Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת תולדות.  Discussed:  

• The Chasam Sofer explains the ideal relationship between Eisav and Yaakov. This is represented by the relationship between R' Yehuda Hanasi and Antoninus. He further explains that people who support Torah are actually put on a higher pedestal than those who learn Torah.
• Discussion of Eisav's potential, and why Yitzchok’s persona of going against one's nature and natural order caused him to believe in Eisav and to ultimately be fooled by Eisav.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת תולדות.  

Discussed:  

• The Steipler explains why Eisav was upset and accused Yaakov of tricking him into selling the בכורה (firstborn rights), in contrast to the beginning of the Parsha when Eisav seemed more than happy to sell it.
• Rabeinu B'chaya explains what Yaakov exchanged and sold to Eisav when he acquired the birthright.
• Why did Eisav's clothing smell like Gan Eden?

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת תולדות. Discussed: 

• R’ Chatzkel Abramsky compared the way the Ponevezher Rav went about establishing Yeshivas and communities post WW2 to the way Yitzchok restored the wells of Avraham that were destroyed by the Pelishtim. Similarly, the Ponevezher Rav and other Torah leaders were restoring the European wells of Torah after the Nazis attempted to destroy them. 
• What is the significance of the prophecy that there will eventually be a relationship between Eisav's and Yaakov's descendants (R' Yehuda Hanasi & Antoninus) two thousand years later?

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת חיי שרה. Discussed: 

• What is the connection between Sarah and Esther? Chazal say that Esther merited to rule 127 countries because Sarah lived 127 years. 
• Why does the Gemara say Sarah’s beauty was like a 7 yr old and her innocence was like a 20 yr old - shouldn’t it be the other way around?
• How two seemingly contradictory compliments regarding Sarah’s beauty and her prophecy are really in sync with each other.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וירא.Discussed:

• What is the message we should learn that one should attend to guests before the Shechina?
• The Rambam’s parameters for when we say the Torah is speaking figuratively as opposed to literally.
• The Abarbenal’s explanation of how to reconcile the Rambam given all the questions the Ramban asks.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וירא. We continue the discussion of last week regarding Lot.Discussed:

• Why does the Torah emphasize that Avrohom returned to the same inns on his journey back from Mitzrayim?

• R’ Leib Chasman explores why some people achieve true greatness while others, despite great potential, stagnate and fail to progress?
• He adds that one must not let the focus on overcoming past habits prevent them from striving for greatness.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת לך לך.Discussed:

• Understanding the argument between Yitzchok and Yishmael regarding the ideal way to perform Mitzvas Bris Milah. Is it better to perform the Mitzvah as an intelligent thirteen-year-old or an innocent baby?
• Understanding the story of אחר (R' Elisha Ben Avuya), a great sage who went off the Derech. The Gemara cites the Pasuk טוב אחרית דבר מראשיתו, ascribing the father's wrong Kavanah during the Bris, which affected אחר later in life.