22: Why I am Incredibly Grateful to be a Woman - Part I

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"Woman... had become the savior from death, the dispenser of life, in her the immortality of mankind took refuge. And, significantly, she is not called Chaya but Chava... referring to giving spiritual life, to animating the mind... for the spiritual and intellectual perpetuation of the higher calling if mankind." (—Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, Bereishis 3:20)

P.S.: Post-Shiur Q&A: Relating to Tragedy and Pain. Also recommended: Prayer for Real People 48 and 49.

21: Why I am Desperately Grateful for Mitzvos

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A mitzva allows me to draw close to God despite my imperfections — even because of my imperfections. When I feel this deep in my bones, then a mitzva is not a burden. It's a gift! It's a treasure! God is saying to me, "Come, get closer."

The more my day is filled with mitzvos, the more I can hear God saying, "Come close. I want you. Yes, you. You're my child; I want you close to Me."

19: LaSechvi Vinah Part II לשכוי בינה

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Admit it: You've always wondered why there was a rooster in your brachos, but you never bothered to ask!

In Part II, we dive deeper into the significance of the difference between night and day, the rooster's special sensitivity, and how that can inform our lives and inspire our prayers. "...Who gave insight to the intellect [or: the rooster!], to distinguish between day and night"

"The first morning that dawned over the world was, to Adam, a message that the Divine grace which he had fervently hoped for was granted to him. To him it meant that God had given him the chance to begin life all over again, and to atone for the transgression of the night. He greeted the first sunrise with a cry of heartfelt gratitude: "להגיד בבקר חסדך ואמונתך בלילות" — "To proclaim Your kindness in the morning" (Tehillim 92:3)." (—Rabbi Elie Munk, World of Prayer)

Click here to hear Part I, for the first half of the discussion on "...asher Nassan LaSechvi Vinah".

 

18: LaSechvi Vinah Part I לשכוי בינה

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"The form given to this berachah is indeed noteworthy. It is not "that You have give us the light of day," but "that You have given us the intelligence to distinguish between day and night." This blessing really expresses our gratitude for the gift of intelligence. Nevertheless, it does not refer to intelligence in general, but to our ability to make distinctions, which in fact is the basis and foundation of all knowledge." (— Rabbi Elie Munk, World of Prayer)

Click here to hear Part II, for a deep dive continuation on "...asher Nassan LaSechvi Vinah".

 

17: Chai — Life — Eighteen: The Backbone of Tefillah

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Vulnerability and imperfection are inherent to the post-Eden nature of our physical lives. We aspire to perfection in our thoughts, resolving that our actions will become more perfect as a result.

The 18 morning blessings arouse gratitude for the resources with which to work our way [back] to a place of greater perfection. We are blessed with the opportunity to grow up, and build an intimate relationship with Hashem.

This pattern of 18 forms the armature upon which the morning prayers are layered: 18 Birchos HaShachar, 18 verses in Yehi Chavod, 18 mentions of Hashem's Name in Shiras HaYam, in Shema, in Emes VeYatziv, U'Va LeTziyon, and 18 blessings of Shemone Esrei. Layer by layer, we illuminate and integrate the awareness that Hashem's blessing infuses all aspects of the world.

"Whoever willingly allows himself to be guided by the blessings, whoever utters the prescribed 'one hundred blessings' daily and thus seizes upon every enjoyment as an occasion to thank God and to praise Him, and who utilizes every wish as an occasion to turn toward God for its gratification — whoever does so will be filled with an ever-deepening consciousness of the exalted and with an essential fear of God. … these blessings support and carry the sanctuary of our lives." (R' Elie Munk, The World of Prayer, pg. 14)

Notes:

• Check out Session 08: Introduction to Brachos for more about brachos in general, and Birchos HaShachar in particular.

•  This shiur provides a good basis for focusing on our Avoda of the Yom Kippur service. Click here for further application to our prayers and Teshuva on Yom Kippur.

16: Receiving with Purpose: Melech HaOlam and the Avoda of Rosh HaShana

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Handout: Melech HaOlam

The practical preparation you need for your Avoda on Rosh Hashana.

“Whenever you say to God,
ברוך אתה ה’ אלקינו מלך העולם,

you subject all the powers of your being
to the fulfillment of the Divine Will,
to the Divine service of the deed.” 

— Rav Hirsch, Horeb, pg. 475

P.S.! Post Shiur Discussion: Bonus! A full-length Q&A Track follows the shiur, with practical thoughts adn kavanos for Rosh Hashana, Hamlachas Hashem, and listening to the Shofar!

15: "Elokeinu" / Rosh HaShana

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"Hashem is Master of all powers, personally supervising and guarding every step of my way."

A brief bonus discussion follows the body of the shiur, connecting what we are learning to a greater understanding of our avoda on Rosh Hashana.

P.S.! Post Shiur Discussion: A brief bonus discussion follows the body of the shiur, connecting what we are learning to a greater understanding of our avoda on Rosh Hashana.

14: Life, the Universe and Everything. Really.

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"The purpose of tefilla is the elevation of the thinking, feeling, and desiring inner being of Man to a state of being worthy of getting near to God and His benevolence." — Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch

Today's session starts off the new year with a fast-paced review of the fundamentals. We talk about the structure of Creation and its pattern as expressed in humanity, the Bais HaMikdash, and prayer; and definitions of the key words bracha, baruch, atta and Hashem.

Put your mind in gear, your ears on fast-forward, and brace yourself for a breakneck tour of the meaning of life, the universe, and everything.

For more detail, and at a more sedate pace, check out the recordings of sessions 1-13, below.