Purim

Two Purims

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This video is class of 40 in the series Purim Unmasked.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Purim, Rabbi Hershel Reichman teaches an essay by the Shem Mishmuel, which discusses the mystical reasons for the two separate Purim celebrations, on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar.

Tanach

Perek 23, Part 2: Total Reliance on G-d

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This video is class of 16 in the series Tehillim V.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David continues with his analysis of Perek 23. He discusses the issue of balancing bitachon (reliance on Hashem) with the obligation for hishtadlus (expending effort in order to achieve a goal). In this class, Rabbi David relates this tension to the disagreement between R’ Yishmael and R’ Shimon bar Yochai, and shows how this perek reflects the experience of the Jews in the midbar (desert).

Tanach

Perek 136: Pinnacle of Thanksgiving

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This video is class of 18 in the series Tehillim VII.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David explains Psalm 136 as the ultimate prayer of thanksgiving to Hashem. This unique perek lists many of the kindnesses Hashem does for the world, followed by the refrain ‘ki l’olam chasdo’, (for His Kindliness is Eternal).

Tanach

Perek 23, Part 1: Mizmor L’David

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This video is class of 16 in the series Tehillim V.

This Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim by Rabbi Avishai David analyzes Psalm 23, known as ‘Mizmor l’David’. This mizmor is sung many times over Shabbat, and is famous for its themes of complete trust in Hashem’s goodness in every situation, and of the soul’s natural yearning for spirituality and connection with Hashem.

Hilchot Shabbat

Dosh/Sechita Demonstrations

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This video is class of 25 in the series Shabbat Scenarios.

In this Torah shiur (class) on the practical applications of Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson introduces the Melacha (prohibited activity) of Dosh (threshing) and the toldah of Sechita (extracting), and demonstrates practical ramifications of this prohibition. This class, set in a kitchen, utilizes actual items that one may want to use on Shabbat. This Torah class is available online in streaming video and for download in mp3 and ipod video formats.

Understanding Prophecy

The Unique Clarity of Moshe’s Prophesy

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This video is class of 30 in the series Nature of Prophesy.

In this Torah class shiur on the nature of prophesy, Rabbi Avishai David continues to explore the unique quality of Moshe Rabbenu’s prophesy. Only Moshe prophesied with the exact formulation of ‘zeh hadavar asher diber Hashem’, ‘this is the matter which Hashem spoke…’; Other prophets used the more general ‘ko amar Hashem’, ‘so said Hashem’.