Final Halachot of Havdala
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Rabbi Shimon Isaacson explains the halachot of eating before Havdala, the fire, the besamim, and the Melave Malka.
Borer, Part 2
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In this interactive Torah shiur (class) on Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Simon Isaacson and Dr. Edo Lavi demonstrate the principles and practical applications of the Melacha of Borer, separating. The class uses real objects and examples from typical home life, such as assorted cookies, flatware, and socks, in illustrating the halachot (laws).
Practical Applications of Amira l’akum
Posted onIn this shiur, (Torah class) on Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson completes his discussion of the halachos concerning a non-Jew’s performance of malacha (forbidden activity) on Shabbat on behalf of a Jew.
Perek 27 and 28: Struggle for Truth
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David analyzes the dispute between Yirmiyahu and the the false prophet Channania ben Azor regarding the fate of the keilim (the holy vessels) of the Beit Hamikdash. This dispute is really an argument over the future of the Beit Hamikdash (Temple) and the presence of the Shechina among the Jewish people.
The Prohibition of Shituf
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Nevua, prophesy, Rabbi Avishai David explains the roots of the desire for shituf, mixing worship of hashem with idol worship, and the roots of our prohibition from believing or participating in such practices.
Perek 125: Jerusalem and the Nations of the World
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Rabbi Avishai David continues to explain some of the 15 Shir Hamaalot chapters which were sung on the steps leading to the Temple (Beit Hamikdash). In this perek, David Hamelech describes how the nations of the world vie with each other in order to control Yerushalayim during the times that the Jewish people is in exile.
The Mystery of Death
Posted onIn Parshat Chukat, we learn about Parah Adumah. The chok of Parah Adumah is in essence the mystery of death, where on one hand there is a spiritual loss and yet G-d Himself is completely within the picture.
The Words of Rabbi Akiva
Posted onIn this Torah class Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen discusses the words of Rabbi Akiva in the book Avos D’Rabbi Nosson
Merciful Judgment
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In this shiur (Torah class) on the prayer of ‘Unetaneh Tokef’, Rabbi Avishai David discusses three possible ways of understanding this powerful prayer. The theme of this prayer is the awesomeness of judgment, which evokes fear and terror, followed by the relief that is felt upon the declaration that we can turn judgment into mercy through Teshuva, Tefilla, and Tzedaka.
Shavuot: Glimpses of Redemption
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the upcoming holiday of Shavuot.
Women and Purim
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Purim, Rebbetzin Heller discusses women’s special connection to the depth of this holiday.
The Holiday Of Pesach
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In this class (shiur) Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the Holiday of Pesach.
Perek 23, Part 4: Torah Study: The Ultimate Goal
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David continues his study of perek 23, the famous Mizmor L’David sung every Shabbos. In this class, Rabbi David discusses why specifically this Psalm is sung at meals, the Psalm’s emphasis on Torah study as the focus and ideal of every Jew, and the combination of din (judgment) and rachamim (mercy) in Hashem’s relationship to us.
Obligation for Separation
Posted onRabbi Shimon Isaacson discusses the nature of the three day obligation of Havdala, and the laws of Havdala as applied to an ‘onen’.
Borer, Part 1
Posted onIn this interactive Torah shiur (class) on Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Simon Isaacson and Dr. Edo Lavi demonstrate the principles and practical applications of the Melacha of Borer, separating. The class uses real objects and examples from typical home life, such as stacks of books and bowls of fruit, in illustrating the halachot (laws).
A Non-Jew’s Shabbat Labor in the Case of Illness
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson explains the laws governing asking a non-Jew to perfom melacha (a task forbidden on Shabbat) on behalf of a Jew, in the case of illness which is not life- threatening.
Perek 28: The False Prophesy of Channania ben Azor
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David discusses Yirmiyahu’s nemesis Channania ben Azor, who he was and how he became a false prophet. Included in the class are the Rambam’s differentiation between a positive nevuah (prophesy) and a negative one.
Our Rise and Fall at Har Sinai
Posted onRabbi Avishai David describes the pure clarity in which the Jewish nation experienced Hashem during Matan Torah, and the unfortunate fall from this lofty level when the Jews departed from Sinai.
Perek 124: Salvation Within Exile
Posted onRabbi Avishai David explains some of the 15 Shir Hamaalot chapters which were sung on the steps leading to the Temple (Beit Hamikdash). This perek either refers to the Purim miracle, or to general galut. it describes the fierce hatred of our enemies, and the miraculous salvation we merit from Hashem.
Sons of Peace
Posted onParshat Korach, Korach’s sons believed their father’s intentions and became champions of peace as seen in Tehillim.
Prioritizing Torah, Avoda & Loving-Kindness
Posted onIn this Torah Shiur Rabbi Yitzchok Cohen analyzes the 3 pillars that sustain this world and how we ought to prioritize them effectively.
Bribe And Extortion
Posted onIn this Torah class Dayan Shlomo Cohen discussing Bribe and Extortion in Halacha
Perek 23, Part 3: Loving Rebuke
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David continues his analysis of Perek 23, the famous perek Mizmor ‘David’. In this class, Rabbi David discusses the structure of the perek, as well as the statements of complete trust in Hashem.
Times for Havdala
Posted onRabbi Shimon Isaacson examines the latest time to make Havdala and the implications for an ‘onen’.
Perek 135: Hashem’s Imprint on History
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David compares and contrasts perakim 135 and 136, which focus on Hashem’s handiwork in Creation and History, as well as on His Role as Provider to the whole world
Dosh/Sechita Demonstrations, Part 3
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In this Torah shiur (class) on the practical applications of Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson discusses more practical examples of the Melachot (prohibited activities) of Dosh (threshing), and Sechita (extracting). This class utilizes actual items such as sponges and baby wipes.
Non-Jewish Labor for a Mitzva
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson discusses Amira l’akum, requesting that a non-Jew perform an act which is prohibited to Jews on Shabbat, in the case when the activity is necessary for the performance of a Mitzva.
Perek 27: Accepting Bondage
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 27. In this perek, Yirmiyahu sends wooden yokes to many nations, warning them that Nevuchadnetzar will be conquering them, and Hashem wants them to accept Nevuchadnetzar’s rule. Rabbi David comments on the symbolism and significance of the wooden yokes, as well as the principle that all events in Jewish history are part of a master plan conceived by Hashem.
Har Sinai as the Foundation of Prophesy
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on the nature of prophesy, Rabbi Avishai David shows the importance of the revelation at Sinai in the prophesy of Moshe Rabbenu and all future prophesies.
Kedusha vs. Bechirah
Posted onRabbi Avishai David discusses the weekly parsha, Parshat Korach and how Korach’s problem was his misunderstanding of the significant distinction between kedusha and bechirah, holiness and choice.