Ailu Devarim (Birchas HaTorah) Monday, 5 Kislev 5773, November 19 2012.Ailu Divurim, is said in conjunction with Birchas haTorah according to most opinions. This class brings some of the variety as to where and when this Mishna (and Braisa) are recited. It also attempts to explain how the many ideas in the two parts of…

After Birchas HaTorah (short class, Yeshiva 5780)Three parts of Torah follow Birchas HaTorah:1) Pesukim, Birchas Kohanim (number (60) most distinctive2) Mishna- no Shiur, but really there IS a limit it’s just not hard and fixed.3) Braisa- Schar- truly infinite

Short Class On all three Brachos (Yeshiva 5780). These three Brachos deal with the ability to walk the earth, which allows us, human kind to be “outside our source” and exercise free will in doing our purpose. The land rose up over the sea, and He gave us (and continues giving us) the steps with which…

Asher Yatzar and Elokai Neshama These two Brachos are a pair: Guf and Neshama. A brief overview of these two Brachos and their interface.

Brachos on TzitzisTwo Brachos,Al Mitzvas Tzitzis vs LiHisatef BaTzitzi.One talks of having them on, the other of wrapping ourselves in them.The connection to ברכי נפשי and מה יקר

Brachos on TefillinShel Yad: the Bracha is the act of putting on (which takes an instant.)Shel Rosh: the Bracha is about wearing them because every second there is a new Mitzvah.It is harder to control the heart, and therefore the obligation is to control the actions of the heart, but not heart itself; while with…

Boruch… Asher kidshanu BiMitzvosav Vitzivanu Li… Class One: The First Six Words ברוך אתה ה’ אלוקינו מלך העולם A thought from the Flatbush Classes. Wednesday 28 Tishrei 5774/ October 2 2013. (Machon Chana). Class Two: (the long version). The prefix to all Brachos and Birchas HaMitzvos is discussed here. The Abudraham, Kabbalah (the Tola’as Ya’akov)…

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…

Asher Yatzar (Part One). Wednesday 5 MarCheshvan 5774/ October 9 2013. (Machon Chana). 1) The blessing for nature and (specifically) for life and human life. 2) Different versions. 3) five ideas: A. Life, B. The moment of birth, C. In the service of God, D. The correlation between man and Atzilus, E. The struggles of…

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…