Female LessonParashat HashavuaSeries'LibraryPiskei Din (Hebrew)Test YourselfAnswer: There are different customs for saying the Selichot penitential prayers, a Minhag initiated by King David as a means of confessing our sins prior to asking Hashem for forgiveness. Sefardim say Selichot each morning in Elul, just as the Shofar is sounded each day. Ashkenazim begin saying Selichot this Motzei Shabbat (s opposed to the Motza"sh just before Rosh Hashana) as there must be an interval of at least 4 days before the Chag (just as a korban was prepared 4 days before its offering, so we prepare ourselves at least 4 days prior). Why do we always begin on a Motzei Shabbat? One suggestion: We often read Parshat Nitzavim on the Shabbat before Selichot. The opening words of the Parsha, "Atem Nitzavim Hayom," are equal in Gematria to, "la’amod l’slichot" - rise to say Selichot. Selichot, recited either morning or evening, is usually said either very early or very late to demonstrate - by virtue of the unusual hour - our urgency in seeking G-d’s mercy.
DO WE DESERVE REDEMPTION? “Blood, Covenant, and Return”- Parshat VaEra
Are we today so much greater than say the Rambam's generation? Why is G-d returning us to Israel & doing so many salvations and victories over Hamas, Hizballah, Syria and Iran in recent years, even if we haven't done Teshuva & seemingly don't deserve it?
The class deals with how to cleave and strengthen the G-dly trait of "Truth", the need to pray for Teshuva, the importance of returning that which was wrongly taken before saying Viduy, and other aspects of Teshuva.
Rav Kook explains why that which is learned on Shabbat is considered so much greater than that studied during the week, and why creativity is that much greater on Shabbat, for better or for worse!
The class deals with not "resting on one's laurels", and that not a few people who lived their entire lives idealistically, "lost it" upon getting older. Similarly the importance of not focusing on luxuries but on the necessities of life.
Seemingly 'Strange' Rabbinical Decrees- Not What You Thought!
Rav Kook suggests a very innovative and important "eye-opening" way to understand some of the rabbinical decrees which are particularly difficult to understand!