Introduction to Krias Shema: Welcome to the Heichal, the sanctuary of the Bais HaMikdash (Holy Temple). I'm Sarah, and I'd like to introduce you to your guides for the day, Kedusha and Torah, who will be leading you to your destination of Kabbalas Ol Malchus Shamayim. Have a great Shema! שמע ישראל ה' אלקינו ה' אחד.
In this final session on Baruch SheAmar, we discuss the meaning of Life… or, at least, the meaning of the word "Life", Chaim. ברוך שאמר
It's the Baruch SheAmar Bonus Track!
Just a week after Pesach, you get to peek at the material in Sarah's Secret Files… those mysterious Post-It Notes at the back of the notebook!
What is the connection between Baruch SheAmar and Borei Nefashos? Why would anyone braid their praises? How is prayer "Inner Divine Service"? How can we make Hashem's Name any greater than it already is? Why is "mentioning God's Name" so great?
Find out in this bonus session on Baruch SheAmar!
ברוך שאמר…ובשירי דוד עבדך… נגדלך ונשבחך ונפארך ונזכיר שמך…
As Tefillin are a tool for Tefilla, Tehillim are a tool for Tehilla — for negotiating the path from the dark of abandonment to the light of God's kingship. ברוך שאמר… נגדלך ונשבחך ונפארך ונזכיר שמך ונמליכך.
ברוך שאמר… ברוך אומר ועושה, ברוך גוזר ומקיים.
Aspects of Justice.
Baruch SheAmar Part II: “These are the generations of the Heavens and the Earth: with [the letter] “hei” they were created.” (Mechilta) God’s Word is creation, is ongoing, and defines reality and truth. ברוך שאמר
Baruch SheAmar Part I: The Ten Statements of Creation. We start translating the text of Baruch SheAmar, introduced by ten phrases describing Hashem's infinite Name. Opening with the word "Baruch" (explored previously in Birchos HaShachar) which emerges inevitably from an honest view of Hashem's loving kindness to Creation. ברוך שאמר
The history and background to Baruch SheAmar, a uniquely precious string of words, reminding us that everything we see and experience is speaking with us personally and directly. ברוך שאמר
Key Concepts in Pesukei DeZimra: We cover the fundamental definitions: Hallel, Hod, Zimra, Shira — what they are, how they differ, what their impact is. This shiur provides the fundamental ideas required for understanding all of Pesukei DeZimra from "Baruch SheAmar" through "Yishtabach", and will also provide year-round insight into all daily prayers, Tehillim, Hallel and Chanuka. פסוקי דזמרה
This week, we celebrate our move into the next section of Shacharis / Morning Prayers! We take a high-level tour of the past 30 sessions to establish the foundation upon which we will build our learning of Pesukei DeZimra, the Verses of Song. Bonus item!: thoughts on the word "siyum"…! This shiur and siyum was sponsored in loving memory of Rebbetzin Shifra Feinstein Tendler and Mrs. Florence Shoff, by Rabbi Elchanan and Sara Shoff and family. פסוקי דזמרה
We pull together the threads of the Ve'Yehi Ratzon paragraph at the end of Birchos HaShachar (the morning blessings), and see how the theme carries through from the opening to the closing of the Bracha — and, in fact, right through the full set of brachos.
ויהי רצון מלפניך…שתרגילנו בתורתך…הגומל חסדים טובים לעמו ישראל
What in the world is a "Yeitzer", anyhow?! In the ViYehi Ratzon paragraph at the end of Birchos HaShachar (the morning blessings), we express our real desire to make good decisions and take the right actions throughout the day, and pray that Hashem will assist us. ויהי רצון מלפניך…שתרגילנו בתורתך…הגומל חסדים טובים לעמו ישראל
It's like deja vu all over again... The blessing "HaMa'avir Sheina" in the morning echoes the blessing of "HaMapil" upon going to bed. What is so important that we need to bracket our day — morning and night — with it? This couldn't harken back to the Garden of Eden, could it…? המעביר שינה מעיני ותנומה מעפעפי
It's like deja vu all over again… The blessing "HaMa'avir Sheina" in the morning echoes the blessing of "HaMapil" upon going to bed. What is so important that we need to bracket our day — morning and night — with it? This couldn't harken back to the Garden of Eden, could it…? המעביר שינה מעיני ותנומה מעפעפי
Discover a bracha that inspires on every level -- physically, emotionally, spiritually. In this blessing, composed in parallel to the nineteenth blessing of the Amidah (Shmoneh Esrei), we thank Hashem for continually giving us the energy to persevere, to make it through another day, to keep the faith in hard times. ברוך הנותן ליעף כח
We thank God for crowning us with glory — with the ability (and opportunity) to let our humanity rule our animal tendencies, and to let a sense of higher spiritual morality rule our intellect. עוטר ישראל בתפארה
Guest speaker Rabbi Elchanan Shoff speaks on Chana and Prayer during his recent visit from Israel. Download more audio classes from Rabbi Shoff at http://shoffonline.blogspot.com/ Rabbi Elchanan Shoff was ordained by Rabbi Noah Weinberg of Aish HaTorah, and by Rabbi Zalman Nehemia Goldberg, Chief Justice of the Supreme Rabbinical Court of Jerusalem. He currently resides in Jerusalem, where he is a rebbe in Rabbi Shmuel Brazil’s Yeshivas Zeev Hatorah, a Senior Lecturer for Hineni International Programs (H.I.P), a Lecturer for Aish HaTorah, in addition to teaching several other well-attended classes each week. He is the author of Paradise (Jerusalem 2012), Vaani Bahashem Atzapeh (Jerusalem 2010) on Tehillim, and Birchasa Vishirasa (Jerusalem 2012) on Meseches Brachos of the Babylonian Talmud. His weekly Torah email “Strolling Through Paradise” reaches over 1000 people.
Did you know that Eliyahu HaNavi's belt was made of leather from the ram sacrificed at Akeidas Yitzchak? And why does that matter? Join us for a thought-provoking session that reaches literally from one end of history to the other…
We thank Hashem for giving us the strength to unite our head with our heart, and utilize our human strengths to control and thus sanctify our animal instincts. This is demonstrated with the belt -- which ties together, draws close, unifies and strengthens; while also dividing and restricting. אוזר ישראל בגבורה
In this blessing, we thank God for the delightful destiny He offers us in the harmony of individual free will choice married to God's guidance and support. (Be careful not to step on the roosters!) המכין מצעדי גבר
Here’s a special treat! World-class speaker Rabbi Y.Y. Rubinstein (www.rabbiyy.com) speaks on the connection between Sukkos and Thistles… and Jewish Identity.* Rabbi YY is one of the most sought after speakers in the Jewish world. He is a regular Broadcaster on National Radio in the UK and now USA and has written and presented shows for the BBC. The Independent newspaper cited him — along with Tony Blair’s Mentor — as among five people in the UK to turn to for advice. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth has declared herself a fan of Rabbi Y.Y.’s broadcasts saying, “He’s awfully good!”
Now based in New York, Rabbi Y.Y. regularly speaks in the UK, USA, Canada, France, Belgium, Gibraltar, South Africa and Israel. He has written six books including, “Dancing Through Time,” “That’s Life,” and “On The Derech.” His latest book, “The Little book for BIG worries...dealing with serious illness” was published in September 2012.
*This lecture posted by permission of Rabbi Rubinstein. It begins at the 6:00 minute mark.