R Yitzchak Shifman Torah Classes

1 section- when transporting the half-shekels from cities to Mikdash the monies were converted into larger currency for ease of carrying, there were "shofros" for paying the half shekel, distinction if delivery person claimed it was stolen/lost before or after the drawing from the lishka (1 Nissan)

1 section- when transporting the half-shekels from cities to Mikdash the monies were converted into larger currency for ease of carrying, there were "shofrot" for paying the half shekel, distinction if delivery person claimed it was stolen/lost before or after the drawing from the lishka (1 Nissan)

2 sections- interdependency of divisions of estates regarding laws of maaser beheima and kolbon, debate regarding usages of the kolbon

2 sections- discussion of potential realities of laws of estate regarding interdependency of paying kolbon/giving maaser beheima, debate regarding usages of the kolbon

Why are months dated from the Exodus and why did we subsequently absorb the names of the months of the Persians? Why is New Year celebrated in Tishrei if the world was created in Nissan?

2 sections- clarification in debate between R'Meir and Chachamim as relates to giving kolbon (or multiple), when division of estate results in obligations of kolbon or maaser beheima and debate of "yesh breira"/"ein breira"

2 sections- clarification in debate between R'Meir and Chachamim as relates to giving kolbon (or multiple), when division of estate results in obligations of kolbon or maaser beheima and debate of "yesh breira"/"ein breira"

2 sections- not accepting machatzis hashekel, korbanos and donations from nochrim/kusim, adding a kolbon when giving machatzis hashekel

2 sections- if/what allowed to accept from nochrim/kutim, adding kolbon to machatzit hashekel

3 answers explaining the extent of the restriction of doing melacha on Purim and the allowance for Rebbi to plant a tree

Two ideas relating to the ways we refer to the months of the year and the beginning of the year

Bereishit Rabba (Vayera) 48:9, Ramban on Shemot 12:2- significance of the names of the months in the Torah and the later names of Persian origin

3 sections- discussion of people who are obligated in giving the machatzis hashekel and on whom we apply pressure, debate regarding obligation of Kohanim and if ideal for them to give, distinction between individuals who we can accept from and those we cannot

3 sections- discussion of people who are obligated in giving the machatzit hashekel and on whom we apply pressure, debate regarding obligation of Kohanim and if ideal for them to give, distinction between individuals who we can accept from and those we cannot

2 sections- discussion of matters that the Beis Din would do on 15th of Adar based on rules of Chol HaMoed including public needs and grave marking, order of historic enactments regarding court uprooting kilayim and sources for their ability to make property ownerless and also exempt from maaser

2 sections- discussion of matters that the Beit Din would do on 15th of Adar based on rules of Chol HaMoed including public needs and grave marking, order of historic enactments regarding court uprooting kilayim and sources for their ability to make property ownerless and also exempt from maaser

Nations of Canaan were completely fearful after miracles of crossing the Yarden, the Jews performed a communal mila, they celebrated Pesach and manna stopped, a Malach (Michael) conversed with Yehoshua signaling he'd help them conquer Yericho

2 sections- power of yetzer hara is highlighted via contrasting behaviors of Jews in various stories in Torah and 3 donations are recorded as well, discussion of Megilla reading (and other laws) as relates to alternative days and 2 Adarim

2 sections- power of yetzer hara is highlighted via contrasting behaviors of Jews in various stories in Torah and 3 donations are recorded as well, discussion of Megilla reading (and other laws) as relates to alternative days and 2 Adarim

Chinuch and Kli Yakar teach lessons that are emphasized through the laws of the korbanot

2 sections- various announcements and actions on first and fifteenth of Adar, sources for use of new shekalim for public offerings in Nissan, second and not first Adar, and discussion of earlier announcement for distanced communities

2 sections- various announcements and actions on first and fifteenth of Adar, sources for use of new shekalim for public offerings in Nissan, second and not first Adar, and discussion of earlier announcement for distanced communities

Jews finished crossing the Yarden and the Aron miraculously floated over the Yarden carrying it's carriers with it, 2 sets of stones were erected as monuments for future remembrance of that days miracles

Vayikra Rabba (Vayikra) 1:6, 11, 12, Bamidbar Rabba (Bamidbar) 1:3- the nations received benefits from the functioning of the Mishkan/Mikdash, even moreso than did the Jews

Jews are commanded in the unique ways they would travel moving forward, Kohanim carry Aron and miracles of the Yarden occur with the Jews crossing to the mainland and the Kohanim remaining inside the dry riverbed

Why was it important for the nations to acknowledge the return of our unique relationship with Hashem following the sin of the eigel?

Yehoshua sends two spies, Kaleiv and Pinchas, to investigate Yericho, and they meet Rachav, who in turn saves them from the officers of the king of Yericho, they form a pact with her, eventually returning to Yehoshua with a report of the terror the inhabitants of Canaan have of the Jews.

The people who were granted the supernatural knowledge to build the Mishkan were unique in having developed a specific prerequisite, yiras shamayim.

Hashem strengthens the new leader Yehoshua, the shotrim direct the people about 3 days time crossing the yarden, Yehoshua reminds 2.5 tribes about their agreement

Shemot Rabba 48:3,4- Chazal illustrate the special lineage of Betzalel and how it contributed to his wonderful qualities

Jews fight and defend themselves and the festival is established for future history

Gemara Megilla 12b, Esther Rabba 4:12- seemingly contradictory statements of Chazal revolving around the first letters of Haman teach us a lesson in the relationship between spouses.

The second party turns the tides, Haman is hung and Mordechai is elevated, counteractive letters are sent supporting the Jews and nations become fearful of them

3 controversial actions performed/paskened by Rebbi

The mitzva of "simcha" is best achieved through gladdening those who need the extra support.

Reasons the Megilla is pushed back to previous week and other events are pushed forward to coming week when they occur on Shabbos

Esther approaches the king on day 3 of fast and initiates her plan with party 1 and then requests party 2, Haman wishes to kill Mordechai on gallows he built but conversely he is required to parade Mordechai around the city and then is rushed to party 2

True simcha is achieved through gladdening others, particularly those who need the extra support.

Conditions necessary to classify as big city and not village (and cannot read earlier), events that are pushed to following week (unlike Megilla reading)

Mordechai relates the immediacy of the need for Esther to plea with the king on behalf of the Jews and the Jews of Shushan begin to fast for 3 days in support of this dangerous mission to resolve the decree against them

Gemara Berachot 55a, Midrash Tanchuma on Parshat Vayakhel 2, Nefesh HaChaim 4:5- discussion identifying the "chachmei lev" and how to receive chochma from Hashem

Haman is elevated and conflict with Mordechai begins, Haman plans destruction of Jews and Achashveirosh signs off and sends out letters

Explanation of events and order of Parshiyot based on the debate between Rashi and Ramban

Discussion of the ways to create "pirsumei nissa" in order to say beracha on Megilla reading, distinctions between "zmana"/not, including women, etc.

King decrees process to choose new queen and Esther is chosen but doesn't reveal her backstory, Mordechai foils assassination attempt on King

Debate if need to seek minyan when reading Megilla in its time vs not

Debate if Mishkan was an outcome of the sin of the eigel hazahav or not

When mitzvot are done if Purim falls on Shabbat

Persian King Achashveirosh makes parties flaunting his fabulous wealth, Queen Vashti is killed at the advice of the advisor Memuchan

The mitzva of "prika" ( Shemot 23:5) includes the idea of helping those that help themselves, and this has application in giving charity in contrast to helping someone repent.

Kli Yakar quotes three approaches in explaining the prohibition