Rav Yitzchak Berkovits, founder and director of The Jerusalem Kollel (www.thejerusalemkollel.com), is a widely respected authority on Halachah and well known for his telephone tapes on Shmiras Halashon. He is well known as a teacher and lecturer throughout Jerusalem and was ordained at the Mirrer Yeshiva, Jerusalem.
It is not justified to violate halacha when helping someone become observant. However, kiruv involves many halachic issues which relate to lifnei iver (stumbling blocks), such as; how can we teach Torah to someone who has not recited birkas haTorah; can we give food to someone who will not recite a blessing on it; is it justified to cause someone to sin for the sake of outreach? Rav Berkovits offers novel conclusions to many important kiruv issues in this important class.
How does deceit relate to the topic of Communism? And within deceit itself, can we define to what extent 'truth' can be exaggerated or bent? Rav Berkovits draws principles from 'Ethics of our Fathers' to formulate a contemporary understanding of this interesting phenomenon.
This in-depth advanced class discusses the various shittos of understanding sheker (falsehood). Many everyday examples are given to show the parameters. Some questions discussed are: to what extent can I mislead someone even if what I'm technically saying is the truth? Can I lie if it has no consequences whatsoever, or even if it's no one else's business anyway?
Which halachos are applicable to your family traditions, and how binding are they? This interesting talk delves into their criteria, and how different rabbonim base their decisions on such questions as: if the community you move to has different customs, getting married, determining what minhagimbaalei teshuva should follow, and more.
In our desire for more intense kedusha, we often take on extra chumros. They can be beautiful and uplifting but keep in mind, they are not halacha. How does one determine what is appropriate, what is overboard, and what may cause divisiveness or hard feelings? An important concept.
Shabbos is considered one of the two major signs that show one is connected to Hashem. But delving into the idea of the day leads us to question the suddenly shallow-sounding concepts we've accepted, including the understanding that Hashem rested, and that time became sanctified. A beautiful class on the symbolism of this day that encourages the belief that no matter how much evil and suffering we witness, history's close will be one of perfection and good.
How does refraining from work really bring us any closer to the higher purpose of Shabbos? Rav Berkovits differentiates between the spiritual reality of Shabbos and the other six days. In comparing the act of creation to building the tabernacle in the desert, hear how the reality of Shabbos, nature, and evil interact to make our 'rest' on Shabbos a vital factor for world stability.
Rav Berkovits gives a comprehensive run-down on how to deal with emergencies on Shabbos. Some of the items discussed are fire, injury, illness, and childbirth. This talk elaborates with several examples, situations, and practical applications in order to give more confidence in dealing with emergencies that may happen on Shabbos.
Taking care of young children on Shabbos raises numerous questions about what is permitted and what isn't. Rabv Berkovits answers the commonly and the not commonly asked questions- including food preparation, toys, diapers and baby carriages.
There are many halachos about the three meals of Shabbos that people don't know. Listen as Rav Berkovits clarifies the halachos of the meals on Shabbos and what we should do to fulfill them. An interesting talk!