Torah Im Derech Eretz: Moriah by Rabbi Dr Isaac Breuer part 1, Human Society

Moriah by Rabbi Dr Isaac Breuer - June 21

Meeting Purpose

To introduce Rabbi Dr. Isaac Breuer's philosophy on society from his book, Moriah.

Key Takeaways

• Society is Essential for Human Existence: Humans are social animals; isolation ("lo tov") is not viable. Society fulfills material needs, freeing individuals for spiritual development, and is the necessary context for developing core character traits (e.g., love, generosity).
• Human Society is a Conscious Act of Will: Unlike instinct-driven animal societies, human society is a dynamic, abstract entity built on a conscious "arrangement" (seder) of relationships. It is a continuous act of "let it be" (yehi), constantly shaped by free will.
• Visions Transcend Their Origins: A vision born from a natural cause (e.g., freedom from oppression) gains independent value, becoming a goal far greater than its initial trigger. This principle explains how human societies develop complex ideals.

Topics

The Necessity of Society

• Core Premise: Humans are social animals; isolation is "not good" (lo tov).
• Material Needs: Society fulfills basic needs, freeing individuals for spiritual development.
  • Example (Rambam): Intellectuals need others to handle practical tasks (cooking, cleaning) to focus on study.
• Spiritual Needs: Society is the necessary context for developing character traits (e.g., love, generosity) and even for manifesting love of God through loving His creatures.

The Family as Society's Foundation

• First Unit: The family is society's foundational "cell."
• Origin: The first mitzvah, pru u'rvu (procreation), establishes the family.
  • Pru: Marriage.
  • U'rvu: Family connections.
  • Milu et ha'aretz: Society and civilization.
• Paradigm: Family relations serve as the model for all societal relationships and personality development.

Human vs. Animal Society

• Animal Society:
  • Basis: Natural instinct; a biological fact.
  • Structure: An "organism" where parts (e.g., soldier/worker ants) are defined by their function.
  • Nature: A static, analytical unity (like the concept "apple") that adds no value beyond its components.
• Human Society:
  • Basis: Self-consciousness and free will.
  • Nature: A dynamic, abstract entity built on a conscious "arrangement" (seder) of relationships.
  • Formation: A continuous act of "let it be" (yehi), constantly shaped by the collective will of its members.

The Power of Vision

• Principle: A vision born from a natural cause gains independent value, becoming a goal far greater than its initial trigger.
• Example: Slaves' desire to end oppression (the cause) evolves into a vision of freedom (the effect) with its own independent value.
  • This explains how societies develop complex ideals (e.g., the American Revolution's vision of self-governance).

Next Steps

• Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer: Continue the discussion on Moriah in the next session, starting from page 21.

Join our WhatsApp group:

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New Weekly Torah Im Derech Eretz Shiur in Moriah! Sundays 9:30 am ET

 New weeklyTorah im Derech Eretz Shiur!

Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73111682042?pwd=oOL1PoozH4dvpvvSvaExnpcpzm9Qgm.1

Topic: Moriah by Rabbi Dr Isaac Breuer
Time: Jun 21, 2026 09:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada). Every week on Sunday.

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Weekly: https://us04web.zoom.us/meeting/upcsduiupjkqHtaA2FrS4D8aa0UhKBBctF_K/ics?icsToken=DJSbhaiiUStmw3Go7QAALAAAAFx7N5gYVka3CBXSZoXXkBerpaSijXOdgj6tDVqK9RTBQ1L3rTJlfzM9s9373jcfJR-lUoxr4fuu7qpLXTAwMDAwMQ&meetingMasterEventId=tZd9dJq0S5a_JbAqshwK2Q


Meeting ID: 731 1168 2042 Passcode: 431304

Rischa D'Araisa Season 13 Episode 9: Basking in the Presence: National Anthems, Torch Songs, Athletic Achievement, and the Drafting of Post-Seminary Girls

 

Rischa D'Araisa Season 13 Episode 9:

Basking in the Presence:

National Anthems, Torch Songs, Athletic Achievement, and the Drafting of Post-Seminary Girls

https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/yeshivaofnewark/118862

Rischa D'Araisa Season 13 Episode 8: Rabbinic Kings Declare War; Rischa Prize Finalists

 

Rischa D'Araisa Season 13 Episode 8:

Rabbinic Kings Declare War;

Rischa Prize Finalists

https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/yeshivaofnewark/118729

Hearing a Beracha Acharona from Someone Else When You Have Eaten Something Different

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

 

Torah Im Derech Eretz Webinar: Building TIDE Chinuch from the Home

 

Meeting Purpose

Discuss how to implement Torah im Derech Eretz (TIDE) principles in the home.

Key Takeaways

• TIDE's core principle is integration, not isolation. It's a mission statement for active involvement in the world, contrasting with the isolationist model prevalent in some communities.

• The home is the primary TIDE institution. Parents must model values like truthfulness and respect, as schools cannot teach these virtues.

• Parents must counter school messages that conflict with Torah values. Use Torah sources to show children why a message is wrong, teaching them to discriminate between truth and falsehood without undermining a teacher's authority.

• Engage with the secular world as a teaching opportunity. Use examples of non-Jewish goodness to demonstrate the universal power of Torah's sparks and the concept of Tzelem Elokim (the divine image).

Topics

The Problem: A TIDE Institutional Gap

• No formal institution perfectly embodies TIDE ideals.

• The goal is to reintroduce and enhance TIDE principles to address contemporary community challenges.

• This discussion focuses on applying TIDE in the home, a responsibility that persists regardless of school environment.

TIDE's Core Principle: Integration vs. Isolation

• Integration: Active involvement in the world is essential to the Torah Jew's mission.

• Isolation: Retreating into a "cozy ghetto" is not a legitimate Torah model.

• Historical Context: Rav Hirsch formalized integration into a mission statement, whereas previous patterns of life were often circumstantial.

• Modern Relevance: This principle is critical in Eretz Yisrael, where isolationist chinuch models have demonstrably failed.

Practical Application: What Parents Can Do

• Exposure: Intentionally expose children to diverse people and ideas.

  • Non-Jews: To foster respect and counter contempt.

  • Non-Religious Jews: To avoid reductionist views of others.

  • Ideas: Jewish history (beyond simple biographies), general wisdom (e.g., public libraries), and current events.

• Critical Thinking: Encourage curiosity and the ability to discriminate between values.

  • Goal: Challenge children to think, question, and defend Yiddishkeit, avoiding the "assembly line" production of unthinking automatons.

• Communication: Develop strong oral and written skills.

  • Rationale: Effective communication is necessary to convey the beauty of Torah to the world.

The Home as the Primary Institution

• Hirsch's View: The home is the sole source for teaching virtues like truthfulness, respect for law, and altruism.

• Parental Responsibility: Parents must model these values directly.

  • Example: Avoid small dishonesties (e.g., lying about a child's age for a discount).

• Shabbos Table: Use it as a tool for value-driven discussion, not just gossip.

  • Focus: Inspire children with the meaning of being an Or LaGoyim (a light unto the nations).

  • Method: Foster open, robust debate on important topics.

Countering Conflicting School Messages

• The Challenge: Schools may teach non-Torah values (e.g., bittul Torah, ethnic jokes).

• The Solution: Use Torah sources to show children why a message is wrong.

  • Rationale: The value of Toras Emes (Torah's truth) overrides the value of Yiras Av (respect for a father/teacher) when there is a clear conflict with Torah law.

  • Method: Frame it as "the Torah says otherwise," not as an argument against the teacher.

• The Principle: "Torah is Torah's emes, and you can't build Torah's emes with sheker (falsehood)."

Navigating Secular Society

• The Question: How to teach respect for people without adopting opposing secular values?

• The Answer: This is the essence of havdalah (distinction).

  • Framework: Use Rav Yehudah Levy's Khuzari model:

    1. Be a Mensch: Achieve basic human decency.

    2. Be a Kadosh: Strive for holiness.

  • Application: Secular society can produce menschen but not kedoshim. We are addicted to kedusha.

• Teaching Opportunities:

  • Non-Jewish Goodness: Use examples (e.g., a Salvation Army volunteer) to show the universal power of Torah's sparks and Tzelem Elokim.

  • Connecting: Find ways to connect respectfully with non-Jews, as Rav Yaakov Kamenevsky did.

  • Personal Experience: Gershon Seif's chaplaincy work showed him that "these are my people," shifting his perspective from "us vs. them."

Next Steps

• Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer: Post the webinar recording on the blog and encourage continued discussion on the WhatsApp group and Discourse site.

• All Participants: Continue the conversation on the designated platforms to expand and apply these TIDE principles.

New! Torah Im Derech Eretz Discourse

 

We have opened a Discourse site for public and accessible interactions:

https://discourse.torahimderecheretz.com

Please join us!

When I Grow Up, Should I be a Chasid(a) or a Misnaged(es)?

An optional shiur on a day on which school was canceled because of flooding in the building. Below is an AI summary. I am sure there are typos.

Girls' Shiur - June 03

Meeting Purpose

To explain the core philosophies of Hasidus and Misnagdus in Judaism.

Key Takeaways

• Hasidus vs. Misnagdus: Two core philosophies define Jewish purpose. Hasidus prioritizes Dveikus (emotional connection to Hashem), while Misnagdus prioritizes Shleimus (self-perfection through intellect and character).
• Chabad's Intellectual Path: Chabad is a unique Hasidic branch that pursues Dveikus via intellect, not emotion. Its name is an acronym for Chochma, Bina, Da'as (Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge).
• Music as a Philosophical Tool: Both Hasidim and Misnagdim (specifically the Musar movement) use music, but for opposite ends. Hasidim use wordless nigunim to generate emotional states for Dveikus, while Musar uses songs with words to reinforce character-refinement lessons.
• Personal Choice: Individuals must choose their primary path. The Hasidic path is often seen as "easier" and more accessible, while the Misnagdic path is more rigorous and demanding.

Topics

Historical Context: The Rise of Hasidus

• Origin: Founded by the Baal Shem Tov (Besht) in the mid-1700s.
• Background: A response to a depressed Jewish community following:
  • The Khmelnytsky massacres (mid-1600s).
  • The shattering disappointment of the false messiah, Shabtai Tzvi.
  • A prevailing culture that devalued non-scholars.
• Revolutionary Idea: Dveikus (emotional connection to Hashem) is accessible to everyone, not just scholars.
  • Example: The story of the whistling boy on Yom Kippur, whose raw emotion was valued above intellectual prayer.

The Core Debate: Dveikus vs. Shleimus

• Hasidus → Dveikus (Emotional Connection)
  • Goal: Break through Tzimtzum (Hashem's self-concealment) to feel His presence.
  • Method: Emotional experiences (singing, dancing, tish) and simple, heartfelt prayer.
  • Challenge: Learning Torah can be a distraction from Dveikus if not consciously reframed.
• Misnagdus → Shleimus (Self-Perfection)
  • Goal: Perfect oneself through intellect and character.
  • Method: Intense Torah study and ethical self-refinement (Musar).
  • Challenge: Dveikus is a secondary tool, not the primary goal. Taking time for it during study is considered Bittul Torah (wasted time).

Philosophical Nuances & Overlaps

• Chabad's Intellectual Dveikus:
  • A unique Hasidic branch that pursues Dveikus via intellect, not emotion.
  • Focuses on deep intellectual works (Sefarim) to understand Hashem.
• The Musar Movement's Character Shleimus:
  • A Misnagdic school founded by Rabbi Salanter that adds character refinement (Midos) to the goal of Shleimus.
• Music as a Differentiating Tool:
  • Hasidic Nigunim: Wordless melodies to generate emotional states for Dveikus.
  • Musar Songs: Melodies with words to reinforce ethical lessons for character refinement.

Personal Application & Conclusion

• Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer's View: Inclined toward the Musar Misnagdic path, prioritizing intellectual and character perfection.
• The "Thank You Hashem" Phenomenon: A modern example of the Hasidic approach's widespread appeal, offering a light, accessible feeling of connection.
• Hashgacha Pratit (Divine Providence): The Besht popularized the idea of constant, minute divine intervention. This concept is linked to Dveikus as it fosters a feeling of constant closeness to Hashem.

Next Steps

• Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer: Post the article on Hasidus vs. Misnagdus to Google Classroom.
• Participants: Reflect on personal inclinations toward Dveikus or Shleimus to inform personal growth.

This Sunday! Torah Im Derech Eretz Zoom Webinar, 2:30 pm

 

Rischa D'Araisa Season 13 Episode 7: Dying on the Sword of Hashkafah: The Magen David; Giyus; Aliyah

 

Rischa D'Araisa Season 13 Episode 7:

Dying on the Sword of Hashkafah:

The Magen David; Giyus; Aliyah

https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/yeshivaofnewark/118467