Shofar (Yeshiva, Elul 5780- 5781), Class Nine.Explaining that the reason for the need for בנין המלכות (specifically) is due to seven differences between Malchus and the other Sfiros:1) The difference in the source (RaDlA or Arich)2) It’s Mihus (One point vs nine Sfiros (in hiding))3) The אופן or מציאות of it’s Mihus4) The method of…

Tanya (4) Nefesh HaElokisThis class includes an introduction to Perek 2, 3, end of 2, 3, Igeres Hakodesh 15, beginning of Perek 4.The Nefesh HaElokis.1) The first big idea is the idea of חלק אלוק ממעל and ישראל עלו במחשבה and the relatedness of Souls, like the many cells that divide and diversify during pregnancy…

TESHUVA CLASS FOUR – Ma’amar from The Alter Rebbe in Likutei Torah on Balak – is a classic ma’amar of teshuva.  The second Teshuva is ila’a. It’s called עשה טוב to create (Yesod) a connection to the Ein Sof. This Teshuva heals the past.Class Length (31:19) TESHUVA CLASS FIVE Text:  Likutei Torah Ma Tovu Chapter…

Vayehi Achar (the Akeida), Yeshiva Version, Class One.This class gives deep and accessible insights into the enigmatic story of The Akeidah.  A great resource for gleaning personal applications from the final and most challenging test of Avraham Avinu (Our father Abraham).We introduced it briefly, and read most of the Akeida inside and translated it and…

TESHUVA CLASS THREETexts: Likutei Torah on “Ma-Toyvu” (the classic ma’amar on teshuva – often quoted by The Rebbe).This class goes over the concepts of teshuva, particularly “teshuva tata’a” and connects it to אלוקינו (our Personal G-d) as opposed to אלוקים the G-dliness of concealment.Making אלוקים back into אלוקינו is Teshuva Tata’a.Class Length (35:16)

Teshuva is done by doing more good (Ig Hateshuva Ch 9), a little more (Ch 15) a lot more (Ch 30).

Mitzvas Shoresh Mitzvas HaTefilla, Perek 16- 17, Class 74.This class is on the end of Perek 16 and all of Perek 17. The mechanism of prayer (davening) to change the physical world is reviewed in this class with a couple new concepts added (cross reference to earlier classes on Perek 11).  The details of the…

Mitzvas Shoresh Mitzvas HaTefilla Class One. Introduction:The tradition of simple faith was supplanted by philosophical questioning and the גדולי ישראל answered with a Jewish version of Philosophy.In short: the idea that דברה תורה בלשון בני אדם and הכל משל ומליצה resolved the questions of anthropomorphism.When Kabbala came along and turned in the other direction, not…

Mitzvas Shoresh Mitzvas HaTefilla Perek 2, Class 5.The Tzemach Tzedek begins the issue of להפשיט הדברים מגשמיותן to settle the difficulty of limbs, faculties and moods (כלפי מעלה).The first idea is not to understand the Anthropomorphic forms as anything but a Mashal. Mitzvas Shoresh Mitzvas HaTefilla Perek 2, Class 6.The second idea of להוציא דברים…

Mitzvas Shoresh Mitzvas HaTefilla Perek 3, Class 10.The entire Perek was read inside, and relying on much that was explained in Perek 2, we finished this Perek in this one class.The issue: how is G-dliness both not Hashem at all (התפשטות) and absolutely Him (ממש) at the same time.In other words: what is G-dliness and…