Parshat Vayelech shows that saying goodbye doesn’t mean it’s over, it just means moving on to something new with courage, faith, and the lessons we carry with us.
Nitzavim reminds us that life is a series of choices, urging us to choose character, dignity, and community in every decision we make.
True service is not about credit or recognition, but about giving our very best with honesty, purpose, and intention.
In Ki Tetze, we learn that true friendship means refusing to be indifferent—choosing to notice, care, and show up for each other, even across distance.
This week in Parashat Shoftim, we’re reminded that just as the Israelites carried the Torah as their moral compass, Alephs and BBGs carry our principles and rituals as guides to live with justice and integrity today.
Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim reminds us that even in the aftermath of loss, we are called to pursue justice, compassion, and holiness in our everyday lives.
Parashat Tazria-Metzora is about the power of our words, reminding us that how we speak shapes both our community and who we become.
Parshat Shemini holds a powerful lesson about contrast discussing themes of joy and pain, celebration and loss, clarity and confusion.
Parashat Pekudei concludes the Book of Shemot by emphasizing leadership, transparency, teamwork, and the importance of accountability in building strong communities.
Parashat Ki Tisa highlights the Israelites' loss of faith with the Golden Calf, showing how hardship can weaken belief, while a new generation rooted in freedom will lead the future.
Parshat Tetzaveh highlights the commandment to create pure olive oil for the Menorah, symbolizing the Jewish people's resilience as olives release their purest oil when pressed and we transform adversity into light, unity, and unwavering commitment to our heritage.
Parshat Bo details the three final plagues that resulted in the Jewish peoples’ exodus from Egypt, reminding us that by choosing empathy, gratitude, and understanding, we can create a kinder world, while stubbornness and greed only lead to hardship and loss.
Parshat Vaera tells the story of Moses' mission to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. As Pharaoh repeatedly refuses, a series of plagues test both the Egyptians and the Israelites. Through these challenges, the Israelites' faith and strength are shaped for the journey ahead.
Parshat Shemot explores the symbolism of the burning bush, highlighting themes of resilience, faith, and purpose. It reflects on Moshe’s unwavering leadership and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people, reminding us that even in the face of challenges, we can rise above adversity with the strength and guidance of faith.
Parshat Vayechi: Lessons About Legacy, Leadership, and Faith reflects on Jacob’s final years, his blessings to his sons, and his connection to the land of Israel. Through themes of forgiveness, leadership, and faith, it teaches us to honor our roots, guide others by their strengths, and leave a lasting legacy.
In this week's parsha, we learn about the power of forgiveness and family bonds.
The story of Yaakov’s struggle teaches us that resilience is not about avoiding struggle but about facing it head-on with faith.
Uncover what this week’s Parsha, Vayetze, is all about.
Delving into the various meanings behind the phrase Lech Lecha
What we can take away from the Parashat Noach Torah portion
A reflection on this week's parasha as written and thought by one of BBYO’s members.
This week's torah portion.
This week's Parsha talks about the importance of carrying on BBYO's legacy.
This week's Parsha talks about the importance of owning up to your actions and mending relationships.
Discover the power of collective effort, accountability, and shared vision as exemplified in Parashat Pekudei.
This week’s Parsha explores the value of making mistakes.
This week's Parsha talks about embracing change.
This week's Parsha talks about empowering others to be leaders.
This week's Parsha takes on a new meaning of the infamous phrase "Let My People Go"
This week's Parsha emphasizes the importance of being open to change.
This weeks Parasha talks about what emerges from within.
This week's Parsha is about respectful partnership with others.
This weeks Parsha highlights the meaning of forgiveness and how your actions may up impact others and yourself.
This week's Parsha highlights the meaning of forgiving.
This week's Parsha highlight's the relationship between siblings.
This week's Parsha highlights the battle of persevering and moving forward after being faced with discouragement.
Coming out stronger after tackling tough challenges.
A Dvar Torah on this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Noach.
In this week's Parsha, we examine different cases in which violence is instilled, and the reasons behind it.
This week we explore the intricate lessons on leadership from the transition of power in Parashat Vayelech.
This week's Parsha is about the importance of expressing gratitude for your community.
Check out this week's parsha about gender roles in Judaism.
Read about this week's Parsha, Parsha Behar-Bechukotai.
In conjunction with the Coronation of King Charles III, read how Parsha Emor instructs leaders to uphold purity and dedication to constituents.
Parsha Emor discusses G-d's wishes for treatments of animals and how humans should follow said wishes.
This week's parsha teaches us that not only can we learn from our mistakes, but that our mistakes have innate value as they help to guide us along the דרך, or path, of life.
This week's Parsha discusses the building of the Mishkan and the foundations of giving back to the community in the Jewish faith.
This week's parsha discusses the plagues inflicted on Egypt and the compassion placed upon the Jewish people.
This week's parsha discusses Pharoah and Joseph's dreams.
This week's parashah – Vayeshev - depicts the family life of Jacob and his children, in particular focusing on the preferential treatment received by Joseph.
This week's parsha discusses Yaakov's decisions to prepare for a daunting encounter and how we can learn from them.
This week's parsha empowers us to combat antisemitism just like Jacob overcame tough situations.
This week's parsha discusses one of the biggest rivalries of the Torah: Jacob and Esau.
This week's parsha teaches us to focus on the good rather than letting negativity bring us down.
This week's parsha explains that morality isn't impactful if you do not use it to improve the world.
This week's parsha discusses Abraham's journey to Canaan and how we hope to find our own promised land.
This week's parsha discusses the story of Noah's ark and how we will rebuild the Jewish community after years of uncertainty.
This week's parsha is the very first portion and discusses how life is a balance of positives and negatives.
The parsha this week discusses Moses's instructions to write a song for the Jewish people and the importance of music.
This week's parsha explains the importance of asking for forgiveness during the ten days of repentance and how to attempt to ask for this forgiveness.
This parsha discusses the importance of making choices and learning from mistakes.
This week's parsha discusses the instructions Moshe gives to the Israelites and how we desire instructions for our own lives.
This week’s Parsha discusses the importance of providing for the oppressed and treating everyone with respect.
Parshat Shoftim introduces the importance of not being wasteful. We all can attempt to live out this concept by reflecting on how all of our actions impact the environment.
This week’s parsha discusses the importance of specific values bestowed on the Jews in the Torah, and that the rest is just commentary.
This week’s parsha discusses the various meanings behind the laws and traditions of Yom Kippur.
This week’s parsha retells the story of Passover and how it connects to the issues of today.
This week’s parsha connects past and modern day sacrifices we each have to endure to help care for the rest.
This week’s parsha discusses the importance of the memories and bonds stored in the belongings we pass from generation to generation.
Tzav, this week’s parsha, documents the commandments of the High Priests, the kohanim, and provides insight into leading a virtuous life beyond the walls of the sanctuary.
This week’s parsha takes a deeper look into the meanings and representations of sacrifice and sin, what they are, and how we can reflect on them in our daily lives to consciously, consistently be making better decisions.
Just as building the universe was G-d’s creation, building the Mishkan was man’s creation. The Mishkan represents G-d’s footing and connection with his followers and represents a way we can find G-d in our everyday lives.
When G-d chose to invest in the Jewish people, he expected us to hone in on our given talents to both live a fulfilling life and show our appreciation for these gifts.
There are many differences in the ways past and present Jews connect with G-d. This week’s Parsha discusses how the connection between our covenant of Jewish brothers and sisters is enough to keep us going.
The Torah is not just a spiritual guide, but one that helps us live a more moral life, and we can find opportunities to do that actively in BBYO.
This week’s Parsha discusses the agreement and fellowship that took place when G-d descended upon the Jewish people giving them the Torah.
This week’s Parsha discusses the exodus from Egypt and the Israelites faith and trust in G-d. Just as the Israelites kept their faith to reach the Promised Land, we must now keep our trust in our COVID protocols, that we will one day reach the end of this pandemic.
This week’s Parsha discusses the exodus from Egypt and the start of new beginnings. Just as the Jews were given the gift of a clean slate, we receive our yearly rebirth with the start of a new year, with new goals and opportunities awaiting our arrival.
This week Dvar Torah is all about balancing life. Throughout this story, we follow Joesph's experience as does his best to integrate his new life into his old life, the one he thought he had left behind.
In this week's Torah Portion, Parshat Miketz, we learn about how valuable and telling one's dreams can be. This week we follow both Joseph and Jacob through their journey as they attempt to interpret their dreams.
This week's Dvar Torah, tells the story of how Jacob overcame a fight with an angel. Through this parshat, we learn how important it is to stay true to our beliefs in order to persevere through times of hardship.
This week's Dvar Torah, Parshat Vayetzei, teaches us why it is necessary to overcome the challenges that are presented before us. Throughout this Torah portion, we discuss how Jacob was able to overcome 14 years of hardships and how important it is for us to never give up.
In this week's Parsha, we will discuss the importance of family ties and how important it is to stick together even through the hard times.
In this week's Dvar Torah, we are introduced to Sarah and Abraham, an elderly couple who have never had children of their own. Finally, when Sarah is 90 years old, she is told that she will be able to have children.
In this weeks Parshat, we follow the journey of Avram, as he living by G-d's instructions. This reading teaches us about the importance of trusting G-d as we make our way throughout our own lives.
This week's Dvar Torah helps us to understand the importance of finding hope within one's self as well as the importance of communication. The story of Noah's ark exhibits key findings that are essential to living a full and well-developed life.
This week's Dvar Torah, Parshat Breishit, discusses the events that occurred in the beginning of the Torah, starting at the creation of the world.
In this week's Parsha, we discuss the importance of the Sukkah and why we built it the way we do. BBYO, as an organization, provides us with stability and the opportunity for reflection, just like a Sukkah.
This week's Dvar Torah exhibits how Moses led the people to the land of Israel and the importance of being aware of the struggles it took to get there.
Within the Jewish religion, music is something that allows us to further connect to our ancestors. Discover the importance of the first written Torah and how it still plays a role in Judaism today.
The importance of respecting and maintaining the earth. Our actions have impacts on the future generations and it is time we start reversing the damage.
Inspired by this week's Parsha, our International Presidents share a profound blessing for every teen in our Movement.
Parshat Bamidbar is all about being faithful to G-d, and doing the right thing. The Israelites worked together and relied on each other to make it to the holy land, as they tested G-d. We must always think of others, lend a helping hand, and always do the right thing to achieve success in our own lives in that same way.
Parshat Behar is about letting the land rest so that it may be fruitful. This is similar to our own lives because we have had to learn to rest and slow down this past year. It is important to learn how to rest, and there are many lessons we can use moving forward when returning to a sense of normalcy.
Parshat Emor brings up the idea of compensation and sacrifice. While sacrifice doesn't have a place in our society today, it is more focused on the idea of performing mitzvot and becoming closer to G-d on a spiritual level.
Parshat Kedoshim describes Lashon Hara, the sin of gossip and talking poorly about one another. This is something that everyone has been guilty of one point in time, and it is up to us to consider how our words and actions affect others.
This week's parshiyot, Tazria and Metzora concern the biblical disease of Tzara'at. This disease serves as a consequence of committing sins and going through a purification process to rejoin their communities once having understood the effect of their negative actions.
Parshat Shemini contains the rules of the Tabernacle, and Aaron and his sons' duty to stay in the tent for the first seven days. This past year we have been faced with "staying in the tent," and it is up to us to stay committed and do what is asked from us so that we can look forward to more normalcy.
Parshat Vayikra mentions the Jewish philosophy and purpose surrounding sacrifice. Nowadays, we have a lot to learn about the deeper understanding of sacrifice and how it leads to growth.
Mateo reflects on his own Jewish thinking, and meaning of following Halachic ritual and standards.
This week's parsha describes the worship of the golden calf, and the selfishness of the act. Parshat Ki Tisa is important because it shows how our actions can be used to help or harm others, and how we can make a greater impact on others through our actions.
Today we celebrate both Purim and Shabbat. There are many parallels in Parshat Tezaveh and the Megillah, both emphasizing connection and coming together.
Parshat Terumah reminds us that we are more powerful when we collaborate, share, envision, and unite as one, just as the Israelites did many thousands of years ago when building their Tabernacle.
Parshat Mishpatim examines laws, and how the Israelites transitioned from Egypt into a free nation. As a community, we have adapted new rules and guidelines and created something completely unique this year: IC 2021.
Parshat Yitro gives us the Ten Commandments. It makes us think about what G-d has commanded of us, and what the Mitzvot are. This leads to further interpretation of how we can incorporate them into our own practices, in ways that make sense for own religiosity.
This week, Parsha Beshalach is about Moses' connection with G-d, and asking him to part the sea, and provide them with food and water. We learn that sometimes it only takes one person to begin a task and receive help from G-d, but they have to attempt a task or else they will never know.
Parshat Bo follows the plagues unleashed in Egypt, and how they could have been avoided all together if Pharaoh had freed the Israelites instead of feeding his own self-interest. If we all make small changes to benefit others instead of ourselves, we can make a big difference in our quality of life and the world as a whole.
This week's parsha is when Moses learns he must act as a messenger for G-d, to get the Israelites out of Egypt. He does not initially view himself as a leader, but he learns that G-d will support him and everyone who puts in work and effort. This applies to issues we are facing now such as racism and anti-Semitism, because we have an obligation to help as Jews and as messengers.
This week's Parsha focuses on the gift of life, and how we can make 2021 a year of connection and kindness. We can always improve on our own lives, and better the lives of others around us.
In this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Miketz, Joseph famously interprets dreams by communicating with G-d. There are many moments of déjà vu and parallels throughout Joseph's life, but is this calculated, or left to chance?
Just like Jacob and Esau in this week's Parsha, we look forward to the day we can embrace our brothers and sisters in person as work to keep our relationships vibrant.
This week's Parsha is packed with practical lessons for our lives
Our world today is far from perfect, but determination to do small acts of kindness can go a long way
The original separation in the Torah has powerful meaning for today's divided world
Thoughts on the holiday and community from our All Abilities Inclusion Task Force
This week's Torah portion reminds us that even if we go astray, Judaism always waits for us to return and welcomes us back
This week's Parsha teaches us that the door to repentance is always open
Though it's no longer practiced, the Mitzvah of Bikkurim can teach us a lot about what's important today
This Parsha shows us the ancient roots and importance of true equality for true justice
An important exploration of the meaning of "Justice, justice you shall pursue"
As we study the laws of the Parsha, applying critical thinking to their true meaning is important
This week's Torah portion teaches us that even though our plans have been disrupted, there are opportunities for growth we never expected
Check our commentary on this week's Parsha from a BBG in Pittsburgh.
Five strong women, the daughters of Tzlefachad, teach us that we can question long-held beliefs and make real change
This week's Torah portion shows us that the community can inspire us to create change.
When feeling lonely and isolated, the Torah can give us strength and guidance.
In Judaism, the directive to gather with our community has deeper meaning and importance, even when the connection must be digital
This week's Torah portion has important lessons about the changing nature of our people
There are powerful lessons of renewal in this week's Torah portion that could help us weather this time.
Read commentary on this week's Parsha from BBYO teens around the world.
This Week's Parsha Lech Lecha is a message to all Jewish people, all around the world, and in every generation
This week’s Torah portion, Parshat Noach, is a story of struggle and strength.
