Best Chavurah Podcasts (2024)

1
Some Thoughts on the Seudah ha'Mafsekes (Hilchos Taaniyos 5:7-9) 22:35

13h ago22:35

22:35

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 21 minutes 24 seconds Synopsis: I was originally going to record an episode for tomorrow, Tishah b'Av itself, but I ended up discussing the halachos of seudah ha'mafsekes (the concluding meal before the fast) with my chavrusa this afternoon, and decided to record an episode about th…

1
Tearing Kria Over the Destruction (Hilchos Taaniyos 5:16-18) 13:16

1d ago13:16

13:16

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 12 minutes 23 seconds Synopsis: We conclude the fifth chapter of Hilchos Taaniyos with the halachos of tearing our garments when we encounter the Cities of Judah, Jerusalem, and the Mikdash in their states of destruction. The final halacha is about the status of these fast days in t…

1
Commemorations of the Destruction (Hilchos Taaniyos 5:12-15) 10:43

4d ago10:43

10:43

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 9 minutes 50 seconds Synopsis: Today's halachos are about the enactments and decrees that Chazal set up to commemorate the destruction of the Mikdash and Yerushalayim. Some of these are familiar to us; others seem to no longer be practiced, or at least, are not as visible. Neverthel…

1
Prohibitions on Tishah b'Av and Manuscript Methodology (Hilchos Taaniyos 5:10-11) 16:15

13d ago16:15

16:15

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 15 minutes 22 seconds Synopsis: Today we finish the Rambam's halachos of Tishah b'Av itself, stopping to discuss an interesting minority manuscript and its implications. Tomorrow we'll move on to the next topic in the chapter: the commemorative practices that Chazal instituted to re…

1
Rosh Chodesh Av to Erev Tishah b'Av (Hilchos Taaniyos 5:6-9) 8:45

6d ago8:45

8:45

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 7 minutes 52 seconds Synopsis: We continue in Hilchos Taaniyos 5 with the halachos pertaining to the month of Av and Erev Tishah b'Av. As I said, we're keeping this in a "strictly bekius" mode for now to ensure that we finish the chapter before Tishah b'Av itself. ----- מקורות: רמב"…

1
Days on Which All Jews Fast (Hilchos Taaniyos 5.1-5) 12:14

12d ago12:14

12:14

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 11 minutes 20 seconds Synopsis: We'll be taking another detour into the Laws of Fasts in order to prepare for Tishah b'Av, "Rambam Bekius style." Today we read the introductory halachos in which the Rambam tells us about each of the national fast days, why we fast on them, and what …

1
Different Davening for Different Daveners (Hilchos Tefilah u'Birkas Kohanim 1:3) 12:55

12d ago12:55

12:55

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 12 minutes 2 seconds Synopsis: Today we examine the Rambam's examples of the different ways that different people used to daven. There are some nuances in the Rambam's language that I never noticed before. We end off with a CORRECTED reading of the statement about facing Mikdash (wh…

1
Inferences from the Formulation of Tefilah de'Oraisa (Hilchos Tefilah u'Birkas Kohanim 1:2-3) 14:25

13d ago14:25

14:25

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 13 minutes 32 seconds Synopsis: Today we reread the Rambam's formulation of the obligation of tefilah from the Torah and make several inferences from the nuances of his formulation. These nuances help us to know what the actual chiyuv de'oraisa is, and also shed further light on the…

1
How to Receive Divine Mercy (Moreh ha'Nevuchim 1:53) 15:08

14d ago15:08

15:08

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 14 minutes 15 seconds Synopsis: Well, THIS episode took an unexpected turn! I intended to just review one point we covered yesterday and read ten words from the Meiri on how to "make" God have mercy on you, but that little addition turned into a whole episode which touched upon the …

1
Tefilah and Tachanunim as Hendiadys (Hilchos Tefilah u'Birkas Kohanim 1:2) 12:19

15d ago12:19

12:19

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 11 minutes 26 seconds Synopsis: And we're BACK to "actual bekius"! In this episode we cover two topics: (a) my mini-rant on how publishers (a.k.a. doofuses) screwed up the Rambam's division of the mini-halachos, and (b) how to understand the Rambam's use of the phrase "mispalel u'mi…

1
Women's Obligation in Tefilah Part 4 (Psak of Mishnah Berurah) 7:20

19d ago7:20

7:20

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 6 minutes 26 seconds Synopsis: We conclude this examination of women's obligation in tefilah by reading the Mishnah Berurah, who arrives at a similar conclusion to the Aruch ha'Shulchan but spells out a few more details in terms of practicality. Note: I recorded this late into the t…

1
Women's Obligation in Tefilah Part 3 (Psak of Aruch ha'Shulchan) 12:39

20d ago12:39

12:39

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 11 minutes 45 seconds Synopsis: Today we finish the Aruch ha'Shulchan's analysis of how the machlokess on the mitzvah of tefilah de'oraisa plays itself out for women. After taking up the positions of Rashi, Tosafos, Ramban, and Talmidei Rabbeinu Yonah, the Aruch ha'Shulchan arrives …

1
Zaakah on the 17th of Tammuz 20:53

21d ago20:53

20:53

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 20 minutes Synopsis: Because today is the 17th of Tammuz, I wanted to take a brief pause in our topic to address inyanei d'yoma, and what better way to do so than to review one thing that the Rambam and the Ramban both agree on: that zaakah b'eis tzarah (crying out to Hashem at a ti…

1
Women's Obligation in Tefilah Part 2 (Gemara Reading: Rambam vs. Rashi) 11:43

22d ago11:43

11:43

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 10 minutes 49 seconds Synopsis: The next step in our analysis of the machlokess between the Rambam and Ramban and its impact on women's obligation in tefilah is to learn Gemara according to both sides. Turns out, this issue is complicated by the fact that there are three different g…

1
Bookkeeping, Fridays, and a Listener Question 8:20

25d ago8:20

8:20

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 7 minutes 26 seconds Synopsis: Instead of continuing what we started yesterday, we're gonna slow down. After three weeks of Rambam Bekius, there's one change I'd like to make. ----- The Torah Content for the remainder of July has been sponsored by the Lichters in honor of Jonny Schn…

1
Women's Obligation in Tefilah Part 1 (the Rav on the Rambam) 18:25

26d ago18:25

18:25

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 17 minutes 32 seconds Synopsis: Guess what? We're taking another detour! Since the machlokess between the Rambam and Ramban on tefilah de'oraisa has a direct bearing on the nature and parameters of women's obligation in tefilah, we're going to take up that topic for the next few epi…

1
Machlokess Rambam and Ramban on Tefilah De'Oraisa (Our Theory) 21:01

27d ago21:01

21:01

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 20 minutes 8 seconds Synopsis: Well, I can't put it off any longer: here's the approach my chavrusa and I have been developing to explain the machlokess betweenthe Ramban and the Rambam on tefilah de'oraisa. I did my best to present it clearly, which means that the fact that this ep…

1
Machlokess Rambam and Ramban on Tefilah De'Oraisa (Aruch ha'Shulchan) 10:06

28d ago10:06

10:06

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 9 minutes 13 seconds Synopsis: Before I share the theory that my chavrusa and I have been working on, I'd like to share what the Aruch ha'Shulchan wrote. Like the Rav, he attempts to minimize the machlokess between these two "pillars of the world." What do you think of his line of r…

1
Machlokess Rambam and Ramban on Tefilah De'Oraisa (The Rav's Theory) 13:04

29d ago13:04

13:04

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 12 minutes 11 seconds Synopsis: Last time we read the Ramban's critique of the Rambam's view that daily tefilah is a mitzvah from the Torah. Before I share the theory that my chavrusa and I have been working on, I'd like to share a famous explanation given by Rabbi Joseph B. Solovei…

1
Ramban on Tefilah De'Oraisa: Facts (Hasagos ha'Ramban - Aseh #5) 22:22

1M ago22:22

22:22

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 21 minutes 29 seconds Synopsis: Today we'll go over the facts of the Ramban's machlokess with the Rambam regarding the mitzvah of tefilah from the Torah. If you've heard of this machlokess, do yourself a favor: BEFORE you listen to the episode, summarize what you THINK the Ramban's …

1
Halbertal on Rambam's Theory of Hermeneutics 12:15

1M ago12:15

12:15

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 11 minutes 22 seconds Synopsis: I could have moved on after answering yesterday's question, I figured that once we were already discussing the Rambam's take on Rabbinical hermeneutics, I might as well recap my current understanding of his position, as explained by Moshe Halbertal in…

1
Listener Question on the 13 Middos she'ha'Torah Nidreshes Ba'hen 16:17

1M ago16:17

16:17

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 15 minutes 24 seconds Synopsis: Today we take up another question from a different listener. Unbeknownst to the listener, this question cuts deep to the core of a HUGE machlokess between the Rambam and the Ramban about the nature of the Torah text and Rabbinic authority. Although we…

1
Listener Questions on the Previous Episode on Avodah, Tefilah, and Talmud Torah 18:16

1M ago18:16

18:16

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 17 minutes 23 seconds Synopsis: Before we take up the question about the inclusion in the Sefer ha'Mitzvos of the halacha about facing Mikdash during tefilah, I'd like to attempt to answer three questions that were sent to me by a listener, and in so doing, refine our understanding …

1
What is Avodah? (Sefer ha'Mitzvos Aseh #5; Ralbag - Devarim 6:13) 16:02

1M ago16:02

16:02

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 15 minutes 8 seconds Synopsis: We last left our hero (i.e. Rambam) on an open question: "What is the Rambam's idea of the mitzvah of 'avodah' such that it encompasses all mitzvos AND is a specific commandment for tefilah AND an injunction to study Torah?" Here is how the Ralbag answ…

1
Formulation of Mitzvas Tefilah in ShM (Questions) and MT (Facts) 11:56

1M ago11:56

11:56

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 11 minutes 2 seconds Synopsis: Yesterday we read the Rambam's formulation of the mitzvah of tefilah in the Sefer ha'Mitzvos. Today we raise several questions on this formulation, and then acquaint ourselves with the facts of his three formulations in the Mishneh Torah. We will spend…

1
Formulation of Mitzvas Tefilah in ShM (Facts) 14:56

2M ago14:56

14:56

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 14 minutes 3 seconds Synopsis: We begin our learning of Hilchos Tefilah with the Rambam's formulation of the mitzvah in the Sefer ha'Mitzvos. Right away we are confronted with an anomaly: according to one of the rules set forth by the Rambam in the introduction to the Sefer ha'Mitzv…

1
How to Master the Mishneh Torah 14:06

2M ago14:06

14:06

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 13 minutes 13 seconds Synopsis: The Rambam urged his student, R' Yosef, to "make [the Mishneh Torah] your book par excellence." In this episode, I share the methodology I was taught by one of my Rambam rabbeim for how to do that. This methodology will serve as the blueprint for how …

1
How to Read the Mishneh Torah 12:24

2M ago12:24

12:24

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 11 minutes 31 seconds Synopsis: Before we start learning Hilchos Tefilah, I'd like to review two pillars of my Mishneh Torah methodology. Today we'll discuss how the Rambam intended for his magnum opus to be read, and tomorrow I'll share how one of my own Rambam mentors advised me t…

1
Relaunching the Rambam Bekius Podcast: Introduction 18:48

2M ago18:48

18:48

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 17 minutes 55 seconds Synopsis: Welcome BACK to the Rambam Bekius Podcast! In this inaugural episode, I discuss what we mean by "Rambam Bekius," what our goals are for this podcast, and what the format will be. Whether you're a new or returning listener, be sure to check out this ep…

1
Two MAJOR Professional/Life Updates for the 2023-2024 Academic Year 47:58

1y ago47:58

47:58

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length of audio: 47 minutes Synopsis: Have you been what I'll be up to this coming year? Have you heard me allude to a MAJOR update that I said I'd announce about my professional life in the near future? Are you aware of one of these updates, but not the other? Well, if none of this interes…

1
Rambam on the Purpose of OTHER Human Beings (Introduction to the Mishnah) 25:16

1y ago25:16

25:16

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 24 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (6/8/23), in our last Rambam Bekius mini-shiur (ever?), we read Rambam's answer to the question: "If the purpose of human beings is to perfect ourselves, in knowledge and in action, what is the purpose of all those people who are not involved in p…

1
Rambam on the Purpose of Human Beings (Introduction to the Mishnah) 42:57

1y ago42:57

42:57

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 42 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (6/7/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we FINALLY got to the part where the Rambam talks about the purpose of the human species. We read through his main answer, encountering a few questions and problems along the way. Tomorrow (בג"ה), in our …

1
Why Chazal Concealed Ideas in Midrashim (Introduction to the Mishnah) 26:00

1y ago26:00

26:00

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 25 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (6/5/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we INTENDED to learn the Rambam's interpretation of the midrashic statement, "The only thing Ha'Kadosh Baruch Hu has in this world is the four cubits of halacha alone" (Berachos 8a). But we decided to sta…

1
Chukos ha'Goyim (Part 4) - a Shiur from the Kuntress 20:22

1y ago20:22

20:22

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 19 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (6/1/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we finished the shiur on Chukos ha'Goyim, answering all the questions that were raised, and walking away with a newfound appreciation for the Torah's war against avodah zarah! ----- מקורות: למקדח ולמחרוז …

1
Chukos ha'Goyim (Part 3) - a Shiur from the Kuntress 30:24

1y ago30:24

30:24

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 30 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/31/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we continued in the Kuntress shiur we started yesterday, and took the first step in answering our questions. This involved a BIG idea, and there's a lot more to flesh out, but it'll have to wait until to…

1
Chukos ha'Goyim (Part 2) - a Shiur from the Kuntress 22:07

1y ago22:07

22:07

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 21 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/30/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we continued in the Kuntress shiur we started yesterday, getting through all the questions - some major and some minor. Tomorrow, after a brief review, we'll begin the answers/ideas! ----- מקורות: למקדח …

1
Chukos ha'Goyim (Part 1) - a Shiur from the Kuntress 28:37

1y ago28:37

28:37

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 28 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/29/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we began learning through another shiur in The Kuntress. We chose to do the shiur on Chukos ha'Goyim because Rambam Yomi began Hilchos Avodah Zarah today. We got through the first two questions in the sh…

1
Sidran shel ha'Mitzvos - a Shiur from the Kuntress 46:16

1y ago46:16

46:16

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 45 minutes Synopsis: This morning (5/25/23), in lieu of a Mishlei shiur, we learned through the first shiur in The Kuntress, which is about the order of mitzvos in the Sefer ha'Mitzvos vs. their order in the Mishneh Torah. We figured this would be a good topic to take up on Erev Sha…

1
Rambam vs. Rav Moshe on Standing for the Aseres ha'Dibros (Tshuvah #263) 37:38

1+ y ago37:38

37:38

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 37 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/24/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, on the day before Erev Shavuos, we decided to learn through the Rambam's tshuvah on the question of whether one should stand when the Aseres ha'Dibros are being read during Krias ha'Torah. After reading …

1
Being Dependent on Tzedakah (Hilchos Matnos Aniyim 10:18-19) 19:29

1+ y ago19:29

19:29

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 19 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/23/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we completed this year's learn-through of the halachos of tzedakah. The final halachos discussed the various sides of dependency on tzedakah: when it's bad, when it's necessary, and how to tell the diffe…

1
Giving Tzedakah to Your Own [Expanded] Household (Hilchos Matnos Aniyim 10:16-17) 19:33

1+ y ago19:33

19:33

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 19 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/22/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we returned to Hilchos Matnos Aniyim Chapter 10 after a three month (!) hiatus. Today learned the halachos about supporting your children, your parents, and your other relatives - and, most importantly, …

1
Other Kingly Prohibitions and Privileges (Hilchos Melachim u'Milchamos 3:6-10) 17:51

1+ y ago17:51

17:51

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 17 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/18/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we finished learning about the king's prohibitions and privileges in chapter 3. Although there's another chapter which is part of this topic, we're going to go back to Hilchos Matnos Aniyim and complete …

1
The King's Prohibitions: Women, Horses, and Wealth (Hilchos Melachim u'Milchamos 3:1-4) 15:59

1+ y ago15:59

15:59

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 15 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/16/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we continued with the halachos of kings, learning about the three lo taasehs stated in the Torah, and the positive injunction about what a king SHOULD occupy himself with. Tomorrow we'll aim to finish th…

1
The King's Sefer Torah (Hilchos Tefilin, u'Mezuzah, v'Sefer Torah 7:1-2) 22:26

1+ y ago22:26

22:26

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 22 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/15/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we wrapped up (I think?) the sugya of the king's mitzvah to write a second sefer Torah for himself, in addition to the one he had as a civilian. There were a few questions we weren't able to answer, but …

1
How "Write this Song" Means "Write a Torah Scroll" (Hilchos Tefilin, u'Mezuzah, v'Sefer Torah 7:1-2) 30:35

1+ y ago30:35

30:35

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 30 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/11/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we reviewed and wrapped up the Aruch ha'Shulchan from yesterday, then read the first couple halachos in the Rambam about the mitzvos of writing a Sefer Torah, then we finished reading the Torah Temimah w…

1
The Mitzvah to Write a Sefer Torah ... or Buy Books from a Publisher? (Sefer ha'Mitzvos #18) 26:02

1+ y ago26:02

26:02

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 26 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/10/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we went on a fun detour (from our already fun detour). We planned to learn about the mitzvos unique to a king, the first of which is to write a second Sefer Torah for himself. First, we had to learn abou…

1
Kavod ha'Melech Continued (Hilchos Melachim u'Milchamos 2:5) 22:45

1+ y ago22:45

22:45

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 22 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/9/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we learned the chapter in the Mishneh Torah about the halachos of celebrating Lag ba'Omer. The Rambam's shitah about the size of the bonfire ... HA! GOTCHU! We continued on in the halachos about honoring …

1
Kavod ha'Melech (Hilchos Melachim u'Milchamos 2:1-5) 19:01

1+ y ago19:01

19:01

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 18 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/4/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we began with a discourse from the honorable Dutchman Monarchist, Yoel Schaper, who helped us to understand the rationale behind hereditary positions of leadership. We then read the first few halachos abo…

1
Anointing a King (Hilchos Melachim u'Milchamos 1:6-12) 21:46

1+ y ago21:46

21:46

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 21 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/3/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we continued learning the halachos in the first perek of Hilchos Melachim u'Milchamos. First we learned through the remaining halachos about who may be apointed, and then we learned the halachos about ano…

1
The Mitzvah to Appoint a King (Hilchos Melachim u'Milchamos 1:1-5) 19:08

1+ y ago19:08

19:08

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text! Length: 18 minutes Synopsis: This afternoon (5/2/23), in our Rambam Bekius mini-shiur, we took up a rather timely topic: the halachos of appointing a king. (Timely because the coronation of King Charles III will take place this weekend.) We learned through the first few halachos about the m…

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