https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/websites-aleph-beta.xml/articles/websites-aleph-betaxmlarticleAleph BetaRabbi David Fohrman's video-based parshah and Tanakh learning, with a distinctive textual-analytical approach.The New Jew/index.xmlTools & Resources/sections/library-tools.xmlAleph Beta/articles/websites-aleph-beta.xml
https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/websites-aleph-beta
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websites-aleph-betaAleph BetaRabbi David Fohrman's video-based parshah and Tanakh learning, with a distinctive textual-analytical approach.Summary. Aleph Beta (alephbeta.org) is Rabbi David Fohrman's video-based Tanakh learning platform. Fohrman's distinctive method is close textual analysis: detecting parallels, chiastic structures, repeated phrases, and intertextual echoes across the Tanakh. His video on the Akeida, on Joseph and Judah, on the Megillat Esther's hidden Mordechai-Esther parallels — these are exhilarating and accessible. A subscription service ($12–$15/month in 2026) gives access to the full library. Highly recommended for the New Jew who likes textual close reading.essentialwebsitesparshahvideorabbi fohrman2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z2601library-toolsTools & Resourcessummary
Summary. Aleph Beta (alephbeta.org) is [Rabbi David Fohrman](/glossary.xml#letter-D)'s video-based [Tanakh](/glossary.xml#letter-T) learning platform. Fohrman's distinctive method is close textual analysis: detecting parallels, chiastic structures, repeated phrases, and intertextual echoes across the Tanakh. His video on the [Akeida](/glossary.xml#letter-A), on Joseph and Judah, on the [Megillat Esther](/glossary.xml#letter-M)'s hidden Mordechai-Esther parallels — these are exhilarating and accessible. A subscription service ($12–$15/month in 2026) gives access to the full library. Highly recommended for the New Jew who likes textual close reading.
Summary. Aleph Beta (alephbeta.org) is Rabbi David Fohrman's video-based Tanakh learning platform. Fohrman's distinctive method is close textual analysis: detecting parallels, chiastic structures, repeated phrases, and intertextual echoes across the Tanakh. His video on the Akeida, on Joseph and Judah, on the Megillat Esther's hidden Mordechai-Esther parallels — these are exhilarating and accessible. A subscription service ($12–$15/month in 2026) gives access to the full library. Highly recommended for the New Jew who likes textual close reading.heading
Fohrman's Method
Fohrman's Methodparagraph
Rabbi David Fohrman (Yeshiva University, Johns Hopkins) treats the Tanakh's text as a literary masterpiece with deliberate structural patterns. He looks for: parallels (when two passages echo each other), chiasms (A-B-C-B'-A' patterns), keyword repetition, narrative inversions. Every [parshah](/glossary.xml#letter-P) video pursues one such pattern and reveals what it teaches. The method is rigorous, surprising, and addictive.
Rabbi David Fohrman (Yeshiva University, Johns Hopkins) treats the Tanakh's text as a literary masterpiece with deliberate structural patterns. He looks for: parallels (when two passages echo each other), chiasms (A-B-C-B'-A' patterns), keyword repetition, narrative inversions. Every parshah video pursues one such pattern and reveals what it teaches. The method is rigorous, surprising, and addictive.heading
What's Available
What's Availableparagraph
Weekly parshah videos — short (5–15 minutes) for the family [Shabbat](/glossary.xml#letter-S) table.
Weekly parshah videos — short (5–15 minutes) for the family Shabbat table.paragraph
Deep dives — multi-part series on [Bereshit](/glossary.xml#letter-B), the Exodus, the [Megillot](/glossary.xml#letter-M), and key passages.
Deep dives — multi-part series on Bereshit, the Exodus, the Megillot, and key passages.paragraph
Holidays — videos for every [Yom Tov](/glossary.xml#letter-Y) and [Chag](/glossary.xml#letter-C).
Holidays — videos for every Yom Tov and Chag.paragraph
Premium subscription — the full library plus discussion guides and downloadable source sheets.
Premium subscription — the full library plus discussion guides and downloadable source sheets.heading
Best for
Best forparagraph
A New Jew who learns visually and who is drawn to literary analysis. A family with school-age children (the videos are usable across generations). A regular Shabbat-table parshah review (watch on Friday morning, discuss on Friday night).
A New Jew who learns visually and who is drawn to literary analysis. A family with school-age children (the videos are usable across generations). A regular Shabbat-table parshah review (watch on Friday morning, discuss on Friday night).heading
Where Denominations Diverge
Where Denominations Divergeparagraph
[Modern Orthodox](/glossary.xml#letter-M); the textual analysis approach is denomination-neutral.
Modern Orthodox; the textual analysis approach is denomination-neutral.heading
Sources
Sourcesparagraph
[The Ten Commandments](https://www.sefaria.org/topics/the-ten-commandments) — Sefaria.
The Ten Commandments — Sefaria.heading
alephbeta.org
alephbeta.orgheading
Further Reading
Further Readingparagraph
Rabbi David Fohrman's books — The Beast that Crouches at the Door, The Queen You Thought You Knew.
Rabbi David Fohrman's books — The Beast that Crouches at the Door, The Queen You Thought You Knew.websites-sefariaSefaria/articles/websites-sefaria.xmlwebsites-chabadorgChabad.org/articles/websites-chabadorg.xmlwebsites-myjewishlearningMyJewishLearning/articles/websites-myjewishlearning.xmlwebsites-ouorg-orthodox-unionOU.org (Orthodox Union)/articles/websites-ouorg-orthodox-union.xmlgoing-deeper-deeper-reading-a-going-deeper-libraryA Going-Deeper Librarydeeper/articles/going-deeper-deeper-reading-a-going-deeper-library.xmlwebsites-hadarHadardeeper/articles/websites-hadar.xmlwebsites-pardesPardesdeeper/articles/websites-pardes.xmlAkeidahעקידהThe Binding of Isaac (Bereshit 22), in which Avraham is tested with the command to offer his son. It is one of the most discussed passages in Jewish thought and is read on Rosh Hashanah.BereshitבְּרֵאשִׁיתThe first book of the Torah — Genesis — and the name of its first weekly portion. The word itself means 'in the beginning.'David FohrmanA contemporary rabbi and Bible scholar, founder of the Aleph Beta video platform, known for close literary readings of the Tanakh that surface parallels, chiastic structures, and hidden echoes across biblical narratives.websites-aleph-betaMegillat Estherמְגִלַּת אֶסְתֵּרThe scroll of Esther — the biblical book read aloud on Purim night and morning, telling of the deliverance of Persia's Jews from Haman's plot.going-deeper-deeper-judaica-megillotModern OrthodoxModern Orthodoxy is the stream of Orthodox Judaism that combines full Halachic observance with active engagement in general society, secular education, and often Zionism — distinct from Haredi communities that maintain greater separation from the surrounding culture.essentials-essential-judaica-kippahShabbatשַׁבָּתThe seventh day — the weekly day of rest from Friday sunset to Saturday nightfall, marked by candle lighting, kiddush, festive meals, and rest from creative work.where-to-start-your-first-shabbatTanakhתנ״ךThe Hebrew Bible, named for the initials of its three sections: Torah (the Five Books), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings) — twenty-four books in the traditional count.essentials-essential-facts-the-tanakh-in-one-articleYom Tovיום טובLiterally 'a good day' — a full festival day (such as the first days of Pesach and Sukkot, Shavuot, and Rosh Hashanah) on which work is restricted much as on Shabbat, with certain exceptions such as cooking.chagחַגA festival or holiday. The greeting 'chag sameach' — 'happy holiday' — is exchanged on the festivals.megillahמְגִלָּהA scroll — most famously the Megillah, the scroll of Esther read aloud on Purim; the Five Megillot are the biblical scrolls read across the holiday cycle.going-deeper-deeper-judaica-megillotparshahפָּרָשָׁהparashahThe weekly Torah portion — one of 54 divisions of the Torah, one (occasionally two) read each Shabbat so that the whole Torah is completed every year. The plural is parshiyot.calendar-the-parshah-cycleparentTools & Resources/sections/library-tools.xmlrelatedSefaria/articles/websites-sefaria.xmlrelatedChabad.org/articles/websites-chabadorg.xmlrelatedMyJewishLearning/articles/websites-myjewishlearning.xmlrelatedOU.org (Orthodox Union)/articles/websites-ouorg-orthodox-union.xmlrelatedA Going-Deeper Library/articles/going-deeper-deeper-reading-a-going-deeper-library.xmlrelatedHadar/articles/websites-hadar.xmlrelatedPardes/articles/websites-pardes.xml