The Chavrusa with Rabbi Levi

About The Chavrusa with Rabbi Levi

Chavrusa (or Chavruta) is the traditional Jewish method of paired or small-group study, especially of Talmud, where partners analyze and debate texts together, a practice deeply integrated within Chabad philosophy and activities to foster deep learning and connection to Torah. Join Rabbi Levi Farkash as he holds Chavursa sessions as he invites you to pull up a seat and listen in.

Publisher

ABA

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Dec 2025

Latest episode

29 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

30 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Oct 2026

   Episode 30|Whatever Sarah Tells You, Listen to Her Voice |The Only Marital Dispute in the Torah

   Rabbi Levi points out that the Torah records only one argument between a husband and wife. Out of all the stories of the Avot V'Imahot... Moshe and Aharon, the one dispute it chose to preserve is Avraham and Sarah arguing over what to do about Yishmael. Why that one, and why does Hashem settle it the way He does? Rabbi Levi opens with a story from his own work: a space in downtown Bellevue, two meetings with the property owner, and a third meeting he never got because he followed advice to wait before asking. The lesson he took from it is im lo achshav, eimasai: when the opportunity is in front of you, you act. Then we turn to Parshas Vayeira. Sarah sees Yishmael’s influence on Yitzchak and asks Avraham to send him away. Avraham refuses. Hashem steps in with a striking instruction: “Whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her voice.” He doesn’t say she’s right in this case. He says to listen to her, period. To understand why, we turn to Miriam and her well. The Talmud teaches that the well, the clouds of glory, and the manna came in the merit of Miriam, Aharon, and Moshe, respectively. Why water for Miriam? Rabbi Levi brings the Rambam’s explanation of what water does in the body: it doesn’t nourish, it carries the food to every part of the body. The Rebbe applies this to avodah. A person can understand something and even feel it deeply, yet it never reaches the “fingers and toes,” the place where it becomes action. The Rebbe then applies the same idea to the Jewish home. The husband sets the direction, and the wife carries it into the details of daily life and the education of the children. Takeaways The one marital dispute the Torah preserves is a dispute about how to raise children. Hashem’s words to Avraham, “Whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her voice,” point to a role and not just a single ruling. Per the Rambam, water doesn’t nourish; it carries nourishment through the body. That is why Miriam’s merit is connected to water. Understanding and feeling are not the same as doing. The question is whether an insight reaches your hands and feet. Whatever your role is, learn it and lean into it. Reflective question Think of one thing you already understand and genuinely feel is right. What is stopping it from reaching action? Call to action Take that one thing and do it today, in a concrete way. If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who would appreciate it, and join us next week for the next shiur. Dedicated to the refuah sheleimah of Malka Leah bas Metzi and Leah bas Chana, and of all who need a refuah. connect with Rabbi Levy here https://www.chabaddowntownbellevue.org/ (https://www.chabaddowntownbellevue.org/)

2. 

   22 Oct 2026

   Episode 29| Who You Travel With | A Lech Lecha Lesson on Environment and Influence

   You can be the most principled person in the room and still be changed by the room. This week Rabbi Levi Farkash learns Parshas Lech Lecha, where Avraham and his nephew Lot part ways after Lot's shepherds let their flocks graze on other people's land. Rashi teaches that the divine speech withdrew from Avraham as long as Lot was with him. If Avraham could be affected, what about us? Drawing on the Talmud, the Rambam, and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the shiur looks at how the people we live, work, and travel with, and the habits we keep, shape who we become, and why "I can handle it" is often the riskiest thing we tell ourselves. In this episode: Why the Talmud traces "hang around successful people" back to Lot traveling with Avraham The Rambam's sharp warning about whose company we keep, and where we choose to live The Rebbe on not outsmarting yourself: even a temporary environment changes you Rabbi Levi's own extension: your habits are neighbors too How Lot, living in Sodom, still couldn't shake Avraham's hospitality, and what that says about the influence of a firm boundary A question to sit with: Where in your life are you telling yourself "I can handle it"? Listen, then share it with someone you learn with. Learn, grow, and join community with Rabbi Levi Farkash here https://www.chabaddowntownbellevue.org/ (https://www.chabaddowntownbellevue.org/)

3. 

   8 Oct 2026

   Episode 28 | Are you listening to Hashem, or everyone else?|Bereishis

   Are you living by what you see—or by what you hear? Parshat Bereishit begins with the creation of humanity and one of the greatest gifts—and challenges—we've ever been given: free choice. But why did Hashem create us with the ability to choose wrongly? And what does the story of Adam and Chava teach us about how we should make choices today? In this episode of Havruta, we explore Rabbi Jonathan Sacks' powerful distinction between shame and guilt, appearance and conscience, and seeing versus listening. Adam and Chava heard Hashem's command—but ultimately followed what their eyes saw. Judaism gives us a different model. Shema Yisrael. Listen. Because the challenge isn't always knowing what is right. Sometimes the challenge is having the courage to listen to it. Take this question with you: Am I choosing this because I believe it's right—or because I want to look right? In this episode: Why Hashem created humanity with free choice The surprising idea that God has faith in us What Adam and Chava actually gained from the Tree of Knowledge The difference between shame and guilt Why Judaism is fundamentally a "listening religion" How to stop letting society determine your moral compass Take this question with you: Am I choosing this because I believe it's right—or because I want to look right?

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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

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Guest appearances

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