ב"ה
The internet made copying effortless, not innocent. This class examines what it means to use photos, music, books, and content that someone else created, especially when it’s publicly accessible. We explore boundaries, intent of the creator, user agreements, and how halacha understands ownership beyond physical objects. A major case study, Slavita versus Vilna, shows how serious this question became in the world of Torah publishing. You'll grapple with whether access equals permission, and what you actually owe when you benefit from someone else's work.
The amazing story of the most daring hostage rescue
A short film on the incredible Rescue at Entebbe by Israeli Special Forces commandos of over 100 Jewish hostages taken captive by Arab terrorists at Entebbe Airport in Uganda. For the IDF to mount a successful operation for such a dangerous mission, over 2000 miles away from Israel, flying over mainly hostile countries, and to bring the hostages back to Israel safely required the unmistakable protective hand of G-d. Produced by Sydenham Shul, Johannesburg South Africa, for the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the miraculous Rescue at Entebbe. (Producer: David Fleminger, Narrator: Anthony Fridjhon, Sound: Jonathan Birin Studios, Executive Producer: Rabbi Yossy Goldman)
Parsha Pinchas: Dividing the Land of Israel
Three components were involved in dividing the land of Israel amongst the tribes: evaluation, lottery and inheritance. This class will explore the spiritual significance of these factors and how they reflect three dimensions in our relationship with G-d. (Likutei Sichos volume 28, Sicha 1)
Parsha Curiosities: Pinchas
Upon divine confirmation that he wouldn’t enter the Promised Land, Moses forcefully asks G-d to assure him that the Children of Israel not be left like a “flock without a shepherd.” Our Sages highlight the unique introductory sentence, telling us that it’s a one-of-a-kind biblical verse! Rashi elucidates how it expresses the ultimate paradigm of true leadership and the selfless nature of Moses. At this fateful moment, his response was single-minded concern for his people. Yet Rashi comments on the very next verse that Moses said “it’s time to ask for my own needs, that my son should inherit my high position.” How can we reconcile this egregiously glaring inconsistency?
Letters and Numbers of Torah - Pinchas
"Pinchas...has turned My anger away from the children of Israel by his zealously avenging Me... therefore I hereby give him My covenant of peace." (Numbers 25:11-12) In this verse, the letter 'vav' of the word 'shalom' (peace) is written like two separate letters, a 'yud' above and a small 'vav' below. What does this teach us about how to make true peace?
Exploring Rashi’s commentary on the census of the nation
Rashi is perplexed by the Torah’s description of Moses counting the Jews after a plague decimates the population. His commentary offers a fascinating glimpse into the responsibility of leadership and a powerful reminder of the value of Jewish marriage.
A Metaphor for Exile and Redemption
Before the siege of Jerusalem, G-d commanded the prophet Ezekiel to place an iron pot around a brick symbolizing the city's siege. (Ezekiel 4:3) Iron can be a metaphor for the grave character defect of rigidity or for the deep inner strength of the Jewish people that leads to Redemption.
Letters and Numbers of Torah - Pinchas
"Pinchas...has turned My anger away from the children of Israel by his zealously avenging Me... therefore I hereby give him My covenant of peace." (Numbers 25:11-12) In this verse, the letter 'vav' of the word 'shalom' (peace) is written like two separate letters, a 'yud' above and a small 'vav' below. What does this teach us about how to make true peace?
Letters and Numbers of Torah—Matot
G-d tells Moses, “A thousand for each tribe, a thousand from each tribe, from all the tribes of Israel you shall send into the army [to battle the Midianites].” (Numbers 31:4) The Hebrew word for thousand is “elef,” which is spelled the same as “alef.” What is the connection between the battle against Midian, the letter alef, and the Three Weeks of mourning over the destruction of the Temple?
Parsha Matot-Massei
The Torah prohibits constructing the Temple with wood; only stone and brick are admissible. Yet the high priest's chamber, located in the Temple proper, was made of wood. This class will present an analysis of the subject from both halachic and spiritual viewpoints. (Likutei Sichos vol 28, Parshas Massei)
"Studying the dimensions of the Holy Temple is like building it"
The Midrash relates that at the beginning of the Babylonian exile, seventy years before the Jews’ return to Jerusalem, G-d instructed Ezekiel to teach them the dimensions of the Holy Temple, because when they engage in its study, G-d considers it as though they built it.
Study the Book of Lamentations
The Book of Lamentations is a sad song which contains the most heartrending prophecies of Jeremiah about the destruction of the Holy Temple and the ensuing exile. Join us for an informative and uplifting text-based study of this Biblical book, which is traditionally read on Tisha B’av.
Learning Likutei Sichos vol. 33 Shelach sicha 2
The spies were deeply spiritual people with high ideals, yet they were misguided and missed the point. This leads to fascinating dive into the Rambam’s definition of attaining the ultimate level of love of Hashem. A lesson from the spies: The goal of Juda
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