Why is Being Liked by Others a Religious Value? (Avot 3:10), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Does Hashem only like people who are popular?

This shiur was given to the Kehillat HaEla women's group in Ramat Beit Shemesh.

Does it Matter WHY We Do Mitzvot? (Avot 1:3), by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Is it so bad if I do mitzvot for the reward?

This shiur was given to the Kehillat HaEla women's group in Ramat Beit Shemesh, on June 19, 2024.

Enhancing our Personal Kabbalat HaTorah, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

This shiur was given to the Kehillat HaEla women's group in Ramat Beit Shemesh, on June 10 of this year, in preparation for Shavuot.

3 independent thoughts on the holiday of Matan Torah / Chag HaBikkurim.

The Holocaust and Challenges to our Faith, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

This shiur was given as part of the Ramat Beit Shemesh Women's Halakha series the week of Yom HaShoah 5784, on May 9, 2024.

"The Jewish people are not witnesses to the miracle, we are the miracle." Emotional and religious considerations of the Holocaust, as well as of our immediate situation. Important items to discuss.

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 12-13), by Rav Moshe Taragin

In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot:

Part 12: A Strange Voice of Jewish Universalism; The "Meeting" Between the Besh"t and the Maggid; Worrying About Wagon Drivers and Animals Part 13: Responding to the Fall of Communism (1991); Rav Kook on Social Justice Without Religion; Justice Without Religion; The Chillul Hashem of 9/11; The Art of Self-Critique

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Part 11), by Rav Moshe Taragin

A "Pintele Yid" or a "Poshete Yid"; Deveikut with Simple Jews; Grafting Trees; Don't Overhype Expectations; Inside Out; The Honesty to Say "I Don't Know"

6 Stories of Rav Amital Which Shaped My Life, by Rav Moshe Taragin

On the power of a story. Sicha given in advance of Harav Amital zt"l's 14th yahrzeit.

Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Oct 31, 1924 - July 9, 2010)

Ramban on the Torah | 49 | Korach, by Rav Eli Weber

What was Moshe risking? What did Hashem create to kill Korach?

Korach | Moshe's Brilliant Response to Korach's Challenge, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

Why did Korach, in spite of his claim that "the whole congregation are holy people", agree to a test to see "which one" would be selected by Hashem?

Korach's initial claim - that כל העדה כולם קדושים - seems to argue for universal access to the משכן and a nationwide כהונה גדולה. Yet, when Moshe responds with the "Incense test", he stresses that through this test, Hashem will indicate which singular person is holy - and chosen for that job. Korach, surprisingly, accepts the challenge and the battle is played out, essentially, on Moshe's terms. We explore the success of this stratagem in several places in Tanakh - along with analyzing the basis for Korach's claim. This leads us, inexorably, to the story of the 12 scouts, via the oddly placed Mitzva of Tzitzit.

Source sheet >>

Explaining the Wisdom of Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l (Parts 9 and 10), by Rav Moshe Taragin

In light of the recent publication of the sefer לעולם יהא אדם, מתורותיו של הרב יהודה עמיטל, Rav Taragin discusses with his talmidim many of the issues brought up in his rebbe's sichot:

On the religious crisis in Pre WWII Europe; building a different type of yeshiva; can you become a talmid chokhom while serving in the army? 

Remaining a "Poshete" Yid; Eliyahu Hanavi visits the Chasam Sofer; lessons of "Pashtus" from Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer; when sophistication ruins passion