01. Wedneday, 15 Elul 5777 September 7 2017.Introduction to new school year 5777-8 (2017-18).

רבי ישמעאל אומר Class One-a. RaMbaM הלכות ממרים פרק א’ הלכה א’ בפנים. The three areas that the חכמים have authority about. One is the 13 principles by which all the הלכות למשה מסיני become דאורייתא.

רבי ישמעאל אומר Class Two. The first seven of the 13 מדות שהתורה נדרשת בהם from the אבודרהם.

ר’ ישמעאל אומר Class Three. The remaining six of the 13 מדות שהתורה נדרשת בהם from the אבודרהם.

ר’ ישמעאל אומר Class Four. תולעת יעקב Introduction. First four Middos explained על פי סוד. The first two are above the worlds and deal with Knowing G-dliness and knowing that we don’t know and therefore all is equal as far as we are concerned- גזירה שוה. The third and fourth are about Atzilus. מבנין אב...

ר’ ישמעאל אומר Class Five. תולעת יעקב continued (2). This class is really a reintroduction of the תולעת יעקב. We explore the levels of above אצילות; and אצילות and what follows יצא ממנו in the lower worlds. The last two מדות are about the purpose for which all (למעלה מאצילות, אצילות ובי”ע) was created.

ר’ ישמעאל אומר Class Six. תולעת יעקב continued (3). We re-reviewed and explained the first seven מדות. Including the revealing and the lowering of אלקות through אצילות which is inspired but has reason and emotion at the same time.

ר’ ישמעאל אומר Class Seven. תולעת יעקב continued (4). In this class מדות numbered 8-11. יצא ממנו as Torah departs from the world of light and enlightenment it is challenged and must be preserved although it is outside the

ר’ ישמעאל אומר Class Eight. תולעת יעקב continued (5). דבר הלמד מענינו to be a Jew in the world G-d places you in. דבר הלמד מסופו the end is Teshuva which justifies all of the ירידות. The מגיד ממעזריטש interprets דבר הלמד מענינו as the work of צדיקים. Perhaps this is his perspective. וכן שני...

ר’ ישמעאל אומר Class Nine. This class discusses the idea of the 13 Middos of learning Torah and how they are related (or not related) to the 13 Middos of Mercy that we daven with. The RaMaK and the AriZal both explain this case of 13 Middos on a level of השתלשלות. The first to...