Jewish Thought and Halacha

Through their introductions, we will uncover the purpose of the sefarim we thought we knew - and the worldviews that shaped them.Join the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Through their introductions, we will uncover the purpose of the sefarim we thought we knew - and the worldviews that shaped them.This week, we are going into Rebbetzin Chaya Yentil's introduction to her husband's sefer Bnei Tzion.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Through their introductions, we will uncover the purpose of the sefarim we thought we knew - and the worldviews that shaped them.In this episode, we continue the introduction to Sefer Hachinuch.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Through their introductions, we will uncover the purpose of the sefarim we thought we knew - and the worldviews that shaped them.We will begin our new series by exploring the introduction to Sefer Hahinuch.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Can we bring a Korban Pesach today? Should we?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

What is the Halacha regarding traveling to or through Egypt? Is one allowed to live in Egypt?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Netilas yadayim before daveningDownload source sheets here Join the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

How does Matanos L’Evyonim works across time zones and differing Purim days?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Sefer Hachinuch on the purpose of Mishkan and MikdashDownload source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

What is the halacha regarding calling someone who is not yet Bar Mitzvah up for an aliyah? Is it different for the four parshiyos as opposed to regular קריאת התורה?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

What are the origins of the שובבי״ם?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

שלא שינו שמם What is a Jewish name?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Should women and girls light menorah on Chanukah?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

What it the reason behind why we start sayibg ותן טל ומטר later in Chutz Laaretz? Where does the date of December 4 come from?Download source sheets ⁠hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

אין מזל לישראלDo מזלות (zodiac signs, astrology, etc.) exist? Do we practice it? Does it apply to Jews? What about non Jews?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

What is the halacha regarding using signs and omens to determine the future or decide our actions?Download source sheets here Join the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

What exactly is the mitzvah to visit the sick?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

In Part 6 of our series on free will we explore further into the concept of determinism as presented by Izbitz and R' Tzadok.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

We continue our series on free will and divine omniscience by looking at the approach of the Izbitz to this question.Download ource sheets here Join the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: ⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Part 4 of our series on divine omniscience and free will, we look at the lesser known view of Rabbeinu Chasdai Crescas.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Part 3 on our Elul series on how to reconcile free will and divine omniscience Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

In part two of our series on free will we dive deeper into the Rambam and how to understand itDownload source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp chat for updates and zoom links: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

As we enter the month of Elul, we begin a new series in which we explore the age old question - how can we have free will while maintaining God's omniscience? This week we look at the Rambam in Hilchos Teshuvah and other places as he attempts to address the infamous conundrum - how to reconcile our בחירה and God's ידיעה.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group for updates and zoom link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

What is the Halacha regarding listening to music (year round)? When does it apply? Is there a difference if it's recorded?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group for updates and zoom link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Hope to reconvene again next week, G-d willing. In the meantime, here's some additional thoughts on the missing years question.Join the WhatsApp group for updates and zoom link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

In the final part of our series on the missing years, we look at resolutions offered by later sources.Download source sheets ⁠here⁠Join the WhatsApp group for updates and zoom link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

In Part 3, we look at different perspectives and possible resolutions to this issue.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group for updates and zoom link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

In the second part of this series, we explore the evidence from both sides regarding how many years there were of the גלות and בית שני.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Starting our new series on the missing years during the Bayis Sheini period, we introduce the issue and what discuss the discrepancy between the Jewish and secular timelines.Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

How did the idea expressed in the Kuzari impact later works and philosophies?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

On May 26, 2025, I participated in a debate at Yeshiva Ohr Reuven regarding the validity of tcheiles produced from the murex trunculus. Due to the format and short time slot, we were unable to address many important aspects of this discussion.The full episode on techeiles in modern times is linked belowJoin the WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Exploring the role of Eretz Yisrael according to R' Yehudah Halevi in the KuzariDownload source sheet hereJoin the WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

What is the Kuzari's approach to Mitzvos?Download source sheets hereJoin the WhatsApp group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z

Are Jews special/different from the other nations? How and why?Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share this podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0fRYnzj2Mb58S8ck7CNgOm?si=boxaoJhTR-qD-YqrQZImnw

Part 1 of a new series on ספר הכוזרי. In this episode, we begin the ספר by discussing the background and introduction to the writing of ר' יהודה הלוי.Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share this podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0fRYnzj2Mb58S8ck7CNgOm?si=boxaoJhTR-qD-YqrQZImnw

Download source sheets ⁠here⁠Join the weekly class WhatsApp group:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share this podcast: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0fRYnzj2Mb58S8ck7CNgOm?si=boxaoJhTR-qD-YqrQZImnw

How many Parah Adumahs were there? Are there any now? Can we bring a Parah Adumah today?Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share this podcast: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0fRYnzj2Mb58S8ck7CNgOm?si=boxaoJhTR-qD-YqrQZImnw

What is Purim Sheini, where and by whom is it celebrated, and what is its status in Halachah?Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠⁠⁠⁠Share this podcast: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0fRYnzj2Mb58S8ck7CNgOm?si=boxaoJhTR-qD-YqrQZImnw

What happened to the Aron after the churban and where is it today?Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠Share this podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fRYnzj2Mb58S8ck7CNgOm?si=boxaoJhTR-qD-YqrQZImnw

The idea of Judaism condoning or even allowing slavery can make us very uncomfortable. What is the Torah's perspective on this and how does slavery align with the idea that everyone is created in the image of G-d? Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠

Download source sheets ⁠here⁠Join the weekly class WhatsApp group:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠

What is כגוונא, what does it speak about, and why is it said in some shuls on Friday night?Download source sheets hereJoin the weekly class WhatsApp group:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠

Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠

Continuing last week's discussion on the history of the Zohar, this time looking at proofs within the Zohar itself on its origins Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠

Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠

Exploring what we know if the history, origin, and author of the Zohar, and whether it's a reputable source for Halacha and beyond Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠

What was the Rambam's view on kabbala? Did he learn it? Did he write anything on it? Was the Rambam opposed to kabbala? Find out here Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠

If G-d has no form, how do we interpret verses in Tanach that seem to state otherwise? Download source sheets here Join the weekly class WhatsApp group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/C1KdyAUZOEs7n06TN7933Z⁠