Shiur provided courtesy of Naaleh.com Adapted by Channie Koplowitz Stein             An integral part of the Haggadah is the recitation of Hallel comprised of five paragraphs from Psalms. The Hallel begins with the introductory paragraph,”Therefore it is our duty to thank, praise… from slavery to freedom, from sadness to joy, from mourning to festivity, from darkness […]

 Shiur provided courtesy of Naaleh.com Adapted by Channie Koplowitz Stein             “Mishenichnas Adar marbin b’simcha/From the arrival of the month on Adar we increase joy.” This well known Chazal seems to be the linchpin for all the Purim festivities. But, as Rabbi Rothberg notes in Moda Labinah.[quoting Rashi] the motto talks not about the one day […]

 Shiur provided courtesy of Naaleh.com Adapted by Channie Koplowitz Stein             We tend to think of our holidays as commemorating events in our history, but our Sages tell us that the Torah with all its precepts existed before the world was created, and all the holidays and mitzvoth were in place before the Jews were commanded […]

 Shiur provided courtesy of Naaleh.com Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein             As we leave the Days of Awe with the close of Yom Kippur and begin our preparations for Sukkot, we are left to ponder the deeper significance of the holiday and the central command to dwell in sukkot for seven days. Is there a connection between Yom […]

 Shiur provided courtesy of Naaleh.com Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein             Each year before Yom Kippur we explore one of the sins for which we confess and ask forgiveness in the al chet prayer. This year we will be discussing the sin of sikur ayin, which ArtScroll translates as “prying eyes”. We will explore both this […]

The mishna says we pass before Hashem (in judgement) like “bnei maron.” The Gemara gives three explanations of this phrase. Why do we need three different metaphors to explain the same idea?  Shiur provided courtesy of Naaleh.com. Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein             One of the most striking images in the Rosh Hashanah liturgy is […]

The Gemara gives 6 reasons why Tu B’Av is celebrated. Many events have occurred that are greater than these. Why don’t these other events merit holidays as well? How can we make Tu B’Av meaningful for us today now that we don’t celebrate Tu B’Av the way that is described in the Gemara?  Shiur provided courtesy of Naaleh.com

Shouldn’t the day of judgement be the last day of the year, not Rosh Hashana? If it’s judgement day, why do we focus on God’s kingship and make no mention of our own needs? How does the shofar fit into the theme of Rosh Hashana?

Shiur provided courtesy of Naaleh.com. Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein             The holiday we generally refer to as Shavuot has in fact several names each reflecting a different aspect of the holiday, either spiritual or agricultural. However, one common name seems to have no relevance today, Chag Habikurim/the holiday of the first fruit. Certainly Torah […]

Shiur provided courtesy of Naaleh.com. Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein It was the ultimate moment of redemption. Hashem Himself came down and smote the Egyptian firstborn. The Torah says, “I shall go through Egypt…, I shall strike every firstborn…, I shall mete out punishment, I am Hashem” (Shemot 12:12). The Haggadah drives this point home: […]