Delivered at the OU Israel Center, 4 Iyar 5783 – April 25, 2023 with a digression on Yom Hazikaron/Yom Haatzmaut Rabbi Breitowitz’s Tuesday Shiur is sponsored for the 2023 academic year by Rabbi Refoel and Sharon Auman in memory of their parents, Edith and Reiner Auman, z”l, יונה בן צדוק ז״ל & אסתר ע״ה בת […]

with a short digression on Yom HaShoah Delivered at the OU Israel Center, 27 Nisan 5783 – April 18, 2023 Rabbi Breitowitz’s Tuesday Shiur is sponsored for the 2023 academic year by Rabbi Refoel and Sharon Auman in memory of their parents, Edith and Reiner Auman, z”l יונה בן צדוק ז״ל & אסתר ע״ה בת […]

Delivered 14 Marcheshvan 5783 / November 8, 2022

The chag of Sukkot isn’t anchored to a particular historical period or geographical location. It doesn’t commemorate a miraculous event that occurred on a specific day in history. Sheltered huts positioned under the open sky symbolize Hashem’s compassion for creation, His care for humanity and His love of the Jewish people. Exiting our homes and […]

And Moshe ascended, from the Plains of Moav, Mount Navo to the peak that faces Yericho.  And Hashem showed him the entire land from the Gilad to Dan.  (Sefer Devarim 34:1) I. The recording of Moshe’s death This passage introduces the final chapter of Sefer Devarim and the Torah.  Moshe ascends Mount Navo.  From its […]

In the last shiur we looked at showering on Yom Tov and the tricky question of whether the halacha, as laid down by the Gemara and the Shulchan Aruch, is still unchanged today, give the different reality of bathing habits in the 21st Century. In this shiur we will engage with the issue of dancing […]

In today’s world, where many people shower at least once daily, not showering can be a cause of discomfort. Where there are two days of Yom Tov – such as a Rosh Hashana in all places or other Chagim in chu’l, this concern is deepened. In some cases there can be three days of Chag […]

Download PDF 1 Kings 8:54-66 After the hubbub surrounding the placing the Ark in the Holy of Holies, which was read on the Second Day of Sukkot[1], Solomon and the people embark on the actual consecration of the Temple. Solomon blesses the people, and they engage in a 14-day consecration feast. On Shemini Atzeret itself […]