Rabbi Yakov Bronsteyn - Parsha Classes

My speech at the Phoenix Community Kollel 25th Anniversary celebration. We discuss how Torah learning has a metaphysical power to transform not only on a cosmic but also on a communal level. These remarks were delivered at the PJCC (Phoenix Jewish Community Center) on 5/25/25.

We discuss how Hashem orchestrates not only the salvation but also the tribulation. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 5/15/25.

We discuss why the Jewish People have suffered so much through history. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 4/2/25.

We discuss the meaning of Moshe's and Esther's name. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 3/12/25.

We discuss which reading of the Megilla is more important. Day or night? This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 2/26/25.

We read the Maharal in the Netzach Yisrael Chapter 11 about the status of children of the Jewish People. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation on 2/19/25.

We discuss two things. The purpose of the Decalogue and a question regarding the laws of Shabbos. This leads to an explanation of what it means to sanctify God's name. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 2/12/25.

We discuss Miriam's accusation of Amram's actions and the renewal of redemption. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation on 1/29/25.

We discuss current issue of the Israeli Government paying a heavy price for a few hostages. What would the Halacha say about it? What are the issues? This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 1/22/25.

We discuss a few medical ethics issues regarding complications in pregnancies. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 1/15/25.

We discuss if a renewed sense of simcha even if it's just perceived is sufficient to warrant a Bracha. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix, Arizona.

We discuss a lesson to be gleaned from the candles and what holds a marriage together. This class was given on Chanukah 5785 at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix.

We discuss how Jezabel was a conflicted person who had a dichotomous set of acts that caused her both merit and demise. We explain how both of those approaches are the catalysts for the destruction and building of the Beis Hamikdash. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah of Phoenix Congregation on 12/18/24.

We discuss the Rambam and Nefesh HaChaim's perspectives on Yaakov's Ladder and the purpose of Mitzvos. We also mention that we should look to our parents as examples. This Drasha was given at the Yeshiva of Waterbury in תשפ״ה

We read the Guide to the Perplexed in volume 1 chapter 15 where he explains what the Torah mean by the description that Hashem is standing on top of the ladder. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation on 12/4/24.

Rivka questioned why she is having children if they are going to be evil when she's isn't commanded in the mitzvah of propagation. Rabbi Kalish asks why we daven that the evil should be cut off according to the position of the Rabbeinu Chananel. We should daven that they should do teshuva? We have a lively discussion about these insights, free will, and God's knowledge of the future. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 11/27/24.

We discuss how the foundations of religion are contingent on treating people with kindness and respect. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 11/20/24.

We discuss the corporeal images and descriptions that are used in reference to Hashem specify sitting and standing. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 11/12/24.

We discuss how the outcome of any event is rooted in in the beginning especially in the area of education. This class was given in our Sukkah in 2024.

We discuss what elements are necessary to survive the onslaught of the Yetzer Harah and the day of judgement.

We relate one thought about how to come away from Yom Kippur with a concrete commitment; doing one mitzvah with proper intention. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 10/9/24 .

We discuss how relatives are spiritually connected to each other. This vort was given at my niece's Sheva Brachos in Baltimore at the Hilton Garden Inn Owings Mills.

We discuss why it's important to mourn individual tragedies on Tisha B'Av. It is to make a connection with what we have lost. Once we make that connection we can begin the healing process. This was said at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 8/13/24.

We discuss how we sing some of the Kinnos. The reason for is that even though life can be difficult at times we still don't give up. This was said at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 8/13/24.

We discus the special nature of Eretz Yisroel and what we are missing on Tisha B'Av. This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel for the Rabbi's Thursday Night Parsha Shiur.

This a rendition of a speech at Shalosh Seudos at the Ahavas Torah Congregation of Scottsdale on Parshas Pinchas 5784. We discuss how the most qualified person to perform a task is the one who is the most in tune with the reality at hand.

This is a rendition of some thoughts that we shared at our minyan and Shabbos table on the Parsha.

What do the Rabbis mean when they use the expression, the light of the Torah? This is a rendition of a speech on Shabbos morning at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on the occasion of a Siyum that I made on Tanach with commentaries and Seder Moed.

How do the rebukes relate to the Book of Vayikra which is known as Torah Kohanim dealing with the laws of the Temple? This is a rendition of insight we said at our house during the Friday night minyan.

This a rendition of a court we related during our minyan on 5/24/24. We discuss endeavor to answer the famous question as to what the Sabbatical Year has to do with Mt. Sinai.

We discuss the issue of a Kohen becoming defiled by a non-relative when he is already defiled by a relative. Also where should his relatives be buried in the cemetery? This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation on 5/15/24.

This was a shiur given to Yeshivas Bein HaZmanim at the Ohr HaTorah of Phoenix discussing how outcomes can be a result of multiple causes.

We explain the connection between marriage and the splitting of the Yam Sof. This is a partial rendition of an insight that we shared at our house on the last days of Pesach 5784.

This is part of a rendition of an insight we shared at our house on Parshas Achrei Mos on 5/24.

We discuss if it is permitted to deliberately bid higher for an alyah without any intention to pay for it in order to get others to raise their bids. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 5/8/24.

We discuss a complex area of law regarding possession and doubt. But, then we turn it into Purim Torah which is a colloquialism for untrue but fun analysis of the Megilla text. This class was given at the PJCC on 3/20/24.

We discuss the Ramban's question as to why the Altar was called Holy of Holies and the two reasons why there is a mitzvah to build a Temple. This class was five at the PJCC on 3/13/24.

We discuss various options in terms of Halacha for helping a child who's distraught and sick on Shabbos. This class was given at the PJCC on 3/6/24.

We discuss the laws of kiddush, havdalah, melavah malcah, & the resurrection. This class was given at the PJCC 3/3/24.

We discuss a case where talking in the congregation was so rampant the Rabbi cancelled the reading of the Torah for that Shabbos. This class was given at the PJCC on 2/28/24.

We read the Lev Eliahu regarding how Emunah is a chain that connects us all throughout the generations as one. This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 1/17/24.

We discuss the concept of Emunah, Oneg Shabbos in terms of preparing for the meals, and davening the proper tefilos. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 1/14/24.

We discuss the insight of the Lev Eliahu that the hand of Hashem that we perceive in the world is directly proportionate to our faith in His involvement. This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 1/10/24

We discuss the proper time and place to light. We also discuss the custom of giving tzeddaka and daven for children during the time of lighting.

We discuss the question as to why did Yosef's brothers only confess about ignoring his supplications rather than the more egregious infraction of selling him to Egypt. We also the discuss the reason why on Chanukah there is no mitzvah to make a festive meal in contra distinction to Purim. This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 12/23/23.

We discuss the victory over the Greeks in terms of Torah. We also discuss how the letters of the Torah are building blocks for Creation. This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 12/6/23.

We discuss the basics of Halacha of how to get ready for Shabbos and some aspects of lighting candles. We also relate ideas of what Shabbos is about. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation in Phoenix, AZ on 12/3/23.

We discuss the opinion of the Nefesh HaChaim regarding how the concept of God's concealment is an idea that can cause disillusionment. We specifically speculate that caution is being taken with the presentation of this concept in the Tanya. This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 11/29/23.

We read the Nefesh HaChaim that discusses the unique capacity of humans literally move worlds. This class was given at the Phoenix Jewish Community Center on 11/22/23.

We discuss the anomalous case where a couple named Yitzchak and Rivka named their twin boys Yaakov and Esav. This class was given on 11/15/23 at the Phoenix Community Kollel.

This is a Shabbos morning Drasha rendition for the completion and Siyum of Seder Nashim for Daf Yomi. It was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation on Parashas Chai Sarah.