A Parasha & Halacha Shiur for Parashat VaYetze by Rabbi Moshe Medresh “And [Yaakov] reached the place, and slept there, as the sun set…” The Gemara in Berachot brings a debate whether the Tefillot were instituted by the Avot or correspond the Korbanot. This verse, according to the Gemara, implies that Yaakov instituted Tefilla. The Gemara discusses the time of Arvit … [Read more...]

A Parasha and Halacha Audio Shiur on Parashat Toledot by Dayan Shlomo Cohen In this week’s Parasha we read about the selling of the firstborn rights by Esav to Yaakov. Our Sages debate whether one can sell something that doesn’t exist, and will only come to existence in the future (Davar SheLo Ba La’Olam). According to Ribbi Akiva this is possible, whereas according to … [Read more...]

A Parasha & Halacha Shiur by Rav Mordechai Lebhar One of the most famous disagreements in Halacha is that of Rashi and Rabbenu Tam about the order of the Parashiyot in the Tefillin. This is already an older disagreement, cited in the Rambam’s Teshuvot (there are lengthy discussions as to what the other Rishonim hold). According to Rashi they are placed in the order in … [Read more...]

Rooting out Middat Sedom A Shiur Halacha by Dayan Shlomo Cohen on Parashat VaYera In this week’s Parasha we read about the destruction of the people of Sedom, a town with evil and wayward ways. Hachamim relate many stories of the atrocities they committed. Hashem in all his mercy saw no alternative but to completely destroy Sedom despite Avraham Avinu’s pleas. What did … [Read more...]

A Shiur Halacha by Dayan Shlomo Cohen on Parashat Lech Lecha Avraham excelled in the Middah of Hessed: lovingkindness. Yitzhak excelled in the Middah of Pahad: fear of G-d. It is interesting to note, that although Yitzhak grew up in the house of Avraham, he nevertheless excelled in his own Middah and didn’t just copy his father’s traits (similarly, Yaakov’s main trait is … [Read more...]