YUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent Shiurim

Shagririm BaLev: Friends Helping Friends - Jul 17, 2026 - Derashah for Parshat Devarim (Chazon) 5786. Why it's important to have friends help with shidduchim, and how to do so with the new Shagririm BaLev initiative.

Preparing for Geulah: The Walls of the Beit HaMikdash - Jul 17, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur for the Nine Days delivered via Whatsapp, on the Rambam's Hilchot Beit HaBechirah (Laws of the Beit HaMikdash). In 1:5-7 the Rambam defines the Beit HaMikdash, describing its core components, and he emphasizes the walls. Why? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/mikdash

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 170: 20:16-17 - Protection for Yehonatan's Family - Jul 17, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. The second half of the pact: That Dovid should protect Yehonatan's family. To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 169: 20:13-15 - What does Yehonatan ask of Dovid? - Jul 15, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. How does Yehonatan know that Dovid will be king? And what does he ask of Dovid? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Preparing for Geulah: A Special Building in a Special Place - Jul 15, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur for the Nine Days delivered via Whatsapp, on the Rambam's Hilchot Beit HaBechirah (Laws of the Beit HaMikdash). In 1:1 the Rambam says the mitzvah to build the Beit HaMikdash comes from Shemot 25:8, but in Hilchot Melachim 1:1 he says it comes from Devarim 12:5. Why? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/mikdash

Early American Rabbis - The First Responder, Rav Yosef Fried, Part 2 - Jul 15, 2026 - Part of an "America 250" series on the Torah of early American rabbis. Rav Yosef Eliyahu Fried, author of Ohel Yosef, which may be the first sefer of teshuvot published in the US. Concluding his response to this question: May a kohen who violates Shabbat perform nesiat kappayim and count toward a minyan? And his derashah (appropriate for the Three Weeks) in response to the Russian/Ukrainian pogroms of 1905-1906.

Megillah 14a-b - Jul 14, 2026 - Six of the seven neviot: Sarah, Miriam, Devorah, Chanah, Avigayil, Chuldah. Up next: Esther.

Preparing for Geulah: Who builds the Beit HaMikdash? - Jul 14, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur for the Nine Days delivered via Whatsapp, on the Rambam's Hilchot Beit HaBechirah (Laws of the Beit HaMikdash). In 1:1 the Rambam says we have a mitzvah to build the Beit HaMikdash. Does Rashi agree? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/mikdash

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 168: 20:8-13 - Dovid Accuses Yehonatan - Jul 14, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Dovid accuses Yehonatan of wanting to kill him. How will Yehonatan respond? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Yehoshua #24: 6:11-27 - Yericho, Shabbat and Cherem - Jul 13, 2026 - Why was the fall of Yericho scheduled for Shabbat, and why were the spoils prohibited as cherem?

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 167: 20:1-7 - Dovid's Plan - Jul 12, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Dovid presents a plan, to demonstrate to Yehonatan that Shaul wants to kill him. To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 166: 20:1 - Why is Dovid still around? - Jul 10, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Dovid knows Shaul wants to kill him. 20:1 says he fled. So how is he still around, talking to Yehonatan and coming to the palace on Rosh Chodesh? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 165: 19:24-20:1 - When did Shemuel write Megillat Ruth? - Jul 9, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Did Shemuel write Megillat Ruth to protect Dovid, when Dovid fled to him in Nayot? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Agnon's HaShanim HaTovot: A Breslov Love Letter to Jerusalem - Jul 8, 2026 - S. Y. Agnon's 1927 story השנים הטובות, about a four-generation family in which the older generations are notable for two things: Their ongoing youth, and their persistent love of Yerushalayim. The story is built on an idea from Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, expressed in Eretz Yisrael: Likutei Halachot Orach Chaim 17. The importance of berachot in elevating the pleasure of the produce of Israel. The importance of the fruit for which Israel is known in Parshat Ekev. Remembering the good years of our past love of Israel and Jerusalem earns מוחין דארץ ישראל and persistent youth.

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 164: 19:24 - Bilam, Shemuel, Eliyahu and Onkelos? - Jul 7, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Notes on the thwarting of Shaul's attempts to get Dovid from Shemuel, and parallel stories in Tanach and Gemara. To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Yehoshua #23: 6:4-10 - Getting Underway - Jul 6, 2026 - Why does Hashem collapse the walls of Yericho? And in what formation did the Jewish army surround or circumnavigate Yericho, and why?

Fourteen Centuries #73: Rabbi Yitzchak Or Zarua, Part 3 - Jul 5, 2026 - Samples of Halachah and Minhag in the sefer Or Zarua. Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 163: 19:20-24 - Shaul Regains Prophecy, Loses Dovid - Jul 5, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Shaul's men, and then Shaul himself, become prophets - but they cannot capture Dovid. To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

America and the Jews: Unfinished and Optimistic - Jul 3, 2026 - Derashah for Parshat Pinchas 5786 and America 250. Both America and the Jewish people are nations united by values and goals, but unfinished in implementing them, as seen by Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch in the korban tamid's call-back to Har Sinai. And we both optimistic that we will achieve those goals.

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 162: 19:18-19 - Shemuel and Dovid in Nayot b'Ramah - Jul 3, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. What did Shemuel and Dovid discuss in Nayot b'Ramah? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Early American Rabbis - The First Responder, Rav Yosef Fried, Part 1 - Jul 2, 2026 - Part of an "America 250" series on the Torah of early American rabbis. Rav Yosef Eliyahu Fried, author of Ohel Yosef, which may be the first sefer of teshuvot published in the US. Addressing this question: May a kohen who violates Shabbat perform nesiat kappayim and count toward a minyan?

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 161: 19:14-17 - Did Michal Choose Dovid or Shaul? - Jul 2, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. When Michal helped Dovid to escape, did she choose him over her father Shaul? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Megillah 13b-14a - Jun 30, 2026 - The story of Bigtan and Teresh, the rise of Haman, and Haman's persuasion of Achashverosh.

Practical Medical Halachah Whatsapp #71 - Checking for niddah blood after an internal exam - Jun 30, 2026 - A weekly 5-10 minute Medical Halachah Whatsapp. This installment: Must a doctor check a glove or medical equipment for blood after an internal gynecological exam? Note: Please consult your doctor for medical advice, and your halachic authority for halachic advice. To sign up for the whatsapp go to http://tiny.cc/wamedical

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 160: 19:13 - What are Terafim? - Jun 30, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. What are the terafim that Michal used to save Dovid, and why did Michal and Dovid have them? And what is kvir izim? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Yehoshua #22: 6:1-5 - Signs of a Religious War? - Jun 29, 2026 - Why the emphasis on the number 7, and the use of kohanim and shofarot, in dealing with Yericho? And what is the significance of a teruah gedolah?

Fourteen Centuries #72: Rabbi Yitzchak Or Zarua, Part 2 - Jun 28, 2026 - Background and history of the sefer Or Zarua, and samples of its great breadth of material. Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 159: 19:11-13 - Shaul's Plot, Dovid's Flight - Jun 28, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Why does Shaul have his men surround the house? And how does Dovid escape? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 158: 19:4-10 - An Oath Sworn and Broken - Jun 26, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Shaul swears to Yehonatan that he won't kill Dovid - and then he tries to kill Dovid. To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

The Virtue of Falling on Our Faces - Jun 26, 2026 - Derashah for Parshiyot Chukat-Balak 5786. How the draft protests in Israel, and the vitriol surrounding them, risks leading to a world in which we fail to sympathize with others who suffer, and to daven for them. Based on Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev on Moshe and Aharon falling on their faces in davening, and Rav Shlomo Kluger's grandon on the punishment of Kfar Sakhnia.

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 157: 19:1-3 - An Execution Order for Dovid - Jun 25, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Shaul instructs his son Yehonatan to execute Dovid - but Yehonatan warns Dovid. What will happen next? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Early American Rabbis - The Brothers Tsaiman, Part 2 - Jun 24, 2026 - Part of an "America 250" series on the Torah of early American rabbis. The brothers Rav Tzvi Hersh Tsaiman and Rav Matisyahu Tsaiman learned in great yeshivos of Eastern Europe at the start of the 20th century - Kovno, Slonim, Slabodka, Novardok. How did they communicate their Torah to unlearned and weakly affiliated Jews in America? Examples of "regular" derashot as well as sharp mussar.

Yehoshua #21b: 6:1-5 - Instructions for Yericho - Jun 22, 2026 - Starting to learn 6:1-5, the instructions for the initial stages of attacking Yericho.

Yehoshua #21a: 5:13-15 - Yehoshua and the Malach, Part 2 - Jun 22, 2026 - What is the point of Yehoshua's conversation with a malach in the end of Perek 5? Digest of our shiur, because the original recording didn't work out.

Megillah 13a-b - Jun 23, 2026 - Commenting on Esther 2:7-2:20 - Esther's parents, Esther's Jewish identity, Hashem's aid to Esther, and more.

Practical Medical Halachah Whatsapp #70 - Doula Travel on Shabbat - Jun 23, 2026 - A weekly 5-10 minute Medical Halachah Whatsapp. This installment: How may a doula travel to a hospital to assist a birth on Shabbat? Note: Please consult your doctor for medical advice, and your halachic authority for halachic advice. To sign up for the whatsapp go to http://tiny.cc/wamedical

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 155: 18:28-19:1 - Dovid Thrives, Shaul Deteriorates - Jun 23, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Dovid continues to succeed, with Michal and against the Plishtim. What will this mean for Shaul? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Fourteen Centuries #71: Rabbi Yitzchak Or Zarua, Part 1 - Jun 21, 2026 - Background and history on Rabbi Yitzchak Or Zarua and Jewish Bohemia of his day, and starting on the sefer Or Zarua. Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 154: 18:26-27 - Dovid delivers a macabre gift - Jun 21, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Why does Dovid accede to Shaul's demand for 100 foreskins, and even exceed it? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Korach in Kharkov - Jun 19, 2026 - Derashah for Parshat Korach 5784. The shechitah controversy in Kharkov in 1887, and the Netziv's lesson from Parshat Korach on being right but causing machloket.

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 153: 18:25 - Shaul asked Dovid for what?!? - Jun 19, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Why does Shaul ask Dovid for 100 Philistine foreskins, in order to marry Michal?! To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Early American Rabbis - The Brothers Tsaiman: Novardok, Chattanooga, Syracuse - Jun 18, 2026 - Part of an "America 250" series on the Torah of early American rabbis. The brothers Rav Tzvi Hersh Tsaiman and Rav Matisyahu Tsaiman learned in great yeshivos of Eastern Europe at the start of the 20th century - Kovno, Slonim, Slabodka, Novardok. How did they communicate their Torah to unlearned and weakly affiliated Jews in America?

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 152: 18:20-24 - Striking Out With Michal - Jun 18, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Shaul tries to have Dovid marry Michal, but Dovid again declines. To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Megillah 12b-13a - Jun 16, 2026 - Derashot on Esther 1:14 through 2:7, including the names of Achashverosh's advisors, Mordechai's identity as Yehudi and Yemini, and Esther vs. Hadassah.

Fourteen Centuries #70: Rabbi Elazar of Worms (Rokeiach), Part 2 - Jun 14, 2026 - Continuing to learn the Torah of the second great figure of Chasidei Ashkenaz: Rabbi Elazar ben Yehudah ben Klonymus of Worms, the Rokeiach. Samples of his Hilchot Chasidut and Hilchot Teshuvah, his commentary to Chumash, his thoughts on gematria, and his commentary to the siddur. Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 150: 18:14-19 - Dovid Refuses Meirav - Jun 14, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Shaul offers his daughter Meirav to Dovid - and he declines to marry her. To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 149: 18:10-13 - Shaul's New Low - Jun 12, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Shaul, in his deterioration, attacks Dovid physically and then makes him a military officer. To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

America 250: The Activism of Rabbi Yissachar Ber Illowy - Jun 11, 2026 - Rabbi Illowy's embrace of קנאות, and how that played out in his dealings with a wide range of situations: Yom Tov Sheni, Reform theology, Conversion to Judaism and more.

Shemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 148: 18:6-9 - Why does Shaul take the song seriously? - Jun 11, 2026 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shemuel, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF. Why is Shaul worried by the women's praise for Dovid? He is still the king! To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel

Challah: It's Your Mitzvah - Jun 10, 2026 - Why do we stand for the berachah on tzitzit (and mitzvot in general), and not the berachah on separating challah? Because some mitzvot are for us.