Time for Torah: By Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Zt"l

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת כי תבא.

Discussed:

• What does the Medrash mean that the world was created on account of Mitzvas Bikurim?

• Understanding the preciousness of Mitzvas Bikurim that it manifests an acceptance of Hashem's Hashgachas Pratis.

• The Alshich writes that the Torah attaches great importance to the Mitzvah of Bikurim because it demonstrates the Middah of Hakaros Hatov. For this reason, we allow employees to stop their work and join in the celebration of the Mitzvah.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת כי תבא. 

Discussed: 

• A deeper look into the Parsha of Bentching: why does the Torah only have a Mitzvah to make a ברכה after the meal when one is satiated, it would seem more logical to make a Bracha before we eat. 

• The Ksav Sofer explains why we use the Loshon of השקיפה (look down at us) in the Bracha after bringing Bikkurim, which has negative connotations. 

• The Rambam discusses why the Brachos in this week's Parsha are all of a physical nature and don't mention the primary reward of Olam Haba.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת כי תבא, continuing the topic of Rabbinic Authority.

Understanding some of the underlying causes for Ben Sorer U'moreh and how these issues are prevalent in today's society. These are crucial lessons in Chinuch and one will be rewarded with healthy and happy children.

R' Moshe Paskens that marijuana and other drugs are Assur to use because they cause addictive behaviors similar to the Ben Sorer U'moreh.

Discussing the proper way and method to discipline children. One must carefully consider the child's need for discipline but can never hit a child out of anger because they will violate the לאו of לא יוסיף, as brought in the Vilna Gaon.

Understanding some of the underlying causes for Ben Sorer U'moreh and how these issues are prevalent in today's society. These are crucial lessons in Chinuch and one will be rewarded with healthy and happy children.

R' Moshe Paskens that marijuana and other drugs are Assur to use because they cause addictive behaviors similar to the Ben Sorer U'moreh.

Discussing the proper way and method to discipline children. One must carefully consider the child's need for discipline but if one hits a child out of anger will violate the לאו of לא יוסיף, as brought in the Vilna Gaon.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת כי תצא, continuing the topic of Rabbinic authority.

Discussed:

Discussion regarding the commandment to listen to Rabbinical decrees. When is it considered a Biblical violation for not adhering to the Rabbinical decrees?

Why does the Torah punish a Ben Soreh U'moreh (wayward son) for his expected future actions (‘Nidone Ol Shem Sofo’)? The Gemara expounds from Yishmoel that there is a concept of "B'asher Who Shum’- One is only judged for his present state and not for his future actions.

The important lesson in child-raising and marriage that we learn from Ben Soreh U'Moreh.

Discussed:

The Yalkut and Zohar bring a Medrash where Malachaim questioned Hashem why the Torah has more compassion for animal blood than Jewish blood. Hashem's response is alluded to in a Pasuk at the beginning of the Parsha.

R' Chatzkel Levenstein encouraged the Bochurim to feel the fear and anguish of their fellow Jews as if the Yeshiva was physically at the battlefields.

This lesson of sensitivity is the reason why Eglah Arufa is interposed during the discussion of war to re-sensitize us to the preciousness of one human life even in the midst of battle.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on אלול.

Discussed:

• The Sefarim bring down from the Arizal that Teshuva during Elul is classified as Teshuva M'Ahava (love), which has the awesome power to restore all the time wasted doing Aveiros. In contrast, Teshuva on Rosh Hashanah is classified as Teshuva M'Yirah (fear) and only wipes the slate clean, but the person is still accountable for wasted time and opportunities.

• The Chofetz Chaim learns from the Pasuk in Ki Tetzei that if one simply makes an effort to battle with the Yetzer Hara, they will merit special Siyata Dishmaya, and emerge victorious. He adds, that the captives referred to in the Pasuk are all the Aveiros and lost opportunities that the Yetzer Hara captures throughout the year, which are recaptured by doing Teshuva M'Ahava.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת שופטים.

Discussed:

• The Chida explains that the Torah uses a singular expression in the first Pasuk, שפטים ושטרים תתן לך בכל שעריך "guards 'you' should place in all 'your' gates," to teach us that every individual must enforce their own personal standard. R' Chaim Vital adds that the gates in the Pasuk allegorically refer to the "gates" of the human body (the eyes, ears, mouth, etc.).

• A Pshat, that שעריך "your gates" pertain to the home, and that each person must ensure they have standards and gates protecting their home from harmful outside influences.

• Why did R' Yosi Ben Kisma refuse to move to the wealthy community, insisting he must remain in a Makon Torah? Didn't he have a responsibility to be Marbitz Torah (spread Torah)?

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת שופטים, on the topic of Rabbinic Authority. 

Discussed:

A fascinating letter written by R’ Moshe Feinstein in response to Governor Rockefeller’s inquiry regarding the Jewish perspective on the death penalty. 

Ramban’s explanation on why one must listen to Chazal, even if they are clearly mistaken in their Psak. 

Chazan Ish’s response to being asked if halachic rulings can/should be re-assessed based on new manuscripts that were found in the Cairo Ganiza.