Yirmiyahu

Perek 27: Accepting Bondage

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This video is class 15 of 17 in the series Yirmiyahu III.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 27. In this perek, Yirmiyahu sends wooden yokes to many nations, warning them that Nevuchadnetzar will be conquering them, and Hashem wants them to accept Nevuchadnetzar’s rule. Rabbi David comments on the symbolism and significance of the wooden yokes, as well as the principle that all events in Jewish history are part of a master plan conceived by Hashem.

Purim

Two Purims

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This video is class 14 of 40 in the series Purim Unmasked.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Purim, Rabbi Hershel Reichman teaches an essay by the Shem Mishmuel, which discusses the mystical reasons for the two separate Purim celebrations, on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar.

Tanach

Perek 136: Pinnacle of Thanksgiving

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This video is class 14 of 18 in the series Tehillim VII.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David explains Psalm 136 as the ultimate prayer of thanksgiving to Hashem. This unique perek lists many of the kindnesses Hashem does for the world, followed by the refrain ‘ki l’olam chasdo’, (for His Kindliness is Eternal).

Tanach

Perek 23, Part 2: Total Reliance on G-d

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This video is class 14 of 16 in the series Tehillim V.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David continues with his analysis of Perek 23. He discusses the issue of balancing bitachon (reliance on Hashem) with the obligation for hishtadlus (expending effort in order to achieve a goal). In this class, Rabbi David relates this tension to the disagreement between R’ Yishmael and R’ Shimon bar Yochai, and shows how this perek reflects the experience of the Jews in the midbar (desert).