Sefer Bamidbar | Bamidbar | A Lot of Names and A Lot of Numbers, Why? by Rav Ezra Bick

Does the population census eliminate individuality in service of creating the national unity, or does it enoble and distinguish the individual? Why are the Jews counted twice in the beginning of Sefer Bemidbar?

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 28 | Bamidbar, by Rav Eli Weber

Why does Hashem count Israel? Why does Hashem talk to Moshe from Ohel Moed? Why is Levi the smallest tribe?

Shavuot | The Claims of the Heretics, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

The public reading of Aseret HaDibrot (the Decalogue) was practiced on a daily basis in the Mikdash. This practice was banned elsewhere, due to the "Claims of the Heretics" - (תרעומת המינים). Why would there have been an interest in reading the Dibrot publicly every day - and why was it banned? Who are these "heretics" - and what was their position that made the reading an unfavorable thing?

Tehillim 132: קומה ה' למנוחתך (conclusion), by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

When was Psalm 132 composed - and why? In this conclusion of a two-part shiur, we examine the longest of the שירי המעלה - Psalm 132. This psalm, evidently devoted to the city of Yerushalayim and the Divine choice of both the place and the Davidic line, is especially appropriate as we prepare to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the reunification of Yerushalayim under Jewish sovereignty. Noting that the psalm speaks in different voices, we note numerous related texts in Tanakh that may have either been inspired by, or been the inspiration for our psalm. קומה ה' למנוחתך, אתה וארון עוזך. And, indeed, may we soon see a fulfillment of the promise ואויביו אלביש בשת, ועליו יציץ נזרו.

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 27 | Behar-Bechukotai, by Rav Eli Weber

What's the Ramban's view on chronology in the Torah? What is the religious meaning of work? Will there be wild animals in the days of the mashiach?

Behar-Bechukotai | 5785 | Abarbanel as Philosopher, by Rav Elyakim Krumbein

Reward on earth or in the afterlife?

Kaddish and the Idea of Jewish Nationalism, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

What is the meaning of Kaddish and why does it require a quorum? How does the impetus for a public declaration shed light on the idea of לאומיות ישראלית - Jewish Nationalism? This talk was given at the annual Karen and Ariel Avrech z"l Memorial Lecture at Young Israel of Century City. יהי זכרם ברוך.

Source sheet >>

Tehillim 132: קומה ה' למנוחתך, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

What was the occasion that motivated the composition of Psalm 132? A special shiur as we prepare for Yom Yerushalayim.

In this first part of a two-part shiur, we examine the longest of the שירי המעלה - Psalm 132. This psalm, evidently devoted to the city of Yerushalayim and the Divine choice of both the place and the Davidic line, is especially appropriate as we prepare to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the reunification of Yerushalayim under Jewish sovereignty. Noting that the psalm speaks in different voices, we note numerous related texts in Tanakh that may have either been inspired by, or been the inspiration for our psalm. קומה ה' למנוחתך, אתה וארון עוזך. And, indeed, may we soon see a fulfillment of the promise ואויביו אלביש בשת, ועליו יציץ נזרו.

Source sheet >>

Ramban on the Torah | 5785 | 26 | Emor, by Rav Eli Weber

Why do we bring Chametz to the Mikdash on Shavuot? When is Shavuot? What is Sefirat HaOmer?

Emor | 5785 | Abarbanel on the Holidays by Rav Elyakim Krumbein

How does the Torah use disrupted patterns to create meaning?