Meet Mendel Richter: The Accidental Chabad Comic Cracking Us Up 

On shlichus in Singapore, Chabad student Mendel Richter didn’t set out to launch a viral Torah video series. He just had a funny idea, a weekly Parsha, and a phone. But what began as a one-off skit shared with friends has grown into “Reggie Torah Shorts”, a laugh-out-loud, wholesome, and deeply relatable series that’s now making the rounds across Chabad houses and Jewish communities worldwide.

Going by the nickname “Reggie,” Richter has a natural likability that comes through in every frame. His humor is sharp but never cynical, warm without being preachy. At its core, “Torah Shorts” is funny, genuinely, sometimes hysterically funny, but it’s also sincere. Each video delivers a clever take on the Parsha, with just enough heart to make it stick.

Richter says people love the videos: "The feedback has been heartwarming, and it’s clear that people resonate with the short, funny, and meaningful format of these videos."

Reggie’s comedic timing is paired with something rarer: an authentic sense of what it means to grow up frum in today’s world. He gets it, the inside jokes, the rhythms of yeshiva life, the unspoken moments that are both funny and familiar to anyone raised in a Torah-observant home. That relatability is what sets “Torah Shorts” apart from other Jewish content online.

He first shared the videos with his parents’ community at Chabad of Howard Beach, where it struck a chord. Since then, the short clips, often under two minutes, have spread through social media, WhatsApp groups, and word of mouth, appealing to teens, young adults, parents, and even educators.

“Torah Shorts” has become a regular feature for many, blending Reggie’s endearing goofiness with a quiet but clear love for Yiddishkeit.

With more communities picking it up each week, Richter explains "I’m excited to reach more viewers and spread the joy of “Torah Shorts” far and wide. I’m open to feedback, suggestions, and constructive criticism because I believe that growth and improvement come from listening and learning from others."

Collive contributed to this article.