Make a Bracha, Learn Halacha: Recent Episodes
eliyahu rapoport
Many Jews refrain from eating knaidlech, matzah brei or any wet matza on Pesach. What is the basis for this chumra?Link to video mentioned in class:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czDhgQ0M_gM&t=853s
Many Jews refrain from eating knaidlech, matzah brei or any wet matza on Pesach. What is the basis for this chumra?
When should Jews in the southern hemisphere make the seasonal changes to their prayers? Does it make sense for them to be asking for rain when it would be detrimental to them?
Can a husband unilaterally decide to move to Gaza and 'obligate' his wife to join him? Exploring the halachic complexities of the Gaza strip through the lens of 16th century halachic authorities.
Source sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rx78sku-YY5KuvjWNASXHgo-xB-7QBkJ/view?usp=drive_link
What is the status of the 'Land of Pelishtim' in the 'Promised Land'? In Peshat and in Chasidus.
What makes Jewish mesirus nefesh unique?
Source sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VKvDA5rcg_SNmXw0zeF-oripWO3m-Aup/view?usp=sharing
What does halacha say about paying exorbitant sums of money or releasing prisoners in exchange for Jewish hostages?
Understanding the basis for the eternal sanctity of the Holy Land based on an analysis of the verses in this week's parsha and on the Rambam.
We train children to do all mitzvos even before they turn 13. Is there any reason that tefillin should be different?
Understanding the fabric of the Jewish calendar and various challenges that it faced over the years.
Note: Ben Meir's view does indeed effect the regular 'noon' postponement.
See our full Kiddush Hachodesh playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo9ktvnrkglK3GNxy8P-gP5L2LW1v3_OK
Clarifying some lose ends from previous episode - https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/eliyahu-rapoport/episodes/102--Tefilas-Haderech---Prayer-for-Dangerous-Journeys-If--When--How-e25777r
Understanding the roles of the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch and his Siddur, and how this shapes our interpretation of the requirement to refrain from drinking after the Afikoman.
Why Did Reuven Lose The Monarchy? And Why Does Yehuda Deserve it?
ProjectLikkuteiSichos
Understanding the earthly & the heavenly approach to tzara'as as described in the Talmud (Bava Metzia 86a).
Can we uplift ourselves to a place where our challenges no longer threaten us?
Why do we keep the Mitzvos that pre-date Sinai? The Rambam's sharp words for his antagonists.
In this class we explore the origins of tzedaka as they are anchored in the very foundation of our nation, in the lives of Avraham Yitzchok & Ya'akov.
Rashi seems to abandon the straightforward meaning of the pasuk, instead qouting 3 out of 7 possible midrashim. What is behind all of this?
Avraham Avinu served milk and butter to the angles. Can we deduce from this that milk is kosher?
In 1715 a woman gave birth on Tzom Gedalya and it was questionable if she would be able to fast on Yom Kippur. The Mahari"l shares a conversation that he had with his brother (the Alter Rebbe), in which the Alter Rebbe resolves a complex sugya with one simple idea. This sheds light on the laws of drinking on Yom Kippur and eases this woman's post-partum predicament.
What if I brought in Shabbos early and then have the opportunity to do a mitzva that belongs to Friday?
What is the nature of our responsibility to minhag and its application to participating in a bris on Friday
In this weeks parsha we read about the investiture of Yehushua as Moshe Rabeinu's successor.
If Yehoshua is a king why was he not anointed?
How do we know the Torah we have has been accurately transmitted?
On whom does Hashem rely?
What is the purpose of an unsuccessful messiah? & what value does Yoshke serve in the scheme of Hashem's plan for the world?
A fascinating analysis of two approaches to Karpas and their practical halachic ramifications.
Why do some Jews in Jerusalem celebrate on the 14th of Adar?
Should the Jews of Prauge & Istanbul be celebrating on the 15th (Shushan Purim)?
Can rabbis and archeologists agree on anything?
I came home from work just before shabbos and didn't have time to clear the snow. May I do it on shabbos?
What is the value of being buried in Eretz Yisrael? Is it something that everyone should strive for? What lesson can we take from the last wishes of Yaakov Avinu & Yosef Hatzadik? (recorded in January 2020)
Besiege of Jerusalem, the death of Ezra and the birth of Hellenism.
Video: https://youtu.be/oBlES4N7LQE
Capital & corporal punishment in medieval Jewish courts
Video: https://youtu.be/jdPZwHwo_n0
Hashem tells Avraham Avinu to go to Kena'an. When confronted by famine he leaves and goes to Egypt. Was this the fulfillment or the neglect of Hashem's will?
The mitzvah of absolving loans in the seventh year.
Video: https://youtu.be/lD62bn7kZyM
Reviewing some novelties in the Rambam's hilchos Tefilla
See viedo @ https://youtu.be/S8Wimv9-7Mc
How precisely do the head tefilin have to be "between your eyes"? Is there any difference between Rashi & Rabeinu Tam?
Video: https://youtu.be/FqbXuEc4n4A
An Erev Pesach emergency leads to a very unusual result | Part 1/2
Video: https://youtu.be/AyD7m4BXvu4
An overview of the procedure of the sacrifice - as we read in the siddur on Erev Pesach
May women have a concealed carry weapon? How do they fulfil the Mitzvah to remember Amalek?
Video: https://youtu.be/X3XdnbMK8FY
What can we derive from archeological evidence?
For video: https://youtu.be/DvAPZqxpT5w
Understanding the 4 way dispute between Rashi, Rabeinu Tam, Rav Sar Shalom Gaon ("Shimusha Raba") & the Ra'avad.
For video: https://youtu.be/aoFI8NpAT1w
Should Baron Rothschild have purchased the Temple Mount from Muhammad Ali of Egypt? Should we have utilized the 1967 victory of the Six Day War to reinstate karbanos?
Does burial in Eretz Yisrael automatically atone for all sins? Is it something that everyone should strive for?
What does Torah say about our obligation to prevent others from sin? Should we throw stones at cars driving on Shabbos? Should we mind our own business?
The Mitzvah to write a Sefer Torah and to buy Torah books in Jewish Law and in the teachings of the Rebbe | Part 1
The Mitzvah to write a Sefer Torah and to buy Torah books in Jewish Law and in the teachings of the Rebbe | Part 2
What's is more noteworthy; the miraculous victory of the Hasmonean army over their Greek counterparts? Or a small jug of oil burning for 8 days?
How do the 2 aspects of Chanukah correlate and what ramification does that have on eating donuts?
Everything You Wanted to Know About V'Sen Tal U'Matar. The laws, their history and application. A 2 part podcast - recorded in 2017 and in 2019.
Should we stand or sit to recite Kiddush? The mechanisms and various categories of Brachos