R Yitzchak Shifman Torah Classes
Torah classes by Rabbi Yitzchak Shifman covering Gemara, Parsha, and other Jewish topics.
Episodes
Parshat Pinchas- What is "Shalom"?
While the word is used in association with the gentle Aharon, it is also used with the "aggressive" Pinchas. What is it's true definition and reality?
L&L 127- Importance of Shalom
Bamidbar Rabba (Pinchas) 21:1- like his grandfather Aharon, albeit with a different approach, Pinchas promoted peace.
Parshiyot Chukat Balak- Similarity Between Moshe and Bilam
Based on Rambam it is difficult to understand how a wicked person like Bilam could receive prophecy, let alone akin to that of Moshe Rabbeinu. Kli Yakar explains a wonderful approach to clarify this, but we do leave off with a remaining question.
Parshas Korach- A Coalition of Contradiction
The Torah's warning to not follow in the destructive ways of Korach and his assembly is a practical lesson in productive and destructive behaviors, and the approach to appropriate and inappropriate conflicts.
L&L 126- Miracle of Arnon Valley
Bamidbar Rabba (Chukat) 19:25- a hidden storyline about a great miracle akin to kriat yam suf, that occured in year 40 of the sojourn.
Parshat Korach- Unclear Reasonings for Rebellion
The basis for the upheaval of Korach and his assembly is quite unclear, and this is further complicated with Chazal's definition as an argument of "Korach and his assembly".
L&L 125- Machloket of Korach
Bamidbar Rabba (Korach) 18:4- Korach incited a rebellion against Moshe, resulting in total destruction.
Parshat Shelach- Back to Egypt or on to Eretz Yisrael?
The changing perspectives of the Jews in the desert requires some explanation.
Parshas Beha'alosecha- Serve Him for Him
The message to Aharon regarding the menorah and the inauguration of the nesi'im highlights the proper intent in serving Hashem.
L&L 124- Serving Him for His Honor
Midrash Tanchuma, Parshat Beha'alotecha Siman 5- The service given to Aharon highlights a second step in the proper intent necessary in Hashem's service, following the event of the korbanot of the nesi'im.
Parshat Beha'alotecha- Story and Lessons of Pesach Sheni
The Torah teaches a story that gave way to a mitzva, and highlights it's importance as well.
Parshas Beha'alosecha- Story of Pesach Sheini
Backstory for the unique law of pesach sheini
L&L 123- Shotrim Became Zekeinim
Bamidbar Rabba (Baha'alotecha) 15:20- the mark of leadership is the acceptance of suffering on behalf of the people
Parshat Nasso- Sotah: Rebuke and Raise Up
The sotah is rewarded if she is indeed innocent from infidelity, and this theme is repeated elsewhere. The question is why reward the sinner for their suffering?
Parshas Nasso- Benefits of the Sotah?
Various explanations clarifying the reason a sotah would receive a blessing upon being proven innocent.
L&L 122- Publicizing the Sin
Bamidbar Rabba (Nasso) 9:1- Hashem will publicize the sins of those who think that He does not know.
Parshat Nasso- The Juxtaposition of Nazir and Sotah
Lessons derived from the fact that the Torah arranges the sections of Nazir and Sotah next to each other.
L&L 121- Healed at Sinai
Bamidbar Rabba (Nasso) 7:1, Vayikra Rabba (Metzora) 18:4- parallel of the sending out of the impure from the camp and the healing that occured at Mt Sinai
Parshat Bamidbar- What Torah Is Not...
A history book, a book of mitzvot... not exactly.
Parshas Behar- Verbal Abuse
The prohibition of ona'as devarim and the related laws
Yamim Noraim- Kol Nidrei
Rabbi Janowski Shlita
Yamim Noraim Mussaf- Heeninee and Mussaf
Rabbi Janowski Shlita
L&L 120- Verbal Abuse and Response
Chinuch Mitzva 338, Gemara Shabbat 88b- the terrible sin of "ona'at devarim" and the ways to react to being insulted
Parshiyot Behar Bechukotai- Financial and Verbal Abuse
Two types of prohibitions of abuse of a fellow Jew: financial and verbal.
L&L 119- Charity Levels and Appreciating the Fakers
Gemara Ketuvot 67b-68a, Vayikra Rabba (Behar) 34:10- eight levels of ways to give charity and the appreciation we should have for the fakers who ask for money despite not needing it.
Meseches Bechoros 11a- Chabura: Allowance to Redeem Firstborn Donkey with Money
Discussion of redemption of the peter chamor with its equivalent value and not sheep
Parshat Emor- The Tragic Mekalel
The backstory of this figure makes the story all the more tragic.
Parshas Emor- The Tragedy of the Mekalel?
An analysis of the events leading up to this serious aveira begs further explanation.
L&L 118- Importance of Physical Appearance
Vayikra Rabba (Emor) 26:9, Gemara Taanit 16a- the Torah values the physicality of a person, and directs it's usage in the appropriate ways.
Parshiyot Acharei Mot Kedoshim- Reasons for Arayot
Debate between Rambam and Ramban regarding potential reasons for the prohibitions of relations with the arayot
Parshiyos Acharei Mos Kedoshim- Reasons for Arayos
Analysis of the debate between Rambam and Ramban regarding the potential reasons for the prohibitions of the forbidden relationships
L&L 117- How to be "Kadosh"
Debate between Rashi and Ramban in the way of becoming "holy"
Parshiyot Tazriya Metzora- We Can and Should Change
The mitzva of brit mila teaches an important lesson about self-developement
Shekalim 5a¹ Recap- Swearing/Paying for Lost Shekalim
2 sections- basis for swearing and paying for lost machatzis hashekel (messenger/giver), when have 2 sets of coins (lost, repaid, then found) the usage of each
Shekalim 5b¹- Swearing/Paying for Lost Shekalim
2 sections- basis for swearing and paying for lost machatzit hashekel (messenger/giver), when have 2 sets of coins (lost, repaid, then found) the usage of each
Shekalim 5a² Recap- Transporting Monies to Mikdash
1 section- when transporting the half-shekels from cities to Mikdash the monies were converted into larger currency for ease of carrying, there were "shofros" for paying the half shekel, distinction if delivery person claimed it was stolen/lost before or after the drawing from the lishka (1 Nissan)
Shekalim 5a²- Laws of Transporting the Monies to Mikdash
1 section- when transporting the half-shekels from cities to Mikdash the monies were converted into larger currency for ease of carrying, there were "shofrot" for paying the half shekel, distinction if delivery person claimed it was stolen/lost before or after the drawing from the lishka (1 Nissan)
Shekalim 5a¹ Recap- Divisions and Usage of Kolbon
2 sections- interdependency of divisions of estates regarding laws of maaser beheima and kolbon, debate regarding usages of the kolbon
Shekalim 5a¹- Kolbon and Maaser Beheima, Usage of Kolbonot
2 sections- discussion of potential realities of laws of estate regarding interdependency of paying kolbon/giving maaser beheima, debate regarding usages of the kolbon
Nissan- Months Naming and New Years
Why are months dated from the Exodus and why did we subsequently absorb the names of the months of the Persians? Why is New Year celebrated in Tishrei if the world was created in Nissan?
Shekalim 4b Recap- Kolbon and Estate Division
2 sections- clarification in debate between R'Meir and Chachamim as relates to giving kolbon (or multiple), when division of estate results in obligations of kolbon or maaser beheima and debate of "yesh breira"/"ein breira"
Shekalim 4b- Multiple Kolbonot and Estate Divisions
2 sections- clarification in debate between R'Meir and Chachamim as relates to giving kolbon (or multiple), when division of estate results in obligations of kolbon or maaser beheima and debate of "yesh breira"/"ein breira"
Shekalim 4a Recap- Nochrim and Kusim, Kolbon Addition
2 sections- not accepting machatzis hashekel, korbanos and donations from nochrim/kusim, adding a kolbon when giving machatzis hashekel
Shekalim 4a- Not Accepting, Kolbon, Beginning/End of Bayit
2 sections- if/what allowed to accept from nochrim/kutim, adding kolbon to machatzit hashekel
Megilla 5b²- Issur Melacha of Purim
3 answers explaining the extent of the restriction of doing melacha on Purim and the allowance for Rebbi to plant a tree
Nissan vs Tishrei- What's the New Year?
Two ideas relating to the ways we refer to the months of the year and the beginning of the year
L&L 116- Significance of the Names of the Months
Bereishit Rabba (Vayera) 48:9, Ramban on Shemot 12:2- significance of the names of the months in the Torah and the later names of Persian origin
Shekalim 3b Recap- Pressuring to Give, Obligation of Kohanim, Not Accepting from Some
3 sections- discussion of people who are obligated in giving the machatzis hashekel and on whom we apply pressure, debate regarding obligation of Kohanim and if ideal for them to give, distinction between individuals who we can accept from and those we cannot
Shekalim 3b- People Pressured to Give, Kohanim Debate, Some Cannot Be Accepted
3 sections- discussion of people who are obligated in giving the machatzit hashekel and on whom we apply pressure, debate regarding obligation of Kohanim and if ideal for them to give, distinction between individuals who we can accept from and those we cannot
Shekalim 3a Recap- Public Needs and Grave Marking, Kilayim Uprooting and Hefker Beis Din
2 sections- discussion of matters that the Beis Din would do on 15th of Adar based on rules of Chol HaMoed including public needs and grave marking, order of historic enactments regarding court uprooting kilayim and sources for their ability to make property ownerless and also exempt from maaser
Shekalim 3a- Public Needs and Grave Marking, Uprooting Kilayim and Hefker of Court
2 sections- discussion of matters that the Beit Din would do on 15th of Adar based on rules of Chol HaMoed including public needs and grave marking, order of historic enactments regarding court uprooting kilayim and sources for their ability to make property ownerless and also exempt from maaser
Sefer Yehoshua Perek 5- Communal Mila, Pesach, Malach Outside Yericho
Nations of Canaan were completely fearful after miracles of crossing the Yarden, the Jews performed a communal mila, they celebrated Pesach and manna stopped, a Malach (Michael) conversed with Yehoshua signaling he'd help them conquer Yericho
Shekalim 2b Recap- Yetzer and Donations, Reading Megilla and 2 Adarim
2 sections- power of yetzer hara is highlighted via contrasting behaviors of Jews in various stories in Torah and 3 donations are recorded as well, discussion of Megilla reading (and other laws) as relates to alternative days and 2 Adarim
Shekalim 2b- Power of Yetzer and Donations, Megilla Reading and Adar 1 vs 2
2 sections- power of yetzer hara is highlighted via contrasting behaviors of Jews in various stories in Torah and 3 donations are recorded as well, discussion of Megilla reading (and other laws) as relates to alternative days and 2 Adarim
Parshat Vayikra- Lessons of Korbanot
Chinuch and Kli Yakar teach lessons that are emphasized through the laws of the korbanot
Shekalim 2a Recap- BD Announcements in Adar
2 sections- various announcements and actions on first and fifteenth of Adar, sources for use of new shekalim for public offerings in Nissan, second and not first Adar, and discussion of earlier announcement for distanced communities
Shekalim 2a- Actions of Court in Adar
2 sections- various announcements and actions on first and fifteenth of Adar, sources for use of new shekalim for public offerings in Nissan, second and not first Adar, and discussion of earlier announcement for distanced communities
Sefer Yehoshua Perek 4- Stone Monuments from Yarden
Jews finished crossing the Yarden and the Aron miraculously floated over the Yarden carrying it's carriers with it, 2 sets of stones were erected as monuments for future remembrance of that days miracles
L&L 115- Benefits the Nations Received from the Temple
Vayikra Rabba (Vayikra) 1:6, 11, 12, Bamidbar Rabba (Bamidbar) 1:3- the nations received benefits from the functioning of the Mishkan/Mikdash, even moreso than did the Jews
Sefer Yehoshua Perek 3- Instructions and Crossing Yarden
Jews are commanded in the unique ways they would travel moving forward, Kohanim carry Aron and miracles of the Yarden occur with the Jews crossing to the mainland and the Kohanim remaining inside the dry riverbed
Parshat Pekudei- Have Them Acknowledge Us?
Why was it important for the nations to acknowledge the return of our unique relationship with Hashem following the sin of the eigel?
Sefer Yehoshua Perek 2- Spies Investigate Yericho
Yehoshua sends two spies, Kaleiv and Pinchas, to investigate Yericho, and they meet Rachav, who in turn saves them from the officers of the king of Yericho, they form a pact with her, eventually returning to Yehoshua with a report of the terror the inhabitants of Canaan have of the Jews.
Parshas Vayakhel- To Whom is Wisdom Granted?
The people who were granted the supernatural knowledge to build the Mishkan were unique in having developed a specific prerequisite, yiras shamayim.
Sefer Yehoshua Perek 1- New Leadership
Hashem strengthens the new leader Yehoshua, the shotrim direct the people about 3 days time crossing the yarden, Yehoshua reminds 2.5 tribes about their agreement
L&L 114- Yichus of Betzalel
Shemot Rabba (Vayakhel) 48:3,4- Chazal illustrate the special lineage of Betzalel and how it contributed to his wonderful qualities
Megillas Esther- Perakim 9 and 10
Jews fight and defend themselves and the festival is established for future history
L&L 113- Speak Her Language
Gemara Megilla 12b, Esther Rabba 4:12- seemingly contradictory statements of Chazal revolving around the first letters of Haman teach us a lesson in the relationship between spouses.
Megillas Esther- Perakim 7 and 8
The second party turns the tides, Haman is hung and Mordechai is elevated, counteractive letters are sent supporting the Jews and nations become fearful of them
Megilla 5b¹- Controversial Opinions of Rebbi
3 controversial actions performed/paskened by Rebbi
Purim (Succot)- Be Glad by Gladdening Others
The mitzva of "simcha" is best achieved through gladdening those who need the extra support.
Megilla 5a³- Events Pushed Forward
Reasons the Megilla is pushed back to previous week and other events are pushed forward to coming week when they occur on Shabbos
Megillas Esther- Perakim 5 and 6
Esther approaches the king on day 3 of fast and initiates her plan with party 1 and then requests party 2, Haman wishes to kill Mordechai on gallows he built but conversely he is required to parade Mordechai around the city and then is rushed to party 2
Purim (Succos)- Achieving Simcha
True simcha is achieved through gladdening others, particularly those who need the extra support.
Megilla 5a²- Big Cities Vs Villages and Switching Dates
Conditions necessary to classify as big city and not village (and cannot read earlier), events that are pushed to following week (unlike Megilla reading)
Megillas Esther- Perek 4
Mordechai relates the immediacy of the need for Esther to plea with the king on behalf of the Jews and the Jews of Shushan begin to fast for 3 days in support of this dangerous mission to resolve the decree against them
L&L 112- Wise Men Received Wisdom
Gemara Berachot 55a, Midrash Tanchuma on Parshat Vayakhel 2, Nefesh HaChaim 4:5- discussion identifying the "chachmei lev" and how to receive chochma from Hashem
Megillas Esther- Perek 3
Haman is elevated and conflict with Mordechai begins, Haman plans destruction of Jews and Achashveirosh signs off and sends out letters
Parshat Teruma- Are Eigel and Mishkan Connected?
Explanation of events and order of Parshiyot based on the debate between Rashi and Ramban
Megilla 5a¹- Halacha of Reading With Minyan
Discussion of the ways to create "pirsumei nissa" in order to say beracha on Megilla reading, distinctions between "zmana"/not, including women, etc.
Megillas Esther- Perek 2
King decrees process to choose new queen and Esther is chosen but doesn't reveal her backstory, Mordechai foils assassination attempt on King
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