A Shot of Torah

We conclude this series by explore the prayer for peace inspired by Rabbi Nahman of Breslov and penned by Rabbi Natan of Nemirov. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With no visits from the Red Cross, in this hasidic tale we consider who might be visiting our brothers and sisters and they languish in captivity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sasov was famous for working hard to secure the release of captives. What happened when he did not succeed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A moment before signing off, we explore a few hasidic tales about freeing captives. We begin with the adroit hasidic dancer, the Shpoler Zeide, and his willingness to swap places with a captive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the series nears its conclusion – what a journey! – we summarise what we have covered and zoom out to consider the value of these harrowing cases, as we continue to pine for the return of our brothers and sisters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The discussion up to this point has focused on understanding and applying the words of the sages. What about the Tanakh: What type of deals were offered to secure the release of captives? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu seemed to rely on the opinion of a lawyer and a politician, rather than engage the halakhic sources. Certainly unexpected!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look at another rabbinic response to the 1985 Jibril deal: Rabbi Yitzhak Ralbag who argued that whoever was involved in the deal did a great mitzvah … A far cry from Rabbi Goren's position! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rabbi Hayim David Halevi responded to Rabbi Shlomo Goren questioning whether pidyon shvuyim – the laws of paying to secure the release of captives – is indeed the correct prism for addressing contemporary cases. Perhaps new perspectives are needed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren was vehemently critical of the 1985 Jibril agreement. We will have a look at a surprising response to this position, published eleven years after Rabbi Goren's harsh words. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1985, the Israel Government concluded the Jibril deal, exchanging 1,150 terrorists for 3 IDF soldiers. What did the Chief Rabbi of Israel think about the deal? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As part of the backdrop of one of the IDF's finest moment – the raid on Entebbe and saving over one hundred Jewish hostages in 1976 – the Prime Minister consulted the Chief Rabbi of Israel. What was said in that fateful conversation? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the Yom Kippur war, Syria offered to return Israeli POWs in exchange for land conquered by the IDF during the war. What are the halakhic considerations of such a deal? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is important to maintain confidence, determination, and drive amongst the ranks. In what way is soldiers' morale a factor in the Pidyon Shvuyim discussion? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the 1973 Yom Kippur war, many IDF soldiers were taken captive. Do the same pidyon shvuyim guidelines apply, or are there unique considerations when we are dealing with soldiers? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If terrorists demand the release of other terrorists in order to free hostages, is this a case of pidyon shvuyim? Perhaps this scenario should be considered under a different legal rubric? Credits: Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper – Pardes Faculty… Read the rest The post Pidyon Shvuyim Episode 7: Releasing Terrorists to Free Hostages first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Pidyon Shvuyim Episode 7: Releasing Terrorists to Free Hostages at Elmad Online Learning.

In this episode of the Maggid of Melbourne’s series on the mitzvah of pidyon shvuyim, we recap the remarkable story of the 1970 Dawson's Field hijackings, in which 4 airplanes were hijacked by the Popular Front for the Liberation of … Read the rest The post Pidyon Shvuyim: Prepared to Pay first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Pidyon Shvuyim: Prepared to Pay at Elmad Online Learning.

During the recent cease-fire, Israel requested that the International Committee of the Red Cross be granted the ability to visit our brothers and sisters held hostage in Gaza. With this in mind, the Maggid of Melbourne dives into the annals … Read the rest The post Pidyon Shvuyim: Contact with the Outside first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Pidyon Shvuyim: Contact with the Outside at Elmad Online Learning.

Was there ever a time that our people left a hostage in captivity? In this episode of our series exploring the mitzvah of pidyon shvuyim, the Maggid of Melbourne takes on a trip to 13th century Germany. Credits: Rabbi Levi … Read the rest The post Pidyon Shvuyim: Choosing to Stay first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Pidyon Shvuyim: Choosing to Stay at Elmad Online Learning.

In the previous episode, we learned that, despite the importance of the mitzvah of redeeming captives, there are exceptions to the rule, specifically when it comes to paying exorbitant ransoms. However, there may be exceptions to this exception. Join the … Read the rest The post Pidyon Shvuyim: The People Act first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Pidyon Shvuyim: The People Act at Elmad Online Learning.

At what point are we unable to commit to the obligation of redeeming captives? The Maggid of Melbourne continues his exploration of the mitzvah of pidyon shvuyim, discussing when exceptions to our obligation to free captives may be made.… Read the rest The post Pidyon Shvuyim: Exorbitant Ransoms first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Pidyon Shvuyim: Exorbitant Ransoms at Elmad Online Learning.

What does Judaism say regarding the mitzvah of pidyon shvuyim, freeing captives? In a timely new addition to his impromptu Torah for Tough Times mini-series, Levi explores the importance of freeing captives through the lens of Torah. Credits: Rabbi … Read the rest The post Torah for Tough Times: Lauded Objective first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Torah for Tough Times: Lauded Objective at Elmad Online Learning.

On October 7, as Jews around the world were celebrating Simchat Torah, terrorists crossed into Israel attacking communities across southern Israel. While left reeling from the pain of this tragedy, many of us are wondering, how do we pray during … Read the rest The post Torah for Tough Times: Images of Atrocities – A Torah Perspective first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Torah for Tough Times: Images of Atrocities – A Torah Perspective at Elmad Online Learning.

On October 7, as Jews around the world were celebrating Simchat Torah, terrorists crossed into Israel attacking communities across southern Israel. While left reeling from the pain of this tragedy, many of us are wondering, how do we pray during … Read the rest The post Torah for Tough Times: Prayer for the Communities Attacked first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Torah for Tough Times: Prayer for the Communities Attacked at Elmad Online Learning.

On October 7, as Jews around the world were celebrating Simchat Torah, terrorists crossed into Israel attacking communities across southern Israel. While left reeling from the pain of this tragedy, many of us are wondering, how do we pray during … Read the rest The post Torah for Tough Times: Hallel During Wartime first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Torah for Tough Times: Hallel During Wartime at Elmad Online Learning.

Where did the tradition of lighting a ner tamid (Eternal Light) in a synagogue begin? In this final episode of Exploring Sacred Spaces, the Maggid of Melbourne looks to the sources once again, this time in search of the history … Read the rest The post Episode 18: Eternal Light first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Episode 18: Eternal Light at Elmad Online Learning.

Is it acceptable to place a dedication plaque in a sacred space? In today’s episode, we go back to the Tanakh, learning about the building of the Temple, and other early sources as we examine this complex topic. Credits: Rabbi … Read the rest The post Episode 17: Dedication Plaques first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Episode 17: Dedication Plaques at Elmad Online Learning.

Sometimes when you walk into a Jewish home you are immediately confronted by a portion of the wall that is incomplete. Why is that? In today’s episode the Maggid of Melbourne explores this tradition, discussing the reason for it, and … Read the rest The post Episode 16: Unfinished Synagogues first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Episode 16: Unfinished Synagogues at Elmad Online Learning.

In the wake of the terrifying earthquake that struck Turkey, the Maggid of Melbourne dedicated this episode on structural damage to the people of Turkey. What do we do when there is a crack in the wall of a synagogue? … Read the rest The post Episode 15: Structural Damage first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Episode 15: Structural Damage at Elmad Online Learning.

There’s more to windows and synagogues than meets the eye. In this episode, the Maggid of Melbourne continues his discussion on windows in synagogues. Searching for guidance on how many windows should be used, we look to the mystical text … Read the rest The post Episode 14: Mysticism in Synagogue Design first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Episode 14: Mysticism in Synagogue Design at Elmad Online Learning.

If, as we’ve learned, we are meant to have windows, is there a specific way they should be designed? In today’s episode the Maggid of Melbourne leads us with an examination of the windows that were found in the Temple. … Read the rest The post Episode 13: Window Design first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Episode 13: Window Design at Elmad Online Learning.

The Maggid of Melbourne brings another tale, this time about the planning of the building of Yeshivat Har Etzion and Rav Amital’s reaction to learning there would be no windows in the Beit Midrash. We learn of two versions of … Read the rest The post Episode 12: Smell and Sight first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Episode 12: Smell and Sight at Elmad Online Learning.

  Do synagogues need windows? Going back to the time of Daniel, we learn that windows have played a role in prayer, but does that mean that windows are required? Why would we even need windows, what particular role would … Read the rest The post Episode 11: Windows for Prayer first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Episode 11: Windows for Prayer at Elmad Online Learning.

  From watching children practice their karate kicks to remembering stories of shared walls with homes, the Maggid of Melbourne embarks on a fascinating discussion about the sanctity of synagogue walls and the challenges of using them for the mundane. … Read the rest The post Exploring Sacred Spaces 10: Karate Kicks on Synagogue Walls first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Exploring Sacred Spaces 10: Karate Kicks on Synagogue Walls at Elmad Online Learning.

  We see them all the time in our Jewish spaces, but what exactly is the role of the Chanukiya within synagogues? Join Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper, the Maggid of Melbourne, as he leads us on a fascinating exploration of … Read the rest The post Exploring Sacred Spaces 9: Menorah or Chanukiya first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Exploring Sacred Spaces 9: Menorah or Chanukiya at Elmad Online Learning.

  The symbolism of lions has been seen throughout Ashkenazi synagogues. Yet, in 1949, Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel cautioned the use of images in synagogues due to the prohibition of graven images. How do we approach these images in synagogues? … Read the rest The post Exploring Sacred Spaces Ep. 8: Lions in Shul first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Exploring Sacred Spaces Ep. 8: Lions in Shul at Elmad Online Learning.

  In today’s episode of the Maggid of Melbourne’s “Exploring Sacred Spaces” we dive into the significance of the Holy Ark in a synagogue and the dilemma of dealing with an existing Ark when moving to a new space. Various … Read the rest The post Exploring Sacred Spaces Ep. 7: Holy Arks first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Exploring Sacred Spaces Ep. 7: Holy Arks at Elmad Online Learning.

  Is there an obligation to have air conditioners or heaters in a synagogue? If we do have air conditioners, what considerations do we need to take? Is it alright to leave an air conditioner on when the synagogue isn’t … Read the rest The post Exploring Sacred Spaces Ep. 6: Halakhot of Air Conditioners first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Exploring Sacred Spaces Ep. 6: Halakhot of Air Conditioners at Elmad Online Learning.

  We continue our examination of the duchan (platform) from which the Kohanim offer blessings to the congregation. As we know from the previous episode, the Kohanim are meant to go up to the duchan, meaning the duchan should … Read the rest The post Exploring Sacred Spaces Ep. 5: Blessings at Eye Level first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Exploring Sacred Spaces Ep. 5: Blessings at Eye Level at Elmad Online Learning.

  In previous episodes, the Maggid of Melbourne discussed how the Hazzan should approach the lectern, examining the question of whether one should step up or down. What about when the Kohanim come forward to lead the priestly blessing? Must … Read the rest The post Exploring Sacred Spaces Ep. 4: Stepping up to Offer Blessings first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Exploring Sacred Spaces Ep. 4: Stepping up to Offer Blessings at Elmad Online Learning.

  Join the Maggid of Melbourne as he continues his exploration of where the Hazzan (prayer leader) stands as he leads prayers. Levi brings in a tale of a Hasidic man who ties himself to the lectern during their service, … Read the rest The post Exploring Sacred Spaces Ep. 3: Tied to the Lectern – A Hasidic Tale first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Exploring Sacred Spaces Ep. 3: Tied to the Lectern – A Hasidic Tale at Elmad Online Learning.

  In this second episode of “Exploring Sacred Spaces,” the Maggid of Melbourne shares insights into the bimah and how we approach it. How is the Hazzan supposed to approach or descend, and what are the practical and spiritual implications?… Read the rest The post Exploring Sacred Spaces Ep. 2: Small Steps for Prayer Leaders first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Exploring Sacred Spaces Ep. 2: Small Steps for Prayer Leaders at Elmad Online Learning.