
The Mitzvah Minute newsletter brings the beauty of Torah learning to your inbox — exploring mitzvot, parsha insights, and timeless Jewish wisdom in a clear, uplifting format. Browse our latest issue below, or explore past editions to keep growing one mitzvah at a time.

“You shall love your fellow as yourself.”
— Leviticus 19:18
A mitzvah at the heart of Torah: Loving every Jew as yourself means seeking their good, honoring their dignity, and rooting out jealousy or resentment. Rabbi Akiva calls it “a great principle of the Torah,” and Hillel says it captures the whole Torah in one line. From Rambam to the Sefer HaChinuch, the message is constant: unity, compassion, and mutual responsibility are the foundation of Jewish life — and the key to healing hatred with love.
Explore the full mitzvah →
Read Mitzvah 13 on Mitzvah Minute ↗

Vayeitzei maps the landscape of spiritual life: holiness discovered in unlikely places, integrity upheld in the face of exploitation, faith maintained through darkness, and futures built step-by-step. Rashi, Ramban, Ralbag, Rav Kook, and Rabbi Sacks all converge on a single theme — Yaakov’s journey teaches that Divine connection depends not on ideal circumstances but on character, compassion, and perseverance. Vayeitzei becomes a blueprint for living with purpose when life feels uncertain.
Read the Parsha insights and commentaries →
Discover Vayeitzei on Mitzvah Minute ↗

“Vayifga BaMakom” – “וַיִּפְגַּע בַּמָּקוֹם”
From Rashi to Rav Kook, this essay explores how Yaakov’s stop baMakom became the birthplace of Ma’ariv and the Jewish practice of trusting Hashem in moments of uncertainty. A powerful meditation on finding faith in the in-between.
Read the full essay →
https://www.mitzvah-minute.com/divrei-torah/praying-in-the-dark-yaakovs-ladder-and-the-birth-of-nighttime-faith

Suffering, Strength, and Shaping the Future
So much of Israel’s destiny was shaped by a woman the world overlooked. This essay draws from Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Chizkuni, Abarbanel, Sforno, Rav Kook, and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks to reveal Leah’s quiet heroism — her tears, her inner resilience, and the spiritual depth expressed through the names of her children. It’s a moving exploration of the people who build the future not from center stage, but from the shadows.
Read the full essay →
https://www.mitzvah-minute.com/divrei-torah/leahs-tears-and-the-hidden-builders-of-israel---suffering-strength-and-shaping-the-future
Vayeitzei is rich with lessons on work, faith, and personal growth. These three essays explore how Yaakov’s journey transforms ordinary life into spiritual ascent — from difficult people who refine us, to dreams that reveal our purpose, to the quiet ethics of earning a living with integrity.
“Your Lavan Is Your Ladder” — Difficult People as Engines of Growth
A practical guide to seeing “Lavans” not as obstacles but as custom-designed catalysts for middos, patience, and emunah.
“Ladder of Worlds, Ladder of Life” — What Yaakov’s Dream Means Today
Five classic interpretations of the ladder and four ways it can guide your real life, your goals, and your inner world.
“Work as Worship – Yaakov, Lavan, and the Ethics of Making a Living”
How honesty, effort, and faithfulness turn the workplace into avodah — and why integrity forms the deepest rung of service to Hashem.
Explore all Vayeitzei Divrei Torah →
https://www.mitzvah-minute.com/divrei-torah---blog
Every week offers a new rung on the ladder, a new lesson to be learned — sometimes bright, sometimes carved out of struggle.
Vayeitzei reminds us that holiness meets us in motion, and Mitzvah 13 teaches that we climb higher when we lift others with us.
In the people we help, the kindness we choose, and the quiet strength we show in difficult moments, we become partners in building the very future Yaakov dreamed of — a world where heaven and earth meet through love.


Dive into mitzvot, prayer, and Torah study—each section curated to help you learn, reflect, and live with intention. New insights are added regularly, creating an evolving space for spiritual growth.

Explore the 613 mitzvot and uncover the meaning behind each one. Discover practical ways to integrate them into your daily life with insights, sources, and guided reflection.

Learn the structure, depth, and spiritual intent behind Jewish prayer. Dive into morning blessings, Shema, Amidah, and more—with tools to enrich your daily connection.

Each week’s parsha offers timeless wisdom and modern relevance. Explore summaries, key themes, and mitzvah connections to deepen your understanding of the Torah cycle.
