Topic Luchos Part One; (Class for Parshas Yisro 5781)Detailed discussion of the tablets (luchos) themselves – size, shape,qualities etc.   References to numerous sources.The Luchos were physical but they weren’t really from this world.Many aspects of the Luchos was beyond understanding.This class (after an introduction) visits the Luchos using a variety of Maamarei Chazal.Length :  24:22

Ki Tisa 30- 13 Shekel Hakodesh and Lashon HaKodesh, the RaMbaM and the RaMbaN (Yeshiva 5781/ 2021).What is Shekel HaKodesh?1) Rashi what is used for Mitzvos, IOW Moshe as a King chose this currency.2) Everything is doubledRaMbaN brings what the RaMbaM says about Lashon HaKodesh (clean language with no bad words) and argues.He says it…

Ze Yitnu 5738 (Ma’amar of Parshas Shekalim). 1) Two half Shekels, you give a half and get whole (and there are many versions of this. In this Ma’amar, they are): the half of the Neshama in the body brings to us the half that is above the body.2) Everybody is the same (they give “only”…

This standard מחצית השקל מאמר has a typical approach with a completely novel aspect: The typical: no one is whole without another, thus we give half and the other half comes from outside of us. The atypical aspect is that we are commanded to give the “higher” half of Shekel called שקל הקדש the lower…

Class One. Class Two.

Part One. Part Two.

Machatzis Hashekel is a Klalis (all important) idea in Torah, as it is “Lichaper Al Nafshoseichem” (to atone on the Soul). It is different than Teshuva because Teshuva is the complete breaking down of the person, while Machatzis HaShekel and the Aron haKodesh (Torah) are only halving oneself. The idea is not to be broken…

Another Maamar Ki Tisa, this time on the Parsha. Ki Tisa here means T’shuva which is higher than the Avoda of a Tzadik or Beinoni and is the only reason there is even a possibility of sin by the average Jew. T’shuva is higher than 1) Right and Left: Mitzvos Asei and Lo Tase, 2)…

The details of the Parsha of Machatzis Hashekel that are irrelevant beyond Moshe’s time (and beyond the Beis Hamikdash) need analysis. How are they also an eternal lesson? The Rebbe explains the idea that Torah is a Hora’a and a illuminated lesson for us to practice, not only to understand in some spiritual way. The…