The paradox of mitzvos; are they about submission to the incomprehensible? Or are we meant to integrate Torah’s perspective into our lives? In this class we examine the Rambam’s assertion that all mitzvos serve to improve us, alongside his acknowledgement that some remain beyond human understanding. By analyzing all of his relevant works, we gain a clear picture that we can apply to our daily lives.
Finding the perfect balance between a personal and relevant Yiddishkeit and submission to the Divine will.
A few notes: 1) As the Maharsha and others point out, there are in fact many sources that attribute the mitzva of אותו ואת בנו to compassion on the animal. The specific question of Tosfos is that the Kalir instituted it to be said by the שליח ציבור during שמונה עשרה, which is precisely what the Gemara forbids and tells us to silence such a person! 2) Now that we have the full text of the קדושתא, it turns out that מחשבותיך לרחמנו is in fact an entirely unrelated phrase, designed to link the last word of the last pasuk (מאוד עמקו מחשבותיך) to the conclusion of the bracha. 3) Even on Rosh Hashana, we do in fact include מעין החתימה סמוך לחתימה by adding the words מלך עוזר ומושיע ומגן after זכרנו. In its original form though, the מעין החתימה of the Kalir substituted מלך עוזר...
A question about drinking water on Shabbos afternoon reveals a deep schism between Rabbeinu Tam and Rabbeinu Meshulam and the divergent worldviews that shaped their halachic approach.
Exploring the origins of this custom
In part 3 of this series we delve into the true meaning of Pesach and discover how Rashi changed the trajectory of Hagadahs for centuries.
Do you have to be the wise son in order to follow the Haggadah?
Making A Seder of The Seder
Exploring the meaning of the piyutim for taanis esther
A novel approach to the story of Megilas Esther
The impact of the planets on mundane activities performed on Shabbos
Overview of the laws of prayer in Aramaic and other languages other than Hebrew (Mic error - please excuse audio quality)
Why do we say kaddish in Aramaic? Did it used to be said in Hebrew? What do the angels have against Kaddish?
On the Rebbe's earliest published letter, 100 years later.
Exploring the structure and the meaning of selichos, and specificaly the piyutim that we recite on the fast of the 10th of Teves. Should we be fasting on the 5th or the 10th of Teves? When Rabeinu Tam argued with Moshe Rabeinu. Will Tzom Gedalya be transformed into celebration with the coming of Mashiach? Source sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sKfVwiXKZFFHlyFE7loTigYeLcltSnBi/view?usp=sharing
Chanukah Insights from the Books of Maccabees
In order for a bird to be considered kosher, we must have a tradition that explicitly tells us that this bird is allowed. How does a new-world bird such as the turkey come to be kosher?
For an overview of the calendar topic mentioned in this class see here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3LLQYeSi067muibodtjGGo?si=072fe88de7d54f54
The bracha on seeing Lot's wife, the smoke and infertile land in the region.
Links to videos mentioned in class:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh0q2NcVRfE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzjHE3UtE0A
Brief Overview & Highlights of Slichos for Tzom Gedalya
Brief Overview & Highlights of Slichos for Erev Rosh Hashana
