From the Rabbi Avraham Kivelevitz of the Yeshiva of Newark Podcast Living on in our minds, hearts and words-A Conversation with Rav Yochanan Meir Bechhofer

17th of Tamuz - 25th Yahrtzeit of Rav Yaakov Weinberg ZT"L

Sefiras Malchus - a Maamar for Seudas Hodaya & final week of the Omer

Fragmentation to Integration - The Ramchal's Legacy - Our Final Tikun

Shushan Purim Tish

Reflections for Shabbos - Zachor 5784

Inverse Perspectives - לעילוי נשמת הרב אברהם בן ניסים ויעל

Reflections for Moshe Rabbeinu's Yahtzeit - 7th of Adar 5784

Chovas HaTalidim - New Series - Part 3

Reishis Chochma - Part 34

שובבי"ם ת"ת - What's it about - Part 4

Zera Shimshon - Va'erah - 5784

שובבי"ם ת"ת - What's it about - Part 3

Shmiras HaLashon - The Scary Mussar - Part 2

Reishis Chochma - Part 33

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 29

Shemiras HaLashon - The Scary Mussar section

Reishis Chochma - Part 32

Meulefes Sappirim - Part 28

Reishis Chochma - Part 31

שובבי"ם ת"ת What's it About? Part 2

Zera Shimshon - Shemos 5784

שובבי"ם ת"ת - What's it about? part 1

The Rambam and his Legacy

Zera Shimshon - Vayechi - 5784

Even Shesiya - 13 Ikarim - Part 3

Yahrtzeit Tish for my Rebbe Maran HaGaon HaRav Moshe Shapira ZT"L

Zera Shimshon Vayigash - 5784

Even Shesiya - 13 Ikarim - Part 2

Reishis Chochma - Part 30

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 27

Chovas HaTalmidim - New Series - Part 2

Chavruah with the Rosh Yeshiva - Rambam Hilchos Chanukah Part 7

Chavrua with the Rosh Yeshiva - Rambam Hilch s Chanukah - Part 6

Zera Shimshon Miketz 5784

Chvrusah with the Rosh Yeshiva - Rambam Hilchos Chanukah Part 5

Chavrusa with the Rosh Yeshiva - Rambam Hilchos Chanukah Part 4

Zera Shimshon - Chanukah 5784

Zera Shimshon - Vayeshev 5784

Chavrusa with the Rosh Yeshiva - Rambam Hilchos Chanukah - Part 3

Reishis Chochma - Part 29

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 26

Reishis Chochma - Pat 28

Me'ulefas Sappirim - Part 25

Chavrusa with the Rosh Yeshiva - Rambam Hilchos Chanukah - Part 2

Even Shesiya - 13 Ikarim - Part 1

Chovas HaTamidim - New Series- Part 1

Chavrusa with the Rosh Yeshiva - Rambam Hilchos Chanukah - Part 1

Reishis Chochma - Part 27

Me’ulefes Sappirim – Part 24

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 23

Reishis Chochma - Part 26

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 22

Reishis Chochma - Part 25

Reishis Chochma - Part 24

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 21

Reishis Chochma - Part 23

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 20

Reishis Chochma - part 22

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 19

Zera Shimshon Toldos - 5784

Issues in self defense and warfare in general and on Shabbos

Reishis Chochma - Part 21

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 18

Zera Shimshon Chayei Sarah 5784

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 17

Mishlei with Commentary of the Vilna Gaon - Part 3

Reishis Chochma - Part 20

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 16

Mishlei with commentary of the Vilna Gaon - Part 2

Reishis Chochma - Part 19

Me'ulefes Sappirim - part 15

Reishis Chochma - Part 18

Mishlei with commentary of the Vilna Gaon - Part 1

Reishis Chochma - Part 17

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 14

Laws of Ribis (usury) from Shulchan Aruch HaRav - Part 7

Reishis Chochma - Part 16

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Laws of Ribis (usury) from Shulchan Aruch HaRav - Part 6

Zera Shimshon Vayeira 5784

Reishis Chochma - Part 15

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 12

Reishis Chochma - Part 14

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 11

Reishis Chochma - Part 13

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 10

Laws of Ribis (usury) from Shulchan Aruch HaRav - Part 5

Zera Shimshon Lech Lecha 5784 - Part 2

Reishis Chochma - Part 12

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 9

Reishis Chochma - Part 11

Zera Shimshon Lech Lecha 5784

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 8

Reishis Chochma - Part 10

Laws of Ribis (usury) from the Shulchan Aruch HaRav - Part 4

Reishis Chochma - Part 9

Laws of Ribis (usury) from Shulchan Aruch HaRav - Part 3

Reishis Chochma - Part 8

Me'ulefes Sappirim - part 7

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 6

Reishis Chochma - Part 7

Zera Shimshon Noach 5784

Laws of Family purity from Sefer Mareh Kohen - part2

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 5

Laws of Ribis (usury) from Shulchan Aruch HaRav - Part 2

Reishis Chochma - part 6

Do it right!

Reishis Chochma - part 5

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 4

A authoritative concise guide to laws of family purity with background information

Laws of Ribis (usury) from Shulchan Aruch HaRav - Part 1

The sefer everybody’s talking about and yearning to learn – DONE RIGHT

Me'ulefes Sappirim - Part 3

Reishis Chochma - Part 4

Dedicated to לעילוי נשמת אמי מורתי שולמית בת הרב דב יהודה ז”ל

This is a compendium of Mussar lessons from the ZOHAR collated and translated into Hebrew by Rav Shlomo Nissim Algazi (1610 – c. 1683) who was rabbi in Smyrna and in Jerusalem in the 17th century. He was a prolific writer on all topics of rabbinical literature, and won distinction by his treatment of Talmudic ...

Reishis Chochma - Part 3

Not for ‘snowflakes’, the proudly mediocre, or the politically correct.

This is a compendium of Mussar lessons from the ZOHAR collated and translated into Hebrew by Rav Shlomo Nissim Algazi (1610 – c. 1683) who was rabbi in Smyrna and in Jerusalem in the 17th century. He was a prolific writer on all topics of rabbinical literature, and won distinction by his treatment of Talmudic ...

in our response to the Simchas Torah war we called on OURSELVES to do TESHUVA and learn ZOHAR. The sefer Reishis Chochma “that every page of it adds to a person’s YIRAS SHAMAYIM” (I heard that from the mouth of my Rebbe Rav Yaakov Weinberg ZT”L the Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Israel) written by the 16th ...

This presentation, ‘inspired’ by current events, is not for everyone, in fact it is not for 99% of people. Please do not view this presentation unless you’re not afraid of the unmitigated truth, not easily ‘triggered’, and are striving to be a real Ben Torah and truly worthy of being counted amongst those that are ...

Reishis Chochma part 1

Response to the Simchas Torah War

Delivered in the Bechhofer Succa 10/3/2023

How Hashem’s Hashgacha (Providence) is actually the essence of Reality Important tenets of our faith – timeless truths that are the most important message for the 10 day of Teshuva – From Rosh Hashana through Yom Kippur – particularly in the current “climate”  

The Secret Chambers of Rosh Hashanah

Parshas Nitzavim Codes the Secret to Make it Through Rosh Hashanna

Delivered 9/3/23 in Kehillas Ahavas Torah, Scottsdale, Arizona

Delivered Motzei Shabbos Ki Savo 2023 over Melaveh Malka at the Home of Moshe Uri Lobel in Scottsdale Arizona  

Delivered 8/31/23 in Scottsdale Arizona Audio version:

  Delivered 8/29/23 to the Denver Kollel  

Delivered 8/30/23 at “Words & Whiskey” Scottsdale Arizona Audio version:

An brutally honest introspective analysis of OUR culpability of the world’s ills, why we’re still in Golus, and the beis HaMikdash has not been rebuilt. This presentation is not for the delusional or cowards

2023 Siyum and Gala Dinner Address - Marking the Yahzeit of the Arizal: Rabbi Yotzchak Luria A"H

Delivered 5/1/23 in Congregation Ohr Natan in Queens NY  

 

A brave and honest analysis based solely on the Rambam’s own words. Delivered in Merkaz L’Torah v’Tefillah Motzei Shabbos parshas Shemos 1/15/23

Delivered in Merkaz L’Torah v’Tefillah Motzei Shabbos parshas Shemos 1/14/23

Delivered in the office of City Horizon group 1/12/23

Follow along at https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=3893&st&pgnum=12 The timeless legendary motivational book on self actualization in all areas of spiritual, intellectual, and character growth Good for ages 12 – 120

Series for all parents educators and members of vaad HaChinuch worldwide Follow along at https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=3893&st&pgnum=3  

Follow along at https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=3893&st&pgnum=2 The revolutionary & timeless vision for Jewish Education of Rav Klonimus Kalmish Shapira Of Piecezna הי”ד  

A message for the 10th of Teves and the 6th Yahrtzeit of my Rebbe Rav Moshe Shapira זצוקללה”ה

What can be counted as a Mitzva to make it into the list of the 613?

G-D given interpretations Halacha L’Moshe M’Sinai The two major usages of Drashos Types of DeRabbanans (Rabbinic Law)

This presentation discusses the elemental components of the Oral Law.

This series will examine the 613 mitzvos, what they are, what are the main concepts and topics they contain and where they can be found in the Chumash, Talmud, Rambam, and Shulchan Aruch. The series of “introductions” explains why there are “only 613” and what qualifies to be counted in the list of 613

Delivered Thursday night, 5th candle of Chanukahץ 12/22/22 In the home of Steve & Alissa Grill לע”נ זאב בן שמואל

To follow in text go to: https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14191&st=&pgnum=22

To follow along go to https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14191&st=&pgnum=21

Deliveredin Houston at a Melaveh Malka Motzei Shabbos parshas Vayeshev 5783

Delivered 12/15/22 in Congregation Beth Rambam Houston Texas

To follow this session in text goto: https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14191&st=&pgnum=18

To follow along goto: https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14191&st=&pgnum=16&hilite= https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14191&st=&pgnum=17

An address for Parshas Vayishlach & Chanukah delivered in the Mesivta of Cincinnati 12/9/222

An address at the  gala STEAK & SPIRITS event Motzei Shabbos Cincinnati 12/10/22

Delivered in the Cincinnati Community Kollel Sunday 12/11/22

Given at Cincinnati Community Kollel Thursday night 12/8/22  

To follow in text go to https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14191&st=&pgnum=16

Maharal on Chanukah translated and explained by his direct descendant Rabbi Bechhofer To follow this lecture in text go to https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14191&st=&pgnum=15

Hakamas Matzeiva for Rabbi Bechhofer’s father, David ben Hachaver Yosef Dov a’h (Mr. Ernst David Bechhofer)

The Maharal’s classic book on Chanukah taught and explained by Rabbi Bechhofer – a direct descendant of the Maharal. To follow along in text, today’s page couldn be found at https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14191&st=&pgnum=14 This session is dedicated לרפואת ישראל יעקב בו דאבא נ”י ולרפואת עקיבה גרשון בן רחל בתיה נ”י בתושח”י

Follow along at https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14191&st&pgnum=12 and https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14191&st&pgnum=13  

Chavrusah with the Rosh Yeshiva: Sanhedrin 76B – Part 5

Maharal Ner Mitzvah part 6

Chavrusah with the Rosh Yeshiva: Sanhedrin 76B - Part 4

Learn Maharal with Rabbi Bechhofer – his direct descendant To follow along inside for today’s piece go to https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14191&st=&pgnum=11

Chavrusah with the Rosh Yeshiva – Sanhedrin 76B part 3

Chavrusah with the Rosh Yeshiva – Sanhedrin 76B part 2

The Maharal’s classic work on Chanukah, taught and explained by his direct descendant, The Rosh Yeshiva HaRav Yochanan Bechhofer To follow along inside for this session go to: https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14191&st=&pgnum=10

A Message for Thanksgiving 2022 from the רשב"א (You read correctly)

The Maharal’s classic work on Chanukah, taught and explained by his direct descendant, The Rosh Yeshiva HaRav Yochanan Bechhofer To follow along inside for this session go to: https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14191&st=&pgnum=9

The Maharal’s classic work on Chanukah, taught and explained by his direct descendant, The Rosh Yeshiva HaRav Yochanan Bechhofer To follow along inside for this session go to: https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14191&st=&pgnum=8

Concluding The Discussion on the written Torah with the specialty and eternality of Megillas Esther.

A huge opportunity to learn privately with Rav Bechhofer as a Chavrusah! This is not a prepared Shiur, this is to learn a sugya “from scratch” and apprentice Rav Bechhofer in the journey of learning a Gemara for the first time to completing a masterful Shiur Klali

The Maharal’s classic work on Chanukah, taught and explained by his direct descendant, The Rosh Yeshiva HaRav Yochanan Bechhofer

What are Kesuvim? What is the secret of the eternality of the Book of Esther? Can prophecy or Ruach HaKodesh play any role in Halacha or even in the interpretation of Torah?

Why is Tanach so small if we had over 1,200,000 Prophets? What are the differences between Torah, Nevi’im, and Kesuvim Halachically and philosophically?

Why is our Torah both Written and Oral? What is the unique function of the Written Torah? What are the differences between Torah, Nevi’im, and Kesuvim?

A Torah response to the final results of the 2022 midterm elections AHEAD OF TONIGHT’S announcement by President Trump (November 15th, 2022)

The Seven Mitzvos incumbent on all mankind and their relationship to “our Torah” and Moshe Rabbeinu.

Where is the "Red Wave"? A Torah Response to the 2022 Midterm Elections

Our Do-Over Rosh Hashanna - The Torah of the November 8th, 2022 Mid Term Elections

Aligning our personal universe with the Cosmos - what we take away from Yom Kippur

Erev Yom Kippur - preparing for the Great Convergence

What is the Essence of Teshuva? To Unleash the Full Power of Free Will!

Reversing Centuries of Understanding in a Scary Rambam

The Rock of Stability in the Storm - Shabbos Shuva 5783 in wake of Hurricane Ian

Rosh Hashana - The Alignment of Allegiance

If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.  

If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.  

If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.  

If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.

If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.

If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.  

The Voice of Zachor - a tribute to Rush Limbaugh

Guf & Neshama in Parshas Terumah

Guf & Neshama in Parshas Mishpatim

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If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.  

If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.  

Click here to download single sided version Click here to download the double sided version (for double sided printing) CHAPTER 1 Shiva Asar B’Tamuz – The Crack Shiva Asar B’Tamuz, the seventeenth of the month of Tamuz, is the beginning of the mourning period we call “The Three Weeks.” This sad time is also known as “Bein Ha’Meitzarim” – ...

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Click here to download single sided version Click here to download the double sided version (for double sided printing) CHAPTER 1 Erev Shavuos: Where the Finite goes Infinite 49 The forty-ninth day of the Omer, Erev Shavuos, is actually more of an impasse than a landmark, as will be discussed. The last day of the Omer must be special. It may ...

Click here to download single sided version Click here to download the double sided version (for double sided printing) Introduction During the 7 weeks of the Sefira we are counting and adding up figures. We don’t say today is the 5th day of the Omer but rather  “today are 5 days of the Omer”.  When we reach “weeks” ...

Click here to download single sided version Click here to download the double sided version (for double sided printing) Chapter 1 Sfiras HaOmer – Preparing the World for Torah Beginning with the second night of Pesach we count forty-nine days until Shavuos. This Torah commandment is known as the mitzvah of Sfiras HaOmer. We will begin our discussion with ...

Click here to download single sided version Click here to download the double sided version (for double sided printing) Author’s Introduction As I am writing this, I cannot help but draw a parallel between our situation today and the very first night of Pesach in our history.  Like the Jews back then who had to stay confined within ...

Words of insight inspiration & Chizuk  

Reflections on Ki-sisa and parshas Parah against the backdrop of the post Purim pandemic

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  Delivered by 7th of Adar seuda to the chevra kadisha of Cincinnati If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.  

  Delivered in the Cincinnati community KOLLEL If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.  

If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.  

Click here to download PDF Reincarnation The Zohar uses parshas Mishpatim and its monetary laws as a vehicle for its main discourse about ‘gilgulim’—reincarnations. All the commentators struggle to find a common denominator between these extremely disparate concepts. What is the connection between monetary law and all our civil affairs and reincarnation? Justice vs Equality In a non-leap year, ...

Using this Classic work on Jewish law to learn the Laws of Shabbos which every Jew must know and required for the Rabbinical ordinations of Smichas Chaver and Yoreh Yoreh #Shabbat #semichaschaver #semicha #Ravumanhig #chaver #Shabbos #ordination  

Using this classic Halachik work to learn the laws of Kosher every Jew must know and required for “Semicha” – Rabbinical ordination of “Yoreh Yoreh” #semicha #ordination #kashrut #becomearabbi #yorehdeah #kosher  

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto’s book of principles of Creation, Divine providence, and Divine service. #Luzzatto #philosophy #Kabbalah #faith #reason #Judaism #Torah #Hashkafa #machshava  

Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi’s monumental defense of Judaism against Greek Philosophy Christianity and Islam set in historical context of the conversion of the King of the Khazars to Judaism #Kuzari #Khazar #Khazars #Philosophy #Faith #Judahhalevi #Judaism #Torah #hashkafa #machshava  

Response to recent antisemitic attacks

The Rambam’s (Maiminides’) classic work to resolve Religion and Reason #Maimonides #Rambam #Guide #Faith #Reason #Philosophy #Judaism #Torah #hashkafa #machshava  

Understanding the special meaning of the 8th day of Chanukah and the burning of the leftover oil wicks in one bonfire #machshava #Kabbalah #philosophy #hanukkah #zoschanukah #unity #faith #religion #cosmology #maamar  

Going through Mishna with the Pirush HaMishnayos of the Rambam #Mishna #Maimonides #Brachot #masechet #Talmud #shas

A Maamar covering Parshas Miketz, Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh Teves, & Zos Chanukah #religion #faith #Chanukah #Shabbos #Rosh Chodesh  

Our Oral Law vs the narrative of academia & media

Chanukah 2019 - Personal Experiences of Divine Providence

Chanukah Wars 2019 - Taking the HOUSE back

Chanukah wars 2019 - The fight for family values

Chanukah gelt & the Dreidel - the metaphysics of Capitalism

Intro to Chanukah 2019

Click here to download PDF What’s Lavan doing in the Haggada? In the Hagaddah of Pesach we quote the Pasuk, “Arami Oved Avi vayered Mitzrayma” (Devarim 26:5) which the Baal HaHagaddah explains that Lavan was even worse than Pharaoh. Pharaoh only decreed the extermination of the Jewish males and Lavan wanted to “uproot” the whole .Why ...

 

Click here to download PDF On the Ruins of the flood “And the whole earth was one language and singular/uniform terms. When they traveled from the east they found a valley in the land of Shinar and they settled there”(11:1-2). Why is it necessary to stress that there was only one language? First of all, that is ...

 

עילוי נשמת אמי מורתי שולמית בת הרב דב יהודה ז”ל If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.  

Click here to download PDF A Tribute to my Mother Z”L on the occasion of her first Yahrtzeit Twenty Generations of Anger “There were ten generations from Adam until Noah to make us aware how much patience Hashem has as all these generations angered him constantly until (after waiting ten generations) He brought upon them the Waters of ...

Marking the first Yahrtzeit of HaRav Yochanan Bechhofer’s Mother Z”L  

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Click here to download PDF (for single sided printers) Click here to download PDF (double sided) Between Yom Kippur & Succos Forgiven in Thirds To understand the special energy of these days between Yom Kippur and Succos: The midrash Rabbah in parshas Emor (30:7) on the Pasuk “And you will take for Yourselves on the first day a fruit ...

Click here to download PDF (for single sided printers) Click here to download PDF (for double sided printers) ערב יום כיפור General Introduction to Yom Kippur The essence of Yom Kippur is that Hashem created for the Jewish people one day that Teshuva is easily accepted. On this day the sins are easily “erased”, which includes to fix all ...

Click here to download PDF Shabbos & Teshuva To understand the source for Shabbos Shuva, how it is a fundamental landmark in the Aseres Yemei Teshuva, and how it is what empowers Yom Kippur:  The Midrash (Bereishis Rabba 22:28) says that after years had passed, Adam Harishon met up with his son, Kayin.  Adam asked Kayin what ...

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Click here to download PDF (for single sided printers) Click here to download PDF (for double sided printers) FIRST NIGHT OF ROSH HASHANA מעריב The ספר החיים Book of the Living The judgment on Rosh HaShanah is multi-leveled.  First and foremost, we are judged on whether we are    צדיקים– righteous, orרשעים -wicked. To be declared a Tzaddik is ...

Click here to download PDF Eyes for Today? “On this day Hashem your Lord commands you to do all these statutes….” (26:16) Rashi brings from Chazal “this day means that it should be in your eyes as if today you were commanded in these Mitzvos”. This peculiar command to seemingly pretend that we were freshly commanded in ...

 

Click here to download PDF Faulty Weights & Amalek In this week’s Parsha, we have the obligation to maintain only accurate weights and measures and the prohibition to produce or to have inaccurate weights and measures even if they will not be used for commerce (25:13-16). Immediately following these Mitzvos regarding weights and measures, we have the ...

Click here to download PDF City Court The Parsha opens with the Mitzvah to set up Batei Dinim in all the tribes and all the major cities.  It is interesting to note that this strict halacha of a Beis Din in every major city is strictly in the land of Israel.  Whereas, in the Diaspora the obligation ...

Click here to download PDF Special edition marking the conclusion of Kaddish for my Mother Z” L Meat In this week’s Parsha we learn about a drastic change in our personal lives that will go into effect in the land of Israel. In the desert, the kosher animals that can be brought as a “korban Shelamim” had to ...

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Click here to download PDF Affliction & Hunger?!? “And He afflicted you and He starved you and He fed you the “Mann” that you did not know and was unknown to your forefathers in order to make you know that not on bread alone lives the man but rather on what comes out of the mouth of ...

Click here to download PDF How do you add up inactions? “Do not kill” and Do not commit adultery and Do not steal and Do not bear false witness against your neighbor and Do not covet the wife of your neighbor and Do not desire the house of your neighbor, his field and his slave and his ...

Understanding how Churban HaBayis is just as big of a tragedy for the individual as it is for the nation Given at Rabbi Horowitz’s Shul 200 Broadway Lawrence, NY If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.

Click here to download PDF Moshe Yishayahu Yirmiyahu “Eicha” – How can I carry by myself your contentiousness, your burdens and your quarrels” (1:12).  This Pasuk is traditionally read with an ‘Eicha tune’ as it is always read before Tisha B’Av. Is there an inherent connection?  The Midrash Rabba on Eicha says as follows: “Three prophesized using ...

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Click here to download PDF The Exile – Israel sandwich Parshas Masei is always one of the Parshas we read during the three weeks. It has clear allusions to “Golus”- exile which is the sad state that we actively mourn during this time. It contains the laws of the unintentional murderer who himself must go into exile. ...

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Click here to download PDF Why Delay the inevitable? At the end of this week’s Parsha, we have the Korbanos for “Atzeres”. Rashi brings from the Chazal that “Atzeres” is from the word “atzor”- stop;  That Hashem is telling the Jewish people “after the joyous days of Succos, it is hard for Me to bear your separation, ...

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Click here to download PDF Special expanded edition marking 20th Yahrzeit of my Rebbe, Maran HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg, ZT”L, the Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisroel The Three Mouths In this week’s Parsha, we have the account of Bilaam’s donkey speaking, besting him in an argument, and causing him humiliation. The Mishna says in Avos (5:9) that “Pi ha’ason”-the ...

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If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.    

Click here to download PDF Who cares about a Rock’s parnassah? In this week’s Parsha we have the incident of Moshe hitting the rock as opposed to speaking to it. This is what sealed his fate that he would not take the Jewish people into the land of Israel. Hashem says ”because you did not believe ...

Click here to download PDF Mezuzah & Tzitzis Korach wages a revolution against Moshe. The “cause” is “equality”. His claim is that the whole nation heard at Sinai Hashem speak and reveal himself onto the whole nation as Hashem’s nation and therefore no Jew should be considered “holier” than his fellow Jew. Strangely enough, to advance his ...

Click here to download PDF The crime and the Penalty In  this week’s Parsha, we have the sad story of the spies that slandered the land of Israel. Chazal tell us that this laid the precedent for Tisha b’Av being a day when calamities happen, most particularly the destructions of the two Temples. Hashem  says: “you cried ...

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Click here to download PDF Self-made Menorah? In the third Midrash Rabba of this week’s Parsha, it says, “You find that Moshe found difficulty in making the Menorah more than any other vessels in the Mishkan, to the point that Hashem had to project an image for him….. as the Pasuk says in this week’s Parsha (8:4): ...

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If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.  

Click here to download PDF Where do we go from here? After the uplifting days of Shavuos, which commemorate the greatest event in history of unmitigated Divine revelation, one has to wonder where do we go from here? How can there be any moving forward or growth after having the greatest experience possible? Ironically, upon the place ...

Click here to download PDF Parshas Bamidbar & Shavuos It is interesting to note that Shavuos always comes out after we read Parshas Bamidbar. This arrangement is ancient and is brought down in the Rambam’s Hilchos Tefillah. It corresponds with the historical event itself.  We always read Parshas Bamidbar within the first week of the month of ...

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Click here to download PDF Wrong Place & Reverse Order “And I will remember my covenant with Yaakov and also my covenant with Yitzchak and also my covenant with Avraham and the land (of Israel) I will remember” (26:42). Why not simply write:… and the covenant of Yitzchak and the Covenant of Avraham? Why the two extra ...

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If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version. My dearest friends, Last night I was in Miron and I had access to the inner cave that’s behind the kitchen area which is the closest you can get to where Rav ...

Click here to download PDF Shmitta & Sinai This week’s Parsha opens with the laws of Shmitta which were said at Har Sinai. Rashi brings the Chazal that says, just like Shmitta was taught in detail at Sinai so also all the Mitzvos were given in detail at Sinai. Why was Shmitta chosen to be the prime ...

Click here to download PDF Purity for all Kohanim Parshas Emor opens up with the special Halachos pertaining to Ahron and his children.  There are the laws of criteria to be fit to do “Avoda” and then there are the laws that are universal to all Kohanim, like the opening Halacha that the Kohanim must avoid contact ...

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Click here to download PDF Rebbe Akiva vs Hillel “And you should love your friend like yourself” Rashi brings from the Toras Kohanim the famous statement of Rebbe Akiva: “This is a ‘KLAL GADOL’– great inclusive principle in Torah”.  What does this mean? If he means to say that this encases the entirety of Torah, then what ...

Click here to download PDF Rashi argues on the Gemara?!? “And You will keep My statutes and my laws that the man will do and live by them….” Rashi says, on the words “And live by them” in Olam Haba for if you say it is Olam Hazeh, he will at the end die. Rashi ...

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If you’re viewing this on a portable device, such as a phone, and are having difficulty playing the shiur, then try the below YouTube version.  

Click here to download PDF What is Nirtzah about? The final phase of the Seder is called “Nirtzah” and it’s a very difficult phase to understand. The Seder per se has finished with the mitzvah of Hallel and we already officially closed the Seder with “Chasal Sidur Pesach”. Then comes another phase called “Nirtzah”- desired. The meforshim ...

Click here to download PDF Who goes to who? “These are the laws of the Metzora on the day of his purification and he should be brought before the Kohen. And the Kohen will come out to him outside of the camp….” There’s an obvious contradiction here that is discussed by the commentaries: Who goes to ...

Click here to download PDF The Obvious The Tangent & The Mystery “When a woman will conceive and give birth to a male she will be ‘impure’ for seven days and on the eighth day he shall be circumcised….. and 33 days she’ll have blood of purity….etc.” There are a few questions that arise in these Pesukim. First ...

Click here to download PDF Why 8? “And it was the eighth day…” why is this the eighth day? What is its connection to the seven days prior? During  the seven days of the “Miluim” Moshe Rabbeinu served as the Kohen Gadol in a “white garment with no hem” and the Mishkan was taken apart at the ...

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Click here to download PDF Who called? “And He called to Moshe and Hashem spoke to him from the Ohel Moed…” seemingly it should have read: And Hashem called to Moshe and He spoke to him from Ohel Moed!  Hashem should have been mentioned at the beginning of the sentence, as He’s doing the calling.  Why is ...

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Click here to download PDF Contradiction in Rashi The Gemara (Yevamos 72A) explains that the reason the Jewish people did not do Bris Milah in all the years that they were in the desert is because they did not have a northern wind, because they were in disgrace. Rashi explains that they were in disgrace because of ...

Click here to download PDF The Mirrors & the Memories In this week’s Parsha (38:8) “and he made the “Kiyor” and it’s base out of copper from the mirrors…” Rashi bring the Chazal that Moshe did not want to take these mirrors which the women used to beautify themselves because they are made for the purpose of ...

Click here to download PDF Luchos and Jewish eyes?!? In this week’s Parsha we have the tragedy of the breaking in of the Luchos in response to our sin of the golden calf. It’s one of the reasons we fast on the 17th of Tammuz, however, there is strange flipside to this setback. First of all, Moshe ...

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Click here to download PDF Shovavim – Tat As is well-known, these weeks of Shemos, Vaeira, Bo, Beshalach, Yisro, and Mishpatim have a special quality of Teshuva being readily accepted, particularly the “known sin” of “waste”. For that reason, some communities in Eretz Yisrael run refresher courses in the laws of family purity. There is a dilemma ...

Click here to download PDF Contradiction in Rambam In this week’s Parsha we have the directive to build the Mishkan and subsequently the Beis HaMikdash as the Pasuk says (25:8) “and they will make for me a “Mikdash”-sanctuary and I will dwell within them”. The Rambam brings this Pasuk as the eternal source for the command to ...

Click here to download PDF Mishpatim & Mizbe’ach After the command not to ascend by stairs to the Mizbe’ach at the end of last week’s parsha, we are commanded to bring our civil and monetary disputes before the Jewish Dayanim ONLY. From the juxtaposition of these commands we learn that we are commanded to put the Grand ...