Thirty-minute classes (Jewish time) exploring the rich wisdom of Judaism, from biblical stories to Talmud, from Maimonides to Chasidic thought. . Class is given by Rabbi Yossi Marcus, director of Chabad NP and editor of the Kehot editions of the Pirkei Av
The crown of priesthood and king ship are not available tomorrow just anyone. But the crown of Torah can be obtained by anyone who dedicates their life to it. Rambam Laws of Talmud Torah chapter three.
Rambam laws of the foundations of the Torah chapter 10
The new cycle of traversing the entire breadth of Torah law began today Sunday, April 23, 2023. Get on the train and take a journey through the body of divine wisdom. 20 minutes a day (if you listen on hi speed) will give you the entire corpus of Jewish law in under three years. Welcome on board!
The Akedah is uncomfortable subject. Trigger warnings abound. Yet it is a foundational story of our people. Here's part II of our series reading the text. Genesis chapter 22, verses 6-12.
Tonight we got rather kabbalistic. What is the world of Atzilut? What's it like to be a soul of Atzilut? Who in history were the souls of Atzilut? What is the function of Malchut in Atzilut? Why is Shechinah, the Divine presence, also called G-d's word, mother and queen? From Epistle 25 of Igeret Hakodesh by the Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad.
From Epistle 25 of Igeret Hakodesh by the Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad, part I.
The builders of the Tower wanted to wage war directly with G-d. Yet G-d treats them with kids gloves, especially in comparison to the generation of the flood. Why? Turns out G-d is more concerned with how we treat each other than how we treat Him (!). In this portion we also learn from G-d how to be patient judgment, even when you hear that someone's building a tower to fight G-d. Text: Genesis chapter 11, verses 1-9
Laws of Yom Kippur, Shulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe chapter 606
New Series! What triggered Abraham's final test? Why does a "chasid" say Hineni ("Here I am")? Why is Jerusalem called Mount Moriah? All this and more in The Binding of Isaac, part I Text: Genesis Chapter 22 with Rashi: Vayera-Torah-Reading Akeidah
Can you desecrate the holiday to retrieve a shofar at the top of a tree? Can you swim across a river for it? Can you clean a shofar on the holiday and what cleanser can never be used to clean a shofar? Bonus: A sermon tip to be derived from the latter law. Text source: Laws of Rosh Hashanah, Shulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe #586
Why a "Trump" shofar would not be kosher and why in Berkeley they would agree you should take off your hearing aids to hear the shofar. One of the most powerful sounds of Judaism is the piercing cry of the shofar. It cuts through layers of apathy to the heart and core of the soul. In this 4th installment of the seemingly very technical laws of Rosh Hashanah, we discover deep lessons on the power of a mitzvah, no matter who does it, the importance of sincerity and maintaining the pure, unembellished sound of the soul.Â
Laws of Rosh Hashanah Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch part II
The first two chapters of the Alter Rebbe's Laws of Rosh Hashanah (Shulchan Aruch HaRav).
Why does G-d require that we have the testimony of witnesses who have seen the new moon in order to establish Rosh Chodesh -- shouldn't the astronomical calculations suffice? Bonus: chasidic aphorisim from one of the hidden tzadikim sheds new light on the Kohen's blessing before the priestly blessings.
Bonus: Chasidic thought on who's doing whom the favor
Who is kosher to testify for the new month? Bonus readings: Chasidic aphorisms on the importance of implanting love for others in your heart. Kiddush Hachodesh by Rambam, chapter 2.
How the ancient Jewish calendar was made: witness interrogation, leap years, and astronomy. A text-based class using Maimonides' Mishneh Torah, laws of Kiddush Hachodesh Sundays Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30 pm on Zoom @ chabadnp.com/zoom with Rabbi Yossi Marcus
When Tisha B'Av falls on Shabbat and is observed on Sunday
Sefardic Custom on blessing for Hallel; connection of Hallel and Aaron; and what it's like in the World to Come
Plus: why the penitent transcends the perfectly righteous. Rambam, Laws of Teshuvah, chapter seven.
Didn't G-d harden Pharaoh's heart? And can I lose my free choice but in a good way? Maimonides chapter 6, laws of repentance
A study of Maimonides on the concept of Freedom of Choice, part I
What did the king have in mind with this lavish feast? Why was Vashti punished? Insights and commentary on the first chapter of the Scroll of Esther
How a Scheduling Miscommunication Led to the Golden Calf Aaron Attempts to Stall (after seeing that Hur was murdered) but Things Go Badly Quick