Rabbi Blackman (RDB)

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

Parshat Eikev - Haftara

Parshat Devarim/ The Three weeks

The Three Weeks - 21 or 22 days?

Chessed shebeMalchut and the curse-reversal of "veShavarti et Ge’on Uz’chem"

The history and debate behind VeShamru as the preamble to the Friday night Amida

The meaning behind a baby boy’s Upsherin and its connection to Lag baOmer

Deeper dimensions of Friday night Barechu and Hashkiveinu

The unique status of Friday night Maariv

The tipping point of Shoah

Hashem Malach, Bameh Madlikin

Mizmor Shir leYom haShabbat

Bo’i beShalom - turning around

Lecha Dodi - Shamor veZachor

The inclusion of Ana beCho’ach in Kabbalat Shabbat