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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

(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?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Visit: westdealshul.org

Sponsorships: [email protected]

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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

(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

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Visit: westdealshul.org

Sponsorships: [email protected]

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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Visit: westdealshul.org

Sponsorships: [email protected]

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

This class explores Pesachim 116a-116b, focusing on the seder's Maggid section. Rabbi Hanon examines why we pour the second cup before Maggid but don't drink it until after, explaining this as a curiosity-building mechanism for children. The discussion covers the famous Ma Nishtana questions, particularly the dipping question's proper interpretation, and explores different approaches to ensuring children ask questions during the seder. The class analyzes Rabban Gamaliel's requirement to explain Pesach, Matzah, and Maror, concluding with the obligation for each generation to experience the Exodus personally and the structure of Hallel recitation.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

(0:00) Second Cup and Ma Nishtana Questions

(0:55) Purpose of Delayed Cup Drinking

(3:00) Development of the Haggadah Text

(4:51) Different Approaches to Children's Questions

(5:48) Question and Answer Format Requirement

(7:09) Dipping Once vs Twice Analysis

(9:09) Starting with Negative, Ending Positive

(10:10) Rav Nachman's Servant Story

(12:10) Rabban Gamaliel's Three Requirements

(13:15) Pesach, Matzah, Maror Explanations

(16:40) Every Generation Must Experience Exodus

(19:10) First Half of Hallel Discussion

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Visit: westdealshul.org

Sponsorships: [email protected]

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

This Gemara class explores several Pesach seder practices from Pesahim 115b-116a. Rabbi Hanon discusses the requirement for two separate hand washings during the seder - before karpas and before maror - due to the time gap and likelihood of touching something in between. The class examines whether swallowing matzah whole fulfills the obligation (yes) versus maror (no, since tasting bitterness is required). It covers the custom of removing the seder table to make children curious and ask questions, illustrated by the story of young Abaye. The discussion concludes with explanations of lechem oni (poor man's bread) and the symbolism behind haroset ingredients commemorating slavery in Egypt.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Visit: westdealshul.org

Sponsorships: [email protected]

You can experience Rabbi Moses Hidary in-person every day at 6:10 AM at Congregation Magen David of West Deal.

Rabbi Hidary explains the laws and practical aspects of Bedikat Chametz, the search for leavened bread performed the night before Passover. He covers the timing (after dark at 7:39 PM), pre-search restrictions on eating, the blessing of Al Biur Chametz, and where to search including often-forgotten places like cars and diaper bags. The class addresses modern considerations like using flashlights versus candles, checking product labels for Passover certification, and the custom of hiding ten pieces while emphasizing the real purpose is finding actual chametz. The session concludes with the importance of understanding the Aramaic nullification declaration (Kol Chamira) and tomorrow's final burning and nullification process.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Visit: westdealshul.org

Sponsorships: [email protected]

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

In this class, Rabbi Setton presents a radical reframing of the Exodus story, arguing it's not primarily about the Jewish people leaving Egypt but rather a divine showdown between Hashem and Pharaoh's magicians. He demonstrates how Moshe initially only requests a festival celebration, not freedom, and how Pharaoh's response 'Who is Hashem?' sets up an epic power struggle. The Rabbi traces the ongoing battle between God's miracles and the Egyptian sorcerers' abilities, showing how the Torah emphasizes the phrase 'you will know' eight times throughout the plagues to establish divine supremacy.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Visit: westdealshul.org

Sponsorships: [email protected]

You can experience Rabbi Moses Hidary in-person every day at 6:15 AM at Congregation Magen David of West Deal.

In this class, Rabbi Hidary begins the third installment of his pre-Pesach series focusing on the practical laws of the Seder. He emphasizes maintaining Pesach as a holiday of freedom (cherut) despite the stress of preparation, and clarifies that while children are important, the Seder obligations primarily fall on adults. The Rabbi provides detailed guidance on the laws of leaning (heseba), explaining when it's required, proper technique, and the reasoning behind leaning to the left. He also begins covering the four cups of wine, addressing practical questions about dilution and refilling cups throughout the evening.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Visit: westdealshul.org

Sponsorships: [email protected]

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

Rabbi Dana explores Berachot 16b, beginning with the spiritual rewards of consistent Kriat Shema and prayer, comparing them to bringing korbanot to Hashem. The class then transitions to examining the personal prayers that each Talmudic sage would add after completing the fixed Amidah. The discussion highlights the tension between structured prayer and personal connection to God, explaining why rabbis added individual supplications. Various rabbinical prayers are analyzed, from Rabbi Eleazar's request for students and friendship to Rav's comprehensive petition for a blessed life, concluding with prayers for peace among Torah scholars regardless of their motivations for learning.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Visit: westdealshul.org

Sponsorships: [email protected]