Rabbi Blackman (RDB)

Birkot haTorah - the learning content following the B’racha

Birkot haTorah - its placement in the Siddur

Birchot haTorah - “la’Asok beDivrei Torah" or “Al Divrei Torah”

Birchot haTorah - 2 B’rachot or 3 - Rambam and Rabbeinu Tam

Birchot haTorah - The Rambam doesn’t count BHT as 1 of 613 Mitzvot deOraita

Birkat haTorah - its Biblical source

VeChof or uKefay et Yitzreinu, Vihi Ratzon - in the plural or singular

"veChof et Yitzreinu" Is it possible to ask Hashem to influence our free will?

haMa’avir Sheina uTmuna meiAfapai - The B’racha Achrona of haMapil and the gift of sleep

haNotein laYa’eif Ko’ach - the exhaustion of Exile and Jewish self-sabotage

haNotein laYa’eif Ko’ach - the questions on this B’racha - why is this not in the Gemara? Sounds like this should be said first? Has ample support in Pessukim yet many omit?

irkot HaShachar - Oter Yisrael beTifara - head covering as a Jewish concept, reference to Tefillin

Birkot HaShachar - Ozer Yisrael biGevurah

Birkot HaShachar - She’assa Li Kol Tzorki - a general B’racha covering all activities similar to Shehakol over food, with a specific reference to shoes

Birkot haShachar - Pokei’ach Ivrim, Malbish Arumim, Matir Asurim - even for prisoners/ hostages?

Birkot HaShachar - Shelo Asani isha - The Gra points to a Biblical source

Birkot haShachar - SheAsani Kirtzono

Birkot haShachar - Shelo Asani Isha - the case against change

Parshat Pinchas - Stumping Moshe

Birkot HsShachar - Shelo Asani Isha- should contemporary sensitivities impact the way we say this Beracha in public? Case for

Birkot haShachar - Shelo Asani Isha, equal intrinsic Kedusha, highlighting maximum Mitzva obligations

Birkot haShachar- Shelo Asani Goy/Nochri; why expressed in the negative?

Birkot haShachar, Asher Natan laSechvi, Shelo Asani Goy

Birkot haShachar - are women obligated to say? Do we say when awake the whole night? Do we say when no shoes are worn?

The unique nature of Birkot haShachar - is there a specific timeframe within which to say them?

Birkot haShachar - B’rachot of benefit (Rambam/ Shu’A) or praise (Tosfot/ Ran /Rama)

The insistence of many for Elokai Neshama to follow Asher Yatzar

Asher Yatzar

Netilat Yadayim - The loaded phrase and word usage - Netilah

Netilat Yadayim - the concept behind the alternate washing

Netillat Yadayim, Shacharit- Ritual of Dedication or crisis-relief

Nusach haGra- the 100 year evolution of the Siddur haGra; Rav Naftali Hertz 1898 - Eizor Eliyahu 1998

Nusach haGra- the 100 year evolution of the Siddur haGra; Rav Naftali Hertz 1898 - Eizor Eliyahu 1998

Parshat Shelach - Nephilim Giants and Fallen Angels

The Tzanzer Rebbe, R Chaim Halberstam, takes up the cause of Nusach Ari against the Chassam Sofer

The motivation and innovation behind Nusach Ari

The major contributors to the siddur leading up to modern times

The Siddurim of the Rishonim and Kabbalists

Rav’s contribution to the Siddur

Historical intro to the formalisation of the Siddur Part 1

Yigdal part 3 - Enthusiastic support

Yigdal part 2 - authorship and the opposition of the Arizal

Yigdal Part 1 - authorship and the opposition to, of the Arizal

Adom Olam - authorship and placement in the Siddur

The 4 subdivisions of Shacharit part B

The 4 subdivisions of Shacharit part A

A possible text incorporating Hashem’s names as a preamble to Davening/ An expanded look at the architecture of Mikdash in Tefilla

Intro - a text summarising the basic meanings of Hashem’s names : the design of the Mikdash reflected in the structure of the Davening (Shacharit)

Pronouncing the names of Hashem correctly with the various prefixes. The Radak’s rule- Moshe Motzi, VeKalev Machniss

The names of Hashem represent a description of the various dimensions of interface between Hashem, Am Yisrael, humanity and the universe