Shalom Aleichem When Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah Coincide

Shalom Aleichem (and Kabbalat Shabbat) when Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah (or another Yom Tov) Coincide.

A recording for the BHP daily Halachic Whatsapp group https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gz8rrxqRcfy9rMOXRLG6GS

 

Rischa D'Araisa Season 14 Episode 4: Does the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Figure Into Our Rosh HaShanah's Zichron Teru'ah?

 

Rischa D'Araisa Season 14 Episode 4:

להיזכר מעשים רבים והמון בריות לאין תכלית:

Does the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Figure Into Our Rosh HaShanah's Zichron Teru'ah?

https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/yeshivaofnewark/122150

The Gemara About Rosh HaShanah (Forgiveness and Forgoing) part 7, Rosh HaShanah 17a - Uganda Shiur

 

Uganda Shiur - September 07

VIEW RECORDING - 29 mins (No highlights)

Meeting Purpose

To understand the Jewish concept of Gehenna and divine judgment.

Key Takeaways

• Gehenna is spiritual shame, not physical fire. It's the soul's unrelenting remorse for its sins, a pain described as 60 times worse than physical fire.
• Divine judgment is based on patterns, not isolated acts. God overlooks initial sins, but a repeated pattern establishes a sinful identity and retroactively counts all prior related acts.
• Forgiving others is the most effective path to divine forgiveness. Applying the principle of Midah Kinneged Midah (measure for measure), God forgives those who forgive others.
• Prayer and kindness are the primary tools for a favorable judgment. Sincere prayer can uplift a person with little merit, and kindness toward others directly earns divine kindness.

Topics

Gehenna: Spiritual Shame

• Gehenna is a spiritual state of intense, unrelenting shame and remorse for one's sins.
• The rabbinic metaphor of "fire 60 times stronger" than physical fire illustrates the soul's profound pain when it is fully exposed to its own wrongdoing.
• The physical location, Gei Ben-Hinom, was a valley outside Jerusalem associated with idolatrous fire sacrifices, serving as the metaphor's origin.

The Soul's Journey & Cleansing

• After death, the soul enters a transition period called the "catapult," where it pursues unfulfillable physical desires.
• This phase continues until the soul realizes the futility of its worldly pursuits and develops genuine remorse.
• Only then can the soul enter Gehenna for purification, which is a temporary process.

Divine Judgment: Balancing the Scales

• The Gemara describes God "tilting the scales" for middling people (50/50 merits vs. sins) who did not commit "rebellious sins."
• Two interpretations explain this divine kindness:
  • Rabbi Lez: God adds weight to the merit side.
  • Rabbi Yosef Gavriel: God lifts weight from the sin side.
• Both interpretations achieve the same result: a favorable judgment, showing God's mercy.

"Rebellious Sins" & Their Consequences

• "Rebellious sins with the body" are considered especially severe, requiring full purification in Gehenna.
• Examples:
  • Men: Never wearing tefillin (phylacteries).
  • Women & Non-Jews: Engaging in forbidden relations.
• Rationale: These sins misuse the body, which is a divine loan.
• Exception: A person with these sins can still receive mercy if their overall deeds are balanced (50/50).

Prayer & Forgiveness: Paths to a Good Judgment

• Prayer: Sincere prayer can uplift a person with little merit, earning a favorable judgment.
• Forgiveness: Forgiving others for injustices is the most powerful path to divine forgiveness.
  • Principle: Midah Kinneged Midah (measure for measure).
  • Action: Forgiving others → God forgives your sins.
  • Action: Holding grudges → God holds grudges against you.

Next Steps

• To prepare for Rosh Hashanah, focus on two actions:
  • Prayer: Engage in sincere, personal prayer to express a desire for self-improvement.
  • Kindness: Act kindly and forgivingly toward everyone, especially those who have wronged you.

Torah Im Derech Eretz: Rabbi Dr Isaac Breuer's Moriah pt 11: The of Mission of Avraham & the Exodus

Fathom Summary:

Moriah by Rabbi Dr Isaac Breuer - September 06

Meeting Purpose

To introduce Rabbi Dr. Isaac Breuer's concept of Judaism as a national, not individual, mission.

Key Takeaways

• Judaism is a national mission to fulfill God's plan for humanity (family, society, nation, state), not an individual religion.
• Jewish history is "Meta-History," a divine narrative that transcends "General History" (the natural cycle of power struggles).
• Egypt was the "Crucible" where the Jewish people were forged, learning that autonomous states prioritize political power over justice and that social exploitation is an inherent evil.
• Religious Zionism is an aberration because it seeks to make Israel "like all the nations," ignoring the Jewish people's unique, divinely ordained mission.

Topics

The National Mission of Judaism

• Judaism is a national mission, not an individual religion.
• Core Principle: Humans are social animals. God's plan for creation requires nations and states to "be fruitful, multiply, and conquer the land."
• Avraham's Role: Chosen to restart this plan after humanity's failures (Adam, Tower of Bavel).
  • He is the "father of the masses of nations" (Av Avamogayim), tasked with instructing all nations in God's ways.
  • This role is largely forgotten today.

General History vs. Meta-History

• General History (HaHistory HaKalilis): The natural cycle of power struggles where the strong oppress the weak.
• Meta-History (Meta-Historia): The divine history of the Jewish people, which transcends natural laws.
  • Avraham's Exodus: God removed Avraham from this natural cycle, placing him "above the stars" to found a new, purposeful history.
  • Yitzchak's Birth: A "ridiculous" event by natural standards, symbolizing the start of a history that defies nature.
  • Egypt as the Crucible: The nation was forged in exile (Golus), learning that its destiny is to be "foreigners in a land not theirs."
  • Perpetual Exile: The Second Temple period was a continuation of exile, not true independence, as Israel remained a vassal state.

The Lessons of Egypt

• Egypt was the "Crucible" where the Jewish people were forged.
• Lesson 1: The State vs. Humanity
  • Autonomous states prioritize political advantage over justice, creating an "abyss" between the state and humanity.
  • This legacy creates an intrinsic Jewish restlessness for justice, even in secular Jews.
• Lesson 2: Social Justice
  • The experience of slavery instilled a deep understanding of social exploitation.
  • This legacy explains the historical Jewish solidarity with the working class.

The Exodus as a Metaphor

• The Exodus from Egypt is the foundational principle of Judaism.
• Meaning: Not just a physical departure, but an exodus from "General History" into "Meta-History."
• Personal Application: Every Jew must leave their own "Mitzrayim" (personal limitations) to enter the nation's Meta-History and fulfill their divine purpose.

Next Steps

• Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer: Continue the discussion on Breuer's concepts of General History and Meta-History in the next session.

 

The Gemara About Rosh HaShanah (The 12 Months in Gehennom) part 6, Rosh HaShanah 17a - Uganda Shiur

Uganda Shiur - September 03

VIEW RECORDING - 23 mins (No highlights)

Meeting Purpose

To explore the Gemara's teachings on post-mortem judgment and atonement.

Key Takeaways

• Atonement Tiers: Most sinners face a 12-month judgment in Gehenna, after which their souls are redeemed via their connection to the righteous. A specific class of arch-wicked individuals (e.g., heretics, informers) face eternal punishment.
• Communal Merit: A person's connection to the community provides a crucial source of merit. This is the basis for saying Kaddish for 11 months (not 12) for parents and for the "soft judgment" on the second day of Rosh Hashanah.
• The Shekhinah: Human actions directly affect the divine presence (Shekhinah) in the world. Sin pushes the Shekhinah away, while mitzvot bring it closer, creating a "dwelling place for Him below" (Dira Batachtonim).
• Judgment's Unmasking: In the afterlife, a person's inner essence is revealed. The faces of the wicked appear "black and sooty," exposing their true nature regardless of their worldly appearance.

Topics

The Afterlife: Judgment & Atonement

• The Gemara (Rosh Hashanah 17A) describes post-mortem judgment for Jews and non-Jews.
• Standard Sinners: Face a 12-month judgment in Gehenna.
  • Outcome: After 12 months, their souls are "burned" (purified) and then redeemed by their connection to the righteous.
  • Mechanism: "Wind scatters them under the soles of the feet of the righteous." This is interpreted as:
    1. A righteous person's merit elevating a connected individual.
    2. A person's own good deeds for others providing a path to redemption.
• Arch-Wicked Individuals: Face eternal punishment.
  • Category: Heretics, informers, apostates, Torah deniers, resurrection deniers, community separators, fear-mongers, and those who cause the masses to sin (e.g., King Yerovam).
  • Rationale: Causing others to sin is worse than sinning oneself, as it stems from malicious intent rather than personal weakness.
  • Punishment: "Worms shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched." The punishment outlasts Gehenna itself.

Communal Merit & Judgment

• A person's connection to the community provides a source of merit, especially for those lacking sufficient individual merit.
• Kaddish for Parents: Recited for 11 months, not 12.
  • Rationale: To avoid implying a parent was so wicked they required the full 12-month judgment.
• Rosh Hashanah Judgment: The Zohar describes two days of judgment.
  • Day 1 (Hard Judgment): Based on individual merit.
  • Day 2 (Soft Judgment): Based on communal merit. A person can receive a good year by being a valuable part of the community, even if their individual merit is low.
• Biblical Precedents:
  • Elisha & the Shunamite Woman: The woman refused special favors, preferring to be judged "among my people" (within the community).
  • Yaakov's Prayer: Yaakov cited his role in God's plan (founding the tribes) as a reason for salvation, not just his personal merit.

The Shekhinah: Divine Presence & Human Action

• The severity of the arch-wicked's punishment stems from their actions against "God's dwelling" (Beit HaMikdash).
• Interpretation: "God's dwelling" refers to the Shekhinah, the divine presence on earth.
• Shekhinah as a Feminine Word: In Kabbalah, masculine = giving, feminine = receiving.
  • Significance: The Shekhinah is the aspect of God that receives from humanity.
  • Mechanism: Human actions (Torah & mitzvot) bring the Shekhinah closer, creating a "dwelling place for Him below" (Dira Batachtonim). Sin pushes it away.
• Pride as an Obstacle: An arrogant person's pride pushes the Shekhinah away, making it impossible for God to "live together with him."

Judgment's Unmasking

• In the afterlife, a person's inner essence is revealed.
• Appearance: The faces of the wicked appear "black and sooty like the bottom of a pot."
• Meaning: This is not a literal physical change but an unmasking of true character.
  • Interpretation 1: On the day of resurrection, a person's inner wickedness is visibly reflected on their face.
  • Interpretation 2: In the heavenly realm, one's true nature is immediately apparent to all.
• Rav's Example: Rav believed even the most "upstanding" people of Mechoza were wicked, demonstrating that worldly appearance is deceptive.

Next Steps

• Odupa Abram: Ask about the nature of Gehenna in the next session.
• Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer: Explain Gehenna in more detail during the next shiur.

Action Items

• Email Abram copy of today's shiur - WATCH (5 secs)
• Ask Yosef next session re: Gehenna; he'll explain - WATCH (5 secs)

 

Rischa D'Araisa Season 14 Episode 3: No "Strings" Attached! Insisting On Traditional Selichos

 

Rischa D'Araisa Season 14 Episode 3: 

No "Strings" Attached!

Insisting On Traditional Selichos

https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/yeshivaofnewark/122001

The Gemara About Rosh HaShanah (The Three Books) part 5, Rosh HaShanah 16b - Uganda Shiur

Uganda Shiur - August 31

Meeting Purpose

To explain the Rosh Hashanah judgment and its implications for the coming year.

Key Takeaways

• Rosh Hashanah Judgment: On Rosh Hashanah, all people are judged and assigned to one of three metaphorical books: the righteous (sealed for life), the wicked (sealed for death), or the middling (Beinonim).
• The Beinoni Opportunity: Most people are Beinonim (a mix of good and bad), whose fate for the year is suspended. They have the 10 Days of Repentance (Aseret Yimei Teshuva) to perform teshuva (repentance) and secure a favorable judgment.
• End-of-Days Judgment: A final, ultimate judgment occurs at the end of time (year 6000). The schools of Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel debate the fate of Beinonim: Beit Shammai advocates for purification through suffering (Gehenna), while Beit Hillel argues for God's mercy.
• Interpersonal Forgiveness: Forgiveness from others is a prerequisite for divine forgiveness. If a person refuses to forgive after three sincere requests, the fault lies with them, and the apologizer is absolved.

Topics

The Rosh Hashanah Judgment

• The Three Books Metaphor: A rabbinic metaphor (mashal) for understanding the annual judgment, not a physical reality.
  • Righteous (Tzaddikim): Immediately sealed for life.
  • Wicked (Rishayim): Immediately sealed for death.
  • Middling (Beinonim): Judgment suspended until Yom Kippur.
• The Beinoni Category:
  • Most people fall into this category, as it describes anyone with a mix of good and bad deeds, not just a 50/50 balance.
  • Their fate is determined by their actions during the Aseret Yimei Teshuva.
• "Life" vs. "Death": These terms represent a "budget" of divine resources for the year.
  • Life: A year of blessing, health, and success.
  • Death: The absence of divine blessing, which can include literal death or a year of hardship.

The End-of-Days Judgment

• Context: A final judgment at the end of time (year 6000), after which the world is destroyed for 1,000 years and then rebuilt as Olam Haba (the World to Come).
• Beit Shammai's View (Stricter):
  • Tzaddikim → Eternal life.
  • Rishayim → Eternal torment in Gehenna (for those beyond atonement).
  • Beinonim → Descend to Gehenna for purification through suffering, then ascend to Olam Haba.
• Beit Hillel's View (Lenient):
  • Beinonim → God's abundant kindness (chessed) tilts the scales, allowing them to bypass Gehenna and ascend directly.
• Reconciling the Views: Both perspectives are valid. Some souls require judgment for growth, while others respond better to kindness.

Q&A: Practical Application

• Q: How can we differentiate between the books?
  • A: We cannot. The books are a metaphor. The purpose is to inspire everyone to act as if they are a Beinoni and use the 10 days for self-improvement.
• Q: What if someone refuses to forgive me?
  • A: You must make three sincere attempts to apologize. If the person still refuses, the fault lies with them, and you are absolved. This rule assumes no outstanding financial or physical damages remain.

Next Steps

• Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer: Prepare for the next lesson on the judgment of souls after death.

 

Zohar Al Pi Pshat Day 756. 97b-98a: Zamir: the Year that Bris Milah was Given: 2047 from Creation!

This is a great chiddush!!!

Avraham was born in 1948, so his bris at 99 was in 2047.

זמיר is 200 (ר) times 10 (י) plus 47 (זמ).

That is the meaning of עת הזמיר הגיע!

Also explained here is ברית מילה as the chiseled word (גזר מילה) although the word chiseled escaped me while saying the explanation.

 

Torah Im Derech Eretz: Rabbi Dr Isaac Breuer's Moriah pt 10: Avraham Emerges From the Ruins of Bavel

Moriah by Rabbi Dr Isaac Breuer - August 30

VIEW RECORDING - 35 mins (No highlights)

Meeting Purpose

To analyze Rabbi Breuer's philosophy on early human history and the Jewish nation's role.

Key Takeaways

• Two Tragedies: Human history is defined by two rebellions: Adam's individual arrogance and the Tower of Babel's collective totalitarianism.
• Avraham's Counter-History: Avraham was chosen to create a new history, a "state of God" (Medinat Elohim), by rejecting the flawed models of individual and collective authority.
• Nationhood vs. Religion: Judaism is fundamentally a nation (Am Yisrael), not a religion (Klal Yisrael). This distinction is critical to understanding its mission and was the basis of a major dispute between Breuer and Yaakov Rosenheim.
• Universal Mission: The Jewish nation's purpose is to be a "blessing to all families of the earth" by demonstrating a society whose authority is God, not man.

Topics

The Two Rebellions Defining History

• 1. Adam's Rebellion (Individualism):
  • Cause: Man's usurpation of divine authority.
  • Result: Removal of the divine presence (Shechina) from the world.
  • Consequence: The Flood (Mabul), which broke human pride but led to a new extreme.
• 2. Tower of Babel Rebellion (Collectivism):
  • Cause: A post-Flood inferiority complex → the individual was seen as nothing, society as everything.
  • Method: The first totalitarian state, built on the new technology of the brick, to "make a name for ourselves" (na'aseh lanu shem)—a name for the state, not for God.
  • Result: God's intervention created a confusion of languages, preventing a single, corrupt universal state and establishing the era of competing nations.

Avraham's Counter-History: The State of God

• The Call to Separation:
  • God commanded Avraham to leave his land, society, and family.
  • Rationale: To exit the flawed "general history" of totalitarian states (e.g., Nimrod's) and create a new, ideal society.
• The New Nation (Am):
  • Foundation: A "created nation" (Am Elokei Avraham) whose authority is God, not man.
  • Purpose: To be a "blessing to all families of the earth" by demonstrating a righteous society.
  • Core Identity: A nation (Am Yisrael), not a religion. This distinction is central to Breuer's philosophy and was the basis of a major dispute with Yaakov Rosenheim.

Next Steps

• Rabbi Bechhofer: Continue the discussion on Breuer's philosophy, focusing on the mission of the Jewish nation and the distinction between Am Yisrael and Klal Yisrael.

 

The Beracha on Chocolate and a Fundamental Principle in Halacha

 A recording for the BHP daily Halachic Whatsapp group https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gz8rrxqRcfy9rMOXRLG6GS

Rischa D'Araisa Season 14 Episode 2: Modern Shortcuts: Scootering to Shul; Ozemping your Ta'avos; Micro-Gestures as Mussar

 

Rischa D'Araisa Season 14 Episode 2: 

Modern Shortcuts:

Scootering to Shul;

Ozemping your Ta'avos;

Micro-Gestures as Mussar

https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/yeshivaofnewark/121653

or

https://youtu.be/YjjQ33ff1Xc

The Gemara About Rosh HaShanah (and Changing Fate & Mazal) part 4, Rosh HaShanah 16b - Uganda Shiur

Meeting Purpose

To explore Rosh Hashanah's Day of Judgment and how to influence one's fate.

Key Takeaways

• Four Actions to Revoke a Bad Judgment: Charity, prayer, changing one's name, and changing one's deeds (Teshuvah).
• The Name Change of Sarai to Sarah: This change was a divine lesson, not a necessity, demonstrating the power of a new identity to alter destiny (e.g., enabling childbirth).
• Rosh Hashanah Judgment Categories: People are judged as Righteous (Tzaddikim), Wicked (Resha'im), or Middling (Beinonim), with the latter's fate suspended until Yom Kippur.
• "Mazal" as a "Flow," Not Luck: The term "Mazal Tov" (good luck) is reinterpreted as a "good flow" of divine blessing, which can be influenced by one's actions, location, and purpose.

Topics

Revoking a Bad Judgment

• Rabbi Yitzhak identified four actions that can revoke a bad judgment:
  1. Charity (Tzedakah): "Charity delivers from death."
  2. Prayer (Tefillah): "They cry to the Lord... and it brings them out of their distresses."
  3. Changing One's Name:
     • Rationale: A new name creates a new identity in heaven, potentially altering one's judgment.
     • Example (Sarai → Sarah): This change was a divine lesson, not a necessity.
       • Kabbalistic View: Adding the letter Hey (value 5) to both names created a combined value of 10 (Yud), the first letter of their son Yitzchak.
       • Talmudic View: The name change gave Sarah the physical capacity (a uterus) to bear children.
  4. Changing One's Deeds (Teshuvah): Repentance, as seen with the people of Ninveh, who were spared destruction after changing their ways.
• A Fifth Action (Disputed): Changing One's Place of Residence:
  • Proponents' View: A new location can change one's divine mission and "flow" (Mazal), citing Avram's move to Israel as the catalyst for becoming a great nation.
  • Opponents' View: This only applies to moving to the Land of Israel, whose inherent sanctity is the true catalyst for change.

The Problem of "Mazal" (Luck)

• The concept of "Mazal" (luck) poses a theological challenge, as it implies fate is determined by astrology.
• Rabbi Yisrael Lifshitz's Interpretation:
  • Rejects astrology as a factor for Jews.
  • Defines "Mazal" as a "flow" (nozel) of divine blessing.
  • Significance: This interpretation makes one's fate contingent on actions and purpose, not on fixed astrological signs.

Rosh Hashanah Judgment Categories

• On Rosh Hashanah, three books are opened for judgment:
  • Absolutely Righteous (Tzaddikim Gemurim): Immediately written and sealed for life.
  • Absolutely Wicked (Resha'im Gemurim): Immediately written and sealed for death.
  • Middling People (Beinonim): Judgment is suspended until Yom Kippur, allowing them to influence their fate through repentance.
• Interpretation of "Wicked" (Rasha):
  • Literal View: A person with no chance of repentance.
  • Judgment-Based View: A person whose fate is clear for other reasons.
    • Example: A 100-year-old person is a "Rasha" in judgment because their time is up, regardless of their deeds.
    • Example: A wicked person who performed a few mitzvot may be a "Tzaddik" in judgment, kept alive to receive their reward in this world.

Festival Obligations

• Two additional obligations for festivals (Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot):
  • Visit One's Teacher: A substitute for the pilgrimage to the Temple, as the teacher's presence is considered holy.
  • Achieve Ritual Purity (Tahara): Required for all Jews to eat holy foods (e.g., sacrifices, Trumah) during the festival.

Next Steps

• Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer: Continue the discussion on Rosh Hashanah judgment categories in the next session.