Join Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Brovender for his weekly shiur on the parshat hashavua and come away with creative insights into the weekly Torah portion.

The third chapter of Masechet Taanit describes numerous reasons the Rabbis would institute a fast: famine, locusts, wild animals, invaders or a plague. We will learn many famous stories of Sages who prayed for rain and were answered because of their special relationship with G-d or because of their righteousness.  We will hear about a Sage who spoke with Elijah the Prophet in the market and about someone who falls asleep and wakes up 70 years later.

Join Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Brovender for his weekly shiur on the parshat hashavua and come away with creative insights into the weekly Torah portion.

This week we will continue learning about the 3 sets of fast days they  would institute when it didn’t rain in Israel by a certain date.  The  second chapter of Masechet Taanit begins by describing how they brought  the Ark out into the street during these fast days. We will learn how  they added 6 blessings to the Amida, making it a total of 24 blessings.  We will also learn about the special minor holidays listed in Megilat  Taanit, when it is forbidden to fast or eulogize on those days.

This week we will learn all about the greatness and miraculous nature of rain. We will see how rainfall is linked to our deeds and the deeds of the righteous among us. We will learn about the 3 great leaders in the desert and what the Jewish People merited on their behalf. The Gemara teaches what date we need to start asking for rain, and what happens if it doesn't rain by a certain date.

Class description

Here are the topics for Session Twenty:

Urban Legend:

Frauds, Fakes, Forgeries:

Street Torah:

Factitious Fiction:

People Thought the Darndest Things!:

Misunderstood Text:

Stranger Than Fiction:

Join Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Brovender for his weekly shiur on the parshat hashavua and come away with creative insights into the weekly Torah portion.

The overarching theme of Masechet Taanit is Rain. Rain, especially in Israel, is integral to the health and growth of the country’s produce. Unlike other countries, Israel is almost completely dependent on rain fall for a successful crop. The first Mishna teaches us when in the year and where in our prayers do we remember and ask for rain. We will learn about the different types of rain and when in the year they are beneficial for the harvest.

Class description

Here are the topics for Session Nineteen:

Urban Legend:

Frauds, Fakes, Forgeries:

Street Torah:

Factitious Fiction:

People Thought the Darndest Things!:

Misunderstood Text:

Stranger Than Fiction:

Join Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Brovender for his weekly shiur on the parshat hashavua and come away with creative insights into the weekly Torah portion.