In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David discusses the moving episode of Yirmiyahu’s choice after the Churban. Nevuchadnetzar offers Yirmiyahu the option of staying in the destroyed city of Jerusalem with a small remnant of the Jewish popluation, or going down to Babylon with the majority of the Jewish people. Yirmiyahu chooses to stay in Eretz Yisrael, so that Hashem will accompany His children in galut. Rabbi David ends with a discussion of the nature of ‘Shechinta b’Galuta”, Hashem in Exile.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 39, which describes the conquest of Jerusalem and the exile of Tzidkiyahu and the Jewish people. Ironically, Yirmiyahu is protected by Nevuchadnetzar, while those powerful Jews who thought they would persevere are exiled.

In this Torah class (shiur) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 38. Tzidkiyahu, the righteous king of the remnant of the Jews left in Yerushalyaim, is captive to the evil courtiers surrounding him. He secretly meets with Yirmiyahu and saves Yirmiyahu from death. Ultimately, Tzidkiyahu is captured and taken to Bavel, where his eyes are blinded and his children are killed in front of him. At this painful moment, Tzidkiyahu acknowledges that he deserved this punishment, and that all of the prophesies of doom had been fulfilled.

In this shiur (Torah class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches chapter 38. In this perek, the tension between Yirmiyahu, the noblemen, and Tzidkiyahu is apparent. The tension leads to the nobles throwing Yirmiyahu into a lime pit for his prophesies, and Tzidkiyahu removing him and meeting with him secretly.

In this Torah class (shiur) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David compares two kings who ruled at the end of of the era of the first Beit Hamikdash, Tzidkiyahu and Yehoyakim. The Beis Halevi explains that Yehoyakim was a wicked king who lived in a generation of righteous people, while Tzidkiyahu was a righteous king who ruled in a wicked generation.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explains the details and nuances of perek 36. In this perek, Yirmiyahu writes a scroll describing the future destruction of the kingdom of Yehuda. Instead of responding with teshuva, the king Yehoyakim burns the scroll, and the result is disastrous for his future.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 35, which tells of the righteous Yonadav, his family, and their reward. Yonadav is a symbol of simplicity and satisfaction with limited material acquisitions, and his family is held up as an example of steadfast loyalty to their father. In contrast, the Jewish Nation has neglected to listen to Hashem’s commandments.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 34, which begins with the prophesy of the destruction of Jerusalem and the capture of King Tzidkiyahu. Yirmiyahu commands the Jewish people to free their servants, yet many people free their slaves, only to recapture them and force them back into servitude. This sin elicits a strong prophesy of destruction and suffering to the Jewish people.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 33. This perek contains within it elements of both destruction and rebuilding, and emphasizes the everlasting covenant that Hashem keeps with the Davidic dynasty and with the Kohanim and Leviim, which will ultimately herald the era of Mashiach. The many words used to describe Creation in this perek convey the message that the world was created for our sake, yet everything depends on our observance of Torah and Mitzvot.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu Perek 32, Rabbi Avishai David continues to explore the philosophical meaning of Hashgachat Hashem, as it is described in pasuk 19 of this perek. The class includes the writings of the Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim, the Ramchal, and the Sefer Hachinuch, in explaining Divine Supervision of the world.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Perek 32, Rabbi Avishai David explains pasuk 19 in depth. This verse talks about G-d’s constant supervision of mankind, and His Divine Intervention in the world as a reaction to our deeds. Rabbi David uses pasuk 19 as a basis for an exploration of the topic of Hashgacha, Divine Providence.

In this shiur (Torah class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David completes his analysis of chapter 32. Rabbi David delves into the Torah law of redeeming one’s relatives inherited field, and ties in this episode with the parts of Megillat Rut and Parshat Behar that deal with this topic.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David discusses the Gemara Yuma 69, which juxtaposes the tefillot of Yirmiyahu in this perek, and Daniel, showing the ‘amitiut’, truthfulness, of their prayers, as opposed to ours. Despite our failings in this area, we must attempt to feel some of the awe of Heaven and the pain of the Shechina when we daven.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explicates chapter 32. This chapter contains contradictory prophesies, on the one hand predictions of the impending destruction of the kingdom of Yehuda, and on the other hand the command to Yirmiyahu to go redeem his relative’s field, paying for its full value, with documents and witnesses. Yirmiyahu follows Hashem’s command though it seems to contradict reality, and then asks Hashem for an explanation. Hashem explains that though there will be a terrible exile, the Jews will return to Eretz Yizrael and once again property will be bought and sold here. This class includes a vort by Rabbi Soloveitchik comparing Yirmiyahu’s dilemma to that of Avraham Avinu before the Akeida, as well as an explanation of Hashem’s 13 Attributes of Mercy, which appear in this perek in truncated form.