Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz – Shares how to deal with the “hang over” that may have happened after the string of Jewish Holidays and how we can deal with this psychologically and spiritually. Rabbi Breitowitz shares how the first month of the Jewish year (Tishrei) encompasses the template for the entire year (both the ups and downs, joys and solemnity, introspection, and outward joy). Interesting stories for both Baale Teshuva (newly religious) and those who were born religious.
Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz – Shares a clear explanation of the relationship of the body and the soul and why it matters on Yom Kippur and how this can aide us to do teshuva. Also, includes some interesting information on the five individual restrictions we observe on Yom Kippur.
Rabbi Mendel Kessin – There are so many deep concepts about teshuva in this class by Rabbi Kessin including why we read about the “binding of Yitzchak” and what that means to our personal teshuva during the “ten days of repentance”. Also, learning and coming closer to our role in the tikun (the fixing of the World) and how it can help bring the geula (the redemption).
Rabbi David Yisrael Kalmus – Both these videos are good primers for the days leading up to Yom Kippur. The focus on turning our challenges in life into messages from Hashem to help instead of insurmountable obstacles meant to make your life difficult with no reason.
Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz – Shares one of the most concise and focused guides to preparing for Rosh Hoshana and getting the most of it as well. Often a unity of purpose helps one cut through the noise and confusion and allows real growth to come out. Great roadmap to start with!
Rabbi Alon Anava – Brings back the topic of Pesach Sheni which we actually had on the Jewish calendar over a month ago but is brought up again in this week’s Torah Portion. Why is there a second chance for the holiday of Pesach (Passover) specifically? Why are there no second chances for other Jewish holidays? What is so special about Pesach that it “requires” a second chance? Why are we talking about this now (isn’t it too late)? Why is this related to Brit Milah (circumcision)? Listen to the calls by Rabbi Anava to learn the answers to these questions.
Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz – Interesting take on when did the Jewish people really receive the Torah and why it’s not necessarily accurate that we received it specifically on Shavuot like we typically celebrate. Most important however is how and why G-d gave us the Torah to help in forming the Laws instead of just telling us exactly what to do.
Rabbi Asher Baruch Wegbreit – On these two short videos Rabbi Wegbreit shares with us on how we can greet others and listen to the Torah reading on receiving the Torah both with kavanah (intent) to help elevate our Shavuot experience and connect to Hashem.
Rabbi Mendel Kessin – Fascinating (final) class on the Pesach/Shavuot role in the tikun process which culminates this Saturday night on Shavuot. Rabbi Kessin explains how Adam (HaRishon “the first”) was so closely connected to Hashem at the very beginning of his existance until he lost that connection after the sin of eating of the fruit of the tree of good and bad. After that sin, he was then separated from Hashem. Before the sin he knew at an intrinsic level that he was nothing and there is only Hashem, after the sin he lost that knowing. Then not only was (and the rest of mankind subsequent to that) required to work for their sustenance, unlike before when work was not necessary at all, but that very work has an additional punishment in that it causes man to thinking that its him alone providing his sustenance and Hashem is separate from that process. Man lost his very knowing that there is only Hashem. To try to claw that knowing back we now need to do mitzvot (which were given on the original Shavuot and through the 2nd set of tablets) and/or through suffering. The mitzvot help us to reconnect and humble ourselves to do Hashem’s will even if we don’t “think” its the right thing to do which gets us closer to fixing our reality that there is just Hashem. Then there is suffering which does the same thing because it forces us to know we are nothing because we cant help ourselves out of suffering which makes us feel powerless and again gets us closer to know that there is only Hashem. Both are the tikunim collectively and individually for that original sin of Adam HaRishon. Shavuot is the giving of the Torah which is a gift to get back to the original state before the sin.
