Pardes of the Parsha

recorder on Nov. 1, 2018 - a few days after the Shooting in a Pittsburg Jewish House of Worship. As relevant today as it was 5 yrs. ago.

BASED ON THE TEACHINGS OF R' YOCHANAN ZWEIG. WHAT DOOES IT MEAN TO BE AN "ADAM"? THE GREATEST BLESSING IS  TO BE AN "ADAM" . THE GREATEST CURSE IS TO LOSE YOUR HUMANNESS.

BASED ON THE NOVEL INTERPRETATION OF R' MOSHE WOLFSON WHO EXPLAINS THE CONFLICTING TALMUDIC STATEMENTS IF THE BEN SORER U'MOREIR EVER HAPPENED ; AND WHAT THE TALMUD MEANS THAT THE BEN SORER U'MOREIR IS BETTER OF DYING INNOCENT INSTEAD OF DYING GUILTY.

Based on essays from Rabbi Nevenzal.

Based on the commentary of the Ohr Hachaim.

Based on the Shvilei Pinchos 5772 & Chabad teachings

Based on Likutei Moharan Vol. 2 , 52. who explains why it is  a good thing for people not to understand the  ways of G-d and the ways of Tzaddikim.

Explore what the families of Gershon, Kehas, and Merari symbolize for Jews and eras of Jewish history.

What is the significance of a flag ? How does raising flags prepare us  for Shavuos ?

Based on the teaching of R' Shalom Shwadron . What is  the test of keeping Shmittah if you are given  a triple crop in advance ? Great Story with the Ba''al Teshuva who was prepared to die for Hashem.

Based on the Teaching of Rav Adin Steinsaltz z"l & the Degel Machaneh Efraim

BASED ON THE TEACHINGS OF RABBI YOCHANAN ZWEIG. LESSONS ON HOW:  1)PARENTS CAN VALIDATE CHILDREN, 2) SPOUSES VALIDATING EACH OTHER , 3) PEOPLE VALIDATING OTHERS, 4) AND EVN HOW  PEOPLE  CAN  VALIDATE HASHEM. THIS EXPLAINS  WHY UNITY IS  SO IMPORTANT WHEN BUILDING A BEIS  HAMIKDASH & WHEN OBSERVING SHABBOS. 

SEE HOW THIS  TASTY PURIM TREAT EPITOMIZES THE COSMIC BATTLE  THROUGHOUT HISTORY BETWEEN AMALEK & THE JEWISH PEOPLE AND HOW IT ALSO CONNECTS TO THE MISHKAN. BASED, IN PART, FROM THE TEACHINGS OF THE SHVILEI PINCHOS

Based on Likutei Sichos Vol. 31 &  The Leil Shimurim Hagadah: Why did Yaakov have to shlep Acacia saplings from Eretz  Yisroel to Egypt ? Why did the 4 Tanaaim visit Rabbi Akiva in Benei Brak to read the Haggadah ? What does it mean to be  a Nasi ? Rabbi Akiva  being the Gilgul of Yaakov Avinu

Based on an essay of the Chalban (Rabbi Chaim Cohen zt"l) who expands on the Shalah's comparing the four guardians to four different types of Jews who guard Hashem's  world, and what hashem holds them responsible for. Surprise  ending of who is the best Shomeir of all !

A class based on an essay by Rabbi Moshe Wolfson. Understand why Yisro merited to have a parsha in the Torah named after him. The value of 1) Relating the Exodus story; 2) As heard by a Tzaddik; 3) Which will enable you to overcome the obstacles of accomplishing your mission in life.

BASED ON THE TEACHING OF THE MEOR EINAYIM: EXPLAINING THE MEANING OF HASHEM REMOVING PARAOH'S FREE WILL & THE CONCEPT OF HASHEM'S FORE KNOWLEDGE IN SPITE OF MAN'S FREE WILL. INSIGHTS INTO OUR NEUROLOGICAL PATHWAYS & UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF THE GALUS OF DA'AS.

BASED ON A SICHA FROM LIKUTEI SICHOS VOL. 15, SICHA 2. WHAT IS THE DEEPER CONNECTION BETWEEN MOSH E BEING THROWN INTO THE NILE RIVER & THE END OF THE DECREE OF THROWING BOYS INTO THE NILE ? HOW ARE WE GOING OUT OF EGYPT EVERY DAY WHEN WE SAY THE SHEMA. 2 GREAT STORIES ABOUT RAV MEIR ABUCHATZEIRA & THE TZEMACH TZEDEK.

THE THEME OF PARSHAS VAYECHI IS THE CONCEPT OF "HAMTAKAS HADIN." YAAKOV MAKES HIS TIKUN IN THIS AREA. SEE WHY THE TENTH OF TEVES ALWAYS FALLS OUT ON PARSHAS VAYECHI.

WHY WAS YEHUDA - AND NOT YOSEF OR ANY OF THE OTHER BROTHERS - GIVEN THE MISSION TO ESTABLISH THE YESHIVA IN GOSHEN ? UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RIGHTEOUS PERSON WHOSE UNDERSTANDING OF HASHEM IS "SURROUNDING THE WORLDS" VS. "FILLING THE WORLDS." THE MEANING OF "TORAH IS HIS PROFESSION."

UNDERSTANDING WHAT SPECIAL INSIGHT YOSEF OFFERED WHEN INTERPRETING THE DREAM: HAVING ABUNDANCE AND YET BEING SATISFIED. UNDERSTANDING THE TRUE MEANING OF "KIDDUSH HASHEM" & WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A "SHEM TOV." THE TWO VIEWS OF THE Existential question: What really gives us feeling of life? What gives you a zest for life ?

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MUSICAL NOTE OF THE SHALSHELES ? WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM IT IN TERMS OF MAKING ULTIMATE DECISIONS IN LIFE AS TO WHO WE ARE ?

Explore the reasons for the Mitzvah of Gid Hanashe based on the teachings of Chabad and Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch. Understand how we are able to remember Hashem's Historical Divine Supervision over the Jews from just a detail of Yaakov's injury.

WHY DID YAAKOV NOT MAKE MAKE A TREATY WITH AVIMELECH ? WHY DOES THE MIDRASH CONSIDER YAAKOV AS HAVING TO GO INTO GALUS BECAUSE HE INADVERTENTLY KILLED EISAV ? HOW WAS YAAKOV ABLE TO RAISE ALL HIS CHILDREN ON THE PATH OF JUDAISM. LERAN ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUSHING AWAY EVIL VS. TRANSFORMING EVIL.

Why does the Torah portray Eisav as a figure we can empathize with; while Chazal condemn him as a Rasha ? Did Eisav ever have a chance once he was genetically designed to be evil ? How did Eisav actually trap Yitzchak into loving him? Ba'al Hatanya's explanation of the two kinds of "tasty foods" which people can present to Hashem. Does your struggle define you or do you define your struggle ?

Why does the Talmud learn the laws of Marriage from the Burial of Sarah? 5 explanations based on a Pardes understanding of Marriage & Chasidic understanding of the first Mishne in Tractate Kiddushin.

How can we provide hospitality to guests nowadays during our affluent times ? Why does the Rambam rule that escorting a guest is greater than providing him with hospitality ? How can we bestow kindness upon a person, if that very kindness will cause him great pain ? We will explore Rav Dovid Kronglass' explanation of his understanding of the Rambam.

How is it possible that Avram would ask Sarah to say that "You are my sister" - putting her in grave danger? Is this the type of role model we are looking for in a husband ? Why are these words part of the first words which the Torah records Avraham as saying? What is the difference between the relationship of a spouse and that of a sibling ?

AN ANALYSIS OF WHEN TO APPLY THE STATEMENT OF THE BA'AL SHEM TOV: "SEEING THE EVIL IN OTHERS IS A MIRROR OF YOUR OWN EVIL." PERHAPS SEEING THE EVIL IN OTHERS IS MEANT FOR THE PURPOSE OF YOUR REQUIREMENT TO REBUKE OTHERS?. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT HASHEM'S INTENTION IS WHEN YOU SEE THE EVIL ? THE ANSWER LIES IN ANALYZING THE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT NOACH'S SONS REACTED TO HIS INDISCRETION AFTER HIS DRUNKENNESS.

Ba'al Hatanya encourages people who feel like the "hated spouse" in their relationship with Hashem, and should realize that the very problems with their Avodas Hashem are the solutions that will give him the "double portion" in bringing the Moshiach.

HOW DO THE 3 MITZVOS OF A JEWISH KING RELATE TO OUR LIVES ? WHY DID HASHEM REVEAL THE REASONS FOR THESE MITZVOS KNOWING THAT THIS WOULD CAUSE KING SHLOMO TO FAIL? WHY DOES AKING NEED 2 SIFREI TORAH ?