Wednesday, April 30, 2014

COLLIVE.COM Young Boy Needs Urgent Tehillim

Please say urgent Tehillim for Yochanan Zellig Ben Pessia, a 10-year-old boy who suffered multiple strokes yesterday, sustained major brain trauma and is in a coma.

[Aneinu] Please Daven for Baby - Surgery Wednesday

Please daven for a 1 and half year old baby from Lakewood who is having a major surgery in Chicago today at 9 am. Please say Tehillim thru out the day for Yeshoshua ben Risha Leora. It is supposed to be an 8 hour surgery.

Monday, April 28, 2014

[Aneinu] Please Daven - Surgery Tuesday

Please daven for Reuben Eliyahu ben Miriam who is having major surgery Tuesday.

[Aneinu] Please Daven for Reb. Machlis

For Rebbitzin Henny Machlis of Jerusalem (wife of the legendary Rabbi Mordechai Machlis), who is seriously ill. Tentative operation scheduled for next week. Hopefully to recuperate in time for her daughter’s wedding scheduled to take place BE"H right after Shavuos. For the past 30 years the Machlis family has hosted up to 200 guests each Shabbos and yom tov in their Maalot Dafna aparttment, without prior invitation or conditions. A Hebrew name: Henna Rahsha bas Yeeta Ratza..

JI and JMR Ari Goldwag – “I’m Imperfect” [A Cappella Video]

The official music video for Ari Goldwag’s new album “A Cappella Soul 2” is here! The video is called “I’m Imperfect” – all voices, no music.

CHABAD.ORG Day Six of Week 2: Yesod of Gevurah 13th Day of the Omer SUNDAY NIGHT/MONDAY By Simon Jacobson

For discipline to be effective it must be coupled with commitment and bonding. Both in disciplining yourself and others there has to be a sense that the discipline is important for developing a stronger bond. Not that I discipline you, but that we are doing it together for our mutual benefit.

CHABAD.ORG Day Five of Week 2: Hod of Gevurah 12th Day of the Omer MOTZI SHABBOS/SUNDAY By Simon Jacobson

The results of discipline and might without humility are obvious. The greatest catastrophes have occurred as a result of people sitting in arrogant judgement of others. Am I arrogant in the name of justice (what I consider as just)? Do I ever think that I sit on a higher pedestal and bestow judgement on my subjects below? What about my children? Students? A judge has to be the most humble of creatures, recognizing that he sits in judgement not by his own merit but only because G-d gave the right to judge His children.

CHABAD.ORG Day Four of Week 2: Netzach of Gevurah 11th Day of the Omer FRIDAY NIGHT/SHABBOS By Simon Jacobson

Effective discipline must be enduring and tenacious. Is my discipline consistent or only when forced? Am I perceived as a weak disciplinarian?

CHABAD.ORG Day Three of Week 2: Tiferet of Gevurah 10th Day of the Omer THURSDAY NIGHT/FRIDAY By Simon Jacobson

Not just love but compassion has to drive discipline. Love comes from recognizing one's merits and positive qualities (discipline channels and directs those strengths and weeds out the negative). Compassion is unconditional love. It is love just for the sake of love, not considering the others position. Tiferet is a result of total selflessness in the eyes of G-d. You love for no reason; you love because you are a refelection of G-d. Does my discipline have this element of compassion?

OU TORAH 19 LETTTERS Introduction – part 2 By Daniel Adler

CLICK HERE.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Aneinu Please Daven

Please daven for 2 year old Chicagoan, Avigayil Rachel bat Zahava Sara, who is starting chemotherapy. 

Friday, April 25, 2014

Aneinu Please Daven

Please daven for the niece of an Aneinu member, Gilah Tal bas Aviva Yael, who just had surgery.

Aneinu Please Daven car accident

Please say Tehilim for Shabsi ben Adina Rivka, grandson of a Chicagoan, who was hit by a car. 

Thursday, April 24, 2014

The Hirsch Pirkei Avos IS AT KESHER STAM

A thoroughly revised edition of Rav Hirsch’s translation and commentary to Pirkei Avos. This new edition presents his teachings in a clear contemporary style, opening this immortal work to a new generation of English speaking Jewry. In concise but penetrating fashion, Rav Hirsch’s words reveal the profound meaning inherent in the timeless ethical truths expounded by our Sages in Pirkei Avos.(FROM FELDHEIM)

SEFIRA 5774(2014) PICK 2 A.K.A. Pella's "The Top Tzvantsik" Your Favorite A.K.A. Pella Songs! IS AT KESHER STAM

A.K.A. Pella is back this Sefira with A.K.A. Pella Presents "The Top Tzvantzik." This new album features 20 of their best songs as determined by you the fans, through online voting as well as iTunes reporting. You get two amazing CDs at the price of a single CD. That's double the "music"…. ahem, acapella for the price of one! Imagine all of your favorite hits from your favorite group spanning almost 10 years in one place. Now because producer C.D. Eichler and the boys at A.K.A. Pella are always looking to throw in something extra, something different, (usually something nuts), this collection also features some previously never before heard material including brand new intros, mashups, plus an extended outakes section. So gear up this Sefira season and prepare yourself for A.K.A. Pella presents "The Top Tzvantzik."(JEWISHJUKEBOX.COM)PRINT DISCOUNT HERE.

SEFIRA 5774(2014) PICK 1 MACCABEATS One Day More IS AT KESHER STAM

In Jewish law and custom, the third recurrence of an event establishes a chazakah, or permanence. One Day More, a climactic lyric from the musical Les Misérables, is about being powerfully aware that though the Maccabeats have achieved their chazakah, the journey continues. One Day More is about more than declaring that, contrary to everyone’s – including their own – wildest expectations, the Maccabeats are here to stay. One Day More is about the traffic jams spent counting the cars on the New Jersey turnpike; the nights spent on cold airport floors; the hours in the studio trying to get that one perfect take; the low of reading hateful commentary on the internet; the high of hearing from a fan that our music helped her celebrate a Jewish holiday for the first time; the power, pleasure, and pain of singing one more hoarse encore with a roaring crowd. These experiences do not deter or distract the Maccabeats; it is from these very occasions that they draw the strength to journey on. One Day More is about pausing to reflect on yesterday while simultaneously looking to tomorrow, eyes trained on the next avenue to spread literal and figurative harmony. The Maccabeats remain committed to bringing meaningful content to Jewish music, with their hearts and minds in the right place, while celebrating the good and exciting parts of modern culture. The Maccabeats have performed at venues all across the world, from The White House to Hong Kong (and everywhere in between.) (NOTE: No musical instruments were used in the production of this album.(JEWISHJUKEBOX.COM)PRINT DISCOUNT HERE.

RABBI WEIN ON ACHREI MOS

The three main vices that tempt leadership are misuse of power, greed and sexual licentiousness. We here in Israel are unfortunately well aware of all of these vices. We know how they have affected our political leaders and even important national decisions. The Torah, here in our weekly parsha reading, addresses both directly and indirectly these dangers and vices.

RABBI WEIN ON PESACH

The glorious holiday of Pesach is upon us once more. With all of its rituals and wonder, Pesach marks the uniqueness of the Jewish people – a people delivered from centuries of bondage through miraculous Heavenly intervention. So, one of the main functions of Pesach is to connect us to an event that occurred millennia ago in a distant land.

CHABAD.ORG OU TORAH and YU TORAH Sprints & Marathons(ACHREI MOS) By Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

It was a unique, unrepeatable moment of leadership at its highest height. For forty days Moses had been communing with G‑d, receiving from Him the law written on tablets of stone. Then G‑d informed him that the people had just made a golden calf. He was about to destroy them. It was the worst crisis of the wilderness years, and it called for every one of Moses’ gifts as a leader.

RAV KOOK ON Acharei Mot PART 2: Triple Measure of Incense

A Cloud in the Holy of Holies The High Priest was only permitted to enter the inner sanctuary of the Temple on one day of the year — on Yom Kippur. "Speak to your brother Aaron, that he may not enter the sanctuary within the partition at any time... so that he may not die, for I appear over the Ark cover in a cloud." (Lev. 16:2) What exactly was this cloud inside the Holy of Holies? In Yoma 53a, the Talmud explains that this was a cloud of incense smoke. The ketoret (incense) played a central role in the special service of Yom Kippur. Only after burning the ketoret inside the Holy of Holies was the High Priest allowed to enter, as it says: "Then he shall take a fire pan full of burning coals... together with both hands' full of finely pulverized incense... so that the cloud from the incense will envelope the Ark cover." (Lev. 16:12-13) What is this special connection between the ketoret and the Yom Kippur service? And why did it need to be finely pulverized to a greater degree than the incense that was offered on other days?

RAV KOOK ON Acharei Mot PART 1: The Goat for Azazel

Perhaps the most unusual of all the Temple services was the Yom Kippur ceremony of Azazel, sending off a goat into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the sins of Israel. No other Temple offering was treated in such a fashion. Even more surprising, immediately after describing the Yom Kippur service, the Torah warns, "And they will stop sacrificing to the demons who tempt them" (Lev. 17:7). The text implies that the goat sent to Azazel is the sole exception to this rule, in apparent contradiction to the fundamental principles of the Temple service. Was this unusual ritual a 'sacrifice to the demons'?

[Aneinu] Please Daven

Please daven. Avigail Rachel bas Zahava Sarah.

[Aneinu] Tefillos Requested

Please keep in mind in your tefilos Devorah Chana bas Zlata who will be having a test tomorrow, Thursday, at 230pm. ..

[Aneinu] Please Daven - Tests Today

Please​​ ​ daven for Shoshana bas Sara who's having medical tests today.​ ​Thank you.​..

CHABAD.ORG Day Two of Week 2: Gevurah of Gevurah 9th Day of the Omer WENSDAY NIGHT/THURSDAY By Simon Jacobson

Examine the discipline factor of discipline. Is my discipline disciplined or is it excessive. Do I have enough discipline in my life and in my interactions? Am I organized? Is my time used efficiently? Why do I have problems with discipline and what can I do to enhance it? Do I take time each day for personal accounting of my schedule and accomplishments? Does my discipline include the other six aspects (see here for more on these traits), without which discipline cannot be effective and healthy?

CHABAD.ORG Day One of Week 2: Chesed of Gevurah 8th Day of the Omer TEUSDAY NIGHT/WENSDAY By Simon Jacobson

Week Two - Gevurah If love (chesed) is the bedrock of human expression, discipline (gevurah) is the channels through which we express love. It gives our life and love direction and focus. Take a laser beam: Its potency lies in the focus and concentration of light in one direction rather than fragmented light beams dispersed in all different directions. Gevurah - discipline and measure - concentrates and directs our efforts, our love in the proper directions. Another aspect of gevurah is - respect and awe. Healthy love requires respect for the one you love.

CHABAD.ORG Day Seven: Malchut of Chesed 7th Day of the Omer MONDAY NIGHT/TUESDAY By Simon Jacobson

Mature love comes with - and brings - personal dignity. An intimate feeling of nobility and regality. Knowing your special place and contribution in this world. Any love that is debilitating and breaks the human spirit is no love at all. For love to be complete it must have the dimension of personal sovereignty.

CHABAD.ORG Day Six: Yesod of Chesed 6th Day of the Omer SUNDAY NIGHT/MONDAY By Simon Jacobson

For love to be eternal it requires bonding. A sense of togetherness which actualizes the love in a joint effort. An intimate connection, kinship and attachment, benefiting both parties. This bonding bears fruit; the fruit born out of a healthy union.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Aneinu Tefillos Needed

Please daven for the aunt of a Chicagoan, Rissel bas Sarah, who is very ill.

[Aneinu] Please Daven

Please daven for Shoshana bat Tamara who just had surgery. Family and choleh is from Chicago land area.

Aneinu Please Daven

Please daven for my 2 year old niece who was just diagnosed with leukemia. She is currently in the hospital running tests to receive the final diagnoses. Please daven, Avigail Rachel bas Zahava Sarah. 

Sunday, April 20, 2014

MISHNA BERURA YOMI MISHNA BERURA DIRSHU APRIL 19 2014

S"A SIMAN 489 SIF 4 MISHNA BERURA SIF KATAN 20 However,/ it does not matter /if he tells his fellow the actual number of days/. This is because the mitzvah of counting /the omer/, essentially, /requires/ one to say, “Today is so many /days/.” MISHNA BERURA DIRSHU CHELEK 5 Q:IF YIUR FRIEND ASK YOU IS TODAY THIS DAY OF THE OMER IN THE FORM OF A QUESTION HAS HE FULFILLED HIS MITZVA OF COUNTING THE OMER? A:RAV WOSNER AND THE CAF HACHAIM SAY HE IS NOT YOTZA AND HE SHOULD COUNT AGAIN WITH A BERACHA B/C SAYING IT IN THE FORM OF A QUESTION IS NOT COUNTING THE OMER(FOR MORE SEE NOTE 56).

MISHNA BERURA YOMI MISHNA BERURA DIRSHU APRIL 18 2014

S"A SIMAN 489 SIF 2 MISHNA BBERURA SIF KATAN 3 omer/ upon themselves as an obligation. /However,/ it seems that in our country it is not the custom at all for women to count /the omer/ . MISHNA BERURA DIRSHU CHELEK 5 Q:DID THE WIVES OF THE GEDOLIM COUNT THE OMER? A:IN THE STEIPLER HOUSE THE WOMEN COUNTED THE OMER BUT IN RAV SHLOMO ZALMAN AURBACH HOUSE THE EOMEN DID NOT COUNT THE OMER.RAV ELYASHIV SAYS A WOMEN WHO IS MIDAKDEK IN HER DEEDS OR THE OF A CAVER THEY CAN MAKE A BRACHA ON SEFIRAS HAOMER(FOR MORE SEE NOTES 8 AND 9)

CHABAD.ORG Day Five: Hod of Chesed 5th Day of the Omer SUNDAY NIGHT/MONDAY By Simon Jacobson

You can often get locked in love and be unable to forgive your beloved or to bend or compromise your position. Hod introduces the aspect of humility in love; the ability to rise above yourself and forgive or give in to the one you love just for the sake of love even if you're convinced that you're right. Arrogant love is not love. Does love humble me? Am I arrogant notwithstanding - or sometimes, because I have the capacity to love? Do I realize that the ability to love comes from a greater, higher place; from G-d? And knowing that shouldn't I enter into any love with total humility, recognizing the great privilege of being able to love. Do I realize that through love I receive more than I give? Do I appreciate the one I love for this?

CHABAD.ORG SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER Day Four: Netzach of Chesed 4th Day of the Omer MOTZI SHABBOS/SUNDAY By Simon Jacobson

Is my love enduring? Does it withstand challenges and setbacks? Ups and downs of life. How much am I ready to fight for the love I have? Does my love have spirit and valor?

[Aneinu] Tefillos Requested

Please daven for 12 year old Yisrael Yair Ben Yehudis Tzivia (not a Chicagoan) who just had brain surgery for a brain tumor and is waiting to find out if it is malignant or benign. Please keep him in your tefillos for the next 2 weeks when he should receive the results.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

JI Coming Soon Ari Goldwag – A Cappella Soul 2 [AUDIO PREVIEW]

The official album preview of A Cappella Soul 2. Songs composed by Ari Goldwag (except Borchu with Moshe Dov Goldwag and Shallow Waters by Dror Kivodi). Featuring Benny Friedman and child soloist Moshe Dov Goldwag. 11 tracks, including Ari Goldwag classics like Am Echad, Yesh Tikvah, Shalom Aleichem, Aishes Chayil, and three brand new songs. Also featuring the song “I’m Imperfect,” soon to be released as a music video.

OU TORAH 19 Letters – Introduction part 1 By Daniel Adler

CLICK HERE.

DIVAR TORAHS ON THE HAGGADAH PART 10

DAYANU RAV GIFTER SAYS HAKARAS HATOV(GRATITUDE)IS NOT SIMPLY A NICETY BUT AN ESSENTIAL PART OF A HUMAN BEING.SHOULD SOMEONE LACK THIS TRAIT.HE IS LACKING PART OF MAN'S VERY ESSENCE.

DIVAR TORAHS ON THE HAGGADAH PART 9

DAM IN THE SPECIAL SECTION IN THE MATNAS CHAIM HAGGADAH CALLED KUNTRAS ESER MAKOS RAV MATISYAHU SOLOMON EXPLAINS THE MIDA KINEGED MIDA OF THE PLAGUE OF BLOOD.THE EGYPTIANS MADE THE JEWS WORK HARD SO NOW THEY HAD TO WORK HARD TO FIND WATER.

DIVAR TORAHS ON THE HAGGADAH PART 8

RASHA THE MATNAS CHAIM HAGGADAH SAYS EVEN THE RASHA CAN BECOME A TZADIK WE BLUNT HIS TEETH SO HE CAN DO TESHUVA.FOR MORE ON THE RASHA AND HOW WE SHOULD NOT GIVE UP ON HIM CLICK HERE.

DIVAR TORAHS ON THE HAGGADAH PART 7

THE MORE ONE TELLS ABOUT THE DISCUSSION OF THE EXODUS,THE MORE HE IS PRAISEWORTHY. THE MATNAS CHAIM HAGGADAH BRINGS RAV ELIYA LOPIAN WHO SAYS THIS MEANS EVEN IF SOMEONE IS KNOWLEDGEABLE IN YETZIAS MITZRIEM HE SHOULD NOT LEARN ZOHAR AT THE SEDER BUT RATHER THE ETZEM SIPUR YETZIAS METZRIEM.

DIVAR TORAHS ON THE HAGGADAH PART 6

WHOEVER IS HUNGRY LET THEM COME AND EAT THE MATNAS CHAIM HAGGADAH BRINGS THE GR"A WHO WRITES IN THE ZECHUS OF TZEDAKA WE WILL BE REDEEMED.

DIVAR TORAHS ON THE HAGGADAH PART 5

BLESSED IS HE WHO KEEPS HIS PROMISE TO ISRAEL BUT I WILL ALSO JUDGE(DAN)THE NATION THAT THEY SHALL SERVE RAV ADLER ROSH YESHIVA OF TABC SAYS THE RAV OBSERVED DAN IS A PECULIAR CHOICE.THE HEBREW EQUIVALENT OF I WILL JUDGE IS ADON.WHY DOES THE VERSE USE THE WORD DAN?RAV CHAIM SUGGESTS THAT GOD WILL NOT SERVE AS AN OBJECTIVE JUDGE BUT RATHER AS A LITIGANT REPRESENTING THE JEWISH PEOPLE IN ITS COMPLAINT AGAINST PHARAOH.THIS IS PREDICATED UPON THE FACT THAT IF THE JEWISH NATION IS SUBJECTED TO SUFFERING AND OPPRESSION GOD SUFFERS WITH THEM.

DIVAR TORAHS ON THE HAGGADAH PART 4

RABBI RISKIN SAYS THE THEME OF DAYANU IS HAKARAS HATOV(GRATITUDE)

DIVAR TORAHS ON THE HAGGADAH PART 3

RABI RISKIN SAYS LET ANYONE WHO IS IN NEED IN NEED OF FOOD IN NEED OF COMPANIONSHIP IN NEED OF EXPERIENCING THE GLORY OF THE JEWISH TRADITION COME AND SPEND PESACH WITH US.THE SEDER IS THUS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVITE EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME ESTRANGED FROM THE TRADITION AND REUNITE THEM WITH THEIR HERITAGE.

DIVAR TORAHS ON THE HAGGADAH 2014 PART 2

THE ISAELITES WERE DISTINCTIVE THERE THE MIDRASH SAYS ONE OF THE REASONS THE JEWS WERE REDEEMED IS B/C THEY DID NOT SPEAK LOSHON HORA REBBETZIN KANIEVSKY SAYS LET US ALL ACCEPT UPON OURSELVES 2 LAWS A DAYS ABOUT GUARDING ONE'S SPEECH.

DIVAR TORAHS ON THE HAGGADAH 2014 PART 1

When Rebitzin Elyashiv cleaned the house for Pesach she sent Rav Elayshiv to a hotel so he could learn.

CHABAD.ORG Day Two: Gevurah of Chesed 2nd Day of the Omer WENSDAY NIGHT/THURSDAY By Simon Jacobson

Healthy love must always include an element of discipline. A degree of distance and respect for the other. An assessment of the persons capacity to contain your love. Love must be tempered and directed properly. Ask a parent who in the name of love has spoiled his child; or someone who suffocates their spouse with love and doesn't allow her any space of her own. Love with discretion is necessary to avoid giving to those that don't deserve it. Is my love disciplined enough? Do others take advantage of my giving nature? Am I hurting anyone by becoming their crutch in the name of love? Am I hurting my children by forcing upon them my value system because I love them so? Do I respect the one I love or is it a selfish love? Am I sensitive to his feelings and attitudes? Do I see my beloved as an extension of myself and my needs? In my love is there as much emphasis on the one I love and his ability to contain my love as there is on me and my giving? Rain is a blessing only because it falls in drops that don't flood the fields.

CHABAD.ORG SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER Day One: Chesed of chesed 1st Day of the Omer TUESDAY NIGHT/WENSDAY By Simon Jacobson

Week one - Chesed Love is the single most powerful and necessary component in life. Love is the origin and foundation of all human interactions. It is both giving and receiving. It allows us to reach above and beyond ourselves. To experience another person and to allow that person to experience us. It is the tool by which we learn to experience the highest reality - G-d. In a single word: love is transcendence.

CHABAD.ORG SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER Introduction By Simon Jacobson

With the mitzvah of counting the 49 days, known as Sefirat Ha'Omer, the Torah invites us on a journey into the human psyche, into the soul. There are seven basic emotions that make up the spectrum of human experience. At the root of all forms of enslavement, is a distortion of these emotions. Each of the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot is dedicated to examining and refining one of them.

Aneinu Please Daven surgery this morning

Please daven for Aneinu member Tzvia bas Chana Devorah who is having surgery this morning.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

[Aneinu] Please Daven

Please daven for a chicagoan Doniel Tzvi ben Chani Gittel, who was admitted to the hospital early this morning

[Aneinu] Please Daven - Surgery Wednesday 2nd Day Pesach

Please say Tehillim for a Chicagoan, Chaya Leah bas Tzipora, who is having surgery this Wed, the second day of Pesach.

Aneinu Urgent! Please Daven!

Please daven for a Chicago baby, Yisroel ben Leah, who was just rushed to the emergency room.  

Friday, April 11, 2014

JI A.K.A. Pella Presents: 2014- A Pesach Medley [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Here it is, the Pesach parody you’ve all been waiting for… times six! A.K.A. Pella delivers six awesomely re-imagined songs, rolled together into one fun medley, expressed in this hilarious music video! Oh, and did we mention? It’s all a cappella!!! We’re sure you’re going to love it, and hope you spread the love far and wide! On behalf of Team A.K.A. Pella, we would like to wish you a Chag sameach/Gut Yom Tov/Happy Passover to all! DOWNLOAD HERE JUST $0.99.

DAF SUGYA WITH RABBI ELEFANT Beitzah 2 - Crumbs on Pesach 2

RABBI ELEFANT STARTS OFF ANY MINHAG IS A GOOD MINHAG.PEOPLE HAVE A MINHAG TO CLEAN THEIR BROOMS FOR PESACH BUT THE POSKIM SAY YOU CAN BE MAKIL B/C ITS INEDIBLE AND LESS THEN A KIZAYIS.THE SAME APPLIES TO PLASTIC COVER ON CHAIRS AND SCREWS IN POT HANDLES.DO YOU NEED TO CHECK YOUR LARGE LIBRARY OF SEFARIM?ITS A MACHLOKES OF THE POSKIM THE MISHNA HALACHOS IS MACHMIR RAV MOSHE SHTERNBAUH SAYS ONLY CHECK THOSE YOU BRING TO THE TABLE THE REST WE CAN BE MAKIL ALSO GET NEW BENCHERS FOR PESACH.CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE SHIUR.

DAF SUGYA WITH RABBI ELEFANT Beitzah Daf 2 - Crumbs on Pesach 1

CLICK HERE.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Alshich on Avos Timeless Wisdom on Pirkei Avos IS AT KESHER STAM

Although the Alshich did not compose a commentary on Pirkei Avos itself, in the course of his explanations of the verses and narratives of Tanach he expounds on many of the Mishnayos contained in Avos. Employing the same incisive questioning and analytical scalpel that he applies to whole chapters and individual verses in his commentary on Scripture, the Alshich interprets these Mishnayos, paying meticulous attention to numerous seemingly inconsequential details of the written text. He reveals their underlying structure and meaning, while emphasizing the moral and religious lessons to be derived from each Mishnah. Among the Alshich’s themes are many of the principles and key concepts of Jewish faith, including the afterlife, reward and punishment, hashgachah pratis (Divine intervention in human affairs), proper study habits, and the correct path to a Torah way of life. The Alshich’s flowery language, enigmatic style, and frequent borrowing of phrases from Scripture and the Talmud have made it difficult for all but the most accomplished Torah students to reap the full benefits of his brilliant writing. This new adaptive translation makes his work more accessible to the English reader. It includes copious footnotes that identify the Alshich’s sources, extensive explanations to clarify the more difficult passages, an explanatory foreword, and a thoroughly researched biography.(FROM FELDHEIM) DID YOU KNOW THE ALSHICH YORTZEIT IS THE 13TH OF NISSAN(SUNDAY). SO GET THIS BY SUNDAY AT KESHER STAM.

Aneinu Please Daven

Please daven for Miriam bat Leah, who is in the hospital recovering from injuries sustained on Tuesday from a serious fall.  

OU TORAH 19 Letters – Introduction to the Series By Daniel Adler

CLICK HERE FOR SHIUR CLICK HERE TO ORDER 19 LETTERS ON AMAZON.

BAIS HAVAAD ON THE PARSHA 5774 Parshas Metzorah - Chayei Sha'ah - A Moment of Life

This week's parsha discusses the laws of tzora'as, a type of leprosy. This type of leprosy, however, was not a medical ailment, but rather, a spiritual one. The Sefer Ha'akeida points out that it is obvious that tzora'as was a spiritual disorder because which other physical disease improves from being locked up without fresh air and sunlight for one or two weeks?! It was a spiritual disease that was given to encourage Jews to improve their ways.(AUDIO VERSION HERE) PRINT VERSION HERE.

BAIS HAVAAD PARSHA PERSPECTIVES Parshas Tazria-Metzora:Searching Ancient Walls, Solving Today’s Questions By: Rabbi Tzvi Price

Someone recently asked the Bais HaVaad the following question. The person had gone to a thrift shop that sold used clothing and had succeeded in finding a nice suit. While wearing the suit for the first time he reached into one of the pockets and found a hundred dollar bill that must have been left in the suit by the original owner. He wanted to know if he was allowed to keep the money or was he required to return it to the thrift shop. This kind of question can arise at estate auctions, antique stores, used book stores, etc…. Basically, anywhere that used items are being bought and sold there is a possibility of finding something of value that had been placed in the merchandise by the original owner and forgotten there. Where does the discussion regarding these common scenarios start? A good place to begin would be from a pasuk in this week’s Parshah.

NAALEH.COM AND YU TORAH Parshat Tazria and Metzora 5772: Mirror Image By: Mrs. Shira Smiles

Mrs. Shira Smiles gives a fascinating perspective on the kohen's role in the treatment of the affliction of tzara'at, spiritual leprosy. Available in streaming video, mp3 and ipod video format. click here Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein.

RABBI WEIN ON METZORA

The Talmud derives from this week’s Torah reading the basic halachic principle of chazaka – the presumption that what was before is now as well. The Talmud inferred this from the fact that the kohein/priest, when declaring a house to be impure because of plague or pure because the plague had not spread along its walls, did so only upon leaving the house and standing outside of its premises. How can the kohein/priest be certain that there was no change in the mark or size of the plague during the instant that he left the house - outside of its premises?

RABBI WEIN ON SPRING AHEAD

Last week Israel joined the United States and the other Western countries which had already pushed their clocks ahead one hour - going to summer Daylight Savings Time. The advantages of doing so are still somewhat debatable. There was even a report in the media last week that the switch to summer Daylight Savings Time somehow contributes to an increased risk of heart attack! But, summer Daylight Savings Time it is!

NAALEH.COM Parshat Metzorah: Seeing the Good By: Rabbi Hershel Reichman

Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains that through a unique understanding of the affliction of tzaraas, Shem MiShmuel expounds on fundamental ideas of how to view our fellow Jew. This Torah class is available online in streaming video and for download in mp3 and ipod formats.

CHABAD.ORG OU TORAH and YU TORAH Metsorah (5774) – How To Praise By Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

The sages were eloquent on the subject of lashon hara, evil speech, the sin they took to be the cause of tsara’at, the subject of this week’s parshah. But there is a meta-halakhic principle: “From the negative you can infer the positive”1 So, for example, from the seriousness of the prohibition against Chillul Hashem, desecrating God’s name, you can infer the importance of the opposite, Kiddush Hashem, sanctifying God’s name.

RAV KOOK ON Metzora: The Power of Speech

Only in Israel What is the root cause for the disease of tzara'at as described in the Torah? The Midrash explains that this skin disease is a punishment for gossip and slander. A person suffering from tzara'at is called a metzora because he is "motzee sheim ra" — he spreads derogatory reports (Vayikra Rabbah 16:1. See Rambam, Hilchot Tzara'at 16:15, that one fulfills the mitzvah "Be careful regarding tzara'at" (Deut. 24:8-9) by avoiding gossip). Given that tzara'at is brought about by slander, one would expect that all peoples would be afflicted, since even non-Jews are culpable for personal damages. Yet, Maimonides wrote that tzara'at is not a natural phenomenon, but a unique sign found only among the people of Israel. Why should only the Jewish people suffer from this ailment?

RAV KOOK ON Tazria/Metzora PART 1: Purifying Time and Soul

The Torah discusses various types of tum'ah (ritual impurity), the most prominent being tzara'at, a skin affliction similar to leprosy. Purification from these forms of impurity includes immersion in a mikveh (ritual bath) or natural spring. Immersion alone, however, is not sufficient; even after immersing, the individual remains impure until the start of the evening. "The sun sets and then he is ritually clean. He may then eat the sacred offerings that are his portion." (Lev. 22:7)

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

By the Book with Nachum Segal Episode 23: Featuring Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Rabbi Eli Fisher with Dr. Yocheved Cohen

On this edition of By the Book, sponsored by Koren Publishers, Nachum Segal interviewed Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks about the “Jonathan Sacks Haggadah” and Rabbi Eli Fisher with Dr. Yocheved Cohen on Rabbi Eliezer Melamed’s “Laws of Pesah.” From the Koren website: 1) Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth in the United Kingdom, offers a refreshing and insightful commentary to the Koren Haggada, together with illuminating essays on the themes and motifs of the Festival of Freedom. Sensitively translated, the traditional texts are carefully balanced alongside the Chief Rabbi’s contemporary ideas, in a modern and user-friendly design. With new interpretations and in-depth analyses of the Passover liturgy and rituals, Rabbi Sacks’ style is engaging, intelligent, at times daring in its innovation, and always inspiring. With essay titles as diverse as “Pesah, Freud, and Jewish Identity” and “Pesah and the Rebirth of Israel,” as well as explorations of the role of women in the Exodus, and the philosophy of leadership and nation-building, the Chief Rabbi’s Haggada is a thought-provoking and essential companion at the Seder table. 2) This volume on the Laws of Pesah includes a comprehensive guide to the holiday, including an examination of the concept and meaning of Pesah, the laws of preparing for Pesah, the prohibition against hametz, kashering the kitchen, a guide to seder night, and origins of the custom of kitniyot for Sephardim and Ashkenazim, and more. See the “Look Inside” tab for the Table of Contents.

Nachum Segal Presented the Legendary JM in the AM Pesach Products Program with Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld & Rabbi Eli Gersten (OU), Ronnie & Larry Birnbaum (J Drugs) & Jay Buchsbaum (Royal Wines)

CLICK HERE.

OU TORAH Haggadah 5774 By Rabbi Shalom Rosner

THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE HAGGADAHS USED. CLICK HERE FOR SHIUR AND SOURCE SHEETS.