Episodes
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Shabsai Tzvi's 400th Birthday
Source Sheet Shabsai Tzvi early days Halacha vs Kabalah What does the Zohar say about the year 5408? Nathan of Gaza How can it be that so many Rabbis followed Shabsai Tzvi? Did Shabsai Tzvi fool Nathan of Gaza or the other way around? History of Shabsai Tzvi's wife The dangers of practical…
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Noach! The Arizal Knocks It Out Of The Park
Source Sheet: https://RabbiKraz.com/NoachArizal Who was Chanoch? Was Noach a Tzadik? Why does it say In his generations? Did everyone in those days live long or only a select few? History of Moshe's Stick The famous sword of Mesushelach Why didn't they call Noach by his name? Was the Tzohar a…
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Chava Shows Adam Who Runs The House
Source Sheet Did Adam know what he was eating? How did Chava get him to sin? What was Adam's justification? The Chida enlightens us. The bizarre Ba'al Haturim. Explanations based on the Ba'al Haturim. Reb Heschel of Krakow. The Ben Ish Chai's challenge. His novel approach. Debate of Rambam and...
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Sukkos! The Colossal Debate On Which Everyone Weighs In.
Source Sheet: https://RabbiKraz.com/Sukkah Story of the Ba'al Shem Tovs holy paper What does sitting in the Sukkah commemorate? Why don't we celebrate Sukkos in Nissan? Why do we celebrate the clouds of glory over the Mann and the well of Miriam? Why are woman not obligated in the Sukkah? Shiur...
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Rabbeinu Yonah vs. the Rambam: The Assault and the Ultimate Repentance
Source sheet Rav Shmuel Bar Eli attacks the Rambam. The Ra'avad's sharp critique The Rameh's failed campaign. The students who lost their lives The Kozhnitzer Maggid's insight. Reb Shlomo Min Hahor. Rabenu Yonah The war against the Rambam's works Reb Hillel hachasid tells the painful story.…
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Tidbits on Rosh Hashanah
Source Sheets Is Rosh Hashanah a time of Tzara? The Ritva in Nedarim. The Chida and the Baal Shem Tov explain how G-d can forgive us. Reb Levik's letter to the Rebbe. The Rameh miFano's 3 explanations about Rivka. The apple in honey debacle. Debate of Shevus Yaakov and Sharei Teshuvah. Kaf…
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Rosh Hashanah And Reb Yosef Karo's Mystifying Diary
Source Sheet: https://RabbiKraz.com/MagidMeisharim Is one allowed to fast on Rosh Hashanah? Is one supposed to fast on Rosh Hashanah? Is there a difference between the first and the 2nd day? History of the Magid Mesharim Contradictions between Magid Mesharim and the Shulchan Aruch Shiur sponsored...
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The Noda B'yehuda and R' Itzikel Hamburger Go Head To Head Over A Bizarre Gett
Source Sheets: https://rabbikraz.com/getoflevov Story of the get of Levov. Cherem D'rabenu Gershom. Noda B'yehuda's letter. Sugya of Ein Shliach L'dvar Aveira. Reb Yosef Shteinhart describes the case. Reb Itzikel Hamurger and the Noda B'yehuda go way back. The Ba'al Hafla'ah's letter. Crucial...
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"Thou Shalt Not Accept Bribery!" But If I Did..
Source Sheets https://RabbiKraz.com/Bribery Story of Rav Chaim Kafusi. Tales of the Avnei Nezer. The Apter Rav's new interpretation. Reb Heschel Of Krakow gives his children a lesson. Questions on the Rambam Debate of Ketzos and Nesivos concerning a loan. The Minchas Chinuch's first approach. His...
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Rabeinu Yerucham's Seforim May Cost You Your Life, Ch"V
Source Sheets: History of Rabeinu Yerucham Should a pregnant woman fast? Should we all go join Hatzalah? Is it OK to write commentary on Rabeinu Yerucham? Are the current copies of Rabeinu Yerucham accurate? What is Kimli? Will performing a Mitzvah protect one from danger? If one eats something...
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Yerushalayim: Crown, Destruction, & Comeback PT 5 (Final)
Source Sheets Leadup and aftermath of the Destruction of the 2nd Beis Hamikdash Class given at Chabad in South Beach
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Yerushalayim: Crown, Destruction, & Comeback PT 4
Source Sheets The Roler Coaster Of The 2nd Beis Hamikdash Class given at Chabad in South Beach
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The Radiance Of The Yismach Moshe - A Gaon And A Rebbe.
Source Sheets: https://RabbiKraz.com/YismachMoshe Stories and history of the Yismach Moshe. Story of R Michel Zlotchover and Rashi. Why is the Beis Hamikdash called the Beis Habechirah? His great and constant yearning for Moshiach. What should one have in mind when bringing Korbanos? If a sofer...
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Yerushalayim: Crown, Destruction, & Comeback PT 3
Source Sheets The Babylonian Exile, Alexander The Great, & The Lead Up To The 2nd Beis Hamikdash Class given at Chabad in South Beach
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The Radvaz's Wisdom, And The Vow That Threatened To Destroy A Marriage
Source Sheet History of the Radvaz. R Ovadia Yosef defends the Radvaz. The Radvaz's opinion regarding the 13 principles of faith. Do Mitzvos require Kavanah? The reason for Mitzvos. Kabalah vs Halacha. Can a vow of Nezirus Shimshon be anulled? Several answers of the Radvaz on situations of vows…
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Yerushalayim: Crown, Destruction, & Comeback PT 2
Source Sheets The Destruction of the First Temple & the Babylonian Exile Class given at Chabad in South Beach
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Yerushalayim: Crown, Destruction, & Comeback PT 1
Source Sheets History of the 1st Beis Hamikdash Class given at Chabad in South Beach
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The Get of Cleves Rocks the European Rabbinate
Source Sheets Gett of Cleves Story. What categorizes someone as a Shoteh? Rambam's position on Shoteh and Pessi. Nodah Beyehuda's stance. Reb Chaim Tzanzer states his opinion. Reb Itzik Hamburger passes. Letter of the Shaagas Aryeh. Story of the Haflo'oh. Partially sponsored by Yaakov Yosef…
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Does The Body Of A Tzaddik Emit Tumah?
Source Sheets Story of the Arizals passing Does a Nasi give off Tumah? Can a Cohen become Tamei for a Nasi? How was R Yishmael Cohen Gadol able to touch Raban Shimon be Gamliels head? How was Elazar allowed to be in the cave with Aharon? Do all Tzadikim pass away with a kiss of G-d? Does a goy…
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What's With All The Kissing Of Mitzvah Objects?
Source Sheet (https://RabbiKraz.com/KissingMitzvahs) What's the Inyan of kissing the rocks of Eretz Yisroel? What are the 4 types of kisses? What about all other Mitzvos like Sukkah, Lulav, Esrog, Matzah Maror etc? Is it OK to smell or kiss an Esrog on Sukkos? Story of R Yaakov Tzemach. A Segulah...
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The Brilliance of the Sha'agas Aryeh
Source Sheet (https://RabbiKraz.com/ShaagasAryeh) History of the Sha'agas Aryeh Amount of times the Sha'agas Aryeh finished Shas His thoughts on his contemporaries Eating before Mussaf Tadir vs Ein Maavirin in Benching, Talis/Tefillin, Leining Chanukah/Rosh Chodesh. Until when can one daven…
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The Unfaithful Wife Who Had All The Right Reasons (Mature Audience)
Source Sheet (https://RabbiKraz.com/Unfaithful) Story of the woman who was unfaithful with good intentions When it comes to a situation of an unfaithful woman, is 1 witness enough? When do you need 2 witnesses? Machlokes R Eliezer and R Yehoshua in Sotah If a woman is violated is she Assur to her...
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The Inscription Of The Luchos Defies Physics - PART 2
Source Sheet Machlokes in the Yerushalmy, R Chanina Ben Gamliel, Rabanan, Rashbi, and R Simai regarding what was written on the Luchos Did the writing on the luchos go all the way through to the other side? Reconciling Rashi in the Chumash and Rashi in the Gemara Different opinions in how the...
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The Inscription Of The Luchos Defies Physics - PART 1
Source Sheets When were the Luchos written? Story of Moses Mendelson and the Vilna Gaon. Who wrote the second Luchos?- Size of the Luchos. Debate of bavli and yerushalmi. Mechilta of 5 commandments corresponding to the other 5. Kesav Ivri vs Kesav Ashuri. Ritva & Radvaz raise a big dilemma.…
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Did The Rif And The Rambam See Eye To Eye?
Source Sheet History of the Geonim and the Rishonim History of the Rif Several Halachik instances where the Rif disagrees with most other opinions Is a jew allowed to ask a non jew to do a biblical prohibition on Shabbos if it's for a Mitzvah? How many Blessings do we make on Tefillin? Are the…
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The Ba'al Hama'or Began An Endless Quest
Sponsor this Shiur Source Sheet History of the Ba'al Hama'or. Why don't we say Shehecheyanu on Sefiras Haomer? Why do we make a Bracha on Sefirah if we're still going to do another Seder? Why don't we count 2 nights every night due to Safek? Is Sefiras Haomer today biblical or rabbinic? Why don't...
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The Maharam of Rottenburg is Captured! Let's Release Him!
Click here to sponsor this (or another) Shiur. Source Sheet History of the Maharam Was the Maharam a Kabbalist? Was the money to redeem the Maharam actually raised? Can someone from a later generation argue with the Maharam? What did the Maharam say about Mesiras Nefesh? Why did the Maharam avoid...
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Rabbi Kraz Sr. Hagaddah Notes
Pesach Special from Rabbi Kraz Sr.
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So Who Authored The Haggadah?
Source Sheet Who wrote the Hagaddah? Are there parts of the Hagaddah that are more important than others? Is it 2 separate Chiyuvim to remember Yetzias Mitzrayim by day and night or is it 1 Chiyuv together? Moshe and the 50th gate of wisdom. R Akiva and the sale of Yosef Who wrote Tana Dvei...
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Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk: The Rebbe of Rebbes
Source Sheet History of R Elimelech of Lizhensk and his great Talmidim who became Rebbeim. Why do we follow Beis Hillel over Beis Shamai? Stories of R' Elimelechs humility R' Elimelech did Teshuva for sins as a youth and before. R' Elimelechs Sefer is all about Tzadikim Did the Alter Rebbe write…
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Haman's Promiscuous Reverie Over Esther (Mature Audience)
Source Sheet Why did Esther show Haman favor in front of Achashverosh? How could Haman think that Esther wanted him and why would he covet the kings wife? How could a Malach frame Haman for a crime he didn't commit? What actually happened between Yael and Sisra? Why were Chevers family and the...
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It's Time To Meet The Chida
Source Sheet (https://rabbikraz.com/Chida) The Chida's teachers. The night they sought to bring Mashiach. The consequences of forcing the redemption. The Rashash leaves Yerushalayim and passes on. Rav Chaim De La Roza receives 4 missos beis din. B'nei yissaschar accepts the Chida"s authority....
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Kotzk and Lubavitch
Source Sheet History of R Elimelech, The Chozeh, the Yid Hakadosh, R Simcha Bunim and The Kotzker History of Kotzk Did the Tzemach Tzedek and the Kotzker correspond? The scholarship of the Kotzker Torah thoughts of the Kotzker
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G-d Says "Lo Sachmod". But I Do Covet!
Source Sheet How can G-d command me to what to desire? The Ibn Ezra's story of the princess The Reishis Chochma's story of the saint in the cemetery The curious tales of the Semak Reb Tzadok Hakohen encourages the lustful man The debates of the Rambam & Ra'avad The Chofetz Chaim's unexpected...
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Why Aren't There More People Learning Ibn Ezra?
Source Sheet History/Biography of the Ibn Ezra- Did the Ibn Ezra give up his life Al Kiddush Hashem? Was the Ibn Ezra a Ba'al Talmudah? Why didn't the Jews fight back against the Egyptians? Why did that generation have to die in the desert? Why was it important that Moshe grow up in the royal...
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Tefillin In The Desert?! Reb Menachem Ziemba, The Malbim, And The Rebbe, Weigh In.
Source Sheet (https://RabbiKraz.com/TefillinDesert) Did the jews wear Tefillin in the desert? The Medrashim debate this point. The Mabit and the Ra'avan take one side. The Rashba's revolution. The difficult Ramban and the Radvaz's objections. Reb Memachem Ziemba and his son. Reb Shaul Berlin's…
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Why Aren't There More People Learning Tanach?
Source Sheet Is one allowed to teach if he does not know Tanach? What does the Mitzvah of Yedias Hatorah entail? The Efodi explains the importance of Tanach. Is one allowed to learn Tanach by heart? What about at night? What did Rashi mean when he wrote Makas Bechoros is equal to all of the Makos?
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Why Aren't There More Rabbonim In Lubavitch?
Source Sheet History of Chassidim who were also Rabbanim Point 1 - There is no need to aspire to be a Rov. Point 2 - There were many Chassidim who were also Rabbanim, however they weren't known as Rabbanim, rather they were known as great Chassidim. Should a Talmid Chacham who Toraso Umnaso...
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The Creepy Mummies of Ancient Egypt
Source Sheet Mummifying practices of ancient Egypt Why did they mummify people? Who mummified Yaakov? Yosef? Letter from the Mahara"tz Chiyus Embalming vs autopsy vs cremation
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From Majorca to Algeria: The Genius of the Rashbatz
Source Sheet History of the Rashbatz: Reb Shimon ben Tzemach Doron History of 1391 Spain, Mallorca and Algeria Why is the Kesuba seemingly such a small amount? Won't people take it lightly? Is one allowed to be paid to teach/learn Torah History of how the Rivash was appointed as head Rabbi in...
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Dreams May Be More Than Just Dreams
Source Sheet Are all dreams meaningful? Is one allowed to fast on Shabbos for a bad dream? Is there a difference if one has the same dream several times? Do dreams have an effect on real life? Are dreams nonsense or are dreams prophecy? Can you Pasken based on answers from heaven?
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Rav Asher Weiss Tackles the Rameh MiFano
Source Sheet (http://rebrand.ly/RavWeissRameh) What is the source for not mixing two Simchas? Do we learn Dinim from before Matan Torah? Is one allowed to get married on Purim? Why don't we do Kiddush Levana on Friday night or Yom Tov?
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Amsterdam Rabbi Thrown Out After Plagiarism Accusations
Source Sheet History of Reb Dovid Lida Does the Abarbanel allow plagiarism? Why doesn't he mention the Akeidah? Is it a requirement to mention the original author? Can one Attribute an idea to someone else incorrectly? If you come up with an idea and then you see it from an earlier source, do you...
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Enter Rav Yosef Engel's Amusement Park
Source Sheet (https://rebrand.ly/YosefEngel) Avraham kept the entire Torah. Several questions on this. How did Avraham take away Yishmaels inheritance? Can one Pasken from Nevuah, Dreams, or a revelation from Eliyahu? Did Dovid remarry Michal based on the word of a Navi or Ruach Hakodesh? Can we...
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The Depravity of Sedom - A License To Sin (Adult content)
Warning: Mature Content. For Adult audiences only. Source Sheet (https://rebrand.ly/LicenseToSin) Is one allowed to commit a lesser sin in order to avoid a more stringent sin? If someone does an aveirah L'shem Shamayim does he get Schar? Can the Beis Din condone sinful behavior in order that it...
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The Tale of Iyov and the Orphans Stumps the Rabbis
Source Sheet: https://rebrand.ly/Iyov Background of Iyov Was Iyov great than Avraham? Is one allowed to steal if their intention is not to steal? 4 answers as to why Iyov was allowed to take charge of orphans property without their consent. (Co-sponsored anonymously in honor of Rabbi Mendy…
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The Secret Society of Rabbinic Vegetarians
Source Sheet Was there a difference between a humans diet and the animals diet in Adam's days? Were humans allowed to eat meat before the Mabul? If not, why would they have been warned against Eiver Min Hachai? Why did the Egyptians not eat sheep? Now that humans can eat meat, should they? Is an…
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The Moment You Touch Your Lulav, You've Entered Into Machloikes
Source Sheet Should one get an Esrogs before or after yom kippur? Do some of the Minim need to be bound together? Do you need to hold all 4 at once to be Yotzei? If you don't have all 4, should you take what you have? Do you need to hold them in both hands? What if you held Lulav in the left hand...
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Tashlich Causes Mayhem Amongst European Rabbis
Source Sheet (https://rebrand.ly/Tashlich) מוקדש לזכות לרפו"ש לרפואה שלמה לבצלאל יהודה בן חנה הני', רבקה בת אסתר חדוה, כוכבה בת לואיזה History of the Shaloh and Kitzur Shaloh Yaakov Emden's letter on the Kitzur Shaloh Is one allowed to do Tashlich on Shabbos? Can one do Tashlich on a day other…
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Can I Booby Trap My Home?
Source Sheet Why can't one own a vicious dog? Incredible story of R' Yechiel of Parizh Stories Amnon and Tamar & Story of R Yehoshua and his guest Story of the poisoned bully with sandwich & R' Zilberstein's psak. R' Frankel's questions & R' Zilberstein's responses. If a thief steals Arlah, do…
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Rabbi Kraz's Shiurim on various topics in Yiddishkeit
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