All Classes

Likkutei Torah Pinchas Tzav #3: The Power of Music.The Greatest Pleasure Is when the Light Leaves the Container; When Something-ness Returns to Nothingness

Likkutei Torah Pinchas Tzav #2: Don't Take Yourself So Seriously.Laughter is the Purpose of Life

Gemarah Rosh Hashanah 28a & Hashkafah: Gemarah Rosh Hashanah 28a & Hashkafah.Why You Can Fulfill the Mitzvah with a Shofar of Avoda Zarah.3 Types of Shofros in Jewish Consciousness & How We Treat Israeli Soldiers.

Likkutei Torah Pinchas Tzav #4: Likkutei Torah Pinchas Tzav #4.What's the Point of the Sacrifices?The Higher the Soul, the More Aggressive the Beast

Sunday Morning Class/The 3 Weeks: This class was presented on Sunday, 22 Tamuz, 5777, July 16, 2017, at Ohr Chaim Shul, Monsey, NY. The Talmud relates a story that occurred during the time of the Seconds Temple destruction in 70 CE, and concludes that it was the humility of the sage Reb Zecharya ben Avkilas that was responsible for the destruction of the Temple and the Jewish exile. It is an enigmatic and disturbing observationand the class explores five different perspectives on this Talmudic statement. In yet another strange comments in the Tosefta we learn that the school of Hillel says that the bones and shells are not muktzeh and you may pick them up on Shabbos and discard them. The school of Shammai on the other hand says that you ought not to lift the bones or shells themselves. Rather, you should remove the entire tablecloth and shake off the bones or peels. The Tosefta states that the Talmudic sage Rabbi Zecharia ben Avkilos would act neither according to the school of Shammai nor according to the school of Hillel. He would turn around and with his tongue he would spit out the bones and shells behind the couch upon which he was sitting. The Tosefta then makes a shocking comment: Rabbi Yosi said, The humility of Rabbi Zecharya ben Avkilos caused the destruction of the Jerusalem Holy Temple! This seems absurd. How can one suggest that since Rabbi Zecharya did not want to take sides in an argument because of his humilityhe caused the destruction of the Temple?! In April 2003, Aron Ralston was climbing in Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah when an 800 pound boulder fell on him and pinned his right arm. Aron lay pinned for nearly four days before he ran out of water and decided he needed to take some serious, and very painful, action. He pulled out his trustworthy pocketknife and amputated his own arm from below the elbow. He survived.

Lukkutei Torah Chukas Vayaas Moshe #7: In Life, Don't Look Down, Right, Or Left. Just Look Up.The Snake that Bites You, Will Heal You--If You Can Only Stare At It For Real

Likkutei Torah Chukas Vayaas Moshe # 6: Likkutei Torah Chukas Vayaas Moshe #6.Why You Can Only Achieve Serenity if the Soul WinsToday We Need a Massive Fire by Davening.

Likkutei Torah Chukas Vayaas Moshe #5: Likkutei Torah Chukas Vayaas Moshe #5.When Your Teacher Speaks Above Your Head, Don't Shut Down.God isn't trying to destroy us; It's the old and stale in you he is trying to destroy.

Likkutei Torah Chukas Vayaas Moshe #4: Likkutei Torah Chukas Vayaas Moshe #4.Most Of Us Do Not Allow Ourselves to Hear Anything New.Your Marriage Is On the Rocks? Demolition Is the Genesis of Renovation

Balak Women's Class: This women's was presented on Tuesday Parshas Balak, 10 Tamuz, 5777, July 4, 2017, at Ohr Chaim shul in Monsey, NY. It is one of the strangest stories in the Torahwhen the donkey suddenly opens its mouth. But why the need for this strange and funny miracle? What was the point of a donkey seeing an angel, Balaam beating it because he could not see anything in front of him, and then the donkey opening its mouth? Why the need for this strange and humorous miracle? What exactly do we gain from knowing that the wicket Balaam managed to hear a donkey speak? Many commentators have offered various perspectives. Today we will offer one insight (I heard it from Reb Avi Fishoff). The Torah here is using a striking parable to convey a vital and critical message about education, mentoring and parenting. It is a message that can be a game changer today as we encounter so many young men and women giving up on themselves. Last week, a young 21 year old woman from Brooklyn died from overdose. Malky struggled for years with a terrible learning disability and when she was expelled from schools that were clueless, she lost her dignity and ultimately, after many a struggle, fell prey to drugs. She was a brilliant artist, a spunky and fun girl, with a heart of gold, but surrounded by clueless educators she lost faith in herself, though her family was as loving and supportive as anyone can be.