Past Text Studies

Rabbi Sam Feinsmith, a member of the IJS senior core faculty, provides a weekly selection on the Torah portion from the Hasidic classic Avodat Yisrael by Rabbi Yisroel Hapstein (1737-1814), the Maggid of Kozhnitz. Each week’s teaching is accompanied by an annotated translation, reflection questions designed to support participants to discover authentic connections between the text and their lived experience, and instructions for mindfulness practice. This offering is designed for seasoned students of Hasidic text and mindfulness practice and provides rich content for those who wish to develop sermons and teachings for their congregations.

This text study stream is guided by Rabbi Miriam Margles, a member of the IJS Senior Core Faculty, and grounded in the teachings of the Netivot Shalom – the Hasidic Torah commentary of Rabbi Shalom Noah Berezovsky of Slonim (1911-2000). This year-long program features weekly written lessons with original translations and explications of the Netivot Shalom by Rabbi Slater, enriched and deepened by additional resources and materials and live weekly practice sessions led by Rabbi Margles.  (These commentaries were first offered by IJS in 2010-2011.)

The teachings of the Sefat Emet (R. Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Gur, 1847-1905) are part commentary, part spiritual guidance. In this series, Rabbi Erin Leib Smokler does a deep dive into this text – and its inter-texts  as we explore how Torah interpretation might yield personal insight. For advanced learners.

Rabbi Kalonymus Kalmish Shapira, the rebbe of Piaseczno, was a luminous Hasidic teacher of the early 20th century. Descending from a distinguished line of Torah luminaries, Rabbi Shapira came from the famed Maor VaShemesh, the Maggid of Kozhnitz, the Chozeh of Lublin and Rabbi Elimelech of Lyzhansk. In 1923, Rabbi Shapira established what was to become one of the largest hasidic seminaries in Warsaw at that time. In that role, Shapira wrote several works focusing on education. 

The book Derekh Hamelekh (The Path to Transcendence) is a collection of the Rabbi’s talks given between the two World Wars to his learned disciples. It is one of his more sophisticated works, which has a personal tone throughout that conveys the Rabbi’s feelings, thoughts and deep psychological insights. In this series,  Rabbi Yael Saidoff, MA-AMFT, translates and comments on these talks. In her writing, Rabbi Saidoff draws from her background in psychology, neuroscience and meditation. 

Rabbi Sam Feinsmith offers a deep dive into the teachings of Rabbi Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezeritch (1704-1772), the Ba’al Shem Tov’s successor as the leader of the Hasidic movement. One of the most influential figures in the history of Hasidism, Rabbi Dov Ber inspired a generation of devoted students to spread the teachings of the Ba’al Shem Tov to communities across Eastern Europe, transforming Hasidism into a popular movement. Yet he differed from the Ba’al Shem Tov in adopting an orientation to Jewish practice that was less ecstatic and more contemplative. As such, his teachings provide a rich foundation for meditation practices to cultivate the mind and point us toward the expansive ocean of divine awareness within.

Using Sefer Torat Hamagid (compiled 1969) as the base text, each week Rabbi Feinsmith provides an annotated translation of one of the teachings on the weekly Torah portion, along with a commentary that elucidates the interpretive dynamics at play, text-to-life reflection questions, reflections on subtle aspects of the inner life brought to light by the text, and a practice to bring the lessons of the text into everyday life. His commentary will support your capacity to situate and deepen your mindfulness practice within native Jewish teachings and practices. 

Rabbi James Jacobson-Maisels  offers lessons from Pri Ha’Aretz, Fruit of The Land, the teachings of R. Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk (c. 1730–1788). This name comes from the Hasidic aliyah he led to Israel in 1777, and the letters from Israel back to his Hasidism in Europe, which are collected at the back of the book. R. MenachemMendel was one of the leading students of R. Dov Baer, the Maggid of Mezritch,and the teacher of R.Shneur Zalman of Lyady, the first Lubavitcher rebbe, and of R. Abraham Kalisker. His teachings, first published in 1814, carry forward the many profound spiritual concerns of his teacher, the Maggid, and portray a demanding and passionate spiritual practitioner. Following the structure of Pri Ha’Aretz itself, teachings are also included from Hesed L’Avraham, the work of R. Abraham the Angel (1740-1776), the son of R. Dov Baer, the Maggid of Mezritch.Each week, Rabbi Jacobson-Maiseles provides a translation of one of these teachings, with reflection questions for personal application, commentary, and a practice to bring the lessons of the text into your everyday life. As always, his commentary will be based in mindfulness practice and Jewish spirituality.

The teachings of R. Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl (1730-1797). R. Menachem Nachum was a student of R. Dov Baer, the Maggid of Mezritch, and likely also knew the Baal Sham Tov. His teachings, published first in 1798, are studied broadly within the Hasidic world, and echo deeply the spiritual orientation of the Baal Shem Tov.

The teachings of R. Avraham Weinberg (the third) of Slonim (1889-1981). He was the great-grandson of R. Avraham Weinberg (the founder of the Slonim lineage) and served as rebbe of the community in Jerusalem from 1954-1981. For this series, we selected those teachings in which R. Avraham read a part of the weekly portion through Ps. 69:14: “As for me, may my prayer to you be in a favorable moment; O God, in your great love, answer me with your saving truth”.

The teachings of R. Elimelekh of Lyzhansk (1717-1787). He was one of the leading students of R. Dov Baer, the Maggid of Mezritch. He is credited with bringing Hasidism to Poland, and promulgating the role of the Tzaddik as intermediary between heaven and earth. The Tzaddik, through his devotions, gained access to divine realms, and so could influence the divine will for the sake of his hasidim, providing “children, life and sustenance”.

This course explores the teachings of R. Moshe Chayim Efrayim of Sudylkov (1748-1800). He was significantly influenced by his grandfather, the Baal Shem Tov, but he also studied with R. Dov Ber, the Maggid of Mezritch, and R. Yaakov Yosef of Polonnoye. His book is a rich source of the Baal Shem Tov’s teachings.

This series features teachings of R. Simchah Bunim of Przysucha (1765-1827) and his disciple R. Menachem Mendel of Kotzk (1787-1859). R. Simchah Bunim had a career as an apothecary, and lived in the west before becoming a rebbe, which influenced his teachings, distinguished from mainstream Hasidic thought. The Kotzker developed this style even further, demanding radical truth-telling to be able to stand before God.

This series examines the teachings of R. Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev (c. 1740-1810). He was a distinguished pupil of Rabbi Dov Baer, the Maggid of Mezritch, and worked to expand the influence of Hasidism in Poland. His teachings were published first in Slavuta (1798) and then again in 1811, with additional material included from manuscripts by his sons. Kedushat Levi is one of the most popular and beloved Hasidic texts.

Rabbi Aharon Yaakov Greenberg (1902-1963) was born in Sokolow, Poland, and grew up in the traditional practices of Hasidism, with an emphasis on Talmud study. He eventually became the head of a yeshivah in Sokolow, while also being involved in the Po’el Mizrachi Orthodox Zionist Labor movement. He worked for the Jewish Agency, attending the United Nations, and lobbying for the establishment of the Jewish state. Iturei Torah is an anthology of teachings drawn from classical Torah commentators and rabbinic sources, medieval teachers and Hasidic masters.

Rabba Dr. Mira Neshama Niculescu, a warm and gifted teacher of Jewish mindfulness and mysticism, offers a weekly accessible Jewish mindfulness teaching and guided practice, rooted in a theme drawn from each weekly Torah portion over the year. Each teaching is informed by the Me’or Einayim, the Torah commentary of Rabbi Menachem Nachum Twersky of Chernobyl, an 18th century Hasidic teacher, and provides guidance for weaving that week’s teaching into everyday life through mindfulness practice. This offering is accessible to all learners – no prior experience with Torah study or mindfulness required.

Rabbi Marc Margolius, a member of the IJS senior core faculty, will immerse you in tikkun middot practice, combining mindfulness practice with an application of a middah (soul/character trait) drawn from the weekly Torah portion. Each week includes a packet of materials with Rabbi Margolius’s teaching on the Torah portion, a recorded audio guided meditation, specific suggestions for applying the middah in daily life, and additional resources for exploring the week’s middah through poetry, Jewish prayer, and a playlist of popular music reflecting the theme of the week.

The Sefat Emet (R. Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Gur, 1847-1905) was a Hasidic Rebbe known for his keen insight, spiritual and emotional sensitivity, and accessible Torah. In this series, Rabbi Erin Leib Smokler explores his Torah commentary and the unique ways that it charts a path toward healing and holiness. For all learners.

Where do you feel at home? Who is in your community? When do we say yes? How can we be resilient? All of these questions share some common features. Most important, these are questions that matter to just about anyone and they are questions that just about anybody can answer meaningfully. But these kinds of questions can also invite us into deeper reflection on what it means to be human—to have a body, to live in relationship with ourselves and others, to be made in the Divine image.

In this collection of weekly reflections, Rabbi Josh Feigelson, IJS CEO, explores the weekly Torah portion through the lens of these types of Big Questions, each week raising a question from the Torah portion and accompanying questions to guide your personal reflection through journaling or study with a group or partner. You also receive instructions for how to engage in spiritual practice emerging from the text. This program is suitable for participants at all levels.

Challenging times can induce paralysis or elicit our lesser selves. When we notice ourselves being provoked, can integrating mindfulness practice with Torah study help us actualize our innate capacities for resilience, awareness, wisdom and goodness? In this year-long series, Rabbi Marc Margolius, IJS Senior Core Faculty, explores the weekly Torah portion through the lens of mindfulness practice by paying close attention to middot, the core spiritual/ethical qualities within each of us. Rabbi Margolius uses Jewish texts as a foundation for ongoing spiritual practice to help us wake up, grow in discernment, and bring our best selves to the challenges of life today.

Drawing from both contemporary sources and classic Rabbinic, Hasidic, and Mussar commentators, this study program offers an overview of middot-related themes arising in each parasha. Rabbi Margolius includes specific practices (such as suggested focus phrases, daily actions, prayers, poetry, and music) to help integrate the teaching into daily living. This series is for all learners. 

This program explores the weekly Torah portion through the lens of mindfulness and middot (innate spiritual/ethical qualities), highlighting a specific middah-related theme in each portion and suggesting specific practices to support us in integrating the teaching into daily living over the course of each week.

This weekly study explores the Torah portion by focusing on the integration of mindfulness practice and close attention to middot, core spiritual/ethical qualities such as savlanut (patience), chesed (compassion), and bitachon (capacity to trust). On alternating weeks, Rabbi Marc Margolius and Rabbi Pamela Wax highlight and explore specific teachings arising from the text, to help us grow in awareness, cultivate wisdom, and strive to be our best selves on a daily basis. Study of the parashah will thereby support participants’ efforts to grow ethically and spiritually over the course of the year. Drawing from classic Mussar commentators as well as other sources, they offer an overview of middot-related themes arising in each parashah, delving more deeply into at least one particular middah or Mussar lesson each week which can inform our spiritual practice and enhance our daily lives. They also include specific practices and reflections to support daily spiritual practice.

In this year long text study course, Rabbi Yael Levy offers mindfulness teachings based on the Torah portion, questions for reflection, and suggestions for practice. Her pieces honor Torah as “a Tree of Life” that nurtures our souls and expands our capacity for compassion, graciousness and right action. Questions this course explores include: What does the Torah portion reveal about the blessings, truths and challenges of lives? What instruction does the Torah give for how to live well in relationship with ourselves and each other? How does the Torah anchor us in Jewish time? Where can we find ourselves in the stories of our people? What instruction can be gleaned from the Torah for how to live with awareness, honesty and compassion?