The Torah Learning on this site is dedicated in memory of Rochel Leah bas R' Chaim Tzvi and R' Yisrael Menachem ben R' Binyamin.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David completes his analysis of chapter 31, with a discussion of the remarkable sacrifice of Rachel Imeinu and her subsequent reward, and the different exiles that the Jewish people experienced, according to the explanations of the Malbim, Rav Yisrael Salanter, Rav Shalom Shwadron, and Rav Chaim Soloveitchik.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explicates the prophesies of Jeremiah predicting the suffering of the Jewish people in exile, their repentance, and their ultimate return to the land of Israel. The class includes a discussion of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s explanation of Yerida l’tzorech aliyah (a spiritual fall that results in ultimate spiritual transcendence), and the Netziv’s essay on antisemitism and the role of the Torah in the in-gathering of exiles.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explains the beautiful prophecies of return and rebuilding found in chapter 31. In this chapter, Rachel Imenu pleads with Hashem to allow her children to return to the land of Israel, in the merit of her self-sacrifice when Leah married Yaakov. Rachel is promised that her children will return to Eretz Yisrael, and the prophesy of a renewed covenant between Hashem and the Jewish people, with the Jews once more re-established in the holy land follows.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explicates perek 30 and its beautiful description of the future redemption of the Jewish people. Through many references in this chapter, Rabbi David shows the connection between the restoration of the Davidic Dynasty with the arrival of Mashiach, and the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash.
In this shiur (Torah class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David analyzes chapter 30, a perek filled with references to the former majesty of the Beit Hamikdash, the horror of its destruction, and its future splendor. Rabbi David analyzes the structure of the perek, as well the beautiful prophesies contained within it.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David analyzes some of the ramifications of going into exile, such as the obligation to pray for the welfare of one’s host country, and the expected reaction to galut – repentance and prayer.
Rabbi Avishai David analyzes the comparison of Klal Yisrael to animals and birds and the analogy of sin to sickness, and discusses the importance of avoidance of ‘sheker’.
Rabbi Avishai David focuses on the theme of Perek 7 in Sefer Yirmiyahu.
In his continued discussion on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David speaks about how this Perek is the fulcrum of Perakim 5-9.
In his continued discussion on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David demonstrates the structure of perakim 5-9. In addition, he discusses the false sense of security encouraged by the leaders of Yirmiyahu’s time, who assured the population that the Temple would never be destroyed.
In his discussion on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David does an overview of Perakim 5 & 6, and then contrasts the two.
Rabbi Avishai David does an overview of Perakim 2, 3, and 4, in Sefer Yirmiyahu, and discusses the differing tones in each perek.
Rabbi Avishai David talks about the role of the Jewish people, Klal Yisrael, as being the epicenter of everything, as well as the role of the land of Israel, Eretz Yisrael.
In this class, Rabbi Avishai David gives an examination of the first Perek of Sefer Yirmiyahu.
Rabbi Avishai David ends his introduction to Sefer Yirmiyahu with the Abarbanel’s comparison of Yirmiyahu with Moshe Rabbeinu and the Malbim’s critique of this description.
In this class on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David gives an examination of the historical backdrop of Yirmiyahu HaNavi, and the circumstances that prompted his Nevu’ah.
Rabbi Avishai David continues his Introduction to Prophecy with a definition of one who can be considered a true Prophet.
Rabbi Avishai David continues his class on Sefer Yirmiyahu by exploring the distinctions between Torah, Nevi’im and Ketuvim.
Rabbi Avishai David begins his class on Sefer Yirmiyahu by exploring certain issues relating to the 24 sefarim (books) of the Tanach.
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.
In 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.
In 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.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David analyzes perek 26. In this perek, Yirmiyahu speaks of the role of the Navi as Hashem’s messenger and servant, and of the Beit Hamikdash as the center for guidance in worship of Hashem.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyhau, Rabbi Avishai David examines the question of whether the persecutors of the Jewish People should be punished for their actions, as they are actually agents of Hashem. In this class, Rabbi David also discusses Hashem’s anger when the Jews serve avoda zara (idolatry).
In this shiur (Torah class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David reviews perek 23, and explicates the difficulties in Perek 24. The dream of Yirmiyahu described in this perek has a remarkable parallelism to the dreams of Pharoh in Parshat Miketz. Rabbi David also discusses who exactly the ‘Choresh U’masger’ were.
In this shiur on the 17th chapter of Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David talks about the different levels of Bitachon, Trust in G-d, as mentioned by Yirmiyahu Hanavi. Rabbi David includes the famous disagreement of the Rambam and the Ramban about effectiveness of modern medicine, and the contrasting opinions of Rabbenu Bachya and R’Avraham ben HaRambam regarding Bitachon. Rabbi David explains that the balance of Bitachon and Hishtadlut is the realization that ultimately, one’s salvation is entirely in the Hands of Hashem.
In this Torah shiur on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David describes the role of false prophets, Nevi’ei Sheker, throughout Yirmiyahu’s career as a Navi. Rabbi David examines the two descriptions of a Navi Sheker in the Chumash, and applies them to the types of false prophets found in Sefer Yirmiyahu. Rabbi David also explains how the test of a true Navi is found in this perek.
Rabbi Avishai David speaks about Sefer Yirmiyahu perakim 16 and 17.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David discusses the content of Perek 23. Rabbi David compares the similarities and distinctions between Perek 23 and 33. In the class, Rabbi David describes the two types of Geula (redemption)- B’ita, in its proper time, and Achishena, before it’s time, as described in the Gemara Sanhedrin. Rabbi David explains the Malbim’s approach to the different types of redemption. The perek ends with a description of the false neviim, and the idea of Nevua (prophesy) as a Masa.
