Netilas Yadayim and the Bracha, Al Netilas Yadayim. This class on the Bracha of Netilas yadayim focused on the reasons for washing (both negative ones, going out of what is negative) and positive ones (going into K’dusha). It is for the latter reason that we make a Bracha. Why negel vasser is intermittent and other…

Pokeach Ivrim. Wednesday 8 Teves 5774/ Dec. 11 2013. When one opens his eyes he makes s Bracha ‘Pokeach Ivrim’. There are fives ideas to this 1) Simply opening the eyes is sufficient basis for the Bracha, 2) You must see light, 3) You must actually see things, 4) You see the eyes of Hashem…

100 Brachos This long class explores the idea of 100 Brachos as one of the oldest ‘customs’ Jews have. What it means, why it started, and what is the secret behind it. The class concludes with a wonderful explanation according to Chassidus. Birchas Hashachar (Introduction) Class One: (thought on Birchas Hashachar) Wednesday 17 Kislev, 5774/…

Short class on the Two Brachos for what is given to “Yisroel”, a belt and a hat, they are both about something spiritual. The strength for the service of Hashem. Wednesday 12 Adar 1 5774/ Feb. 12 2014.Ozairi Yisroel BiGvura. Eleven different insights into (the gartel and) why we make this Bracha. Question how do…

Short Version on all three Brachos, given in Yeshiva (5780/ 2020).Why they are said in negative because all three (Goi, Aved, Isha) are good but there’s something better.Why the Chabad custom is to skip Sheasani Kirtzono? And also they don’t say Shelo Asani Ish? Wednesday 26 Adar 1 5774/ Feb. 26 2014. Shelo Asani Goi….

Short Thought on Elokai Neshama (5772/2012) Complete Classes on Elokai Neshama (from Machon Chana): Class One. Wednesday 19 MarCheshvan/ Oct. 23, 2013. This is the First class on Elokai Neshama. Here we introduce the prayer, thanking Hashem for the (Godly) Soul, and not just life (like Asher Yatzar). We noticed variations in the text of…

Short Version of Hama’avir Shaiana… Hagomel… (Yeshiva 5780).This is not a Bracha for physical vision but for spiritual vision, the clarity to go through life, live in the world, make a living (with Hashem’s kindness,) and not stumble.We ask not to be tested, not to shame ourselves and affect Chilul Hashem, but to be a…

Mode’ Ani. Class One: (5767) Inspiration and information to improve your davening. Start with the first step – Modeh Ani. This class includes a wide range of sources and touches on many aspects of Modeh Ani – when was it written and by whom, what preceded it, different opinions on how it should be carried…

A series from the Summer of 5770/2010. Class One. Introduction: What is Tefilla? Class Two. The ladder of Tefilla. Growth and Success. How Kabalah develops the ladder of each (morning) prayer. Class Three. Brochos. These Rabbinic forms said all the time for many different reasons have a very basic and important design and function. Class…

ViHaya Im Shamoa… Uleovdo.. (5768). Avoda Shebilev (The labor or work of the heart) is the Torah denotation for Prayer Why? Class One. Class two. Class Three.