Rosh Hashanah: In vs. Out
On Rosh Hashanah we are on trial yet we don’t beg God for forgiveness! Shouldn’t we coronate God and stand on trial AFTER we are forgiven on Yom Kippur!?!
Sep 27, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer
Penetrating the Inner Chambers
Why does Rosh Hashanah precede Yom Kippur, they should be reversed? Why doesn’t the Torah mentioned that Rosh Hashanah is a day of Judgement?? Why doesn’t our behavior on Rosh Hashanah reflect the...
Sep 27, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer
Insights into Teshuvah and Kapara
What are teshuva and kapara – are they one and the same or are they different? If they are different then how do they differ & how do we achieve each...
Sep 23, 2016
By Rav Chaim Ilson
Teshuva: To Fix Free Will
The Rambam says that “complete Teshuva” is achieved when you are in the exact same situations with all the conditions as when you sin but you refrain from sinning, Why is...
Sep 23, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer
Is it a Mitzvat Aseh to do Teshuva?
According to the Rambam, the actual mitzvah of Teshuva is viduy (confession). Other rishonim, including the Ramban, hold Teshuva itself is a mitzvah. How could it be that according to the Rambam there...
Sep 23, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer
Hilchos Teshuvah: Halachic Teshuvah vs. Hashem’s Kindness
The Rambam says that we gain atonement via Teshuva today since there is no Beit HaMikdash to offer korbanot. If we can gain teshuvah through atonement then why is there need...
Sep 17, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer
The Centrality of Repentance to Torah and Mitzvot
Why did the Rambam place Hilchot Teshuva in Sefer HaMada, the book that deals with the fundamentals of Judaism? Is it because Teshuva is fundamental to Judaism or because it deals...
Sep 16, 2016
By Rav Chaim Ilson
Shiur on The Rambam’s Hilchot Teshuvah
What is the Rambam’s approach to the commandment of Teshuva in the Mishna Torah? How does he formulate it and in what context does he place it?
Sep 9, 2016
By Rav Chaim Ilson
The Power of Elul
Why did Moshe have to be at Har Sinai for 40 days and nights to receive the second luchot – he learned it the first time!?! What did he learn that...
Sep 2, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer
Tu B’Av: Love Bleeding Through
Why does the miracle of Beitar (that the bodies didn’t decay) warrant a holiday – it’s a small bright spot in an otherwise tragic story? What is the unifying theme of all the...
Aug 19, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer
Discover More
- Asarah B'Tevet
- Birchat HaChama
- Chanukah
- Elul
- Fast of Esther
- Fast of Shiva Asar B'Tammuz
- Fast of Tisha B'Av
- Four Shabbatot
- Hoshanah Rabbah
- Lag BaOmer
- Months
- Passover
- Pesach Sheini
- Purim
- Rosh Hashanah
- Sefirat HaOmer
- Shabbat
- Shavuot
- Shemini Atzeret
- Shushan Purim
- Simchat Torah
- Sukkot
- The Three Weeks
- Tu B'Av
- Tu B'Shevat
- Tzom Gedaliah
- Yom HaAtzmaut
- Yom HaShoah
- Yom Hazikaron
- Yom Kippur
- Yom Yerushalayim
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