In this lecture you learn how: Aaron's staff turning into a snake and swallowing the staffs of the Egyptian sorcerers, as described in the Torah portion of P' Vaerah (0:17). He highlights the distinction between Moses' staff turning into a snake (0:57) and Aaron's staff, emphasizing that Aaron's miracle was a single, powerful act meant to establish God's omnipotence to Pharaoh before the plagues began (1:39). Key points from the discussion include: • The Miraculous Transformation: Aaron's staff transformed into a tanin, a large, frightening snake, which then swallowed hundreds of the Egyptian magicians' staffs after they had reverted to sticks (1:53). This showcased a double miracle: the transformation and the swallowing act itself, yet Rashi doesn't explicitly call it a "miracle within a miracle" like other events (4:07). • Purpose of Aaron's Miracle: Unlike Moses' staff, which was a lesson for Moses about not speaking ill of the Jewish people (12:41), Aaron's miracle was solely to impress Pharaoh and demonstrate God's ultimate control and power (13:31). It was about establishing that God is the omnipotent ruler of the universe, not Pharaoh (15:06). • Breaking Pharaoh's Arrogance: … *********** Order our New Book, "Sefirat Ha’omer: The 49 Kabbalistic Portals." SEFIRAT HA’OMER takes you on a transformative voyage through 49 days of Kabbalistic practice, where the letter of the day, the attribute, and sacred words converge. Explore how these interconnected elements can inspire profound personal growth and spiritual clarity. https://www.rabbiaaronraskin.com/49days --- ABOUT RABBI AARON L. RASKIN Rabbi Raskin came to Brooklyn Heights in September of 1988 to co-found Congregation B'nai Avraham and to serve as its spiritual leader. As an emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, he inspires his community, including many prominent judges, lawyers, doctors, and community leaders, with his elegant, and poignant ethical and spiritual guidance. Most recently, Rabbi Raskin wrote Simanim Parsha Mnemonics: Decoding the Number of Verses in the Torah Portion. He has also authored: Letters of Light; A Mystical Journey Through the Hebrew Alphabet, By Divine Design: The Kabbalah of Large Small and Missing Letters in the Parshah, Guardian of Israel: Miracle Stories of Tefillin and Mezuzah, Thank you G‑d For Making Me a Woman, Parsha Mnemonics: Decoding the Number of Verses in the Torah Portion, and the co-author of The Rabbi & The CEO: The 10 Commandments for 21st Century Leaders. He produces regular webcasts on Chabad.org and YouTube, and has released more than 1,000 classes through his podcasts, reaching an audience of thousands each week. Rabbi Raskin has lectured on five continents and has been profiled in many leading publications, including: National Geo graphic, The New York Times, and The Jerusalem PostHe, his wife Shternie, and their children live in Brooklyn Heights, NY. --- CONNECT WITH THE RABBI Website: Rabbiaaronraskin.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbiaaronraskin/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbiraskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.raskin.16/

Order our New Book, "Sefirat Ha’omer: The 49 Kabbalistic Portals." SEFIRAT HA’OMER takes you on a transformative voyage through 49 days of Kabbalistic practice, where the letter of the day, the attribute, and sacred words converge. Explore how these interconnected elements can inspire profound personal growth and spiritual clarity. https://www.rabbiaaronraskin.com/49days --- ABOUT RABBI AARON L. RASKIN Rabbi Raskin came to Brooklyn Heights in September of 1988 to co-found Congregation B'nai Avraham and to serve as its spiritual leader. As an emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, he inspires his community, including many prominent judges, lawyers, doctors, and community leaders, with his elegant, and poignant ethical and spiritual guidance. Most recently, Rabbi Raskin wrote Simanim Parsha Mnemonics: Decoding the Number of Verses in the Torah Portion. He has also authored: Letters of Light; A Mystical Journey Through the Hebrew Alphabet, By Divine Design: The Kabbalah of Large Small and Missing Letters in the Parshah, Guardian of Israel: Miracle Stories of Tefillin and Mezuzah, Thank you G‑d For Making Me a Woman, Parsha Mnemonics: Decoding the Number of Verses in the Torah Portion, and the co-author of The Rabbi & The CEO: The 10 Commandments for 21st Century Leaders. He produces regular webcasts on Chabad.org and YouTube, and has released more than 1,000 classes through his podcasts, reaching an audience of thousands each week. Rabbi Raskin has lectured on five continents and has been profiled in many leading publications, including: National Geo graphic, The New York Times, and The Jerusalem PostHe, his wife Shternie, and their children live in Brooklyn Heights, NY. --- CONNECT WITH THE RABBI Website: Rabbiaaronraskin.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbiaaronraskin/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbiraskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.raskin.16/

“If you have ever been shattered by disappointment, wounded by betrayal, or scarred by those you trusted—and forgiveness feels impossible—this week’s Torah portion is speaking directly to you.” **** Order our New Book, "Sefirat Ha’omer: The 49 Kabbalistic Portals." SEFIRAT HA’OMER takes you on a transformative voyage through 49 days of Kabbalistic practice, where the letter of the day, the attribute, and sacred words converge. Explore how these interconnected elements can inspire profound personal growth and spiritual clarity. https://www.rabbiaaronraskin.com/49days --- ABOUT RABBI AARON L. RASKIN Rabbi Raskin came to Brooklyn Heights in September of 1988 to co-found Congregation B'nai Avraham and to serve as its spiritual leader. As an emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, he inspires his community, including many prominent judges, lawyers, doctors, and community leaders, with his elegant, and poignant ethical and spiritual guidance. Most recently, Rabbi Raskin wrote Simanim Parsha Mnemonics: Decoding the Number of Verses in the Torah Portion. He has also authored: Letters of Light; A Mystical Journey Through the Hebrew Alphabet, By Divine Design: The Kabbalah of Large Small and Missing Letters in the Parshah, Guardian of Israel: Miracle Stories of Tefillin and Mezuzah, Thank you G‑d For Making Me a Woman, Parsha Mnemonics: Decoding the Number of Verses in the Torah Portion, and the co-author of The Rabbi & The CEO: The 10 Commandments for 21st Century Leaders. He produces regular webcasts on Chabad.org and YouTube, and has released more than 1,000 classes through his podcasts, reaching an audience of thousands each week. Rabbi Raskin has lectured on five continents and has been profiled in many leading publications, including: National Geo graphic, The New York Times, and The Jerusalem PostHe, his wife Shternie, and their children live in Brooklyn Heights, NY. --- CONNECT WITH THE RABBI Website: Rabbiaaronraskin.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbiaaronraskin/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbiraskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.raskin.16/

On the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, Rabbi Aaron Raskin explains the deeper meaning behind Hanukkah gelt. Hanukkah gelt is not simply a gift. It is an education. Through a powerful story, Rabbi Raskin teaches that when money comes into our hands, it carries responsibility. Jewish tradition views wealth not only as possession, but as potential — the potential to help, to support, and to give forward. Hanukkah gelt trains us to see money differently: As a tool for kindness As a means of connection As a way to extend light beyond ourselves Just as the Hanukkah candles continue to spread light outward, so too generosity keeps the light moving forward. This is Day 8, the culmination of our Hanukkah series — a reminder that the greatest light is the one we pass on to others. Keywords hanukkah, hanukkah gelt, jewish values, giving charity, paying it forward, rabbi aaron raskin, chassidic teachings, generosity, kindness, jewish holidays

On the seventh night of Hanukkah, Rabbi Aaron Raskin turns our attention outward — to the world at large. The number seven alludes to the Seven Noahide Laws, the spiritual principles given to all humanity. Through this lens, Hanukkah becomes more than a Jewish holiday — it becomes a universal message. Hanukkah teaches that the world is illuminated through: Acts of kindness Moral responsibility Simple good deeds done with intention Light is not only ritual. It is behavior. Every good action spreads illumination. Every moment of compassion fulfills humanity’s shared purpose. On Day 7, Hanukkah reminds us that the menorah’s light is meant for the entire world. This is Day 7 of our 8-day Hanukkah series, sharing daily insights drawn from Torah, Chassidic wisdom, and Rabbi Aaron Raskin’s teachings. Keywords hanukkah, seven noahide laws, light for humanity, rabbi aaron raskin, jewish wisdom, chassidic teachings, kindness, good deeds, spiritual purpose, universal values

Order our New Book, "Sefirat Ha’omer: The 49 Kabbalistic Portals." SEFIRAT HA’OMER takes you on a transformative voyage through 49 days of Kabbalistic practice, where the letter of the day, the attribute, and sacred words converge. Explore how these interconnected elements can inspire profound personal growth and spiritual clarity. https://www.rabbiaaronraskin.com/49days --- ABOUT RABBI AARON L. RASKIN Rabbi Raskin came to Brooklyn Heights in September of 1988 to co-found Congregation B'nai Avraham and to serve as its spiritual leader. As an emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, he inspires his community, including many prominent judges, lawyers, doctors, and community leaders, with his elegant, and poignant ethical and spiritual guidance. Most recently, Rabbi Raskin wrote Simanim Parsha Mnemonics: Decoding the Number of Verses in the Torah Portion. He has also authored: Letters of Light; A Mystical Journey Through the Hebrew Alphabet, By Divine Design: The Kabbalah of Large Small and Missing Letters in the Parshah, Guardian of Israel: Miracle Stories of Tefillin and Mezuzah, Thank you G‑d For Making Me a Woman, Parsha Mnemonics: Decoding the Number of Verses in the Torah Portion, and the co-author of The Rabbi & The CEO: The 10 Commandments for 21st Century Leaders. He produces regular webcasts on Chabad.org and YouTube, and has released more than 1,000 classes through his podcasts, reaching an audience of thousands each week. Rabbi Raskin has lectured on five continents and has been profiled in many leading publications, including: National Geo graphic, The New York Times, and The Jerusalem PostHe, his wife Shternie, and their children live in Brooklyn Heights, NY. --- CONNECT WITH THE RABBI Website: Rabbiaaronraskin.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbiaaronraskin/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbiraskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.raskin.16/