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.
The most impressive victory against the mighty Greek empire was a small but significant revolt from the Jewish people. Even still, the Jewish nation was not surprised by this victory. There was an extremely threatening ideological issue at stake. Hear a most articulate speaker discuss this intense power struggle.
The Chanukah story is unique among Jewish successes. Without prophecy to guide them, this small group of freedom fighters changed the face of the Jewish nation forever. Inspire this Chanukah with more meaning and understanding.
When is the best time to light? Are some menorahs or wicks better than others? Where and how should you place your menorah - inside the home, or outside your front door? Hear all the pertinent details for lighting your Chanukia during the weekdays and before Shabbos.
On first reading, Mordechai's decision not to bow to Haman seems to have endangered the entire Jewish population. Was it foolhardy and irresponsible, or since he was the leader of a generation could we even entertain that is was the wrong thing to do? This question revolves around when does the mitzva of Kiddush HaShem apply, and under what circumstances must one sacrifice his life for it? Hear the core principles of this highly exalted trait and how it moved the Purim story as it did.
Purim is a funny and very unusual Jewish holiday! Rav Berkovits describes how we are to party till we no longer know what's up - or down. He takes us through the 'whole' Megillah and explains how this story teaches us to perceive the Divine puzzle of life in action.
Purim is definitely an exciting holiday, but don’t forget the halachic issues that need to be understood and applied. From Ta’anit Esther and reading the megillah, to giving matanosle’evyonim and mishloachmanos. Rav Berkovits sails through it with crystal clarity to keep you in step during all the merriment.
Jews appreciate the many shades of joy. Yet Purim with its noise, wine, and merrymaking doesn't match any defined shade. Rabbi Berkovits shares a profound insight: how salvation is born from tragic events in our individual and collective history. One day each year, try celebrating sorrow with pure blind faith and a wide smile.
Rav Berkovits in his naturally systematic and orderly way, goes through all the laws of the month of Adar and the Purim day itself. A thorough lecture to learn or review most of the laws relating to Purim.
Yom Kippur Katan is a day of soul searching, a look at the month that has passed. But teshuvah's first step is the decision to act, spawned by the sincere desire to become a bigger person. If you have that, you can be sure Hashem is behind you, helping you overcome yourself to become great. Lets realign our priorities, rejuvenate our enthusiasm, and tackle the new month with a fresh burst of energy.
Once a month we celebrate a day that’s not quite like Shabbos, nor like Yom Tov. Rosh Chodesh is a time of kapparah – a day laden with special meaning for women. Hear how the moon’s 'minimization' whispers the secrets of why imperfection was woven into creation. When did the feminine ability to resist sin come to the fore, and how can women can have a greater impact on completing the world’s purpose then men.