Purim

Lottery of Life

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This video is class 4 of 40 in the series Purim Unmasked.

Why is the holiday of Purim named after Haman’s Lottery? Mrs. Shira Smiles describes the mindset of Haman and Amalek, who ascribe all events to mere chance, as opposed to the Jewish mindset of seeing the Divine plan in every event.

Hilchot Shabbat

Demonstrations of the Melacha of Koshair

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This video is class 4 of 25 in the series Shabbat Scenarios.

In this Torah shiur (class) on practical applications of Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson demonstrates various situations relating to the prohibition of Koshair (Tying). This class utilized actual items that one may want to tie on Shabbat (such as a garbage bag, woman’s headscarf, etc.), and shows exactly how one may tie them on Shabbat.

Hilchot Shabbat

Muktza, Part 4

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This video is class 4 of 24 in the series Hilchot Shabbat V.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson continues to define the laws of Muktza, as they relate to a kli shemlachto l’heter (an object whose primary use in permitted on Shabbat) and muktza machmat chisaron kis (an object which is especially valuable).

Yirmiyahu

Perek 19: Yirmiyahu’s Suffering

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This video is class 4 of 17 in the series Yirmiyahu III.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek (chapter) 19. Rabbi David begins with an examination of the Malbim, who suggests that Yirmiyahu was punished and hit because he did not fulfill the requirements of his prophesy exactly. Rabbi David discusses this issue thorugh the comments of the Nafesh Hachaim, the Abarbanel, and the Rambam in Morah Nevuchim (Guide to the Perplexed). Rabbi David ends the class with an examination of the pasuk that speaks of the korbanot (sacrifices) of the Jewish people of the time of Yirmiyahu, as they relate to Akeidat Yitzchak.