Kamtza and Bar Kamtza - Special Shiur given in honor of the 10th Yahrzeit of Moreinu Harav Amital zt"l. Yehi zikhro barukh.

The well-known Agadah about Kamtza and Bar-Kamtza (in which, by the way, Kamtza never makes an appearance) is filled with riddles and oddities; by studying the Midrash's version (Eikhah Rabbah Ch. 4) of this story, closer to the events in both time and place, events, personalities and adages become much clearer.

Bein haMetzarim: The Symmetry of Tragedies, shiur by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom, July 8, 2020, 17 Tamuz, in advance of the 3 Weeks.

The period between the fasts of 17 Tamuz and 9bAv became known as "Bein haMetzarim" in the late medieval period. The origins of pairing these fast days together, however, is anchored in the Mishna in Taanit which identifies five tragedies that befell Am Yisrael on each of these days. We explore the relationship within the lists and between the lists to discover the underlying themes of each fast day and how they represent and symbolize the (temporary) failure of both of Israel's covenants with Hashem: Brit Sinai and Brit Tziyyon.

Sourcesheet available here.

Rabbinic alumni assembled in this special zoom session to share memories and lessons from HaRav Amital zt"l , held July 14th, 2020, in advance of Harav Amital's 10th Yahrzeit.

The Process of Pesak Halacha 33: The Limits of Shaat HaDechak: The Case of Kevod HaBeriyot, by Rav Jonathan Ziring

What is the nature of the dispensation of "human dignity"? What can its limits teach us about the nature of halachic reasoning?

Parshat Pinchas with Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Pinchas 1 - Hashem Rewards Pinchas (part 1) - What is the "Bris Shalom"? Pinchas 2 - Hashem Rewards Pinchas (part 2) - What is the "Bris Kehunah"? Pinchas 3 - Midrash - Yehoshua's Selection and the Sensitive Question of Succession Pinchas 4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Multiple Paths Up the Mountain: Religious Individuality in the Thought of the Sefas Emes Pinchas 5 - Halacha form the Parsha - Tadir VeShe'eino Tadir" - Which Mitzvah Comes First?

The Process of Pesak Halacha 32: Monetary Loss as a Model of Shaat HaDechak, by Rav Jonathan Ziring

How do poskim weigh objective and subjective "pressure"? How broad of a perspective can poskim take when determining what counts as an extenuating circumstance?

Parshat Balak with Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Balak 1 - Classical Meforshim - Did Hashem Give Balaam Permission to Go? Yes, No, Maybe Balak 2 - Achronim / Contemporary - Bilaam vs Moshe: The Surprising Source of Moshe's Superiority Balak 3 - Midrash - Why Didn't Moshe Act When Confronted By Zimri? A Relevant Message from the Midrash Balak 4 - Sparks of Chassidus - "Am K'Lavi Yakum" - The Lubavitcher Rebbe's Amazing Insight into Jewish Resilience Balak 5 - Halacha - Why Do We Wait for the Rabbi? What About Tircha DTzibura

We are happy to introduce a new series by Rav Dovid Gottlieb on the Parsha, each weekly shiur comprised of 5 parts, Classical Meforshim, Achronim, Midrash, Chassidus, and Halacha. Enjoy.

Chukat #1 - Classical Meforshim - What Was Moshe's Sin? 3 Approaches in the Rishonim Chukat #2 - Achronim / More Recent - "Misas Tzadikim Mechaperes" - Rav Kook's Inspiring Interpretation Chukat #3 - Midrash - Why Was Moshe Scared of Og? A Profound Teaching from the Midrash Chukat #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Why Use a Copper Snake? A Beautiful Thought from the Sefas Emes Chukat #5 - Halacha - Ta'amei HaMitzvos - Can the WHY Impact the WHAT?

The Process of Pesak Halacha 31: Principles that Affect the Legislation and Adjudication of Halacha: The Case of Monetary Loss, by Rav Jonathan Ziring

How do monetary concerns affect the way law is formulated and how existing law in interpreted.

Special Shiur - Questions in Philosophy - Conversation with Rav Ezra Bick continues.

CONFRONTATIONS - A brand new series of conversations with Rav Ezra Bick

Judaism and Modernity: When they clash, how they clash and why they clash

Rav Bick returns for a new series of conversations with Gavriel Rosen. In this series we will be tackling the most challenging issues that a Jew faces when encountering modern western society.

Among the topics on the agenda for this first episode of CONFRONTATIONS: Individualism, Moral Relativism, Reductionism and much much more

Gavriel Rosen posed Gush talmidim's Machshava questions to Rav Bick in a live interview, June 23rd, 2020.