Jewish Texts
Parashat Yitro: Summary
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law suggests a system for establishing lower courts to settle disputes; God speaks the Ten Commandments to the Children of Israel amidst fire, smoke, and the sound of the shofar.
Parashat Bo: Summary
God brings the final three plagues on the Egyptians; the Israelites leave Egypt and receive the commandment to observe Passover.
Parashat Vaera: Summary
Through Moses and Aaron, God brings plagues on the Egyptians, and Pharaoh repeatedly refuses to allow the Israelites to leave.
Rabbinic Reasons For the Mitzvot
The Sages proposed additional reasons to obey the mitzvot beyond those offered by the Bible.
Heikhalot Literature
Scholars disagree over whether Heikhalot texts are chronicles of mystical adventures or literary creations.
What Hasidic Jews Believe
Though Hasidism is not a homogenous philosophy, there are certain ideas common to its many subgroups.