The Tefilla of Hodu LaHashem Ki Tov …. Hodu LaHashem Chasdo…. is said Erev Shabbos but not when it is Yom Tov or Chol HaMoed because you’re not going out from danger.

(5776/2016) London discussion that included a thought on יודו להוי’ חסדו ונפלאותיו לבני אדם and שלום עליכם all leading up to explaining אשת חיל. The Neshama comes home (and is welcomed) Friday night.

The Friday night praise for the Soul as it returns after a week of work in Clarifying and elevating through spiritual risk and struggle.

Who is this business lady and why do we sing her praises at the beginning of Shabbos? A beautiful analysis of Aishes Chayil prefaced by several stories. Recorded at a talk given at a Toronto Shabbaton.

An introduction to Kabbalas Shabbos. What is it? Who created it? and when? The evolution of a part of Davening that is not at all from the Anshei Knesses HaGedola. The oldest part of it is Mizmor Shir LiYom HaShabbos.

The Zoharic section added (relatively recently) to the Kabbalas Shabbos at the expense of Bame’ Madlikin. This class involves a long introduction to all of Kabbalas Shabbos. Kigavna, on Shabbos the lower worlds mirror the Unity and peace that exists (always) in the higher world. On Shabbos the lower and higher worlds A. Mirror each...

This very short Ma’amar explores the Friday night Kigavna, from the Zohar. This Ma’amar was said by each of the first three Rabbeim, (which shows on a unity of forms for ideas). In it he explains the Yichudim that happen on earth as do (always) in heaven (Atzilus). He explains further that the Avoda we...

Ata Kidashta. Ata Kidashata: The beginning of the middle Bracha of the Friday night Davening. Why Shabbos (and Yom Tov) has seven Blessings (rather than nineteen); It begins with Kidusha, like betrothal- formal Marriage that will deepen over Shabbos; the ‘Tachlis’ of all of creation is A. To reward man, B. To bring God down;...

Yisimechu BiMalchuscha…. Shabbos. The prayer said on Friday night and Shacharis and Musaf (but not at Mincha) linking Shabbos with Joy. Why does it have so many versions and why is it not recited always, and why are there so many opinions about its times of recitation. Joy is lower than delight, and Shabbos is...

Introduction to the Pizmonim of Shabbos. This class introduces the three Pizmonim of the ARiZaL that were composed for the Shabbos meals. In this class we discuss 1) why the ARiZaL included his name in each of the pizmonim, 2) the three stages of rest on Shabbos and how this reflects itself (in part) in...

Azamer Bishvuchin This (the second of four classes on the ARiZaL’s pizmonim for Shabbos) studies the Friday night Pizmon Azamer Bishvuchin. It divides it into five parts: 1) going out of the week, darkness and entanglement, 2) Preparing to bring in Shabbos, 3) On Shabbos itself: setting the table, 4) Receiving the Godliness of Shabbos...

Asader Lisudasa. The second of the three pizmonim of Shabbos, deals exclusively with holiness, as by this point of Shabbos that is all there is. In the holiness itself there is a need to create a vessel (or chariot) in two ways: 1) set a table and 2) say Torah ideas to bring forward the...

Asader Lisudasa. The second of the three pizmonim of Shabbos, deals exclusively with holiness, as by this point of Shabbos that is all there is. In the holiness itself there is a need to create a vessel (or chariot) in two ways: 1) set a table and 2) say Torah ideas to bring forward the...

Bnei Heichala. This (fourth of four classes on the Pizmonim of Shabbos) discusses the time of Mincha of Shabbos and the lofty light that is available then. It is a time of ‘Kisufin’, wanting what can never be truly had; and ‘eis ratzon’ an Auspicious time but from G’vura as opposed to from Chesed, we...

The three paragraphs of this Bracha represent: the Luchos, Sefer Torah and Torah SheBaal Peh.

VaAni Tfilusi A short segment on Va’ani Sefilusi that is said (every morning and) Shabbos by Mincha, the difference between the morning Eis Ratzon (from Chesed) and Shabbos Mincha (from G’vura).

Bnei Heichala. This (fourth of four classes on the Pizmonim of Shabbos) discusses the time of Mincha of Shabbos and the lofty light that is available then. It is a time of ‘Kisufin’, wanting what can never be truly had; and ‘eis ratzon’ an Auspicious time but from G’vura as opposed to from Chesed. We...

The Six Psalms of Kabbalas Shabbos (Lichu Niranina through Mizmor Lidovid). The first six Perakim of Kabalas Shabbos correspond to the six days of the week (among other things) this is an overview and commentary on a part of Siddur which was first initiated in the last four hundred and fifty years.