Kriat Shma in Other Languages
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Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses the possibility of fulfilling the mitzva of Kriat Shma by reciting the Shma prayer in languages other than Hebrew.
Category: Oral Law
This series of classes on the Oral Law offers listeners a selection of engaging classes on Mishnayot and Gemara ranging from introductory to advanced levels. The Oral Law was transmitted in an uninterrupted chain from generation to generation until it was written down by Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi who compiled the Mishna between 200-220 CE. The Gemara compiled by the Amoraim between the years 350-500 CE serves as a running commentary on the Mishna encompassing a range of complex debates and laws covering interpersonal relationships, dietary laws, civil claims and damages, Shabbat and holiday observances, and sacrificial practices.
Teachings of Hillel
Posted onRabbi Michael Taubes discusses the teachings from the great Jewish sage, Hillel.
The Rambam’s Shita on Mitzvot Tzrichot Kavana
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman presents an overview of the Rambam’s opinion abut whether a person must have intention to fulfill a mitzva in order to be yotzeh that mitzva.
The Power of Intent
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman explicates the Talmud’s discussion of ‘Hakoreh BaTorah Im Kiven Libo’, one who reads from the Torah and has intent to be yotzei the mitzva of Kriat Shma.
Interrupting the Shema
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses the parameters which allow one to interrupt the recitation of Kriat Shma.
Serving G-d
Posted onRabbi Michael Taubes continues to learn the first perek of Pirkei Avot. The teachings discussed in this class focus on the best way to serve G-d. Rabbi Taubes relays the mishnayot with pertinent examples in our everyday lives.
Finding G-d, friendship and leadership
Posted onRabbi Michael Taubes continues to learn the first perek of Pirkei Avot. This class discusses the mishnayot which deal with issues of friendship, leadership and G-d.
Reciting Kriat Shema from a Sefer Torah
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman begins learning daf 13A, with a discussion of the halacha which states that one who is reading from a Sefer Torah fulfills his obligation to recite Kriat Shma daily if he reads the Kriat Shma from the Torah.
Legacy of Our Sages: Introduction to Pirkei Avot
Posted onRabbi Michael Taubes begins studying Pirkei Avot, a unique section of the Mishna which contains essential lessons of ethics and behavior from the Sages. Rabbi Taubes explores the significance of Pirkei Avot and begins studying the first chapter.
Remembering Yetziat Mitzrayim
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses the daily obligation to remember Yetziat Mitzrayim vs. the unique mitzva of Sipur Yetziat Mitzrayim on the Seder night.
Daf 12B: Prayer in a Time of Disaster
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman reviews the Gemara’s discussion of the obligation to pray for someone in distress.
Daf 12b: The Nature of the Bracha Hamelech Hakadosh
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses daf 12b in Maseches Brachos, reviews the machlokes (disagreement) in the Gemara regarding the proper way to conclude the bracha ‘ata kadosh’ during Aseret Yemei Teshuva.
Safek Brachot L’hakel
Posted onContinuing daf 12A, Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman continues his discussion dealing with uncertainties in making proper brachot, and the ruling of safeik brachot l’hakel (leniencies in regards to doubts in the halachot of brachot).
Proper Intentions When Making a Bracha
Posted onRabbi Moshe N. Reichman reviews the sugya (unit) on Daf 12A, which discusses a situation in which a person is holding a cup of wine, misidentifies it as beer, and begins to make the wrong bracha, but then switches to the correct bracha before he finishes (Pasach b’dishichra v’siyem bid’chama).
Correcting a Bracha
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses daf 12A, the halacha of one who began a bracha with the wrong intent and then corrects himself.
The Aseret Hadibrot and Kriat Shma
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman analyzes the Gemara’s discussion as to why the practice of reading the Aseret Hadibrot during Kriat Shma was abolished.
Birchot Kriat Shema: Birkat HaMitzvah?
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman analyzes the machloket rishonim (dispute between early commentaries) regarding Birchot Kriat Shma, the blessings preceding Kriat Shma, can be recited after the recitation of Kriat Shma.
The Mitzvah of Sitting in a Sukkah
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman analyzes the discussion in the Gemara and the commentaries, regarding the mitzvah of dwelling in a sukkah. In this class, Rabbi Reichman differentiates between the chiyuv hamitzvah (the obligation to perform the mitzvah), and the kiyum hamitzvah (the fulfillment of the mitzvah).
A Constant Awareness of Torah
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman teaches the Rambam’s definition of Birchat haTorah.
The Requirement to Learn Following Birchat Hatorah
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman analyzes daf 11B, the Shitas Yerusahalmi that states that one must learn immediately after reciting Birchat Hatorah.
Birchat Hatorah: Bracha of Praise or Birchat Hamitzvah?
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses the views of the various commentaries as to the nature of Birchat HaTorah.
The Obligation of Birchat HaTorah
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses the Machloket (dispute) over whether Birchat haTorah is recited on Chumash only or also on Torah SheBaal Peh (Talmud, Mishna, and Midrash).
The Brocha of Ahava Rabba
Posted onRabbi Moshe N. Reichman explains why Ahava Rabba is recited specifically during the day, and discusses the prohibition against learning Torah without a brocha.
Extending Brachot
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses the prohibition to add or shorten brachot.
Laying Down for Kriat Shema
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman expounds on Tosefot’s interpretation of Beit Hillel’s opinion that one may not recite kriat shema while laying down.
Mitzva Exemptions, Part 4: A Mourner Wearing Tefillin
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses how the exemption of “Osek B’mitzvah patur min hamitzvah” applies to a mourner wearing tefillin.
Mitzva Exemptions Part 3: Tzedaka
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses how the exemption of “osek b’mitzvah patur min hamitzvah” applies to giving tzedaka.
Mitzva Exemptions, Part 2
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman analyzes the Machloket Rishonim (halachic dispute between the Early Commentaries) of “Osek B’Mitzva Patur min Hamitzvah”, and the halachic ramifications thereof.
Mitzva Exemptions
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses the machlokes (Talmudic dispute) between Rashba and Rav Hai Gaon and between Tosefot and the Ra regarding the nature of the Talmudic dictum- “Oseik B’Mitzvah Patur Min Hamitzvah”, one who is currently involved in a Mitzva is exempt from fulfilling a different mitzvah that he encounters simultaneously.
A Chosson’s Exemption From Kriyat Shema
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses the Gemara on Daf 11A, regarding a Chosson (bridegroom)’s exemption from reciting Kriyat Shema.