Rabbi Moshe Kesselman Weekly Parsha Shiur: Recent Episodes
Rabbi Moshe Kesselman
Welcome to my weekly Parsha class. This class is given live every Thursday morning and explores an element of the Parsha. New episode every Thursday given via zoom for Congregation Shaarei Tefila in Los Angeles.
Parsha Shiur Vaeschanan 2024
Hashem would not even allow Moshe to be buried in Eretz Yisroel. He told Moshe, if you are buried in Israel, only Jews buried in Israel would experience the revival of the dead when the time comes.
Sources
Devorim Perek 3 Pesukim 23 - 26
Midrash Rabba Devorim Parsha 2 Perek 9
Rashi on Pesukim 23 and 24
Commentery of Baal Haturim on Possuk 23
Midrash Rabba on Esther Parsha 7 Perek 13
Parsha Shiur Mattos Massei 2024
If Moshe Rabbeinu would have wanted to live longer, he would have delayed the war against Midian.
Sources:
Bamidbar Parshas Mattos Perek 31 Pesukim 1 - 8
Midrash Rabba Bamidbar Parsha 23 Perek 2
Targum Yonasan Ben Uziel Bamidbar Perek 31 Possuk 8
Bereishis Parshas Chayei Sara Perek 24 Possuk 60
Parsha Shiur Pinchas 2024
Despite Bilaam’s failure to curse the Jews, his council still has devastating consequences. 200,000 Jews perished as a result of Balak and Billam’s conspiring.
The specific words Bilaam uses, reverberate throughout history.
Parsha Shiur Balak 2024
The Torah tells us that the nation of Moav were very fearful of the Jewish people. The Baal Haturim compares their fear to the fear king Shaul had for Dovid Hamelech.
Sources
Bamidbar Parshas Balak Perek 21 Pesukim 2,3 and 4.
Commentery of Baal Haturim on Possuk 3
Bamidbar Rabba Parsha 20 Perek 3
Gemara Sanhedrin 39 B
Igra D’Kallah Parshas Balak
Gemara Bava Kamma 38 B
Select Pesukim from Shmuel Aleph Chapters 16, 17 and 18
Sefer Mishbetzos Zahav Shmuel Aleph pages 235
hat Terrifies an Antisemite?
Parsha Shiur Balak 2024
Description
The Torah tells us that the nation of Moav were very fearful of the Jewish people. The Baal Haturim compares their fear to the fear king Shaul had for Dovid Hamelech.
Sources
Bamidbar Parshas Balak Perek 21 Pesukim 2,3 and 4.
Commentery of Baal Haturim on Possuk 3
Bamidbar Rabba Parsha 20 Perek 3
Gemara Sanhedrin 39 B
Igra D’Kallah Parshas Balak
Gemara Bava Kamma 38 B
Select Pesukim from Shmuel Aleph Chapters 16, 17 and 18
Sefer Mishbetzos Zahav Shmuel Aleph pages 235
The gates of the Bais Hamikdash were swallowed in the ground. The descendants of Korach rejoiced when they heard this. They believed that: ‘Whoever extracts the gates from the ground, will extract them as well.’The Gates of the Bais Hamikdash received special protection from Hashem since they honored the Aron and publicly displayed Hashem’s forgiveness for Dovid Hamelech.Moshiach personally erects the doors of the third Beis Hamikdash. Sources:Gemara Kiddushin 31 BCommentery of Rashi: ‘Istayeya Milsa’Commentery of Tosafos: Istayeya MilsaEicha Perek 2 Possuk 9Medrash Rabba Eicha Parsha 2 Perek 13Gemara Sanhedrin 107 BLikkutei Sichos Volume 11 Page 98, footnote 61Irin Kadishin Hasholen (Purim page 127)
Parsha Shiur Shlach 2024
Description
The Midrash says that the Sin of sending the spies made Hashem swear that the Jews would not enter the land of Israel. Why did Moshe change Yehoshua’s name? What were the Jews really afraid of?
Sources:
Midrash Rabba Bamidbar Parsha 16 Perek 7
Chumash Bamidbar Perek 13 Possuk 16
Commentery of Rashi on the Possuk
Commentery of Daas Zekeinim M’Baalei Hatosfos on the Possuk
Midrash Rabba Shemos Parsha 47 Perek 6
Commentery of Chanukah Hatorah and Ohr Hachayim on Shemos Perek 34 Possuk 29
Bamidbar Perek 27 Possuk 20
Shvilei Pinchas 5782 Parshas Shlach
Moshe Rabbeinu asks Hashem to die. The Jews request for meat rattled Moshe to the point where he said to Hashem: ‘Please kill me if I find favor in your eyes.’ Hashem’s response is to tell Moshe to ‘gather 70 elders.’What is the cause of Moshe’s intense anguish? How does Hashem respond to it?Sources:Bamidbar Parshas Behaaloscha Perek 11 Pesukim 4-16Commentery of Chida and Ben Ish Chai on Possuk 13Bamidbar Rabba Parsha 15 Perek 21Commentery of Maharzu on the MidrashFamous Maamar of the Rebbe Veatoh Tetzaveh. Ois 11
Hashem instructed Moshe not to count the Leviim ‘among the Jewish people.’ The Midrash explains that this was in order to save their lives from the angel of death. The expression ‘Seu Es Rosh’ foretells of the death of the entire Jewish generation in the desert.SourcesBereishis Perek 40, Pesukim 5 - 19Rashi on Possuk 5Bamidbar Perek 1 Possuk 2 and Pesukim 46 - 50.Bamidbar Rabba Parsha Aleph Perek 11Bereishis Rabba Parsha 88 Perek 5 - 6Likkutei Sichos Volume 4, page 1021
Parsha Shiur Bechukotai 2024Parshat Bechukotai Perek 26 Possuk 42Commentary of Rashi on the PossukGemara Zevachim 62 AGemara Shabbos 89 BLikkutei Sichos Volume 25 Page 132
Reish Lokish taught us about the power of Teshuva. The Sins of the past are transformed into merits. (Yuma 86 B) How does this work?SourcesParshas Kedoshim Perek 20 Possuk 1- 3Commentary of Baal Haturim on the PossukParshas Shemos Perek 2 Pessukim 7 - 9Gevara Sotah 12 BGemara Yuma 86 BMidrash Rabba Shemos Rabba Parsha 1 Perek 25Maamar Mayim Rabim 5738 Ois 4
On the holiest day of the year, a goat was pushed off a mountain. On its head it carried the Sins of all the Jews. The Rambam teaches us that they were forgiven for the vast majority of their Sins, through this process, even without doing Teshuva.How are we to understand any of this?
Parsha Shiur Parshat Metzora 2024
Description
Rashbi and his son seem to be sharply divided in the interpretation of the Mitzvah if Tzaraas appearing in the walls of one’s home.
Sources
Chumash Vayikra Perek 14 Pesukim 1 - 4
Rashi on Possuk 2
Gemara Bava Metzia 84 B
Gemara Sanhedrin 71 A
Likkutei Sichos Chelek 2 Devarim Page 359 Ois 3
Hadrian’s nephew Akilos (Unkelus) wanted to convert and become a Jew. His uncle told him that the Jews are ‘the lowliest of all nations.’ Akilos claimed that even the ‘smallest’ among them know how GD created the world, in which order it was created, the accurate age of the universe, what makes it stand and their Torah is true.The seemingly strange explanation of the Baal Haturim from where we learn that the Mitzvah of Bris Millah overrides Shabbos.SourcesVayikra Perek 12 Pessukim 1-3Baal Haturim on Possuk 3Midrash Shemos Rabba Parsha 30Perek 12Gemara Menachos 43 B
The Mitzvah of Parah Adumah is the most illogical Mitzvah in the Torah. Yet the Possuk and Rashi seem to provide the reason and the incentive for the Mitzvah. Rashi even adds an explanation of the significance of many of its details.
Why did Hashem distracted the Angel of Death during the giving of the Torah?
Sources:
Bamidbar Perek 19 Pesukim 1 - 22
Commentery of Rashi on Possuk 2 and 22
Commentery of Kli Yakar on Possuk 2. ‘V’Inyan Amok Zeh…’
Gemara Kesubos 103 B
Commentery of Tosafos on the Gemara ‘Oisoi Hayom Shemeis’
Gemara Shabbos 89 A
Commentary of Tosafos ‘Torah Heichan Hee’
Likkutei Sichos Volume 6 pages 84 - 85
Parsha Shiur Vayikra 2024Final Shiur in Purim SeriesAaron seems to be explicitly excluded from the Avoda in the Mishkan. 9 times. His role in the Egel Hazav seems to evoke both Divine Fury and Divine Praise.Sources:Drashos Chasam Sofer Parshas Zochor ‘Vehikrivu.’ In the name of Baalei Hatosfos Al HatorahVayikra Perek 1:1 - 5:13Shemos Perek 32 Pesukim 1 - 35Devorim Perek 9 Possuk 20Midrash Rabba Vayikra Parsha 10 Perek 3Commentery of Bee’r Yosef on Devorim 9:20Gemara Sanhedrin 7 AMidrash Rabba Shemos Parsha 52 Perek 2Last Rashi on Megillas Esther
Purim Shiur #4 Purim Series 2024
The Midrash sees the loud and bitter cry of Mordechai as retribution for the loud and bitter cry of Esav.
Why did Mordechai let Haman live?
When does Almighty GD ‘let things slide’ and when does He respond with a Divine Vengeance?
Sources
Midrash Rabba Esther Parsha 8 Perek 2
Gemara Yuma 22 B
Gemara Gittin 57 B
Likkutei Sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Volume 21 Purim Sicha
Why would Esther risk her life just for a party? And why did she invite Hamman to the party? Why the Midrash compares Hamman to a pig being fattened in order to be slaughtered. What is the message of the Torah when antisemitism sprouts everywhere - like grass.
Sources
Megillas Esther Perek 5 Possuk 4Masechet Megilla 15 BMasechet Megilla 13 BMidrash Rabba Esther Parsha 7 Perek Aleph and Bais
Parsha shiur Pekudei 2024
The Cynics argued that there was no way Moshe Rabbeinu, would be able to make a Mishkan for Hashem. When Moshe put his hands under the beams, it seemed they were right.
Sources:
Shemos Perek 39 Possuk 33
Midrash Rabba Shemos Parsha 52 Perek 2
Commentery of Tiferes Tzion on the Midrash
Gemara Bava Basra 17 A
Gemara Sotah 12 A
Likkutei Sichos of the Rebbe Volume 11 Pekudei 3
Commentery of Rashi on Shemos Perek 39 Possuk 33
Esther summonses ‘Hassach.’ She commands him to go to Mordechai. ‘Hassach’ is Daniel. But Hamman killed him and he was unable to finish his mission.
What’s Daniel doing in the story of Purim? Why is he referred to as ‘Hassach?’
Sources:
Divrei Pinchas from Rabbi Pinchas Friedman of Yerushalayim.
Megillas Esther Perek 4 Pesukim 5 - 12
Shir Hashirim Rabba Parsha 7 Chapter 9
Kassem Ofir on Megillas Esther
Megalleh Amukos Parshas Vaescganon (Oifan 195)
Yaaros Devash Chelek Aleph end of Drush 3
Gemara Berachos 61 B
Series Shiurim Purim 2024 - Shiur 1How our enemies delude themselves into thinking they can destroy us, despite all repeated failures. Did Haman really believe he would succeed at annihilating the Jews? Who was the grandfather of Nevuchadnetzar?
Vayakhel 2024
The fires of Gehenom are ‘resting’ on Shabbos. Rabbi Akiva humiliates Turnus Rufus in debate and Turnus Rufus father makes a stunning revelation about the world to come.Sources:Gemara Sanhedrin 65 BMidrash Rabba Bereishis Parsha 11 Perek 5Parshas Vayakhel Perek 35 Possuk 3 Commentery of Baal Haturim on the PossukGemara Nedarim 50 BCommentery of Tosafos on the Gemara.Rashi Bamidbar Perek 24 Possuk 14
Parsha Shiur Ki Tisa 2024Baal Haturim explains that Moshe's Delayed return is compared to Sisra's delayed return. Since Sisra was dead and the Jews thought that Moshe too was dead. The Zohar sheds light on why Sisra's mother was looking out the 'window'. There is a deeper meaning to Yaakov appearing to Yosef in the 'window.'SourcesShemos Perek 32 Possuk 1Commentary of Rashi on PossukBaal Haturim on the PossukShoftim Perek 5 Possuk 28Commentary of Zohar on the PossukCommentary of Rashi on Bereishis Perek 39 Possuk 1Gemara Rosh Hashana 33 BGemara South 36 B
Parsha Shiur Ki Sisa 2024Baal Haturim explains that Moshe's Delayed return is compared to Sisra's delayed return. Since Sisra was dead and the Jews thought that Moshe too was dead. The Zohar sheds light on why Sisra's mother was looking out the 'window'. There is a deeper meaning to Yaakov appearing to Yosef in the 'window.'SourcesShemos Perek 32 Possuk 1Commentary of Rashi on PossukBaal Haturim on the PossukShoftim Perek 5 Possuk 28Commentary of Zohar on the PossukCommentary of Rashi on Bereishis Perek 39 Possuk 1Gemara Rosh Hashana 33 BGemara South 36 B
Parsha Shiur Tetzaveh 2024
Moshe Rabbeinu’s name does not appear in the Parsha. The Baal Haturim provides 2 explanations for this. The second (less famous reason) is to spare Moshe pain. Moshe was supposed to be the Kohen Gadol and his descendants were supposed to be Kohanim. Upon his refusal to serve as Hashem's ambassador this was taken from him. So the Parsha that speaks of the Kohanim’s rights and privileges omits Moshe’s name.
Sources:
Baal Haturim in the begining of Parshas Tetzaveh.
Gemara Makos 11 B
Gemara Zevachim 102 A
Commentery of Rashi Shemos Perek 4 Pesukim 13 and 14.
Likkutei Sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Volume 21 page 178
R’ Zusha once taught a generous Jew an important lesson regarding Tzedakah. Don’t let your head get in the way of your generous heart.
Source:
Commentery of Ben Ish Chai on Perek 25 Possuk 3
Parsha Shiur Mishpatim 2024
Are we more clever than our enemies? Can we outsmart the forces of Evil?
The commentators teach us that some of our enemies have wisdom though they use it deviously.
Sources
Shmuel Aleph Perek 15 Possuk 3
Commentery of Rashi on the Possuk
Parshas Mispatin Perek 22 Possuk 17
Commentery of Baal Haturim on the Possuk
Likkutei Sichos Volume 3 page 914
Short Vort Mishpatim 2024
Description
On the 5th day of Sivan the Jews said Nasseh V’Nidhma. On the 6th day of Sivan Hashem hung Mt Sinai over the Jews and gave them 2 options:
Either they accept the Torah or they get buried. This seems pointless and unnecessary.
Sources:
Gemara Shabbos 88 A
Daas Zekeinim M’Baalei Hatosfos Shemos Perek 19 Possuk 17
Likkutei Sichos Volume 19 Page 16
Parsha Shiur Yisro 2024
What was it exactly that Yisro heard that motivated him to abandon every form of idol worship in the world and embrace Yidishkait?
Sources:
Parshas Yisro opening Possuk
Commentery of Baal Haturim on the Possuk
Shemos Perek 7 Possuk 1
Commentery of Rashi, Daas Zekenim and Noam Elimelech on the Possuk
Masechet Gittin 57 A
Masechet Shabbos 88 A
Parsha Shiur Va’era 2024
Description
Why was Pharoh so astonished when he saw Aaron’s stick swallow the Egyptian sticks? He was worried that the stick would swallow him?!?!
The Midrash compares him at that moment to Achashverosh sitting at his meal in the garments of the Kohen Gadol.
Aaron’s stick didn’t just swallow other Egyptian sticks, it also swallowed the sticks of the other Princes of the tribes of the Jews.
Sources:
Shemos Perek 7 Pesukim 8-12
Commentery of Baal Haturim on Possuk 12
Bamidbar Parshas Korach Perek 17 Pesukim 21 - 24
Midrash Shemos Rabba Parsha 9 Chapter 7
Yalkut Shimoni Parshas Shemos Parsha 247 Chapter 173 ‘V’es Hamateh.’
Biurim L’Pirkei Avos from the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Perek 3 Mishnah 2 (page 180)
Short Vort Va’era 2024
If Hashem put us in Golus for only 400 years, why does it require a Divine strong hand and mighty arm to liberate us? Why do we say that if Hashem hadn’t liberated our ancestors from Egypt we would still be there today?
Haggadah Shel Pesach first paragraph after the 4 questions.
Likkutei Sichos Volume 17 Page 88. Footnote 17
Parsha Shiur Shemos 2024
Why does Hashem tell Moshe, that if he (Moshe) doesn’t redeem the Jews, there is no one else to redeem them?
Why does the Baal Haturim compare the cry of the Jews in Egypt to the cry of Sodom?
What is better and more powerful than eradicating darkness completely? - Transforming it to light.
Sources
Shemos Perek 3 Possuk 7
Commentary of Baal Haturim on the Possuk
Medrash Shemos Rabba Chapter 3 section 3
Shemos Perek 1 Possuk 22
Commentery of Rashi on the Possuk
Gemara Sotah Daf 12
Gemara Megilla 12 B
Short Vort Shemos 2024
Elie Wiesel was in Yechidus (Private audience) with the Rebbe. The Rebbe told him: ‘I will teach you to sing.’
Moshe argued with Hashem for 7 days. He insisted that he didn’t want to be the one to take the Jews out of Egypt: ‘They will ask me what is His name? What shall I tell them?’
Likkutei Sichos Volume 26 pages 22 - 25
Gemara Chagiga 15 B
Accompanying a Jew at the beginning of their journey is a Mitzvah. It guarantees that no harm will befall them as they go. Yet as a result of Pharoh walking 4 steps to escort Avrohom, the Jews become enslaved for 400 years in Egypt.
Sources:
Bereishis Vayeshev Perek 37 Possuk 14.
Commentery of Rashi and Baal Haturim
Bereishis Vayechi Perek 50 Possuk 7
Commentery of Baal Haturim
Gemara Sotah 46 B
End of Tosafos Sotah 42 B ‘Meah Popei’
Bartenura begining of Pirkei Avos
Short Vort Yavechi 2023
Why would the Torah conclude the entire Sefer Bereishis with saying that Yosef dies, and was placed in a coffin in Egypt? What happened to ending on a positive note? How is that supposed to inspire us to shout: ‘Chazak Chazak V’nischazek?’
Source:
Sefer Hasichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Vayechi 5747
Yaakov initially doesn’t believe that Yosef is alive. But the image of the wagons convinces him.
The last conversation between Yaakov and Yosef before Yosef gets sold as a slave, becomes the catalyst for all of Jewish history.
Gemara Brachos 31 A
Bereishis Perek 37 Possuk 14 Commentery of Rashi and Baal Haturim
Midrash Movoi Tanchuma Chapter 66
Bereishis Perek 46 Pesukim 26 and 27.
Commentery of Rashi on Possuk 27
Midrash Rabba Bereishis 94 3
How could the brothers not have realized that it was Yosef all along? Why is there so much fear, shock and disbelief when he exposes his identity?
Reuven offers Yaakov to kill 2 of his sons, if he does not return Binyomin. Yaakov responds by calling Reuven a first born fool. The Shiur explores the deeper meaning of this conversation.Sources:Bereishis Perek 42 Pesukim 37 -38Rashi on Possuk 38Commentery of Baal Haturim on Possuk 37Bamidbar Perek 16 Pesukim 12, 13 and 14.Rashi on Possuk 14Gemara Bava Basra 74 A
Parsha Shiur Vayeshev 2023
Those who are physically beautiful face unique spiritual challenges. A Rasha argues that his beauty made it too difficult for him to study Torah. The heavenly Beis Din points to Yosef as the one who overcame his challenges despite his beauty. Thus Yosef holds all the wicked people responsible.
Sources:
Gemara Yuma 35 B
Gemara Sotah 36 B
Parshas Veyeshev Perek 39 Possuk 7
Midrash Rabba Bereishis 87 3 and 84 7
Commentery of Rashi on Bereishis Perek 39 Possuk 1
Gemara Shabbos 21 B
Why does Esav all of a sudden concede the Brachot? Which Divine Oath of His would Hashem like to have annulled? Why did Yaakov need to run from Esav in the first place?
Sources:
Baba Basra Daf 74 A
Parshas Vayishlach Perek 33 Pesukim 4 - 9
Bereishis Rabba 78:9
Description:
Husbands and wives are supposed to love and support each other. How could it be possible that Yaakov hated Leah? Why was Leah so sure that when her son Reuven was born, Yaakov would love her?
Sources:
Gemara Brachos 7 B
Bereishis Perek 29 Pesukim 18 - 32
Commentery of Rashi Possuk 32
Likkutei Sichos Vol 10 page 95
Diveri Eliyohu L’Hagr”A
Our enemies have been watching us fight among ourselves for years. They perceived us as fragmented and weak. They were dead wrong. The Midrash tells us about conversation between Yaakov and Leah the morning after their wedding. Leah shows Yaakov that his marriage to 2 sisters would be one of unity and eternity.
Sources:
Daas Zekeinim M’Baalei Hatosfos Bereishis Perek 29 Possuk 25
Parsha Shiur Toldos 2023
What did Yaakov mean when he asked Esav to sell him the birthright? How can you sell or purchase birthrights?
The Commentaries connect, the story of Yaakov and Esav, to the story of Purim with Mordechai and Harman.
Sources:
Bereishis Peres 26 Pessukim 19 - 22
Ramban explanation on Possuk 20
Sefer Ezra Perek 4 Possuk 6
Commentary of Even Yechiya on Ezra (Mishbetzos Zohov Page 97)
Commentary of Rashi on Megillas Esther Perek 9 Possuk 10 and Perek 5 Possuk 3
Bereishis Peres 25 Possuk 34
Commentary of Baal Haturim on the Possuk
Perek 25 Possuk 30
Commentary of Baal Haturim on Possuk
Gemara Megilla 15 A
Commentary of Rashi on Pessukim 31 and 32
Unity doesn’t mean we’re the same - It means that we are one.
Sources:
Rashi Parshas Toldos Perek 25 Possuk 19
Likkutei Sichos Vol 20 Page 100
What were Klal Yisroel praying for during the October 7th massacre?
Were the Angels offended when Avrohom asked them to wash their feet? Why did Eliezer ask Rivka for water if it was her destiny to marry Yitzchok anyway? Why did Eliezer Daven that he be answered in the merit of Avrohom having water brought for the angels?
Sources:
Bereishis Perek 18 Possuk 4
Commentery of Rashi on Possuk
Gemara Bava Metzia 86 B
Bereishis Perek 24 Possuk 12
Commentery of Baal Haturim on the Possuk
Tefillas Geshem Mussaf L’Shmini Atzeres
Midrash Rabba Bereishis Parsha 48 Section 10
Avrohom tried to make Rivkah’s family eager to send her off to marry Yitzchok. He sent Eliezer with a document stating that he gives all his wealth to Yitzchok. It doesn’t seem to work.Sources:Parshas Chayei Sara Perek 24 Possuk 10Rashi on the PossukPerek 25 Possuk 5Baal Haturim on Perek 25 Possuk 12
Avrohom tells the Malachim that Sara his wife is in the tent. Her modesty stands as an example for women and even Dovid Hamelech would credit his royalty to this virtue. Yet the Midrash tells us that Yael who ‘went out of her tent’ was superior in greatness.
Sources:
Parshas Vayera Perek 18 Possuk 9
Rashi on the Possuk
Gemara Maseches Yevamos 76 B
Shoftim Perek 4 Possuk 18
Commentery of Megalle Amukos on the Possuk
Midrash Rabba Vayera Parsha 48 Perek 15
On the way up to the Akeida, Avrohom is informed by the Satan that his son Yitzchok would not become a burned offering. He would be replaced by a sheep.Avrohom responds that he refuses to listen to the words of a lying Satan even though he is telling the truth.Sources:Bereishis Parshas Vayeira Perek 22 Possuk 7Gemara Sanhedrin 89 BLikkutei Sichos Volume 25 Page 132 footnote 10
Description
Avrohom asked Hashem for confirmation that his children will one day inherit Eretz Yisroel. The question seems to have resulted disastrously. What was Avrohom’s question? And what was Hashem’s answer?Sources:Gemara Nedarim 32 AParshas Lech Lecha Perek 15 Pesukim 4 - 9Rashi Commentery on Possuk 6 - both explanations.Baal Haturim on Possuk 8Tanya, Likkutei Amorim end of Chapter 3
It’s been going on for 4000 years… the family of Avrohom the first Jew are burned alive because they are Jews. Haran was the first and now another one and a half thousand Jews… The Sfas Emmes highlights for us the only acceptable answer to this tragedy.
Commentary of the Sfas Emmes on Parshas Lech Lecha Perek 13 Posssuk 5
Description:
As articulated by the Torah, the same logic that motivated Hashem to destroy the world, seems to motivate Hashem to swear that He will never again destroy the world.
If humanity is still completely evil, What was accomplished by the flood?
Sources:
Bereishis Perek 5 Pesukim 5 - 8
Noach Perek 8 Pesukim 20 - 21
Baal Haturim Perek 8 Possuk 21
Bereishis Perek 27 Possuk 27
Gemara Sanhedrin 37 A
Arizal Likkutei Torah Parshas Ki Sisa
Sources:
Parshas Noach Perek 9, Pesukim 22 - 26.
Rashi Pesukim 22, 25 and 26.
Gemara Sanhedrin 91 A
Likkutei Sichos Vol 10. Page 28
This shiur explores the commentary of the Baal Haturim on Bereishis 3:11. When Hashem confronts Adam Harishon for eating from the Tree of knowledge.
Sources:
Bereishis Perek 3 Pesukim 9-11
Baal Haturim on Possuk 11
Melachim 2 Perek 6 Pesukim 24 - 30
Medrash Rabba Shir Hashirim 1:36
Gemara Brochas 40 A
Brief insight on the first Rashi on Chumash articulating the inherit nature of the Jews ownership of Eretz Yisroel.Likkutei Sichos Vol. 5 pages 4-9
Parsha Shiur Ki Savo 2023
We don’t just empower our own demons we actually create them - by running from ourselves. As soon as we embrace our inner identity of light - the darkness ceases to exist.
Sources:
Devorim Perek 26 Possuk 1
Baal Haturim on the Possuk
Baal Haturim on Bereishis Perek 31 Possuk 22
Gemara Sanhedrin 99 B
Medrash quoted in Pirush Hatosfos Hadar Zekeinim end of Parshas Beshalach
Likkutei Sichos Volume 14 pages 91 and 92
Short Dear Torah Ki Savo 2023There was a declaration of gratitude that accompanied the bringing of Bikurim. The declaration highlights some of main historic moments in Jewish history. But a seemingly inaccurate nuance in the chronology of events, teaches us that there's more to be grateful for than gifts and miracles.
Parsha Shiur Ki Tetze 2023
Sources:
Shmuel 1 Perek 28 Pesukim 7 - 17
Gemara Chagiga 4 B
Tosfos Chagiga 4 B 'D'leika Milas Dichsiv B'Oiraisa'
Gemara Brochas 31 B
Sefer Mishbetzos Zahav on Megillas Rus page 117
Devarim Perek 23 Possuk 4
Rambam Hilchos Issurei Biah Perek 12 Halacha 18
Short Dvar Torah Ki Teitze 2023 The Mitzvah of Ben Sorerer U'Moreh gives us great insight into one of the most important ingredients in Chinuch
Parsha Shiur Re'eh 2023
A Talmudic Discussion about what may be done with the ruins of an Ir Hanidachas, and Rabbi Akiva's Perspective on Darkness and Loss.
Sources:
Devarim Perek 13 Pessukim 13 - 17
Gemara Sanhedrin 113 A
Gemara Makkos 24 B
Likkutei Sichos Volume 19 pages 67 - 72
Gemara Sotah 44 A
Commentary of Chida on the Possuk
Gemara Shabbos 88 B
Parsha Shiur Eikev 2023
Sources:
Devarim Perek 11 Pesukim 19, 20 and 21
Rashi on Possuk 19
Gemara Chagiga 14 B and 15 A
Tosfos 15 A Shuvu Bonim Shovavim
Likkutei Sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Volume 6 Page 65 and note 45.
Pirkei Avos Perek 4 Mishnah 20
Likkutei Sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Volume 19 pages 43 and 44
Tisha B’av Shiur 2023
Sources:
Gemara Gittin 56 B
Gemara Sanhedrin 26 A
Gemara Berachos 28 B
Sefer Lev Avos on Pirkei Avos by Rabbi Yaakov Haber Od Beit Shemesh
Parsha Shiur Devorim 2023
Sources: Midrash Rabbah Devorim 1:1 Gemara Gittin 56 B Beis Halevi Commentary on Haggadah Shel Pesach Commentary of Rashi on Devorim 1:1
Parsha Shiur Pinchas 2023 Sources: Bamidbar Perek 25 Pesukim 14 and 15 Commentary of Ohr Hachayim on the Possuk Gemara Nedarim 50 B with commentary of Rashi and Tosfos Sefer Gilgulei Neshamos LehoRame Mipanu 30:76 Gemara Brochas 61 B Gemara Menachos 29 B
Parsha Shiur Chukas Balak 2023 This Shiur explores the commentary of the Baal Haturim on the words: 'Venosati Michrom.'
Sources: Bamidbar Perek 20 Possuk 19 Devorim Perek 2 Possuk 6 Zohar Parshas Vayeshev Commentary of Ohr Hachamah and Mikdash Melech on Zohar Likkutei Sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Volume 20 pages 197 and 198
Parsha Shiur Beha'aloscha 2023
Sources: Bamidbar Perek 9 Pessukim 6 and 7 Rashi end of commentary on Possuk 7 Talmud Bavli: Sukkah 25 A and B Pesachim 90 B See Tosfos: 'Shechol Shevii Shel
Parsha Shiur Bamidbar 2023Perek 2 Possuk 50Baal Haturim on the PossukTalmud Bavli Sanhedrin 103 BYevamos 77 A
Parsha Shiur Behar Bechukosai 2023Vayikra Perek 29 Possuk 42Last Rashi on the PossukLast Baal Haturim on the PossukTanya Rabbosi Siman DaledPirush Radal L'Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer Ois 59(See Likkutei Sichos Volume 25 Page 132 footnote 10)Talmud Bavli Shabbos 89 B
Parsha Shiur Emor 2023Vayikra 23:16Talmud Bavli Makkos 5 BTalmud Yerushalmi Rosh Hashana Perek Beis Halacha AlephAvos D'Reb Nosson end of Chapter 5Likkutei Sichos Volume 19 Page 6 Footnote 42
Parsha Shiur Acharei Kedoshim 2023
Sources:
Vayikra 19:16
Baal Haturim on the Possuk
Talmud Yerushalmi Masechet Peak Perek 1 Halacha 5
Melachim Aleph Perek 1 Possuk 14
Kli Yakar on the Possuk in Melachim
Parsha Shiur Tazria Metzora 2023Sources:Pesachim 64BMelachim 2 Chapter 7Sefer Gilgulei Neshamos Ois Shin
Parsha Shiur Vayikra 2023Sources:Vayikra 1:1Vayikra Rabba 1:15Likkutei Sichos Volume 6 page 124Tanya end of Chapter 3
Parsha Shiur Vayakhel Pekudei Hachodesh 2023
Sources: Shemos 35:32
Rashi on the Possuk
Sfas Emmes on the Possuk
Shemos 38:22
Gemara Menachos 29 B
Parsha Shiur Ki Tisa 2023
Sources: Shemos 32: 1 -4
Rashi 32:4 Gemara
Sanhedrin 7 A Gemara
Gittin 57 A Gemara
Avoda Zara 4 B
Megillas Esther 2023 Sources: 1. Targum 2:7 and Merash Bereishis 39 2. Gemara Megilla 13 A 3. Esther 3:7 4. Gemara Megilla 15 A and Medrash Abba Gurian 6. Even Ezra Esther 2:6 7. Gemara Megilla 12 B 8. Gemara Megilla 12 B and 13 A 9. Perush Chachmei Tzotfas Esther 10:3 10 - 11. Targum Sheini 12. Chasm Sofer as quoted in Taamei Haminhagim 13. Gemara Megilla 12 A 14. Reshimos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe 6:17 - Sanhedrin 93 A 15. Gemara Megilla 12 A 16. Baal Haturim Bereishis 43:3117 - 18. Rashi Melilla's Esther 4:1 19 - 20. Balayla Hahu Hey Tef Shin from the Frierdiker Rebbe 21 - 24. Sefer Vayaas Hate pages 58 - 61 25.Sefer Ezra and Nechmya 26. Melilla's Esther 9:1327 - 28. Gemara Megilla 7 A 29- 30. Medrash Manos Halevi. 31-34. Be'er Yosef on Melilla's Esther page 370 - 375 36 - 39. targum Sheini Megillas Esther 7:9 40 - 41. Likkutei Sichos 16 page 373
Shiur on Megillat Esther 2023
Sources:
Bereishi Rabbah 56 1
Megillat Esther Perek Daled Possuk Aleph Rashi's Commentery
Gemara Megilla Daf 12 A
Gemara Sanhedrin 93 A
Reshimos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Vol. 6 pg 17
Parsha Shiuur Teruma 2023
Sources
Teruma 25:8
Shmuel Aleph Perek 19
Zevachim 54 B
Megilla's Esther 4:1-4
Commentary on Megilla R"A Cohen Tzedek
Parshas Mishpotim Shiur 2023
This Shiur explores the life of Onkelus The Convert. Based on a commentary of the Days Zekeinim in the beginning of the Parsha.
Sources:
Gemara Avoda Zara 11 A
Gemara Gittin 56 B
Daas Zekeinim on the first Possuk of the Parasha
Parsha Shiur Yisro 2023
This Shiur Explores the commentary of the Baal Haturim on Derek 19 Possuk 19 on the words; 'Holech V'Chozek.'
Parsha Shiur Beshalach 2023
This Shiur explores the commentary of the Baal Haturim on the words; 'V'cham Hashemesh Vnomeis.'
Sources:
Shmos 16:21
Baal Haturim on the Possuk
Bereishis 9:18
Melachim Aleph 1:2
Koheles 4:11
Gemara Yuma 75A
Gemara Gittin 78A
Gemara Sanhedrin 22A
Sefer Ach Pri Tvuah (R' Tzvi Hirsh M'Liska) on Haftorah Chayei Sarah
Likkutei Sichos Vol. 26 page 97
Parsha Shiur Bo 2023
This Shiur explores the commentary of the Baal Haturim on the words: 'Al Tosef Reois Ponai'. The Baal Haturim coonects this to the words of Hashem to Moshe: 'Al Tosef Dabber Eilai.'
Sources:
Shemos 10:28 Baal Haturim
Devarim 3:26 Possuk
Shemos 10:24 Even Ezra
Shemos 10:11 Rashi
Gemara Makkos 11A
Gemara Megilla 15A
Ohr Hachaim Devarim 1:37
Parsha Shiur Va'era 2023
This Shiur explores the Commentary of the Baal Haturim on the words: 'V'Haal Es Hatsfardi'im Al Eretz Mitzrayim.' The Baal Haturim contrasts Chanaya Mishael and Azarya who learned from the frogs to Moshe and Aaron who did not. Sources: Shemos 8:1, Baal Haturim on the Possuk (with commentary of Atros Adar), Gemara Pesachim 53B, Tosafos: 'Mah Rou', Medrash Shochar Tov chapter 28 and Likkutei Sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Vol 21 pages 40 - 44
Parshas Shmos 2023
This Shiur explores the commentary of the Baal Haturim on the words: 'Vayaster Moshe Panav.' The repercussions of this seem catastrophic.
Parsha Shiur Vayechi 2023
An exploration of The Baal Haturim's comment that the expression 'Al Hamitah' appears Twice in all of Tanach. Once by Yaakov and once by Haman.
Parsha Shiur Vayigash 2022
This Shiur explores the commentary of the Baal Haturim on a word used by both Yaakov and Yosef to describe the Jews' descent to Mitzraim. The Baal naturism's seemingly disturbing analogy and its meaning.
Parshas Miketz 2022
This Shiur explores commentary of the Baal Haturim on the words of Yosef to his brothers: 'Meraglim Atem.' You are spies.
Parsha Shiur Vayeshev 2022
This Shiur explores the commentary of the Baal Haturim on the Torah's words: 'Vayachsheveha Lezonah.' He suspected her of being a woman of ill repute.
Parsha Shiur Vayetze 2022
This Shiur explores the Commentery of the China and the days Zekeinim on how Lavan and Leah defended themselves when Yaakov accused them of deceiving him.
Parsha Shiur Toldos 2022
This Shiur explores the commentary of the Daas Zekeinim on the words of Yaakov 'Ki Hikra Hashem Elokecho Leona.' Yaakov convinces Yitzchok to give him the Brochas by reminding him of what happened at the Akeida.
Parsha Shiur Vayeira 2022
This Shiur explores commentary of the Daas Zekeinim that the daughters of Lot considered themselves too aristocratic to procreate with anyone other than their own father.
Parsha Shiur Lech Lecha 2022
This Shiur explores the comments in Midrash Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer. The Midrash relates that despite Hashem promising Avrohom all the blessings, it was still so difficult for him to 'Lech Lecha.'
Parshas Shiur Noach 2022
This Shiur explores the role of C'Naan in the story of Noach drinking wine. The teaching of the Baal Shem Tov that seeing evil in someone else, is like looking into a Mirror.
Parsha Shiur Nitzavim 2022
This Shiur explores 3 explanations in the Covenant Moshe made with the Jewish people on the day of his passing.
Parsha Shiur Ki Savo 2022
This Shiur explores the Mitzva of Bikkurim and the Halacha that there is no Biblical Shiur (minimum amount) for Bikkurim.
Parsha Shiur Ki Tetze 2022
This Shiur explores the Commentary of the Days Zekeinim on why Yaakov seemingly violated the prohibition of giving the double portion to the non Bechor, son of the beloved woman.
Parsha Shiur Shoftim 2022.
This Shiur explores the Mitzah of Judges not taking bribes, and the story of the Gemara (Kesubos 105 - 106) about bribes effecting the Amoraim without their knowledge.
Parsha Shiur Devorim 2022
This Shiur Explores the Interpretation of the Ohr Hachayim, explaining these words of Moshe. Moshe says that the Sin of the spies is the cause of his not being able to go into Eretz Yisroel.
Parsha Shiur Mattos Massei 2022
This Shiur explores the Torah's Command that an unintentional murderer, must remain in the City of Refuge till the death of the Kohen Gadol.
Parsha Shiur Pinchas 2022
This Shiur explores Rashi's comment: Moshe requested that Hashem not do to his successor, what Hashem had done to Moshe by not allowing him to go into Eretz Yisroel.
This Shiur explores the question Zimri asked Moshe: 'Who permitted the daughter of Yisro to you?' And a Gemara Shabbos 30B regarding which questions should be answered.
Parsha Shiur Chukas 2022
An In-depth Explanation of the relationship between the Egel hazahav and the Para Aduma. The Kli Yakar's Explanation on why the Para Aduma specifically purifies one from the Tumor generated by contact with a dead body.