrifices’, but really korbanot. He also discusses the power one of our favorite mitzvot: getting drunk on Purim.
Parashat Tzav (2008)
Rav Binny takes a look at a very unusual and seemingly mundane task in the Yom Kippur service of the Temple: the taking out of the ashes. What does it mean to ‘take out the garbage’ in our lives, and what can we learn from doing so? He concludes with a short and powerful idea about Purim.
Parashat Shemini (2007)
Could there possibly be a conceptual relationship between the deaths of Nadav and Avihu and the mitzvah of Kashrut? After hearing Rav Binny explain it, you will answer a resounding ‘Yes!’, but why?
Parshiot Tazria & Metzorah (2006)
Why does the tzaarat punishment for lashon hara (evil speech) lead to being isolated outside of the encampment? Through this parasha, Rav Binny explores both the destructive role of evil speech and slander in the history of the Jewish people and the constructive power of positive speech.
Parshiot Tazria & Metzorah (2007)
In this class, Rav Binny touches upon Mashiach’s coming, the difference between tzaarat and its English mistranslation ‘leprosy’, and the role of the Kohanim in treating this most famous biblical disease.
Parshiot Behar & Behukotai (2006)
What is the connection between these two parshiot? What is the shmittah (the sabbatical year) and why do we need an entire year to let the land rest? How is shmittah the secret recipe for being tuned into time?
Parashat Behukotai (2008)
Rav Binny explores the reasons for all of the blessings and curses with the help of Rashi, a midrash, the Birkat HaMazon (Blessing After Meals), and a beautiful perspective from Rav Kook. How do you change the way that you look at the world?
