Yeshiva 5780 Kidush Chadashim and Ibbur Shanim.A short version of the first Mitzvah.Our calendar is hidden even from the Torah SheBaal Peh (Gemara) only the RaMbaM recorded it.The nature of our calendar and the reason for its mystery.The combination of the Solar (normal constant) and the Lunar (variable) calendars, we join the constant and the…

12-02. First Mitzva, Kidush Hachodesh. This Mitzva is given to Beis Din alone. They must determine the months and the years, deciding when and how to add a leap year. The class (which is divided in two because of its length), deals with opinions about this mitzva. There is a surprising Rabbeinu Chananel, and the…

11-03, 09, 13, 22 The Signs of Tahra (Kosher) for living things (Yeshiva 5781, 2021), Class Two.Cont.1) Chewing cud (review many times) and split hooves (not actually touching the ground, divided, many Midos).2) Scales (separation from environment and protection) and fins (growth), the first determines the second. 3) Birds cannot be predatory, because we will…

11-03, 09, 13, 22 The Signs of Tahara (Kosher) for living things (Yeshiva 5781, 2021), Class One.The signs MAKE the animal Kosher (according to the Rogetchover Gaon).What do the signs mean?1) Land animals are like Yidden in the “real world” and fish are like Yidden whose life is Torah, the signs reflect their lifestyles. 2)…

BeHar 25- 42; 55 Avadai Haim (Achei Temimim 5782/ 2022).Explaining why it is brought up twice in this Parsha, to explain why the Eved Ivri goes out by Yovel; we belong to Him First שטרי קודם.The Sforno explains that it is being said to the Yid who sold himself, he is given freedom not because…

Second Shorter Version

Gid HaNasheh (Yeshivah 5781/ 2020), Class Four.The second Zohar (Part 1): Torah that lacks financial support is weak and is forgotten and diminished over time.We explained this with the idea of Torah’s ChaBaD (abstract understanding,) and ChaGaS (the prospect of the various ways of determining a Halacha,) being separated from the NeHI (the actual Halacha.)The…

Gid HaNasheh (Yeshivah 5781/ 2020), Class Three.The first Zohar: Eisav’s Malach (angel) cannot find a way to hurt Ya’akov, so choses to hit what is already his domain: the thighs, which are mystically the NeH”I (that are his in the meantime).But this hurts Ya’akov and his descendants.We compared it to the idea of Azazel.

Gid HaNasheh (Yeshivah 5781/ 2020), Class Thirteen.Likutei Sichos vol. 30 page 148 ff. Class Two.In spite of the two universal points about Hashgacha listed above there is still a difference between universal Hashgacha and the Hashgacha Pratis of a Yid:The first is ‘logical’ and therefore though everything is central to creation there remains more central…

Gid HaNasheh (Yeshivah 5781/ 2020), Class One.The Sefer HaChinuch’s take on the Mitzvah of Gid HaNasheh, it reminds us that (even when it appears to be the case) that we are never forgotten and will eventually be redeemed.