You can experience Rabbi Albert Setton in-person every Shabbat at 7:00 AM minyan at Congregation Magen David of West Deal.

In this class, Rabbi Setton begins Perek 2 of Pirkei Avot, starting with Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi's teaching about finding the proper path in life - one that brings glory both to oneself and recognition from others. He explores the concept that we cannot distinguish between 'light' and 'heavy' mitzvot since their true rewards are unknown, using the example of learning Hebrew (Lashon Hakodesh) as a seemingly minor but actually crucial mitzvah. The class continues with Rabban Gamliel's teachings about balancing Torah study with earning a living, and concludes with Hillel's four fundamental principles emphasizing humility: staying connected to community, maintaining self-awareness, avoiding judgment of others, and prioritizing Torah learning.

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(0:00) Opening & Mishnah Aleph Overview

(0:36) Proper Path: Tiferet La'osa V'tiferet

(2:01) Mitzvah Kalah vs Mitzvah Chamurah

(3:03) Learning Lashon Hakodesh Example

(3:45) Yom Ha'atzmaut & Hebrew Revival

(4:51) Calculating Reward vs Punishment

(5:41) Three Things Above You

(6:15) Rabban Gamliel's Teaching Begins

(6:26) Torah Study & Earning Income Balance

(7:27) Merit of Public Service Work

(9:18) Mishnah Gimel: Careful with Rulership

(10:30) Aligning Your Will with God's Will

(11:28) Hillel's Four Teachings Begin

(11:38) Don't Separate from the Community

(12:19) Don't Trust Yourself Until Death

(12:59) Don't Judge Until You're in Their Place

(13:47) Speak Clearly, Not Cryptically

(14:13) Don't Postpone Learning Torah

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A shiur from our beloved founding Rabbi of Congregation Magen David of West Deal, Rabbi Ezra Labaton A"H.

In this class, Rabbi Labaton begins an in-depth analysis of whether Rambam incorporated his famous 13 Principles of Faith from his Mishnah commentary into his later masterwork, Mishneh Torah. He explores the apparent contradiction between Rambam's harsh condemnation of those who doubt these principles while simultaneously acknowledging that studying them naturally generates questions and doubts. The Rabbi examines the historical context of Rambam's writings, noting that the commentary was written as a young man on the run, while Mishneh Torah was composed decades later in relative stability. He begins analyzing the first three principles - God's existence, God's unique oneness, and denial of God's physicality - while highlighting the complex cognitive distinctions between belief, reasoned conclusion, and absolute knowledge in Rambam's formulations.

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(0:00) Introduction to 13 Principles Study

(0:42) Rambam's Intense Language Problem

(1:53) Mishneh Torah vs Commentary Question

(2:44) Historical Context of Writing

(3:21) Catechism vs Integrated Approach

(3:48) Modern Student Challenges

(4:48) First Principle Analysis Begins

(6:07) Competing Rabbinic Views on Principles

(7:01) Cognitive Status of Belief Terms

(8:33) Textual Variations in Rambam

(10:29) First Two Principles in Detail

(11:43) God's Unique Aloneness Concept

(13:17) Third Principle - Denial of Physicality

(14:01) Polemic vs Reasoned Argument

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Rabbi Joseph Dana hosts classes every morning at 6:45 AM at West Deal Shul.

Rabbi Dana opens with an overview of Parashat Shemini, covering the inauguration of the Mishkan, the tragic death of Nadav and Avihu, and the laws of Kashrut. He focuses on a sugya in Gemara Chulin which teaches that any fish with scales automatically has fins, and explores why the Torah mentions both signs even though scales alone would suffice — concluding that the Torah is adorned with extra language to reveal its beauty and divine precision. This leads into a remarkable proof for the validity of the Torah, as the Gemara's biological rule about fish has held true across all known species, something no marine biologist could guarantee. Rabbi Dana then shifts to the concept of timtum halev — the spiritual numbing caused by eating non-kosher food — citing Rav Shach's ruling that Kashrut should be the first priority for a baal teshuva, and a striking ruling in the Mishnah Berurah that it is preferable to violate Shabbat and slaughter a kosher animal than to feed a sick person even rabbinically prohibited food. The class closes with a practical call to vigilance in Kashrut, emphasizing that keeping kosher is the foundation of a Jew's spiritual connection to Hashem.

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(0:00) Intro: Parashat Shemini Overview

(1:24) Kashrut Laws: Intro

(2:25) Gemara Chulin: Fins & Scales

(4:52) Why Mention Both Fins & Scales?

(7:36) Torah's Power: Yagdil Torah

(8:07) Proof of Torah's Divine Knowledge

(12:45) Timtum HaLev: Non-Kosher & the Soul

(17:33) Rav Shach: Start with Kosher

(19:12) Mishnah Berurah: Sick on Shabbat

(21:47) Tzitz Eliezer: Soul Over Leniency

(23:29) Guacamole Story: Stay Vigilant

(25:29) Closing: Kosher as Jewish Identity

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Rabbi Ike Hanon hosts classes every weekday at 6:10 AM at West Deal Shul.

This class covers Pesachim 117a-117b, focusing on the origins and authorship of Hallel. The Gemara explores who instituted Hallel, presenting opinions ranging from Moshe at the splitting of the sea to the prophets who established it for all future generations of distress and redemption, with the Chachamim reconciling that Hallel was said at every major moment of Jewish salvation throughout history. The class also examines the famous teaching about L'David Mizmor versus Mizmor L'David, explaining how the order of the words indicates whether prophecy preceded or followed David's song, and connecting this to the principle that the Shechina only rests upon a person through the joy of a mitzvah. A discussion follows about the proper disposition of Torah teachers and students, illustrated by Rabba's practice of opening his shiur with a joke before settling into serious learning. The class concludes with a detailed debate about whether the word HalleluYah belongs at the end of one chapter of Tehillim or the beginning of the next, tracing the dispute back to a potential Machloket Tanaim rooted in different versions of the Mishnah.

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(0:00) Recap: How much Hallel we say

(0:55) Proof Hallel predates David

(1:16) The idol of Micha argument

(3:19) David's Tehillim: For himself or Israel?

(4:34) L'David Mizmor vs. Mizmor L'David

(6:28) Music brings prophecy: Elisha

(7:27) Torah must be taught with joy

(8:01) Talmid Chacham must be serious

(9:08) Resolving the contradiction: joy vs. awe

(9:58) Rabba's teaching method: joke first

(10:50) Who said Hallel: the debate resumes

(11:01) Moshe at Yam Suf: Lo Lanu

(13:15) Yehoshua, Devorah, Chizkiah, Daniel

(14:52) Mordechai and Esther in the list

(15:11) Chachamim reconcile all opinions

(16:32) Why Purim and Chanukah are missing

(17:21) HalleluYah: end or start of chapter?

(18:13) Avchasta's proof from Rav Chanin's sefer

(20:03) Examples: HalleluYah as Resh Pirka

(21:01) Is this a Machloket Tanaim?

(22:58) Bet Shammai vs. Bet Hillel and HalleluYah

(25:32) Both opinions challenged by Gemara

(26:36) No nikud: why the dispute exists

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Rabbi David Semah hosts classes every weekday at 6:45 AM at West Deal Shul.

Rabbi Semah opens by highlighting the immense spiritual significance of Rosh Chodesh Nisan as the day of the Mishkan's inauguration, noting that ten special gifts were granted to the Kohanim on that day. He then explores why Aharon hesitated to approach the Mizbeach, explaining — based on Rashi and the Ramban — that the altar's golden corners reminded Aharon of the Chet HaEgel, the sin of the Golden Calf, illustrating how truly great tzaddikim never fully let go of the weight of their past transgressions. Rabbi Semah then discusses how Aharon, after completing all his Temple service, was distressed that the Divine Presence had not yet descended, fearing his own sin was the obstacle, until Moshe joined him in prayer and God finally came down. The class concludes with a moving reflection on the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, arguing that we cry over them not merely as a historical tragedy but because their loss diminished who we as a people could have become — drawing a parallel to the transformative influence of great Sephardic leaders like Hacham Ovadia Yosef.

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Sponsorships: [email protected]

You can experience Mr. Sammy Saka on Zoom Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30PM. Contact Jacob Betesh to be added to the chat.

Mr. Sammy Saka explores Mishna 1:6 from Pirkei Avot, focusing on Yehoshua ben Perekhiya's three-part teaching. The class emphasizes choosing one primary rabbi for both halachic guidance and life mentorship, while understanding when to become your own decision-maker by asking what Hashem wants. The concept of 'buying' a friend is explained through investment of time, care, and love rather than money, extending to marriage relationships and learning partnerships. The final and most crucial teaching involves judging every person favorably by looking at the whole person rather than isolated incidents, illustrated through personal stories from family life, school leadership, and community fundraising experiences.

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(0:00) Opening - Mishna 1:6 Introduction

(0:41) Yehoshua ben Perekhiya's Teaching

(1:31) Ase Lecha Rav - Choose One Rabbi

(3:14) Rabbi as Mentor Beyond Halacha

(5:15) Ase Lecha - Becoming Your Own Rabbi

(6:50) U'kne Lecha Chaver - Buy a Friend

(7:14) Investment in Friendship Story

(11:20) Shalom Bayit - Buying Peace

(14:38) Learning Partners and Chavruta

(15:26) Judge Favorably - Kaf Zechut

(16:55) Brenda's Engagement Story

(18:48) Hillel School Leadership Example

(21:00) Judging Every Person - Kol Adam

(24:18) Fundraising and People Skills

(25:25) Three Key Lessons Summary

(28:20) Closing Remarks

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You can experience Rabbi Ike Hanon in-person every morning at 6:10 AM at Congregation Magen David of West Deal.

This class explores Pesachim 116b-117a, focusing on the laws of the Haggadah recitation. The Gemara discusses which items to lift during Rabban Gamliel's explanations, debates whether blind people are exempt from the Haggadah (ultimately rejecting this view based on the practices of Rav Yosef and Rav Sheshet), and explains why we sing Hallel at the Seder. The discussion includes fascinating insights about why we say full Hallel at the Seder but not on the seventh day of Pesach, examining the difference between those who experienced salvation versus bystanders. The class concludes with technical discussions about the composition and authorship of Hallel.

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(0:00) Mishnah recap: Three things of Pesach

(0:31) Gemara adds required pesukim

(2:24) Lifting matzah and maror, not meat

(4:17) Blind person exempt from Haggadah?

(5:35) Rav Yosef and Rav Sheshet counterproof

(7:14) Attempted defenses fail

(12:24) Rejecting the comparison completely

(14:28) Why split Hallel at the Seder?

(16:46) Angels vs. rescued individuals

(21:13) Hallelujah as one or two words

(28:13) Who composed this Hallel?

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You can experience Rabbi Joseph Dana in-person every morning at 6:50 AM at Congregation Magen David of West Deal.

Rabbi Dana explores Berachot 17a, beginning with the halachic question of making a siyum on individual books of Tanach, citing Rav Moshe Feinstein's position allowing celebrations for meaningful Torah completion. The class examines the profound message of Iyov according to the Rambam - that only divine wisdom truly matters in this world. Key teachings include the balance between Torah study and worldly work, the strategy needed to overcome the yetzer hara, and practical guidance on maintaining peaceful relationships through soft speech and respect for elders. The overarching theme emphasizes that Torah learning must translate into teshuvah and good deeds, not mere intellectual exercise.

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(0:00) Making a Siyum on Individual Torah Books

(1:49) The Book of Iyov - Story and Meaning

(5:12) Rabbi Chanan's Teaching on Life's Purpose

(7:36) Rebbe's Teaching on Torah Study Methods

(12:44) Balancing Torah Study with Work Life

(16:21) Being Strategic Against the Yetzer Hara

(18:05) Soft Speech Calms Anger

(19:27) Having Peace with Family and Others

(24:06) Torah Should Lead to Good Deeds

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Pray and learn with Rabbi Albert Setton in-person every Shabbat at 7:00 AM minyan at Congregation Magen David of West Deal.

This series introduces Pirkei Avot as preparation for receiving Torah on Shavuot, emphasizing that Torah study must translate into improved character and behavior. Rabbi Setton explains how Pirkei Avot teaches us to perfect our actions rather than just intellectual understanding, following Rambam's commentary. The first chapter traces the transmission of Torah wisdom from Moshe through the zugot (pairs of sages), each offering practical advice on creating proper environments, choosing good companions, balancing personal needs with serving others, and ensuring our speech and actions reflect Torah values. The overarching theme is that Torah learning must yield the behaviors described in Pirkei Avot - this is the ultimate goal of Jewish education.

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Visit: westdealshul.org

Sponsorships: [email protected]

A shiur from our beloved founding Rabbi of Congregation Magen David of West Deal, Rabbi Ezra Labaton A"H.

In this class, Rabbi Labaton explores Rabbi Soloveitchik's classic work 'The Lonely Man of Faith' by first examining what makes any work a 'classic' - its transgenerational relevance and endless capacity for new insights. He then reviews the fundamental distinction between Adam 1 (who seeks dignity through mastery of nature) and Adam 2 (who seeks redemption and meaning), explaining how modern technological society creates existential loneliness by preventing introspective questions about identity and purpose. The Rabbi discusses how the man of faith experiences loneliness both from society's mechanistic focus and from God's mysterious withdrawal during spiritual searching.

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Visit: westdealshul.org

Sponsorships: [email protected]