Congregation Beth Sholom: Recent Episodes

Rabbi Freundlich

All the classes, shiurum and goings-on at CBS with Rabbi Yechezkel Freundlich and Rabbi Avi Miller

Lessons from the War from an extraordinary wedding and a screaming shofar blowing

Happens all the time, usually pretty early in the morning. Learning the lessons from Avraham to change course

Rosh Hashana Machzor preparation

Trial by fire, equal before Hashem

Who is the judge of what a person needs?

Why is there "rina/song" in selichos?

A wonderful comment from R Hirsch on a perplexing Medrash

A powerful story from the Satmar Rebbe

Everyone is looking for a way to achieve Rachamim during days of Din. we have a proven method.

Lessons from my Rebbe

Three opening topics in our Parsha

When Tisha Bav starts Motzei Shabbos, one would need to take these pills while it is still Shabbos.

A sad but inspiring story of strength, loss and perseverance

On being Installed as the CBS Rabbi

Comments in honor of Rabbi Freundlich's Installation

Final thoughts on Sefer Bamidbar

The value and place of revenge

On our Souls and our Soles

Emerging from the Darkness to compose songs of hope

A unique crossroads in Jewish History for the Eternal People

The changing dynamic of what the Kotel represents

Learning the context of Billams words, as understood by Chazal, to the IDF today

Moshe's request to pass through Edom is denied

Trying to make sense of what we just witnessed, using Chanukah and Purim as our guides

Which is pretty easy for us to visualize

Even it takes Iranian Missiles to remind us of that

Responding to Korach's claim that We are all Holy

Whose idea was it to send the Spies anyway?

Rambam and Ramban on the Mitzvah to Daven

Be'halosacha Drasha

Do we talk enough about this with our children?

We all know what we do in practice, but what if you pull out the wrong one?

Thoughts on being blessed to see the fruits of our labors

several approaches to this holy man's wrong doing

Connecting the count of our parsha to Yom Yerushalayim

R Hirsch on the significance of the shofar on Yom Kippur

An unexpectable complicated decision

Life is sometimes messy, and doesn't line up exactly as we want

The most critical component of belonging

Two different places the Mishnah asks the same question with different answers

Rav Hirsch on the choice in front of all of us

Why did it take 14 years after entering the Land before tzarras started?

Oneg and Nega - all the matters is where you put the ayin

Why did Moshe and Aharon go in?

Lessons from Miriam's role in the birth of Moshe

"Searching" for the best way to start Pesach

The difference between having and being

Two lessons from the completion of the Mishkan

A fascinating debate on the two ways of looking at the world we live in

And the beautiful task of building a community

We all have an entry in the Book

Lessons from the machatzis hashekel and Purim

Answering the most important question that separates distinguishes the most successful

A novel, but inspiring, approach, based on my chavrusa with a returning chayal

We are a nation of impossible and we don't care if we are unpopular

The People, Moshe and Hashem all react differently

It's much more than we can't daven to anything else, it's the very concept that we CAN daven to Him!

Important lessons from the odd request

Certainly allowed to, but not recommended

Starts and stops, ups and downs

Nothing can even exist without Him

Or anything even resembling a body

Can you fulfill the mitzvah with synthetic materials?

What materials can Tzitzis be made of?

R' Hirsch and the Chasom Sofer

So much to learn from all of the crying

Hashem sent me here, but you were still wrong

An Important machlokes Rishonim

Stories from Heroes of October 7

The two miracles of the Chanukah story

Lessons from Yaakov's unmitigated grief over Yosef and the Brother's inability to speak peacefully with Yosef

He is One like no other

What conditions obligate this mitzvah?

A bold commentary on a complex and perplexing story

And you'll never believe what actually happened to me

Understanding Complete Belief

Situations when the requirement does not apply

Starting from the pasukim and the meaning behind the mitzvah

And watching them play out in front of our eyes

We believe in many things, but how often do we act on them?

Starting with the sources - two pesukim and several gemarahs

New Thursday morning Learning

Ladders and Angels and Promises of Protection

Strong (almost shocking) thoughts from R' Hirsch

The amazing stregth of our soldiers and their wives!

Insightful, shocking, and ahead of his time

A life altering perspective from wounded chayalim

Addressing his fears of failure

R' Hirsch on Avraham's request

Two world views

Thoughts from R Hirsch

So many details about the teiva

And why do we need so many details on the dimensions of the Teiva?

Learning resilience from past experiences

Reimagining the difficulty of this mitzvah

Based on the Shabbos Shuva Drasha

Highlighting many themes of Yom Kippur

Better to make the bracha yourself or answer amen to someone else's?

We know how it will end, but its a long journey to get there

Everyone is judged like the soldiers of Dovid HaMelech

Be Strong and Courageous!

A discussion of the Rambam's seemingly polar opposite description of the before and after Teshuva Jew

A fascinating comment from the Ramban

The world could not exist without it

Two similar disputes between Rashi and the Ramban

As we mark 11 months, are we doing enough?

Teshuva is not something only relevant in Elul!

Why unity is so elusive in today's Jewish world

In honor of my zeidy's 11th yahrtzeit - שמחה זימל בן אשר זעליג ז''ל

Lessons from a False Prophet

Most of the time, because it's for our own good!

A little comfort and solace for those choosing to live outside of Israel

Do we care what they think and how do we put ourselves in the best light?

Many contemporary lessons relevant from what was back then to what is now.

Based on the Ramban's Introduction and discussion of the appointment of Judges

Revenge holds a complicated and multilayered place in Jewish thought

Standing up with strength and audacity for what you love.

Bilaam has much to teach us

Rashi and Ramban take two important, but very different, approaches

Three opinions

Are you allowed to do that?

Is that required? For an individual, three people, or ten - does it matter if its Shabbos or Yom Tov?

Three approaches from Rashi Ramban and Rambam, each with much to teach us

There was a very important point to be learned from an otherwise miserable Debate

Chazal had one criteria in mind; we would have figured something else

How much do you need to wash, women

Whose idea was this anyways, and what did they do wrong in their initial report? Based on comments from the Ramban

We come by it honestly, but there are things to do to focus our attention on what's important

The key to developing Yiras Shamayim

Two contradictory sources in the gemarah as to why was this instituted.

Lessons from the backward nun's

There are pros and cons, upside and downside

Combatting a battle for truth in Gaza and in the media

Some famous Theological discussions

Making sense of the return of the Jewish people at the turn of the 20th Century

Make sure you care enough and work enough to receive it!

Must you leave some bread on the table, and if so, how much?

A sensitive claim against the Jews in America, because to a degree, it's true.

What could be controversial about that? Turns out, just three words created a firestorm

Insights into staying out of trouble and being the most productive (Sunday morning learning)

Is it possible the whole world is wrong and we alone are right?

Two practical Ramban's, one expansive and one restricting

When, and how, should this tragedy be commemorated in the Modern State of Israel.

We will not convince the world of anything, but we must be clear and strong ourselves!

What does childbirth require a korban chatas?

The movement to create a better world

Three explanation fro the Sages as to what held Aaron back

What they stood for and the factors that led to it's development

Rambam and Ramban and needing encouragement

A study of the beginning of the second perek

The factors behind the two powerful movements

Two questions that came up this week (Shabbos Pekudai)

Setting up the Mishkan

Everyone wants to feel like they make a difference

Broken Luchos and resilience

Often we need to think through how and what we are going to do

A reminder for how we should start our day every day

Tracing two vastly different worldviews

Lessons from Hashem and Moshe on the secret to Redemption

Much harder than you think

Thoughts on lighting the Menorah

More than a satirical joke

Three things throughout Jewish History

Always be from the pursued, not the pursuers

Sources, reasons and basic halachos

For good an d bad

It's everyone surrounding the Aseres HaDibros

It's a choice we have everyday - what do you want to see?

Why do we have two first months?

R' Freundlich's 10 minutes of explanation on Perek 118, part of the "100 Minutes of Inspiration for 100 Days" Program

That is the true measure of Wisdom

Thoughts of Rashi, Ramban, Rav Hirsch and the Rav on the Name of Hashem

Learn to act the way you know it will be

It's the only way to grow

A summary of our third day in Israel

What's Your Name?

Origin of the Yetzer Hara

Incredible strength

Yosef's command to his brothers and Hashem's message to Yaakov

Sources of for who and when

Shattered Hopes in Desperate Times

Thoughts on Yosef, Mitzrayim and Redemption

You cant start working on middos until you're at a certain baseline -the differences between middos gassa and middos daka

Defining Kavod Malchus

It's a either murder or the greatest mitzvah

And what the brothers do and do not regret

Searching for our Brothers

This is not the first time the facts have been manipulated against the Jews

Navigating a fractured world

To wait and yearn for it to come.

Rav Hirsch's timely comments

A fascinating conversation between Yaakov and Shimon and Levi

Introduction to Chanukah

Tp see the world clearly

A deeply sensitive and delicate halacha

The final interaction between Yaakov ad Eisav

Yaakov established Maariv, often a mixture of light and dark

Like Shalom, it's always at the end of the list

In honor of the Women of the IDF

The source of Ho'daah

Three Rabbinic approaches

Thoughts on what did and did not happen at the Rally in DC

The middah of Shalom, like Shabbos, is always last.

Two proud, but very different nations

You dont need to scream or shout about truth and wisdom!

Why do you bid the angels farewell right after they arrive?

Is there ever a time when tefilla is not allowed?

The death of Avraham and the Teshuva of Yishmael

Reflections on my trip

We do not work on Shabos, but we do the other 6 days!

We never sing about Pesach, Pesach, Pesach...but we do about Shabbos!

Laws of Bikur Cholim

It takes courage to be a minority

Isn't it odd that the Holy day of Shabbos is filled with so much food, drink and sleep?

What are we supposed to do when we visit someone?

Is it a "bad omen" to learn about visiting the sick and the laws of aveilus?

Why Hashem needed to destroy the world

The Torah begins with a 'bet", and each of the three reasons the medrash provides is relevant today.

Shabbos complains it is alone - and we are the answer!

In the merit of the safe return home of our soldiers and hostages!

Very different than than holding up grandmothers on their way to Auschwitz

It's just that simple. As long as we stop to see it

What makes "beauty"?

Something is always less than ideal when it comes to the sukkah!

Why should Shabbos get less preparation than all of the other Yom Tovim?

The mitzvah of eating on Erev Yom Kippur

Celebrate our Humanness

Carrying our burdens

A contemporary approach to the ancient tradition

The essence of what Teshuva is

An overview of several gemarahs that took place on erev Yom Kippur

The essence of what Teshuva is

We only bequeath that which we truly value

In commemoration of the 100 year anniversary of Daf Yomi

Two approaches to understanding the Greatness of Teshuva

How much sugar, what other foods combine...etc

Its a very complicated day

Moshe gathered everyone together and obligated even those who weren't born yet.

What to learn from the fact that the reed baskets of the poor are kept in the Beis Hamikdash after the mitzvah of Bikkurim

The power of Ye'hei Shmei Rabba

An introduction to the complicated sugya of when to wash on "dessert breads"

A description of the beautiful mitzvah of Bikurim

The story of R' Elazar ben Durdaya

What happens when the very symbol of integrity becomes corrupt?

It's impossible not to be swayed

It's not enough to be Tov, we must be Yasher as well.

Developing the craft from a child to a master of words

Much to learn from the first few pesukim in our Parsha

The mon and miracles were lessons for all time

Shabbos Nachamu

Our gift of creation. How will we use it?

It's true you sometimes can't get home, but did you try?

Crying over our lack of tears

There is much to learn from Moshe's opening words to Sefer Devarim

Why Miriam's death is recorded next to the Parah Aduma and its relevant message for today

We all do it Seder night, but is this relevant all year round?

Both Miriam and Aharon die in ths week's parsha, and the Sages have similar things to say on both

Fire destroys everything in its path, without discretion

Each person's is different, but the challenge is the same

The essence of Free Will

Before you wash, after, while the hands are still wet?

We sometimes get vconfuused about the most important parts of our lives

An astounding Maharal answering a difficulty on how the Menorah was formed

Do I need to wash again?

Two meanings why man is called Adom

Making the familiar fresh

Did you ever show up late to a really important meeting?

Why is there no direct connection to the Giving of the Torah and Shavuos

So much to learn from the count

Is it once, twice, or three times?

Everything in life has a value, even spirituality

What are we to do as rockets rain down in Israel?

What if you swear on something, believed you were telling the truth, but discover you were wrong?

Turns out, it's a machlokes Rishonim. Plus, what if you washed and then after making the bracha discovered there is no bread?

What a Mets game has to teach us about bad instincts and a sense of belonging

Does it work to just not touch the bread?

How much are we personally effected by the need?

We are an intrinsic contradiction

We are all brothers!

A complicated answer to a simple question: Why do we need to wash our hands before eating bread?

What is the nature of this Mitzvah and an empowering Maharal

What is the Ikar - Torah or Yisrael?

Appreciating the moment

Its all in what you wear

This is super complicated, but super important to undrestand. Why is Israel on fire right now?

The shift from stories to Laws

Addressing a troubling contradiction in rashi

Lessons from Moshe and Shlomo and the name of Hashem

With insights from the Maharal and Rav Hirsch

Each form of tefilla is a mesechta unto itself

Why Yakov rejects the bracha he was given in favor of the bracha of his grandfather Avraham.

A deeper understanding of the medrash

Everything depends on if we are worthy or not

The value of our few minutes of tefilla, and of taking a few minutes brfore tefilla

How is Paternity Established in Halakha? Can one become a father posthumously? How do ancient texts speak to modern medical technologies?

"Sarah was as innocent at 100 as at 20" - sounds a little odd. A why does can't the gemarah find a better source for giving a ring under the chuppah than Avraham buying a field from Efron?

A shiur following the IVF clinic mixup when a woman was implanted with the wrong embryo.

Why must there be such suffering and how to live as an Eretz Yisrael Jew in the exile

A fundamental shift in what we actually are doing when we daven: recognizing that everything comes from Hashem, whether we get what we want or not

Some toughts from the Maharal on what it means to ask about the Milah and the boomering nature of Kindness

Rav Yissacher Shlomo Teichtal's groundbreaking work, written in the furnace of the Holocaust, about the Land of Israel, Redemption and Jewis Unity

We all know it already: Tefilla is incredibly powerful, but also incredibly difficult!

Lessons from a Famine in the Land

There are two types of progeny we create in this world, but one is more fundamental to who we are.

Every Jew must be clear to what purpose do we direct our lives

There is no other way to greet the King other than as a unified Nation

A life changing experience

The order of growth to achieve perfection

"Access to information" and "accessing information" are two completely seperate ideas

The magnificient concept of Teshuva even on our Mitzvos

Not by rote or for ulterior motives

Don't you want to be a source of Nachas to Hashem?

Why arent there examples of Kings anymore?

A fascinating study or new fruits, long days, and mistaken songs in the Beis Hamikdash

Walking in His ways: Perfecting our middos

Yirah: In the presence of Greatness

Yiras Shaymayim doesn't happen on its own - it takes great Wisdom to master

As much as the world was created for each and every one of us, a Jew cannot never forget his/her place amongst the community.

It's not natural, plus there are detractors

You only notice what you are looking for!

Everyone studies something, but often not what matters most

Everything is rising!

There is literally no one else in the world like you - live like an individual!

R' Moshe Chaim Luzzato's masterful work is in essence reminding us of what we already know.

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