Pidyon

Torah is the Elixir of Life!

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Ben Adam l'Chaveiro
All of Torah is for naught if we don't improve our character.
A special message from Rabbi Dovid Bendory, Executive Director of Pidyon.
20 Tevet 5771 | 27 Dec 2010 | Duration: 1:39
By being honest, straight, and forgiving, we bring Hashem's Holiness into the world.
23 Av 5770 | 3 Aug 2010 | Duration: 15:41
Rosh Elu Metziot 21; CM 263:3; CM 272:3; OC 156:1; MB 156:4
Developing proper middot by treating ourselves with a stringency with which we would not assess others.
22 Av 5770 | 2 Aug 2010 | Duration: 15:20
MT Deot 5:13; MT Gezel 11:17
One of the secrets to a long life...
18 Av 5770 | 29 Jul 2010 | Duration: 13:30
Meg. 28a; Bava Batra 15b
Shalom as a form of compromise.
17 Av 5770 | 28 Jul 2010 | Duration: 17:23
San. 7a
It is a mitzvah to bring shalom; is compromise a form of shalom?
16 Av 5770 | 27 Jul 2010 | Duration: 14:42
San. 6b
Going beyond the letter of the Law.
15 Av 5770 | 26 Jul 2010 | Duration: 14:55
Deu. 4:18; Rashi, Ramban, ad. loc.
There is no better tochacha than that of a prophet -- such as Mordechai's tochacha to Esther. Also: Taanit Esther when Purim is on Sunday.
4 Adar 5770 | 18 Feb 2010 | Duration: 14:26
Est. 4:13-14; OC 686:2; MB 686:2-3
A story of tochacha from the rabbis of the Mishna.
3 Adar 5770 | 17 Feb 2010 | Duration: 13:51
Rosh 2:8
Just as it is a mitzvah to give repeated tochacha when it will be heard, so too it is an aveira to give tochacha that will not be heard.
2 Adar 5770 | 16 Feb 2010 | Duration: 15:02
MT Deot 6:8-9; Yev. 65b
When giving tochacha, we must speak in a way that will be heard.
28 Shevat 5770 | 12 Feb 2010 | Duration: 16:43
MT Deot 6:7
Tochacha must come from a place of kindness and love.
27 Shevat 5770 | 11 Feb 2010 | Duration: 12:32
MT Deot 6:6
If only we could even understand what tochacha is...
25 Shevat 5770 | 9 Feb 2010 | Duration: 16:12
Sifra Kedoshim 4:9; MT Deot 6:6
As Jews, we are responsible for the entire world.
24 Shevat 5770 | 8 Feb 2010 | Duration: 15:56
Shabb. 54b; Ecc. 7:5,20
Once challenge of tochacha is our ability to hear it.
20 Shevat 5770 | 4 Feb 2010 | Duration: 14:33
A look at the first examples of tochacha in the history of the world.
19 Shevat 5770 | 3 Feb 2010 | Duration: 16:31
Gen. 3:8-21; Gen. 4:9-16
We have a mitzvah to help others to improve themselves.
18 Shevat 5770 | 2 Feb 2010 | Duration: 15:06
Lev. 19:17; Targum Yonatan, Peirush Yonatan ad. loc.
Every business transaction, even a simple purchase in a store, is an opportunity for kiddush Hashem.
16 Av 5769 | 6 Aug 2009 | Duration: 15:31
Devarim Raba Parsha 3
To ensure your personal honesty and integrity, find a kosher accountant and a rebbe.
15 Av 5769 | 5 Aug 2009 | Duration: 15:38
Mak. 24a
Issues we should each address to become the Holy Nation we can be...
14 Av 5769 | 4 Aug 2009 | Duration: 16:52
Reflections on Tisha B'Av: what should we learn from the fast?
10 Av 5769 | 31 Jul 2009 | Duration: 17:32
Halacha l'ma'aseh based on the Tzitz Eliezer.
7 Av 5769 | 28 Jul 2009 | Duration: 16:30
Tzitz Eliezer 3:9a
Outside of Eretz Yisrael, all Jewish communities are like border cities.
6 Av 5769 | 27 Jul 2009 | Duration: 15:00
Tzitz Eliezer 3:9a
Permission is given to fight defensively on Shabbos, but is it also a mitzvah? Who should fight?
3 Av 5769 | 24 Jul 2009 | Duration: 16:07
Tzitz Eliezer 3:9a
Just as the Castle Doctrine can be strong or weak on an individual basis, so too on a national basis.
2 Av 5769 | 23 Jul 2009 | Duration: 12:21
Tzitz Eliezer 3:9a
The Tzitz Eliezer's summary of the Talmud's view on war on Shabbos.
1 Av 5769 | 22 Jul 2009 | Duration: 14:13
Tzitz Eliezer 3:9a
If a Jewish city is beseiged, there are distinctions between border towns and inner towns and between personal defense and defenst of property.
29 Tamuz 5769 | 21 Jul 2009 | Duration: 8:51
Eruvin 45a
Introduction: can a Jewish army wage war on Shabbos? A question from 1948.
28 Tamuz 5769 | 20 Jul 2009 | Duration: 16:07
Tzitz Eliezer 3:9a; Eruvin 45a
During the Three Weeks, we don't simply mourn; rather, we long for Hashem and experience our deep loneliness
25 Tamuz 5769 | 17 Jul 2009 | Duration: 15:04
While the halacha requires us to prepare for the worst, we must always remember that Hashem fights our battles for us.
24 Tamuz 5769 | 16 Jul 2009 | Duration: 17:06
Gen. 48:22; Ex. 17:11; Rosh HaShanah 29a; Ps. 20
A look back at Biblical examples of Jews who took up arms; a look at Biblical examples of what we would today call "Gun Control."
23 Tamuz 5769 | 15 Jul 2009 | Duration: 16:19
Gen. 14:12-16; Exo. 2:11-12; I Sam. 13:19-23; Est. 8:11-13
The sad reality of our times is that our synagogues are potential terrorist targets; we have an obligation to prepare to defend ourselves.
22 Tamuz 5769 | 14 Jul 2009 | Duration: 18:43
Piskei Halacha from Rav Moshe and Chacham Ovadia.
21 Tamuz 5769 | 13 Jul 2009 | Duration: 15:32
Igros Moshe CM 2:54; Yechave Da'at 5:55
The halacha goes out of its way to strengthen the Castle Doctrine and encourage an orderly society.
18 Tamuz 5769 | 10 Jul 2009 | Duration: 17:54
MT Geneiva 9:9,11; Bava Kama 117b; MT Chovel 8:14; CM 380:3
The 17th of Tamuz, Self-Defense, and "Never Again."
17 Tamuz 5769 | 9 Jul 2009 | Duration: 12:55
Does the Castle Doctrine apply to a tresspasser anywhere on your property? Or just in your house itself?
16 Tamuz 5769 | 8 Jul 2009 | Duration: 17:44
San. 72b; MT Geneiva 9:8,12
Not only does halacha allow you to protect yourself and your home, it commands you to protect your neighbor and your neighbor's home as well.
15 Tamuz 5769 | 7 Jul 2009 | Duration: 15:02
San. 72b; MT Geneiva 9:7,10
The unfortunate reality is that we live at a time when we need to prepare for the worst. Rav Dovid discusses the Torah view of firearms and more in this "lunch and learn" discussion.
10 Tamuz 5769 | 2 Jul 2009 | Duration: 46:15
When a robber enters a home, can the homeowner assume that the robber is a threat and immediately shoot? Or does the homeowner need to first be threatened in some way?
10 Tamuz 5769 | 2 Jul 2009 | Duration: 15:00
San. 72a
Halacha provides an unqualified right to defend your property.
9 Tamuz 5769 | 1 Jul 2009 | Duration: 16:10
San. 72a
A summary and review of the halachot involved in self-defense; a brief comparison of secular laws; and an introduction to protection of property.
8 Tamuz 5769 | 30 Jun 2009 | Duration: 17:04
Ex. 22:1
A look at the mitzvah of self-defense and a summary of related FBI statistics on firearms in self-defense.
7 Tamuz 5769 | 29 Jun 2009 | Duration: 16:06
MT Rotzeach 1:8,10,13; CM 425:4; Tzitz Eliezer 4:4
When the Torah commands us to "Show no mercy!" it does not mean that we should be cruel.
4 Tamuz 5769 | 26 Jun 2009 | Duration: 16:15
Kohelet Rabba 7:16; Rav Tzadok M'Lublin Divrei Sofrim 28
From where does the Rambam derive the obligation to protect another from harm?
3 Tamuz 5769 | 25 Jun 2009 | Duration: 15:26
Deu. 25:11-12; Rashi, ad.loc.
How do you know when to escalate a self-defense effort to the use of deadly force?
1 Tamuz 5769 | 23 Jun 2009 | Duration: 14:10
CM 421:1; MT Rotzeach 1:5,7; Deu. 25:11-12; Rashi, ad.loc.
What is a "warning?" At what point can a defender escalate to deadly force?"
30 Sivan 5769 | 22 Jun 2009 | Duration: 14:43
MT Rotzeach 1:7
Self-defense as presented by the Rambam.
27 Sivan 5769 | 19 Jun 2009 | Duration: 16:52
San. 73a; MT Rotzeach 1:6
In halacha, self-defense is a fundamental right.
26 Sivan 5769 | 18 Jun 2009 | Duration: 16:07
San. 73a; Deu. 22:23-27
The right to defend yourself and others against attack.
25 Sivan 5769 | 17 Jun 2009 | Duration: 15:12
Lev. 19:17; Rashi, ad.loc.; San. 73a
By virtue of observing the mitzvah of "Love Your Neighbor," we learn fundamental lessons in how to behave properly throughout our lives.
24 Sivan 5769 | 16 Jun 2009 | Duration: 15:18
Bava Me. 33a
Torah expects us to be people, not angels. Though we should strive to be angels, the Torah recognizes that we cannot achieve such heights and thus doesn't demand such from us.
23 Sivan 5769 | 15 Jun 2009 | Duration: 13:50
Bava Me. 33a; Yad Ketana 85 Mada Aseh 3
Rav Moshe's understanding of the application of Rabbi Akiva's statement that your life takes precedence over another's.
19 Sivan 5769 | 11 Jun 2009 | Duration: 14:50
Igros Moshe YD 1:145
We learn the actions of "Love Your Neighbor" from Hashem Himself.
17 Sivan 5769 | 9 Jun 2009 | Duration: 17:48
Sifri Deu. 11:22; Rambam Mitzvat Aseh 8; Hegehot Rabbi Yerushum Fishel Perlow on Rav Saadia Gaon's Sefer HaMitzvot Aseh 25
The Rambam's list of actions included under the general principle of "Love Your Neighbor."
16 Sivan 5769 | 8 Jun 2009 | Duration: 16:12
SMaG Asin 9; MT Eivel 14:1; Sotah 14a
"Love" is too abstract to be a mitzvah; "love your neighbor" is in how we act.
13 Sivan 5769 | 5 Jun 2009 | Duration: 17:33
Rambam Mitzvat Aseh 206; Sefer HaChinuch 243; MT Deot 6:3
"Hillel's great principle: "That which is hateful to you, do not do to another."
11 Sivan 5769 | 3 Jun 2009 | Duration: 14:53
Shabb. 31a; Maharsha, ad.loc.
Rabbi Akiva's great principle: the limits of loving and caring for others.
10 Sivan 5769 | 2 Jun 2009 | Duration: 14:33
Bava Me. 62a; Ned. 80b; Ran, ad. loc.
An introduction to the mitzvah, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
9 Sivan 5769 | 1 Jun 2009 | Duration: 15:19
Lev. 19:18; Rashi and Ramban, ad loc.
Davening and Torah study must lead to proper action -- honesty in business among them.
5 Kislev 5769 | 2 Dec 2008 | Duration: 13:26
OC 155:1-2; MB 155:8-11
Sometimes keeping a set schedule for learning means giving up potential business profits. Or does it?
4 Kislev 5769 | 1 Dec 2008 | Duration: 12:51
OC 155:1; MB 155:5-7
Every day, we should have a set time for Torah study -- a time that we are so committed to that we make up for having missed it.
28 Cheshvan 5769 | 26 Nov 2008 | Duration: 14:32
Beur Halacha d.h. "V'Yikba"; OC 155:1; MB 155:4
Learning Torah on your own is quite different from learning with a group.
27 Cheshvan 5769 | 25 Nov 2008 | Duration: 14:19
Beur Halacha d.h. "V'Yikba"
After shacharit, the next stop is at the Beit Midrash for Torah learning.
26 Cheshvan 5769 | 24 Nov 2008 | Duration: 14:42
OC 155:1; MB 155:1-3
Rav Dovid discusses his personal experiences with honoring Torah scholars.
8 Cheshvan 5769 | 6 Nov 2008 | Duration: 12:25
Why do we associate honoring a Torah scholar with honoring elders rather than with honoring parents?
7 Cheshvan 5769 | 5 Nov 2008 | Duration: 14:11
Lev. 19:32, Ricanati
There are a variety of things that we don't do out of respect...; how to correct your rabbi if he makes a mistake.
6 Cheshvan 5769 | 4 Nov 2008 | Duration: 15:32
Sefer HaChinuch 257
At what point are we requited to arise before a rabbi? At what point can we sit? To what rabbi(s) does this apply?
5 Cheshvan 5769 | 3 Nov 2008 | Duration: 15:16
Kidd. 33a; YD 244:9,24
We honor our rabbis, elders, and parents by standing before them and by not calling them by name.
2 Cheshvan 5769 | 31 Oct 2008 | Duration: 14:37
Avot 5:25; YD 244:7-8,12; Shach 6
What are the parameters of honoring Torah scholars and elders?
1 Cheshvan 5769 | 30 Oct 2008 | Duration: 12:17
Pes. 22b; YD 244:1
Dedicated l'ilui nishmat Shneur Zalman ben Shlomo on the occasion of his yahrzeit.
The Sefer HaChinuch sees Lev. 19:32 as applying only to Torah scholars. What is the connection between honoring Torah scholars and honoring our elders?
30 Tishrei 5769 | 29 Oct 2008 | Duration: 13:08
Sefer HaChinuch 257
We are required to respect all elders, even non-Torah scholars, even non-Jews.
29 Tishrei 5769 | 28 Oct 2008 | Duration: 14:52
Kidd. 33a; MT Talmud Torah 6:1,9; Lev. 19:32, Ramban
Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleimah for Breina bas Frieda.
Rashi and Ibn Ezra explain the connection between "Revere G-d; I am Hashem" and "Arise before the elderly and honor your elders."
28 Tishrei 5769 | 27 Oct 2008 | Duration: 14:58
Lev. 19:32, Rashi, Ibn Ezra
Dedicated in memory of Feigel bas Aharon HaKohen on the occasion of her yahrzeit and for a refuah shleimah for Breina bas Frieda.
What is the difference between "respect your elders" and "stand in respect of an elder"? Is it one mitzvah or two?
25 Tishrei 5769 | 24 Oct 2008 | Duration: 16:12
Lev. 19:32; Kidd. 32b
We have a mitzvah d'oraita to honor and respect our elders. Here's one situation where it applies.
24 Tishrei 5769 | 23 Oct 2008 | Duration: 13:01
All Jews are responsible for one another, so there are situations where every adult Jew has an obligation to educate every Jewish child. Two common cases: when a child does an issur for an adult; mitzvot ben adam l'chaveiro.
8 Sivan 5768 | 11 Jun 2008 | Duration: 15:00
Ch"A 66:4-5
Keeping our promises is not just about our interpersonal and business relationships; it is a spiritual necessity for the entire Jewish People and the entire world. We must always be of one voice in heart and speech.
27 Adar I 5768 | 4 Mar 2008 | Duration: 15:29
Sha'arei Teshuva 3:183; Zeph. 3:13; Brachot 2:2
Dedicated in honor of Rabbi Hager, the rabbi of the Wall Street Synagogue, and in honor of Yoel ben Ephraim Mordechai.
We must use a hin tzedek in all of our business dealings -- whether literally or figuratively.
26 Adar I 5768 | 3 Mar 2008 | Duration: 14:45
CM 204:7; Shabb. 31a; Sha'arei Teshuva 3:182
Part of emes entails being true and honest, and that means keeping our promises.
24 Adar I 5768 | 1 Mar 2008 | Duration: 17:02
Lev. 19:36; Bava Me. 49a; Bava Me. 44a; Sukkah 46b
We may only possess accurate weights and measures. Based on the same verse, Chazal admonish us: say only what you mean.
22 Adar I 5768 | 28 Feb 2008 | Duration: 13:06
Lev. 19:36; Bava Me. 49a; Mak. 24a
Changing our words or deviating from the truth does not mean that we are deviating from emes. A proper understanding of emes at times includes deviations from what in English is called "truth."
21 Adar I 5768 | 27 Feb 2008 | Duration: 15:17
Emet l'Ya'akov (Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky zt"l) Breishit 27:12
Sometimes we can deviate from the truth, so long as we stick within appropriate halachic boundaries. But making a habit of such deviation is dangerous.
19 Adar I 5768 | 25 Feb 2008 | Duration: 14:15
Yev. 63a; Yam Shel Shlomo (Maharshal) Yevamot 6:46; Gen. 27:19; Rashi, ad loc.
Rabbeinu Yonah differentiates among different types of untruth, distinguishing between that which is permitted and that which is forbidden. But even the permitted should be avoided, as it accustoms our tongues to falsehood.
15 Adar I 5768 | 21 Feb 2008 | Duration: 13:08
Sha'arei Teshuva 3:181
There are times when we are allowed to deviate from the truth, but knowing how and when is generally extraordinarilly difficult to judge.
13 Adar I 5768 | 19 Feb 2008 | Duration: 14:21
Ketubot 17b; Yev. 65b; Sha'arei Teshuva 3:181
Dedicated l'ilui nishmat Geula Yehudis Malka Rivka bas Chaim Mordechai on the occasion of her yahrzeit.
We have two mitzvot regarding truth and falsehood: "Do not lie" and "Distance yourself from falsehood. Why two mitzvot and what is the difference between them?
9 Adar I 5768 | 15 Feb 2008 | Duration: 16:08
Exo. 23:6-8; Shevuos 30b; Yad Ketana Ch. 10 Deot 1:1
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