Rabbi Joseph Dana hosts classes every Friday at 7:30 AM at West Deal Shul.

In this class on Parshat Re'eh, Rabbi Dana explores the mitzvah of Maaser — tithing ten percent of one's income — and unpacks the famous Gemara teaching 'Asher ta'asher bishvil shetit'asher,' meaning one should give ten percent in order to become wealthy. He examines three core reasons for giving tzedakah: fulfilling a divine obligation, recognizing that Hashem is the true source of all blessing, and honoring our communal responsibility to one another as brothers. Drawing on the Chofetz Chaim's commentary, Rabbi Dana emphasizes that giving must be proportional to what one has received, not benchmarked against what others give. The class concludes by connecting these ideas to the month of Elul, the relationship of Ani L'Dodi, and the call for Jewish unity and mutual responsibility as Klal Yisrael.

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(0:00) Introduction: Parshat Re'eh

(0:46) Maaser: The Mitzvah to Tithe

(1:55) Asher Ta'asher: Give to Become Wealthy

(2:32) Why We Give Tzedakah

(4:06) Hashem Is the Source of Blessing

(6:36) Story of Rabbi Yochanan & the Child

(8:07) Malachi: Test Me With Maaser

(9:24) Gemara Ketubot: Nakdimon's Daughter

(11:41) Preserving Wealth Through Chesed

(14:53) Chofetz Chaim on Giving Proportionally

(19:29) Story: The Farmer Who Didn't Give Maaser

(26:48) Asher Ta'asher: Summary

(28:05) Elul & Ani L'Dodi

(29:00) Achdut: Responsibility to Each Other

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

The class begins with a discussion of six halachic restrictions placed on an Am Ha'aretz, including their disqualification as witnesses, custodians, and charity overseers, with a focus on the disputed question of whether one must return their lost objects. The Gemara then returns to the Mishnah's cases involving chametz left in one's home and meat from a korban removed from Yerushalayim, analyzing the machloket between Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yehuda regarding the threshold quantity — a k'beitza or a k'zayit — that obligates one to return. A contradiction is raised from a Mishnah in Berachot, which Rabbi Yochanan resolves by inverting the opinions, while Abaye argues no switch is needed because the two Mishnayot debate entirely different things — one based on interpretation of pesukim and the other on logical analogy. The Gemara then cites a pasuk from Zechariah about what is precious in this world but diminished in the next, leading to the famous story of Rav Yosef ben Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, who temporarily passed into the next world and reported that everything is flipped — those considered great here may be lowly there. The sugya concludes with the teaching that those killed by oppressive governments, exemplified by Papus and Lulyanus of Lod who gave their lives to save their community, reach the highest levels of the World to Come.

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(0:00) Six things about Am Ha'aretz

(1:55) Returning lost objects of Am Ha'aretz

(4:08) The Mishnah: Chametz & Korban cases

(5:07) Contradiction with Berachot Mishnah

(6:23) Rabbi Yochanan: Switch the opinions

(6:52) Abaye: No switch needed

(7:38) Machloket on k'zayit vs. k'beitza

(11:33) Third opinion: Rebbi Natan

(12:10) Pasuk in Zechariah: Yikar v'Kipa'on

(13:51) Rav Yosef's vision of the next world

(16:00) Harugei Malchut: Martyrs of Lod

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

This class covers Pesachim 49b, which contains a series of striking Talmudic statements about the Am Ha'aretz — the Torah-ignorant person who actively opposes religious life. Rabbi Hanon emphasizes that these harsh metaphors, including stabbing, tearing like a fish, and biting like a donkey, are largely non-literal and refer to individuals who are antagonistic toward Torah scholars, not merely unlearned Jews. A key theme is that the Am Ha'aretz's life is seen as lacking purpose because he is disconnected from Torah, which is described as the very source of life. The class also explores Rabbi Akiva's personal testimony about his own hostility toward rabbis before his transformation, illustrating how deep the animosity ran historically. Rabbi Hanon closes with a hopeful note on Parshat Re'eh, citing Rav Asher Weiss and the Chafetz Chaim to show that true closeness to Hashem is inseparable from performing chesed and remaining engaged with the community.

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(0:00) Killing an Am Ha'aretz on Yom Kippur

(1:00) Students debate: stab vs. slaughter

(1:21) Maharsha on fulfilling one's purpose

(2:19) Who qualifies as an Am Ha'aretz

(3:45) Don't walk with him on the path

(5:19) Torah = commitment to life

(5:39) Rabbi Akiva's hatred before teshuva

(8:13) Marrying daughter to an Am Ha'aretz

(9:24) If not for business, they'd kill us

(10:09) Learning Torah in front of Am Ha'aretz

(11:22) Am Ha'aretz hatred for rabbis

(12:02) Parshat Re'eh: singular to plural

(12:25) Rav Asher Weiss on individual vs. community

(13:32) Chafetz Chaim on chesed and closeness to Hashem

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Rabbi Moshe Tobal hosts classes every day at 6:30 AM at West Deal Shul.

In this class on Parashat Reeh, Rabbi Moshe Tobal opens by connecting the parasha to the current period of Shiva D'Nechemta following the churban. He focuses on the Torah's warning about a false prophet who performs miraculous signs yet leads the people astray, teaching that even a prophet who produces wonders must not be followed if he contradicts the Torah or promotes avodah zarah. The Rabbi explains that Hashem sends such tests not because He lacks knowledge, but to give us the opportunity to demonstrate our love and commitment to Him in full. He emphasizes that true love of Hashem means remaining steadfast even under the most compelling pressures, as expressed in the pasuk of loving Hashem with all one's heart and soul. He closes by connecting this message to our own generation, noting that in the era approaching Mashiach, the only one we can truly lean on is Avinu Shebashamayim.

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(0:00) Introduction to Parashat Reeh

(0:32) Shiva D'Nechemta Context

(0:46) Gemara Gittin: Always Fearing

(2:08) The False Prophet with Signs

(3:00) Lo Tishma: Do Not Listen

(4:53) When to Follow a Prophet

(5:26) Why Hashem Tests Us

(6:38) Loving Hashem Wholeheartedly

(7:09) Avodah Zarah and Loyalty

(9:41) Dor HaMashiach Today

(10:24) Al Mi Lean: Trust in Hashem

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Rabbi Joseph Dana hosts classes every day at 6:50 AM at West Deal Shul.

The class opens on Berachot 23b with a baraita teaching that before attending a fixed meal, one should relieve himself beforehand — walking up to four amot or ten amot as needed — in order to enter the meal comfortably and with proper composure. The discussion then transitions to the related topic of tefillin in the bedroom, examining the Shulchan Aruch's requirement of a double cover when a man is with his wife. A contradiction is raised between two braitot: one permitting tefillin under the head even when one's wife is present, and another prohibiting it. The Gemara initially declares this a knockout blow against Shmuel's position, but then strikingly rules the halacha follows Shmuel anyway, based on the principle that when one's primary intent is protecting the tefillin, that purpose overrides other concerns. The class concludes with a practical resolution: one should place the tefillin under the side of the pillow near the ear rather than directly beneath the head, thereby minimizing any disrespect to the tefillin.

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

The class begins on Pesachim 49a-49b with a Beraita warning that a Torah scholar who overindulges in lavish meals will suffer a cascade of consequences, including neglecting his family, forgetting his learning, and bringing shame to his name and lineage. The Gemara explains these consequences not as literal curses but as the natural results of pursuing a gluttonous lifestyle, as the scholar overworks himself to fund extravagance while abandoning his Torah study. The Gemara then offers practical marriage advice, urging a person to sell everything he owns to marry the daughter of a Torah scholar, and presents a hierarchy of suitable families when a scholar's daughter is unavailable. The Gemara uses the vivid analogy of grafting grapevines to illustrate how combining Torah families yields the best spiritual offspring. The class concludes with a striking and admittedly harsh Gemara comparing the Am HaAretz to animals, teaching that Torah study is what elevates humans above the animal kingdom and entitles us to eat meat.

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(0:00) Talmid Chacham & Gluttony

(2:26) Rashi on Family Neglect

(4:09) Nicknames for the Glutton

(7:46) Marry a Talmid Chacham's Daughter

(9:35) Grafting Grapevines Analogy

(11:52) Hierarchy of Who to Marry

(14:07) Harsh Words on Am HaAretz

(15:17) Am HaAretz & Eating Meat

(17:05) Is It a Real Halacha?

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Rabbi Joseph Dana hosts classes every day at 6:50 AM at West Deal Shul.

This class continues the sugya on Berachot 23b, focusing on a Baraita that prohibits entering a bathroom while holding Tefillin. The session reviews the earlier conclusion that this Baraita follows Bet Shammai, and works through a series of attempted contradictions, including the cryptic line in the Baraita stating 'what I allowed for you here, I prohibited for you there.' After exploring whether this line refers to how men and women uncover themselves in the bathroom, the class is forced to return to the Tefillin interpretation when a subsequent line in the Baraita — 'this is a Kal V'Chomer that has no answer' — doesn't fit the men-and-women reading. The resolution emerges: Bet Hillel allows entry into a permanent bathroom with Tefillin because there is no risk of splashing when one is seated, whereas urinating on the side of the road poses that risk, making it prohibited. The class concludes with a deeper insight that the Baraita's phrase 'a Kal V'Chomer with no answer' is teaching us not to rely on the formal logical structure alone, but to analyze each case based on its underlying reasoning and rationale.

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Rabbi Joseph Dana hosts classes every day at 6:50 AM at West Deal Shul.

This class continues the Gemara in Berachot 23b, focusing on the rules surrounding Tefillin when entering a bathroom. The discussion centers on whether a Braita that prohibits entering a bathroom with Tefillin follows Beit Shammai or Beit Hillel, with the Gemara initially arguing it must be Beit Shammai since Beit Hillel already permitted entering even a permanent bathroom with Tefillin in hand. A counterargument is raised suggesting the Braita could still be Beit Hillel, based on a line stating that what is permitted in one context may be prohibited in another. The Gemara then pivots to a related discussion about how much of the body may be uncovered when using the bathroom, presenting two conflicting Braitot regarding the number of Tefahim that may be revealed in front and behind. The resolution distinguishes between a man going to the bathroom and a woman, explaining that the different exposures correspond to the anatomical differences in how each uses the bathroom.

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(0:00) Recap: Tefillin & the bathroom

(1:06) Braita: holding Tefillin rules

(2:22) Rava: Braita follows Beit Shammai

(7:10) Wearing vs. holding Tefillin

(9:26) Proving Braita is Beit Shammai

(16:28) Contradiction: maybe it's Beit Hillel

(20:00) Gemara rejects Beit Shammai reading

(21:05) New angle: revealing the body

(23:57) Two Braitot on Tefah exposure

(27:47) Man vs. woman bathroom distinction

(30:57) Gemara resolves the contradiction

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Rabbi Moses Hidary hosts classes every Monday night at 8:15 PM at West Deal Shul.

In this class, Rabbi Hidary covers two major sections of Shaar HaBitachon chapter four. The first section addresses how a person with true bitachon should respond to adversaries, enemies, and those who cause harm — not only by holding one's tongue in the moment, but by genuinely thinking well of the person afterward and recognizing that any humiliation experienced was ultimately sent by Hashem. Rabbi Hidary shares the story of Hacham Baruch staying silent in the face of a false accusation and connects this to the lesson of Korach, whose sin was speaking when wisdom demanded silence. The second section introduces the fourth category of bitachon — its application to performing mitzvot — where Rabbenu Bachya identifies three steps involved in any action: the initial choice, the resolve to act, and the actual execution. Rabbi Hidary explains that bitachon applies only to the third step, since the outcome is beyond our control, while the desire and resolve remain fully in a person's hands — a concept he connects to the popular phrase 'ein davar omeid bifnei haratzon,' teaching that though circumstances may block fulfillment, no force can block a person's inner will to connect to Hashem.

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(0:00) Introduction & context

(1:15) Bitachon with adversaries

(2:37) Tolerating insults & responding with kindness

(4:41) Costco story: Hashem's hand in daily life

(7:01) Not being a doormat — thinking good of others

(14:10) Story of Hacham Baruch: staying silent

(17:54) Silence vs. speech — Korach's lesson

(20:39) Fourth category: Bitachon & mitzvot

(24:04) Three steps to any mitzvah or aveira

(28:31) What is and isn't in our control

(32:18) En davar omeid bifnei haratzon explained

(36:08) Desire vs. fulfillment — what Shamayim asks

(37:23) Recap and closing

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Visit: westdealshul.org

Sponsorships: [email protected] Moses Hidary hosts classes every Monday night at 8:15 PM at West Deal Shul.

In this class, Rabbi Hidary covers two major sections of Shaar HaBitachon chapter four. The first section addresses how a person with true bitachon should respond to adversaries, enemies, and those who cause harm — not only by holding one's tongue in the moment, but by genuinely thinking well of the person afterward and recognizing that any humiliation experienced was ultimately sent by Hashem. Rabbi Hidary shares the story of Hacham Baruch staying silent in the face of a false accusation and connects this to the lesson of Korach, whose sin was speaking when wisdom demanded silence. The second section introduces the fourth category of bitachon — its application to performing mitzvot — where Rabbenu Bachya identifies three steps involved in any action: the initial choice, the resolve to act, and the actual execution. Rabbi Hidary explains that bitachon applies only to the third step, since the outcome is beyond our control, while the desire and resolve remain fully in a person's hands — a concept he connects to the popular phrase 'ein davar omeid bifnei haratzon,' teaching that though circumstances may block fulfillment, no force can block a person's inner will to connect to Hashem.

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(0:00) Introduction & context

(1:15) Bitachon with adversaries

(2:37) Tolerating insults & responding with kindness

(4:41) Costco story: Hashem's hand in daily life

(7:01) Not being a doormat — thinking good of others

(14:10) Story of Hacham Baruch: staying silent

(17:54) Silence vs. speech — Korach's lesson

(20:39) Fourth category: Bitachon & mitzvot

(24:04) Three steps to any mitzvah or aveira

(28:31) What is and isn't in our control

(32:18) En davar omeid bifnei haratzon explained

(36:08) Desire vs. fulfillment — what Shamayim asks

(37:23) Recap and closing

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Sponsorships: [email protected]

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

The class begins by resolving a contradiction between the Mishnah and a Beraitah regarding the Erusin meal and the obligation to remove chametz on Erev Pesach. Rabbi Yochanan and Rav Chisda offer two solutions: the dispute may reflect differing opinions between Rabbi Yudah and Rabbi Yosef, or it may distinguish between the first Erusin meal — which everyone agrees is a Seudat Mitzvah — and subsequent meals, which are debated. The Gemara then introduces Rabbi Shimon's ruling that a Talmid Chacham may not benefit from a non-Mitzvah feast, a ruling the Rambam codifies with examples including eating in public and mingling inappropriately. Rabbi Yochanan's teaching that marrying into a Kohen family brings blessing is reconciled with warnings about such marriages causing harm, with the key distinction being whether the husband is a Torah scholar or an Am Ha'aretz. The class closes with a practical reflection on turning everyday meals into Seudot Mitzvah through Torah, pizmonim, and intentionality.

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Visit: westdealshul.org

Sponsorships: [email protected]