What is so unique about Jewish freedom? Rav Brevda gives a running commentary of the Jewish experience in the desert after leaving their bondage in Egypt. He reconciles how we were 'commanded' and at the same time free to choose. Hear the secret of how the mitzvas elevate each limb to a higher level of kedusha, and the specific obligations we are to perform on seder night.
Numerous laws of erev Pesach and seder night are condensed into a single shiur. Also included are the laws of leaving Eretz Yisrael for Pesach in regards to keeping 2 days, Minhag haMakom, fast of the firstborn, what can be eaten erev Pesach, the mitzvah of Hallel, the halachot of the afikomen, the setup of the seder plate, and of special interest, the order of the Hagaddah.
What's all the fuss about not seeing even a crumb of yeasted dough on Passover? And why the eerie ram's horn on Rosh Hashanah? And the Four Species on Sukkot, or how people raced to Jerusalem to be the first to announce the new month (Rosh Chodesh), or fasting, Chanukah, marriage and adultery, and even the obligation to have children? Rabbi Geller gives these and many other Jewish concepts a rational foundation along with the spiritual value.
Rabbi Lopiansky looks at the Maharal's esoteric understanding of the Haggadah, giving a deeper nuanced view of this classic yearly recital. One idea discussed revolves around 'matza' - its status as poor man's bread, the unique speech it engenders, and the freedom it symbolizes.
In this very advanced session from the Maharal's esoteric Haggadah, Rabbi Lopiansky looks deeply into the following question. Why does the Haggadah enjoin even a wise person to talk profusely about Yitziat Mitzrayim, when a maxim that we usually follow says 'the wise are to use less words, but with greater content'?
In this very advanced third session from Maharal's esoteric Haggadah, Rabbi Lopiansky looks deeply into the lashon of genei (hidden faults) and shevach (praise). He traces the three stages of genei that lead up to shevach.
The first mitzvah commanded to the Jewish Nation was given shortly before leaving Mitzrayim. Rabbi Leff looks at the three aspects of this watershed event that brought about our unpresedented unity. As an aside, he teaches how to deal with people who have differences of opinion - in private and in public.
Just as Shabbos celebrates the creation of the universe once a week, Pesach celebrates the creation of Klal Israel. Just as unity was the key for our redemption from Egypt, it is also the key for bringing about our long awaited redemption. Learn significant lessons about what true unity is from our collective slavery, our redemption, and our unanimous acceptance of the Torah just seven weeks after the Exodus at the foot of Mount Sinai.
G: Those who represented the Oral Torah were also disseminators of unity and peace, not coincidentally. Rabbi Orlowek proves that in order to access this vast body of Torah, there must be a capacity to connect with others. Listen in for a fascinating exposition on how this reaching out must begin with a love of self in order to branch out in a healthy procession.
H: Rabbi Orlowek examines part of davening to help us remember some of the most basic fundamentals in regard to Torah. From understanding the natural path of the world to how the angels work in harmony, we follow a path of how to be successful in learning the word of Hashem.