85 Lessons
Decoding the Shofar Code
This class (in easy Hebrew) decodes the difference between the t'kiya and t'ruah sounds (shvarim is just another t'ruah, as written in the Talmud), giving many practical examples from everyday life where these two sounds are differentiated. This fits in perfectly with other philosophic and kabbalistic ideas on the topic.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | 28 Elul 5783
The Road to Heaven is Paved with Good Intentions
Our sages say that God "counts" good intentions, but doesn't "count" bad intentions. On the other hand, the Talmud Yerushalmi adds that this is only for Jews, not gentiles, where the opposite is true. And the obvious question is: why? If intentions are serious, they should always "count", and if not, they should never be considered! Rav Kook explains that Teshuva is the easiest of all mitzvot, where even a thought is enough to erase decades of mistakes! On the other hand, it's also difficult, and we must analyze the differences.(Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 32)
Rabbi Ari Shvat | 25 Elul 5183
Shofar Blowing during the Silent Amida
Rabbi Daniel Mann | 25 Elul 5783
The 4th Shofar of False Redemption
Back in 1934, Rav Kook delivered a famous speech in which he described the various motivations of Jews to return to Zion – and compared them to three different shofars. I would opine that today, a fourth shofar has been added, one that is actually dangerous for the process of the national return to their holy homeland, even as it is disguised by its proponents as part of the Redemption process...
Meir Seidler | Elul 27 5782
Checking the Simanim for Rosh Hashana 5783
According to Sefer Bedikas Hamazon by Rav Vaye
According to Sefer Bedikas Hamazon by Rav Vaye
Rabbi Moshe Vaya | 5783
It's not about me
Why don't we ask forgiveness for our personal sins on Rosh Hashana if it is the Day of Judgment?
Rabbi Yonatan Kirsch | Cheshvan 6 5782
Second Day of Rosh Hashanah
Is it universally accepted that everyone in Eretz Yisroel is required to observe two days of Rosh Hashanah? Why do we read the specific haftarah that we do on the second day of Rosh Hashanah? How can our tefillos refer to the second day of Rosh Hashanah as the ‘Day of Judgment,’ when we were already judged on the first day?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Elul 28 5781
Rosh Hashana: Types of Teshuva
In Orot HaTeshuva 11, Rav Kook describes two types of Teshuva - sudden Teshuva and gradual Teshuva
Rabbi Shimon Cohen | Elul 26 5781
What Are the Laws & Customs of Rosh Hashana?
Rabbi Stewart Weiss | Elul 25 5781
Children Hearing Shofar Blowing
Must children hear shofar blowing, at what age, when, and how many?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Elul 24 5781
Was It Worth Creating The World For Me?
Rosh Hashana is the anniversary of the creation of the first man. It's also the day on which God judges the whole world. What is the connection between the two?
Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair | Elul 24 5781