Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 20), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Tefillah is Existential not Philosophical; Tefillah After the Holocaust; Changing H…

Special | A Communal Reassessment of our Relationship to America and Israel, by Rabbi Michael Rosensweig Rabbi Rosensweig, Har Etzion alumnus '73, is Rosh Yeshiva at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University and the Rosh Kollel of the Beren Kollel Elyon.By Rabbi Michael Rosensweig

Ramban on the Torah | 51 | Balak, by Rav Eli Weber Who, and what, was Bil'am?By Rav Eli Weber

Ramban on the Torah | 50 | Chukat, by Rav Eli Weber What is so strange about Para Aduma? What's the sin of Moshe and Aharon? Was there kiddush Hashem in Mei Meriva?By Rav Eli Weber

What's the Right Way to Disagree? (Avot 5:17), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing the Torah of Rav Asher Weiss What is a "machloket l'shem shamayim" and why does it endure?By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Balak | The Book of Bil'am, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why do Chazal credit Moshe with writing "his book (Torah) and Parashat Bil'am". What is "Parashat Bil'am"? The story of Bil'am has always inspired consternation. Amongst the mysteries unique to this narrative is one of setting - it is the only story in the Torah since the end of Sefer Bereishit w…

Why Does Hashem Test Us (Avot 5:3), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing the Torah of Rav Asher Weiss What was accomplished by Avraham "passing" 10 tests? What's the point of it all?By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 19), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Tefilla as a Barometer of Authenticity and Spirituality; The Ba'al Shem Tov's Assur…

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 18), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Honesty, Humility and Integrity; The Search for "Emmet"; Avoiding Exhibitionist Fru…

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 17), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Was Da'as Torah Popular in Europe in the Non-Chasidic World?; Empowering Talmidim w…

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 16), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Symptoms of Religion Becoming Abnormal: Dismissiveness Toward "Ba'alei Batim", Not …

The Power of Habits - for Good or for Bad (Avot 4:2), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing the Torah of Rav Asher Weiss Why are habits (good or bad) so powerful?By by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 15), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Calibrating Aspiration With Emotional Health; Interrupting His Son's Bar Mitzvah; O…

Thoughts about the Lubavitcher Rebbe and Chabad, by Rav Moshe Taragin Upon the rebbe's 30th yahrzeit, 3 Tammuz, 5784By Rav Moshe Taragin

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 14), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Predicting a Crisis in Western Civilization..35 Years Ago; Food Rationing in Israel…

Chukat | The Skirmish at Chormah, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom When did this war take place? The brief mention of a war with "Melekh Kna'ani" immediately after the report of the death of Aharon raises questions about geography, the route that Bnei Yisra'el took in the desert and the larger problem of post-Mosaic additions to the text of the Torah. Rash…

Avot 3:2-3 (2 Distinct Themes), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing the Torah of Rav Asher Weiss This shiur was given to the Women's Halakha Group at Kehilat HaEla (RBS) Civil Society and the Dangers of Chaos (Avot 3:2) Torah-Focused Meals and Conversations (Avot 3:2-3)By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

The Limitations of Ignorance and the Importance of Torah Knowledge (Avot 2:5), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing Torah of Rav Asher Weiss Can an "Am Ha-Aretz" be a good person?By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Why is Being Liked by Others a Religious Value? (Avot 3:10), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Does Hashem only like people who are popular? This shiur was given to the Kehillat HaEla women's group in Ramat Beit Shemesh.By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Does it Matter WHY We Do Mitzvot? (Avot 1:3), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Is it so bad if I do mitzvot for the reward? This shiur was given to the Kehillat HaEla women's group in Ramat Beit Shemesh, on June 19, 2024.By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Enhancing our Personal Kabbalat HaTorah, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb This shiur was given to the Kehillat HaEla women's group in Ramat Beit Shemesh, on June 10 of this year, in preparation for Shavuot. 3 independent thoughts on the holiday of Matan Torah / Chag HaBikkurim.By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

The Holocaust and Challenges to our Faith, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb This shiur was given as part of the Ramat Beit Shemesh Women's Halakha series the week of Yom HaShoah 5784, on May 9, 2024. "The Jewish people are not witnesses to the miracle, we are the miracle." Emotional and religious considerations of the Holocaust, as well as of our immediate si…

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 12-13), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Part 12: A Strange Voice of Jewish Universalism; The "Meeting" Between the Besh…

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 11), by Rav Moshe Taragin A "Pintele Yid" or a "Poshete Yid"; Deveikut with Simple Jews; Grafting Trees; Don't Overhype Expectations; Inside Out; The Honesty to Say "I Don't Know"By Rav Moshe Taragin

6 Stories of Rav Amital Which Shaped My Life, by Rav Moshe Taragin On the power of a story. Sicha given in advance of Harav Amital zt"l's 14th yahrzeit. Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Oct 31, 1924 - July 9, 2010)By Rav Moshe Taragin

Ramban on the Torah | 49 | Korach, by Rav Eli Weber What was Moshe risking? What did Hashem create to kill Korach?By Rav Eli Weber

Korach | Moshe's Brilliant Response to Korach's Challenge, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Why did Korach, in spite of his claim that "the whole congregation are holy people", agree to a test to see "which one" would be selected by Hashem? Korach's initial claim - that כל העדה כולם קדושים - seems to argue for universal access to the משכן and a nationwide …

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 9 and 10), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: On the religious crisis in Pre WWII Europe; building a different type of yes…

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 8), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: The "Language" of Role Modeling; Do We Care How the Non-Orthodox View Us?; Does Here…

Ramban on the Torah | Naso, by Rav Eli Weber Why can we rely on the miracle of sota? Is a nazir doing something good or bad? Why does the Torah repeat the korbanot of the Nesiim?By Rav Eli Weber

Ramban on the Torah | Behaalotekha, by Rav Eli Weber Why is Aharon's lighting the Menorah comparable to the Nesiim's Korbanot? Why was Pesach celebrated in the Midbar? Why does Hashem stand up for Moshe?By Rav Eli Weber

Ramban on the Torah | 1 Year Anniversary! | Shelach, by Rav Eli Weber Why doesn't Hashem stop Am Israel from sinning? What is the meaning of Moshe and Aharon falling on their faces? What does Moshe request from Hashem?By Rav Eli Weber

Shelach | Who is the Edah? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The interactions between the various actors in the dramatic scene when the scouts return from Eretz Canaan is hard to decipher. At what point does Calev separate from the 10? When does Yehoshua join him? More significantly, who "cries on that night" and who "wants to stone them" (Calev and Yehoshu…

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 7), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Why is Gemara Learning So Critical? Vision and Discipline Are Crucial for Growth in …

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 6), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: The Value of Torah Study; Providing Spiritual Leadership for an Emerging Community; …

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 4-5), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: 4. How Should The Holocaust Shape our Questioning of Hashem? How Does it Affect O…

Behaalotekha | Where was the Korban Pesach Brought? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Was the Pesach brought at the beginning of the 2nd year brought in people's homes?! Although we broadly assume that, once the Mishkan was constructed, any offerings would be brought there; especially in line with Vayikra 17 which prohibits שחוטי חוץ - animals slaughtered o…

Fusing Justice with Mercy: The Secret to Maintaining a Flourishing Society (Avot 1:18), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing Torah of Rav Asher Weiss How can we build a society that is both just and compassionate (hint: it's really hard)?By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

The Value of Peace and the Virtue of Being a "People Person" (Avot 1:12), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Sharing Torah of Rav Asher Weiss How does peace enable all other berakhot? And how is Ahron HaKohen the ideal role model for educators and parents?By Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Behaalotekha | Ner Tamid, by Moreinu veRabbeinu Harav Aharon Lichtenstein zt"l Divrei berakha to the talmidot of Beit Midrash leNashim Migdal Oz, June 2008 Take with you the the sense, the identification, with the Torah that you learned as something that is permanent, deeply engrained in your own being, not something that is marginal, peripheral, h…

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 3), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Religious Coercion and the Case of Brit Milah; A Chassideshe Story Applied to the Is…

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 1-2), by Rav Moshe Taragin In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot: Should You Love Torah More Than Jews? Do People in Israel Suffer for Sins of Jews…

Land and Legacy: Redemption in Megillat Ruth, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The notion of "Geula" is prominent throughout Megillat Ruth, reaching a crescendo in the final Rav Yitzchak Etshalom chapter. The redemption is not just about land, but about a person's memory - as exemplified by the curious structural relationship between the 7 uses of "שם" bef…

Simcha - An Essential Component of Torah Study (Avot 6:6), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Why is it so important that we find joy in our Torah study? Learning Pirkei Avot with the commentary of Rav Asher WeissBy Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Bamidbar | The Reasoning Behind The Exchange of the Levi'im for the Firstborn, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Perhaps the most curious item in the entire census (which covers the first 5 chapters of Bamidbar, properly speaking) is the command to exchange the Levi'im for the Bekhorot (firstborn males) and the subsequent directive to redeem the surplus Bek…

Ramban on the Torah | 45 | Bamidbar, by Rav Eli Weber Why are we not allowed to count Am Israel? Why is Levi the smallest tribe?By Rav Eli Weber

Yom Yerushalayim 2024 | Hodu LaShem Ki Tov, by Rav Moshe Taragin From the miracles of 1967 to the darkness of 2024, it is important to recognize Hashem's presence in this worldBy Rav Moshe Taragin

The Conquest of Yerushalayim: The Blind and the Lame, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom In honor of Yom Yerushalayim, we examine the curious presentation in II Shmuel 5 of David's "conquest" of Yerushalayim, with the puzzling mention of the "blind and the lame". Surveying the pre-monarchic history of Yerushalayim in Tanakh reveals numerous anomalies; the ea…

Yom Yerushalayim | The Never Changing, Ever Changing City, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom As we celebrate the reunification, בחסדי שמים, of Yerushalayim, we take a look at a favorite Psalm associated with the day; this Tehilla alludes to the dialectic nature of Tziyon, its stability offset by the dynamic experience of visiting our capitol city. This shiu…

Torah Lishmah and "Clothing" our Nakedness (Avot 6:1), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb Without these middot we are basically naked .... Learning Pirkei Avot with the commentary of Rav Asher WeissBy Rav Dovid Gottlieb