BDJ Daily Torah

Tribal Order

Rabbi Stein shows how the odd order of blessings given by Moshe to the tribes is a reflection of each tribe's life story.

Moshe: Man Of G-d

Sheldon Kasdan shows how Moshe's title in Zot HaBeracha, "Man of G-d" is directly connected to his giving a blessing to the Jewish people.

Who By Fire?

Guest Contributor Howard Wettstein explains the beauty and power of the High Holyday prayer "U'netaneh Tokef" with an assist from Leonard Cohen.  View the Leonard Cohen/

Final Words

Rabbi Kanefsky looks at Moshe's final blessing to the Jewish people before he passes away.

Forgetting

Rabbi Stein examines the deeper meaning behind the verse in Ha'azinu that says the Jewish people "forgot" G-d.

Public Teshuvah

Rabbi Kanefsky talks about the very public repentance of Ahab, the evil king of Israel, and G-d's acceptance of his teshuvah.

Calling Out

Rabbi Stein looks and the various interpretations of a verse from Ha'azinu which we recite at the start of every mussaf and mincha amidah.

Cain's Repentance

Rabbi Kanefsky brings the view of Ramban that a three-word statement by Cain constitutes confession, and repentance for the murder of Abel, and is accepted by G-d.

For The Children

Guest Contributor Nili Isenberg shares an updated Yom Kippur prayer for children...of all abilities.

Our Window

Sheldon Kasdan cites a story that illustrates the wealth of opportunities available to us during this season of Teshuvah.

Adam The Penitent

Citing Talmudic sources, Rabbi Kanefsky shows the extraordinary efforts made by Adam to atone for his sin.

Ask Your Father

Rabbi Stein discusses the nature of tradition through the generations.

Avinu Malkeinu

In this extended episode, Rabbi Kanefsky traces the origins of the Avinu Malkeinu prayer.

The Power Of Teshuvah

Rabbi Kanefsky points to the opening verse of this week's Haftarah by the prophet Hosea as evidence of the transformative power of Teshuvah.

We Are Ashamed

Rabbi Stein points to one of the opening verses of Selichot and offers a lesson on community responsibility for individual sin.

The Wine Of Sodom

Rabbi Kanefsky examines the verse in Ha'azinu that speaks about the future Jewish people partaking in the "wine of Sodom" and how that causes them to turn away from G-d.

Minyan Or Group?

Rabbi Kanefsky differentiates between a "minyan" of ten males, and a "group" of Jews regardless of gender, and brings an opinion that a "group" may be sufficient for reci

Take It Outside

Sheldon Kasdan quotes authorities who explain that one must carry the demeanor and sincerity of words recited in shul, into the outside world as well.

Confessions

Rabbi Stein takes a look at the back half of the daily Selichot and discusses the extra actions required for the Vidui - confessions - section.

Oil From Stone

Rabbi Kanefsky brings a message of teshuvah from the phrase in Ha'azinu that G-d will bring forth "honey from rocks and olive oil from stone."