All disagreements in life result from poorly-defined expectations. The Chofetz Chaim discusses faith within halacha in the context of partnerships with non-Jews and Shabbos.  His discussion of the importance of Torah in his introduction to the Mishna Brurah. This shiur is sponsored by Chana Spivak in loving memory of her son, בנימין אליעזר. Download the […]

How do we prepare for Selichot? Do we lose any sleep over our sins as we approach Rosh Hashana, the Day of Judgement? Selichot are meant to wake us up. to shake us up. Shiur provided courtesy of Torah Anytime

According to the Levush Selichot are modeled after davening, we begin with Pesukei D’Zimra, then kaddish, then the thirteen middot and selichot (which parallel the amida), followed by Tachanun and full Kaddish. What are the halachic ramifications of this? The minhag is that the one who davens Selichot should daven the rest of the day […]

Many of the Maharal’s writings focus on the distinction between the world as it should be and the world as it is. The difference between חומר and צורה parallels the difference between the Jews and the nations of the world. Delivered 17 Elul 5778 (August 28th, 2018) at the OU Israel Center, Jerusalem.

As cognitively active beings, Man must make sense of his environment and if concepts cannot be grasped or things don’t add up, tension and frustration ensues.  For some, the challenge of confusion leads to a more concerted effort to arrive at a sensible conclusion. The mathematician’s difficulty with an equation results in rigorous mental gymnastics […]

At the start of Elul, rather than plunging ourselves into cheshbon ha’nefesh (accounting of one’s soul), many advise to begin by strengthening the core areas of our avodas Hashem.  Since we are involved in tefilah in this program, and since tefilah is certainly one of the core areas of our service to Hashem, we are reviewing four segments in particular, since they […]

The preparation for Teshuva begins from Rosh Chodesh Elul. The function of Elul is not just to daven but to plead so we are ready when Rosh Hashana arrives. Is Elul merely a preparation for Rosh Hashana or does it carry its own importance? Shiur provided courtesy of Torah Anytime

In his breathtaking work Orot HaTeshuva, Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook zt”l wonders aloud whether he is suited to pen a new treatise on the topic of repentance.[1] After all, he writes, the subject matter has been richly treated by a multitude of sages. Rav Kook counters that he has no choice. He feels compelled […]

Download the mekorot here Recorded at OU Israel’s L’Ayla Rosh Chodesh Women’s Event

Matan Torah wasn’t the only event that occured in Sivan, other events include Noach’s ark coming to rest on Har Ararat, Esther’s letter overturning Haman’s decree, and more. What is the common denominator and how do they relate to the Mazel of Sivan (Gemini/twins)? Download the mekorot here Recorded at OU Israel’s L’Ayla Rosh Chodesh […]