Category: Machshava
This series explores a wide ranging number of thought provoking topics on Jewish thought including the 13 Principles of Faith, how to connect to Hashem, understanding prophecy, the nature of the Chosen People, perspectives on Jewish unity and exile, overcoming adversity, the meaning of trust, reward and punishment, and the centrality of Torah Study.
In Principles of Faith, Reb. Tziporah Heller analyzes Maimonides’ Thirteen Principles of Faith as well as the philosophical discussions of the Maharal on faith. In Bitachon: Meaning of Trust, she expounds on the concept of trust in G-d as the ultimate provider of all of Man’s needs, how to focus on joy as the key to developing a trustful relationship, and ways to properly face the challenges of life. In The Centrality of Torah series, Reb. Heller examines the role of the Torah as the source for directing the Jewish nation in their unique task in this world and how it defines the path towards the ultimate redemption.
Additional classes include a comprehensive study of Netivot Olam and Netzach Yisrael, by Rabbi Yehuda Loewe, the Maharal of Prague, a seventeenth-century rabbi who authored many books of Jewish philosophy. Rebbetzin Heller examines the nature of the evil inclination.and how to combat it. Further classes focus on the causes of suffering, and how it serves as a catalyst for growth, the nature of discord, and the inherent qualities of peace, the causes of the destruction of the First and Second Temples, and the changes in perspective and behavior that must occur in order to rectify this damage.
The Twelve Levels of Nevua
Posted onIn this fascinating shiur on Nevua, prophesy, rabbi David lists and explains the twelve levels of prophesy as described by the Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim. These twelve levels fall into three categories: pre-Nevua, prophetic dreams, and prophetic visions. The prophesy of Moshe Rabbeinu is the highest level possible.
Mishnayot Pesachim, Perek Ten
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the 10th Perek of Mishanyot Pesachim as a zchut for a complete and speedy recovery for Shimon ben Ruth and Eliyahu ben Miriam who were critically wounded in the attack on Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav on Rosh Chodesh Adar bet 5768.
Varying Levels of Prophesy
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on Prophesy, Rabbi Avishai David explains the Rambam’s declaration that there are many levels of nevua. Rabbi David discusses the differences between Neviim, the Prophetic books, and Ketuvim, the Scriptures, according to the early commentators (Rishonim) Radak, Abarbanel, and Meiri, as well as the approach of Rav Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk.
Mishnayot Pesachim, Perek Nine
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) Rabbi Reichman discusses the ninth perek of Mishnayot Pesachim as a zchut for a complete and speedy recovery for Naftali ben Gila, Shimon Yechiel ben Tirtza, and Nadav ben Hadassa, who were critically wounded in the attack in Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav, Rosh Chodesh Adar bet 5768
Prophetic Actions
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on Nevua, Prophesy, Rabbi Avishai David presents various views of the commentators on whether actions taken together with a prophesy were literally performed, or were prophetic visions. Rabbi David describes the opposing opinions of Ramban and the Rambam, and the Abarbanel’s compromise position.
Mishnayot Pesachim, Perek Eight
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the eighth perek of Mishnayot Pesachim in memory of Neria ben Yitzchak Cohen, who lost his life during the terror attack on Yeshivat Merkaz Harav.
Mishnayot Brachot Perek Eight
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In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman learns the eighth perek (chapter) of Mishnayot Brachot in memory and in the zechut of Naomi Sherr HY”D, who was killed in Mumbai, India.
Concrete Predictions
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on the nature of Prophesy, nevua, Rabbi Avishai David surveys the many examples of prophesies which were delivered together with a concrete action, which served as a portent of the future.
Mishnayot Pesachim, Perek Seven
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Reichman discusses the seventh Perek of Mishnayot Pesachim in memory of Yonadav Chaim ben Tzemach Hirschfeld, who lost his life during the terror attack on Yeshivat Merkaz Harav.
Mishnayot Brachot Perek Seven
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman learns the seventh perek (chapter) of Mishnayot Brachot in memory and in the zechut of Allan Sherr , HY”D, who was killed in Mumbai, India .
Poal Dimyon: Making Predictions Concrete
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Nevua, Rabbi Avishai David explain the concept of poal dimyon, an action which makes a given prophesy stronger, and teaches the Ramban’s use of this concept to explain the relationship between the actions of the Avot and Jewish History.
Mishnayot Pesachim, Perek Six
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the sixth perek of Mishnayot Pesachim in memory of Yochai ben Tuvia Lipshutz, who lost his life during the terror attack on Yeshivat Merkaz Harav.
Mishnayot Brachot Perek Six
Posted onIn this shuir (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman learns the sixth perek (chapter) of Mishnayot Brachot in memory and in the zechut of Norma Shvartzburg-Rabinowich HY”D, who was killed in the Chabad House in Mumbai, India.
Can a Prophesy Be Changed?
Posted onIn this Torah shiur on the nature of prophesy, Rabbi Avishai David surveys various places in Tanach (Scriptures) where there are contradictory prophesies, and how to understand them. The test of a true Navi is that his prophesies come true, yet the Gemara states that prophetic decrees can be overturned. Rabbi David explores this issue and resolves the difficulties.
Mishnayot Pesachim, Perek Five
Posted onIn this Shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Reichman discusses the fifth Perek of Mishnayot Pesachim in memory of Doron ben Mekonet Mehereta, who lost his life during the terror attack on Yeshivat Merkaz Harav.
Mishnayot Brachot Perek Five
Posted onIn this shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman learns the fifth perek (chapter) of Mishnayot Brachot in memory and in the zechut of Rabbi Leibish Teitelbaum , HY”D, 37, who was killed in the Chabad House in Mumbai, India.
A Prophet’s Impact on his Prophesy
Posted onIn this Torah class on prophesy, Rabbi Avishai David continues his discussion of the Gemara Yoma 73, which states that a Navi’s predictions can be overturned, and the statement that no two Neviim prophesied in a similar style. Prophesy is unique in that is it both the word of G-d and also the words of the Navi.
Mishnayot Pesachim, Perek Four
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the fourth Perek of Mishanyot Pesachim in memory of Ro’i ben Yaakov Roth, from Elkanah, Israel, who lost his life at the age of 18 during the terror attack on Yeshivat Merkaz Harav on Rosh Chodesh Adar bet, 5768.
Mishnayot Brachot Perek Four
Posted onIn this shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman learns the fourth perek (chapter) of Mishnayot Brachot in memory of Yocheved Orpaz, 62, who was killed in a terror attack in the Chabad House of Mumbai, India.
Heavenly Messenger or Independent Speaker?
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on Nevua (prophesy), Rabbi Avishai David discusses the machloket, dispute, between the Abarbanel and the Malbim ‘over the freedom given to a Navi when he prophesies. Although the prophet transmits the word of G-d, he has some freedom in terms of how he expresses the ideas he must give over.
Mishnayot Pesachim, Perek Three
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the third perek of Mishnayot Pesachim in memory of Yehonatan Yitzchak ben Dror Eldar, who lost his life during the terror attack on Yeshivat Merkaz Harav.
Mishnayot Brachot Perek Three
Posted onIn this shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman learns the third perek (chapter) of Mishnayot Brachot in memory of Reb BenTzion Kruman , HY”D, 28, who was killed in the Chabad House in Mumbai, India.
The Slabodka Roots Of The Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva
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Rabbi Hanoch Teller gives us insight into the life of the late Rosh Yeshiva of Mir Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt’l
Experiencing G-d
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Prophesy, Rabbi Avishai David continues his explanation of Nevua as a spiritual goal that all Jews should work toward.
Mishnayot Pesachim, Perek Two
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In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the second chapter of Mishnayot Pesachim in memory of Gavriel Sandler, HY’D, who was killed by a terrorist on the Otzar Hatorah School in Toulouse, France and Avraham David ben Naftali Moses, who lost his life during the terror attack on Yeshivat Merkaz Harav.
Mishnayot Brachot Perek Two
Posted onIn this shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman learns Mishnayot Brachot Perek Bet in memory of the victims of the tragedy in Mumbai
The Slabudka Background Of Reb Nosson Tzvi Finkel ZT
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller gives us insight into the life of the late Rosh Yeshiva of Mirrer Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt’l
Mishnayot Pesachim, Perek One
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) Rabbi Reichman discusses the first chapter of Mishnayot Pesachim which deals with the prohibition of chametz. This shiur is dedicated in memory of Rabbi Yonatan Sandler, who was killed by a terrorist at the Otzar Hatorah School in Toulouse France as well as Segev Pniel ben Elyashav Avichail, who lost his life during the terror attack on Yeshivat Merkaz Harav.
Mishnayot Brachot Perek One
Posted onIn this shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman learns Mishnayot Brachot, Perek Alef in memory of the victims of the Mumbai tragedy.