Rosh Hashana

Have Mercy and Be Happy with us We say in the davening on Rosh Hashanah ותשמח במעשיך חמול על מעשיך that Hashem should have compassion and mercy on us and that Hashem should be happy with us. These two statements seem to be a contradiction. We begin saying that we are unworthy when we ask חמול על מעשיך but then we immediately say ותשמח במעשיך to be happy with us, which sounds like we are claiming to be worthy and good people?...

September 14, 2023 · Dovid

Elul

Videos Motsei Shabbos Slichos 5783 Thursday Night Shiur 5783 Motsei Shabbos Slichos 5782 Thursday Night Shiur 5782 Thursday Night Shiur 5782 Thursday Night Shiur 5782 Motsei Shabbos Slichos 5781 Thursday Night Shiur 5780...

September 9, 2023 · Dovid

Shavuos

5780 There is a מנהג in כלל ישראל to put non-bearing fruit trees in shuls on שבועות because on עצרת the judgement for the upcoming year’s fruit tree is decided (מג"א או"ח ס' תצד ס"ק ה). There are two questions that can be asked. Firstly, if we are judged in regard to fruit bearing trees, why do we put non fruit bearing trees in shul? Secondly, why is it that on ט"ו בשבת which is ראש השנה לאלנות do we celebrate by eating fruit and not with trees, an on שבועות which we are judged for the upcoming year’s fruit do we celebrate by putting trees in shuls, it should be the opposite?...

May 17, 2023 · Dovid

Shabbos HaGadol

Why HaGadol This Shabbos is called Shabbos HaGadol. The Shulchan Aruch dedicates an entire Siman to this and writes in Siman 430 שבת שלפני הפסח קורין אותו שבת הגדול מפני הנס שנעשה בו. What is the Halachic significance of קורין אותו שבת הגדול? Interestingly, the Chidah writes in his Sefer מחזיק ברכה ס' תל that on a regular Shabbos, people greet each other with שבת שלום ומבורך but on Shabbos HaGadol, the מדקדקים greet each other with שבת הגדול שלום ומבורך....

March 29, 2023 · Dovid

Tishah B'Av

Videos Thursday Night Shiur 5782 Thursday Night Shiur 5780...

August 3, 2022 · Dovid