Class One. Page 217-9. when a question refutes, and when a question remains unanswered, but the idea remains the same (Teyuvta and Kashya). Moshe Rabbeinu wanted to live so we fast on his Yahrtzait, RaShBI wanted to ascend so his Yahrtzait is a celebration.  

This is a new series that will IY”H review all of the details known about the Rabbeiim. Given at Chovevei Torah. Lecture Five. The history of Kabbala, Moshe, the Neviim, Anshei Kneses Hagedola(‘s shift to a center of Halacha and Nigla), RaShBi, the later trickle of Kabbala, Rediscovery of the Zohar, the arguments over her…

Rav AkivaA Jew whose life was extraordinarily difficult and all our Torah is his!!!

Tanya Amar Rav Yosi… Zimna Chada 5738(This is a little different than most Ma’amaroim on this Zohar).RaShbI caused rain through Torah on the Possuk הנה מה טוב ומה נעים שבת אחים גם יחד only after his students came to him.Why this Possuk? (Because it has all of Hishtalshelus in it.)Why his students? Because they caused…

RaShBI made it rain by saying a Torah on the Possuk Hinai Ma Tov UMa Naim Sheves Achim Gam Yachad. There are three ideas here 1) Sheves Achim 2) Yachad 3) Gam Yachad.

Class One. The first half of this Mugadiker Ma’amar addresses the idea of ‘Shvachim’ (praise or flattery) we give to Hashem to arouse Him to give us (K’vayachol) and how this was reflected in the Tanaim who flattered RaShBI. What is unique to the Rebbe’s version of the Ma’amar is that he explains that the…

This classic Lag BaOmer Ma’amar is repeated here. חיי עולם וחיי שעה- תורה ותפילה, תפילה וברכה Torah from the top down vs. Tefilla from the bottom up. RaShbI was one of those individuals whose Torah could change the world and it is without much effort. He was (both) lifted up and brought down by the…

This is primarily a ל”ג בעומר Ma’amar. בחוקותי means תורה that results in a physical change in the world as it says ונתתי גשמיכם בעתם. The Torah that makes it rain is the level of רבי שמעון בר יוחאי. This is, of course, the story in זהר where through תורה ושבחים of רשב”י it rained….

The day Before (5768).17 IYAR/32 Baomer ends reason. 32 is highest level of (“the 32 alleys of) Chochma. 33 is transcendence. This is part of the idea that this (day 33) is connected to RaShBI. Lag Ba’omer talk (5770). Lag BaOmer parades; how religious is Jewish pride? More than you could possibly imagine.It wakes up…

This Tanna has a Yom Tov (holiday) all his own that all Yidden keep. The question is (still) only why (exactly). 1. RaShBI (5766). The Tzaddik who insisted his histalkus (passing) be a great joy and merited to have his desire continued for nearly two millenium. Some details about this extraordinary Tanna based on a…