The day Before (5768).17 IYAR/32 Baomer ends reason. 32 is highest level of (“the 32 alleys of) Chochma. 33 is transcendence. This is part of the idea that this (day 33) is connected to RaShBI. Lag Ba’omer talk (5770). A Lag Ba’omer Letter (5771). This letter was written by the Rebbe in IYAR 5711. It…

The following Ma’amar is a Hemshech to the one before. Class One. In this class we continued the discussion from the last class, that Moshiach teaches Tzadikim how to do Teshuva. Teshuva is based on ריחוק the feeling of being distant. Ordinary people can feel this from ordinary distance (sin,) but Tzadikim don’t sin. Moshiach…

A Farbrengen, Parshas Kedoshim: Viyaraisa MaiElokecha (He knows the secrets).This form is unique to this Parsha.One can only be properly careful about דברים המסורים ללב if there’s קדושים תהיו which means אתכפיא.

(Yeshiva 5780)Acharei- Kedoshim, negative side (protection) of holiness and purity; the repetition of ideas for אזהרה ועונשיםJews have more expected of them.We don’t behave so as not to be punished, but to be holy, thus the punishments are separate from the prohibitions.

Tazria-Metzora (5780)Sefer Vayikra is about holiness from the top down: Kedusha (Korbanos) then Tahara (laws of Kashrus and all Tumos) then Zeraim [Tzedaka in Eretz Yisroel] (Terumos Maasros etc).The 6 orders of Mishna are different levels of “down-to-earth”.The most down to earth is Nezikim, then Nashim, then Moed, then Zeraim, then Taharos and highest is…

Parshas Tazria (5780, Farbrengen) the Metzorah cares little what people see, but Hashem caresThe lesson of Metzorah, what is on the outside doesn’t matter as much as what is on the inide, but it does matter.

Introduction to Birchas HaTorah 1) Where is it said in the davening? 2) Two or Three Brachos? 3) On Torah SheBa’al Peh, Mishna (or Midrash) and the third on Mikra!! 4) Reasons for these Brachos and more. Another (short) introduction to Birchas HaTorah (Yeshiva 5780).1) These Brachos are biblical.2) We celebrate Torah itself.3) Before we…

The Three Brachos of Birchas HaTorah (short class, Yeshiva 5780)על דברי תורה It’s a constant Mitzvah.המלמד תורה לעמו ישראל Hashem is a Melamed.נתן לנו… נותן התורה with the Torah He gives Himself.

Two Classes (Beth Rivkah Seminary 5780) On the Mitteler Rebbe His Generation: The Mitteler Rebbe was a Rebbe for only 15 years but it was a most intense period, he raised his chassidim to extraordinary heights. His Demand: The Order of the day in the Mitteler Rebbe’s generation was to be steeped in the study…

Parshas Teruma: Mishkan and Mikdash (Yeshiva 5780)Why the two words, two levels, Schechina (manifest) and Kedusha (hovering), משכן דאקרי מקדש ומקדש דאקרי משכןWhy is Moshe’s house called (primarily) Schechina and the subsequent houses are called (primarily) Mikdash.Several explanations. משכן is lowerמשכן is more permanent (He goes into Galus גלות השכינה) while קדושה departs (קוב”ה סליק…