Monday Night Torah with Phil Lazzar
September 14, 2020 - 6pm-7pm

The Torah contains messages for us about what is happening here and now. Torah study is a kind of treasure hunt for these messages. Sometimes we can find the treasures on the surface but usually we must dig for them.

As we re-read the Torah each year we find new treasures each time because over the past year we have had new experiences and new understandings and now the Torah is able to open up for us more and more. In other words, as we change and grow, we're able to find more of the treasures hidden within her.

As we approach the end of the year we are coming to the final few Torah portions. This week we have a double portion, Nitzavim and Vayelech. In class we plan to focus upon Nitzavim in which the general topics include:

(1) the renewal of our covenant with Hashem;

(2) a warning against idolatry;

(3) our eventual repentance and redemption;

(4) that the Torah is accessible to us; and

(5) that we are to choose life so that we may live.

Our sages of blessed memory have laid out for us four levels of interpreting the Torah: (1) Simple, (2) Hinted, (3) Metaphorical, and (4) Secret. As it turns out, the Simple is not so simple and does not mean literal. The Vilna Gaon said that to understand the Simple, one must first understand the Secret.

A final note: MNT classes are open to all to come, share, and learn together. You are welcome to join us.