Elokeinu VeElokai Avosainu (before Vayehi Achar) Machon Chana Wednesday 19 MarCheshvan 5775/ November 12 2014.The Akaida is said everyday. For various reasons, before and after, we say a Prayer that comes from the Rosh Hashana Davening! The prayer before is amended (from the Rosh Hashana version) to underscore the theme of living as a Jew…

Class One. All the people from the city join the people in the field because by going out into the field, when the King returns to the city they go not only into the city but into the palace itself. Class Two. The desert and the people there are certainly also allowed to come into…

04. Asher Yatzar (Part One). Wednesday 5 MarCheshvan 5774/ October 9 2013. (Machon Chana). 1) The blessing for nature and (specifically) for life and human life. 2) Different versions. 3) five ideas: A. Life, B. The moment of birth, C. In the service of God, D. The correlation between man and Atzilus, E. The struggles…

Class One: Da’as. Daas. The key to davening is actually- Davening, that means talking to G-d. Class two: “Which Jew doesn’t need to Daven?”. Often our disinterest in Davening is a lack of appreciation, understanding, and know-how. Post Seminary talk on prayer (5776/ 2016). It is time we turn it around and instead of waiting…

Before Shavuos, Hashem begs us (Im Bichukosai- Lashon Tachanunim) to do Mitzvos wholly. This means in all three levels: Machshava- thought and spiritual connection [Bichukosai TaLaichu), Dibur- Learn and understand the detail of the halacha of Torah (ViEs Mitzvosai Tishmoru], Maase’- Action with Kabbalas Ol [VaAsisem Osom].

The Rebbe calls this Ma’amar of the Mitteler Rebbe a ‘wondrous Ma’amar’, It explains three levels in each and every Mitzvah: 1) Commandment (as the Soul is contained in the Nefesh HaBahamis; B’Chol Livuv’cha), 2) A promise that you’ll do it [as the Soul is by itself], 3) A story- the Mitzva (literally) does itself…

The world was perfect at creation and becomes more perfect through work: Dira BiTachtonim.

Chuka means edict but it also means engraved. This Parsha refers to all of Judaism as “Chuka” to underscore the level of service and connection associated with Chakika. There are three levels: 1) תורה שבעל פה which remains separate from the person even after he learns it. 2) תורה שבכתב which is initially separate but…

Bichukosai 26-42. V’Zucharti… Brisi..Bris Yaakov, Yitzchok and Avrohom. Many questions on this Posuk, beginning with an introduction ‘why the Tochacha is called a Bris’. The three Avos are listed backwards, there are two extra ‘es’ in the posuk and twice the word ‘af’ among others. Rashi, E. Ezra, Chizkuni, R. Bechayey, Tzyuni, RaMbaN, Shach, Kli…