Who is this business lady and why do we sing her praises at the beginning of Shabbos? A beautiful analysis of Aishes Chayil prefaced by several stories. Recorded at a talk given at a Toronto Shabbaton.

Shma Kolainu (2). Shma Kolainu inside. Two introductions: 1) What is the meaning of the word Tefilla, to connect. 2) Shma in Hashem means that He should pay specific attention. Two levels of this prayer were explained and both were read inside: 1) As a request for things, 2) As a request for a connection…

Shma Kolainu (1). Shma Kolainu, is about Hashem accepting and helping us connect to Him, spiritually, in Prayer. So many variations in Nusach exist. Beginning with the question of why it says twice “ki” (because), and the question of mentioning that Hashem is our Father, to much else. In this class, this blessing is divided…

ViLiyerushalayim ViLiyirushalayim, there are so many versions and meanings to this Bracha it is extraordinary. 1) RaSaG, 2) R. Amram gaon, 3) r. Noson Gaon, 4) Machzor Vitri, 5) Ri ben Yakar, 6) Rokeach, 7) Abudraham. First an overview and commentary on what separates the different readings and meanings and then an attempt at unraveling…

Healing has many levels. This class explores this a little bit.

Kidusha in Chazaras HaShatz (part two). Kidusha (2). This class covers only the weekday Kidusha inside. Three introductions and three kidushos 1) Srafim, Bria, sophisticated and nuanced, 2) Chayos (and Ofnim) Yetzira, simple passion, addresses Hashem Himself more directly, 3) down here Neshamos say Yimloch, expressing the Kidusha through actions.

Vayomer… Tzitzis (inside). The third Parsha of Krias Shma is about two things: 1) Mitzvos 2) Geula. In this class we pursue these ideas on the level of the greatest and most inspired Jews as well as for the ordinary Jew. Tzitzis means that after all the fringe, Action, at the end matters above else,…

Kadish (2). Kadish: the text is read inside. This class is based on the premise that there are two halves to the Kadish: 1) Until the end of ‘Yehai Shami Raba… Ulmaya’,(not including Yisborech) and 2) from ‘Yisborech…’ until the end. The first half is for the world He created ‘KiRusei’, (as He willed), the…

Kadish (One). Kadish, A consolation for God, in Aramaic, for the halving of His name and throne. The Kaddish is in Aramaic for two opposite reasons: 1) simple folk spoke that language, 2) and to hide from Angels. These two extremes represent what Kadish is, it is for healing and it reaches higher than hishtalshelus….

Mi Chamocha is about Hashem’s influence on the world, that travels from ‘heaven to earth’ through various levels of angels. The challenge is not to see the Angels but Hashem that is made available through their being intermediates, but mustn’t be blocked out because of this. In Davening we say it twice (once in Psukei…