Pidyon

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Yom Kippur Email
Rav Dovid gives a daily halacha at the Wall Street Synagogue in Lower Manhattan. This series covers Yom Kippur.
A special message from Rabbi Dovid Bendory, Executive Director of Pidyon.
20 Tevet 5771 | Duration: 1:39
On Yom Kippur, we set a beautiful table and dress like angels.
7 Tishrei 5770 | Duration: 18:16
OC 610:4; MB 610:7-18; Baer Heitev 610:1,3
The mitzvah of lighting candles for Yom Kippur.
5 Tishrei 5770 | Duration: 10:37
OC 610:1-3; MB 610:1-8
What do you do if you need to take medicine on a public fast day?
4 Tishrei 5770 | Duration: 8:44
OC 328:2,9, 618:1
Selichos are all about pleading our case before Hashem.
25 Elul 5769 | Duration: 5:26
Tur OC 581
Why is the month of Elul a time of selichos and shofar?
22 Elul 5769 | Duration: 15:14
Tur OC 581
Ultimately, teshuva is about loving Hashem. How do we achieve such love?
21 Elul 5769 | Duration: 16:17
MT Teshuva 10:10-11
We can learn Torah with awesome fear or with love. What difference does it make?
20 Elul 5769 | Duration: 15:32
MT Teshuva 10:8-9
What does it mean to serve Hashem with love?
19 Elul 5769 | Duration: 15:57
MT Teshuva 10:4-7
What does it mean to serve Hashem with awe?
15 Elul 5769 | Duration: 12:38
MT Teshuva 10:1-3
According to Maimonides, the Messianic Time is not the World to Come. So what is it? Why do we long for it so?
14 Elul 5769 | Duration: 14:24
MT Teshuva 9:7-10
Hashem gives us goodness and calamity in this world, but that is neither a spiritual reward nor punishment.
13 Elul 5769 | Duration: 15:15
MT Teshuva 9:3-6
The Rambam's understanding of "This World", "The Next World", "The World to Come", "The Days of the Messiah", and the time of the ressurection of the dead.
12 Elul 5769 | Duration: 15:40
MT Teshuva 8:13-14; 9:1-2
There is no "currency" in This World that could be used to value the pleasure of the Next World.
11 Elul 5769 | Duration: 16:17
MT Teshuva 8:10-12
Chazal speak of the Next World in many different metaphors: the Mountain of G-d, a feast, His Holy Place...
1 Elul 5769 | Duration: 9:40
MT Teshuva 8:7-9
After death, the soul carries its acquisitions of This World into the Next World. What does the soul actually acquire, and how?
30 Av 5769 | Duration: 14:18
MT Teshuva 8:6
We talk about experiences like "sitting before Hashem" in the next world; what does that mean!?
29 Av 5769 | Duration: 15:09
MT Teshuva 8:2-5
In the eighth chapter of Hilchot Teshuva, the Rambam introduces us to Olam HaBa, the reward for the righteous, and the suffering of the wicked.
27 Av 5769 | Duration: 12:44
MT Teshuva 8:1-2
Do we say VaY'chulu on Yom Tov Erev Shabbos? When and why?
5 Sivan 5769 | Duration: 17:05
OC 268:1,7,9,11; MB 268:1,18-19,23
1 Shevat 5769 | Duration: 7:32
If you skip a pasuk or perek during Hallel, do you need to go back and correct your mistake? If so, how?
1 Kislev 5769 | Duration: 6:36
OC 422:6; MB 422:26-27
Though a true ba'al teshuva has great merits, nonetheless a ba'al teshuva has an inherent humility as an outgrowth of the teshuva process.
25 Elul 5768 | Duration: 10:02
MT Teshuva 7:7-8
Teshuva draws us closer to Hashem and brings us closer to geula.
24 Elul 5768 | Duration: 12:24
MT Teshuva 7:5-6
Much of teshuva is about the struggle to overcome the yetzer hara -- a struggle that has its own rewards.
23 Elul 5768 | Duration: 11:36
MT Teshuva 7:4
The Rambam emphasizes a whole new realm of teshuva: correcting improper thoughts and middot.
22 Elul 5768 | Duration: 8:41
MT Teshuva 7:1-3
Sometimes we need Hashem's help to do teshuva.
16 Elul 5768 | Duration: 18:16
MT Teshuva 6:3-5
There are some actions so heinous that the consequence thereof is that we lose our ability to return to Hashem in teshuva.
15 Elul 5768 | Duration: 15:16
MT Teshuva 6:5,3
Our ability to draw closer to Hashem through teshuva is dependent on our free will. Just as free will allows us to do aveirot, so too it allows us to correct our aveirot with teshuva.
12 Elul 5768 | Duration: 14:42
MT Teshuva 6:1-2
When is a baal teshuva's return complete? Also: teshuva out of fear; teshuva out of love.
11 Elul 5768 | Duration: 15:08
MT Teshuva 2:1; Brachot 32b
We cannot bring a korban chatat, so what are we to do to make restitution with Hashem?
10 Elul 5768 | Duration: 15:17
Sotah 3a
Normally, one who accidentally commits an aveira like violating shabbos brings a korban chatat (special sacrifice) as a kapara (to make restitution). Does this obligation apply to today's baal teshuva?
9 Elul 5768 | Duration: 15:41
MT Shgagot 2:6; MT Shgagot 7:4
A child has no culpability for wrongdoings as he doesn't yet know better. What about an adult who doesn't (or didn't) know better?
8 Elul 5768 | Duration: 15:20
Shabb. 67b
What are a child's obligations with regard to Yom Kippur and the Teshuva process? Does an adult need to do teshuva for the indiscretions of his or her youth? What about a ba'al teshuva?
5 Elul 5768 | Duration: 17:19
OC 343:1 (Rama); MB 343:6; Ch"A 66; Yoma 8:4
The process of teshuva is incumbent upon all of us at all times.
4 Elul 5768 | Duration: 13:42
Sefer HaChinuch 364
A "Vidui" is not a confession. Just what is it, and what is its role in teshuva? Also: the first two steps toward teshuva.
3 Elul 5768 | Duration: 15:23
Sefer HaChinuch 364
The obligation of teshuva stems from our obligation to speak our hearts to Hashem.
2 Elul 5768 | Duration: 15:27
Sefer HaChinuch 364
We make havdala following Yom Tov, but we don't include the candle or spices. Why?
3 Sivan 5768 | Duration: 15:13
OC 491:1; MB 491:1-2; OC 298:1; MB 298:1
Kiddush Lavana is ideally said on Motzei Shabbos or Motzei Yom Tov. What about after a fast day? This shiur discusses Yom Kippur, Tisha B'Av, Asara B'Tevet, Ta'anit Ester, and other Taaniot.
3 Iyar 5768 | Duration: 17:18
OC 426:2; MB 426:7-11; Beur Halacha d.h. "v'Lo kodem Yom HaKippurim"
After Yom Kippur, we rush to do several mitzvot, among them building the sukkah. We also leave out tachnun as the days until Sukkos have a quasi Yom Tov status. What is the connection between these themes?
13 Tishrei 5768 | Duration: 11:51
OC 624:5; MB 624:18-19; OC 625:1; MB 625:2; I Kings 7-8
Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleima for Moshe ben Ester Ruchel.
We eliminate several prayers on Erev Yom Kippur, including LaMinatzeach, Mizmor L'Todah, and Tachnun -- though each is eliminated for a different reason. Slichot are shortened and Avinu Malkeinu is skipped.
7 Tishrei 5768 | Duration: 7:57
OC 604:2; MB 604:3-5
Most of us eat on the day before Yom Kippur to prepare ourselves for the upcoming fast. But it is actually a mitzvah to eat on Erev Yom Kippur. Why is that?
6 Tishrei 5768 | Duration: 15:39
OC 604:1; MB 604:1-2
Join Rav Dovid for a corporate "Lunch and Learn" discussion on relating to the High Holidays in our modern times. What makes the Yomim Noraim relevant for us today? Is this just a bunch of "New Year's Resolutions" that, like all other such resolutions, will be forgotten within days of Yom Kippur? How should we relate to Rosh HaShanah, and why do these Holidays occur back-to-back on the calendar?
28 Elul 5767 | Duration: 51:47
Resolving the second contradiction of Free Will: if Hashem knows what we will choose before we choose, how is our choice "free," and how can we say that our choices impact the world? And if Hashem doesn't know, how can we say that Hashem is All-Knowing? Finally, what does Free Will have to do with teshuva that the Rambam chose to put this chapter here rather than in Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah?
17 Elul 5767 | Duration: 15:34
MT Teshuva 5:9-13
For the Rambam, Free Will is axiomatic. If we accept this axiom, how do we resolve the conflicts it implies -- namely, if an All-Knowing G-d knows what we will choose before we choose, how is it that our choice is free? And how could it be that an All-Powerful G-d whose Will determines the course of all history in the universe is not in control of our actions?
15 Elul 5767 | Duration: 11:51
MT Teshuva 5:6-8
Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleima for Yeshua Yaakov ben Froma.
Free Will is one of the axioms on which all of teshuva rests. There are no external forces that determine our actions; rather, our choices are up to us. And those same choices ultimately determine who we are and what we become.
14 Elul 5767 | Duration: 12:41
MT Teshuva 5:3-5
Free will -- or more particularly, the will to change -- is a critical component of teshuva. How important is it? According to the Rambam, we each have the ability to be as righteous as Moshe Rabbeinu -- if only we will it.
13 Elul 5767 | Duration: 10:11
MT Teshuva 5:1-2
Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleimah for Ariella Rivkah ben Devora Pessel.
There are five behavioral character traits that are so harmful that the Rambam need not even explain them. They contaminate the neshoma, and even worse, they are self-perpetuating.
10 Elul 5767 | Duration: 13:56
MT Teshuva 4:5-6
There are five actions which appear inconsequencial to us but which are in fact aveirot as serious as any other. It is difficult to do proper teshuva for such actions because we don't recognize them as aveirot, and even if we do, we fail to acknowledge the severity of the transgression.
9 Elul 5767 | Duration: 13:40
MT Teshuva 4:4
The Rambam tells of five aveirot committed against others for which we cannot repent, as we don't know against whom we have sinned.
8 Elul 5767 | Duration: 21:06
MT Teshuva 4:3
The Rambam lists five aveirot that "lock the path of Teshuva", and from them we derive five actions that expedite teshuva.
7 Elul 5767 | Duration: 13:33
MT Teshuva 4:2
Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleima for Yeshua Yaakov ben Froma.
Introduction to the fourth chapter of Hilchot Teshuva, a list of twenty-four aveirot that deter or prevent a person from completing proper teshuva. From this chapter, we learn not only of activities for which teshuva is nearly impossible, but also of activities that facilitate and expedite the teshuva process. This first shiur deals with the first four such activities, both as aveirot and mitzvot. The common thread: our impact on others -- for better and for worse -- has tremendous implications.
6 Elul 5767 | Duration: 13:32
MT Teshuva 4:1
A close reading of the well-known Iggeret HaRamban, ethical instructions sent by Nachmanides to his son Nachman, with an eye on the themes of musar and teshuva.
30 Av 5767 | Duration: 41:14
Iggeres HaRamban (English) (Note: to view Hebrew in your browser, you may need to set the character encoding to "Hebrew (Windows)".)
Some people fast every Erev Rosh Chodesh for Yom Kippur Katan. What's it all about?
29 Av 5767 | Duration: 9:56
OC 417:1; MB 417:4
Why do we recite L'David Ori during the entire month of Elul? And why is the season of teshuva so long?
26 Av 5767 | Duration: 14:07
Siddur HaGra
Customs of Elul: selichot, shofar, and Hashem Ori.
25 Av 5767 | Duration: 11:08
OC 581:1; MB 581:1-3
What is so special about Yehudah that the Jewish people are called "Jews" due to him? What is it that makes a Jew Jewish?
8 Tevet 5767 | Duration: 56:04
Gen 44-46
Hashem runs the world mida k'neged mida -- "measure for measure". Understanding this concept helps us gain insight into Divine Justice and how to do proper teshuva. This class further explores the concept of mida k'neged mida as manifest throughout the narration of Joseph and his brothers.
1 Tevet 5767 | Duration: 1:03:15
Gen 40-43
Hashem runs the world mida k'neged mida -- "measure for measure". Understanding this concept helps us gain insight into Divine Justice and how to do proper teshuva. This class explores the concept of mida k'neged mida as manifest throughout the narration of Joseph and his brothers.
24 Kislev 5767 | Duration: 56:35
Gen 37-38
In addition to serious transgressions like heresy, the Rambam lists are several transgressions that seem minor in comparison... but that cause a Jew to lose his portion in olam ha-ba.
21 Elul 5766 | Duration: 11:05
MT Teshuva 3:14
Given as a zechus for a refuah shleima for Ariella Rivkah bas Devora Pessel.
One who separates himself from the Jewish people in this world will be spiritually cut off in the next. So too, one who causes the Nation of Israel to sin will be spiritually excised. Hashem's response to us is measure for measure: as we treat Him, so too will He treat us.
20 Elul 5766 | Duration: 14:04
MT Teshuva 3:11-14
Given as a zechus for a refuah shleima for Ariella Rivkah bas Devora Pessel.
The status of: a mumar who is known to violate a particular mitzvah; a mumar who publicly follows a foreign belief system out of convenience; and those who cause the community as a whole to sin.
19 Elul 5766 | Duration: 13:23
Kidd. 40a; MT Teshuva 3:9-10
Given as a zechus for a refuah shleima for Ariella Rivkah bas Devora Pessel.
Deniers of Hashem, deniers of prophecy, and deniers of Torah: various forms of heresy.
18 Elul 5766 | Duration: 10:33
MT Teshuva 3:7-8
Jews who lose their portion in Olam HaBa.
15 Elul 5766 | Duration: 12:33
MT Teshuva 3:6
What is the impact of Teshuva on a Jew's portion of Olam HaBa?
14 Elul 5766 | Duration: 7:36
MT Teshuva 3:5
The Rambam's famous understanding of the call of the shofar -- "Awake, sleepers, from your slumber!"
13 Elul 5766 | Duration: 13:37
MT Teshuva 3:4-5
In memory of Chaya Sarah bas Micha'el HaLevi on the occasion of her yahrzeit.
The books are open: the Book of Life for the righteous and the Book of Death for the wicked; the rest of us hang in the balance.
12 Elul 5766 | Duration: 11:42
MT Teshuva 3:3-4; Rosh HaShanah 16b
Dedicated for a refuah shleimah for Mori v'Rabi, HaRav Shlomo Yitzchak ben Elka, shlit"a.
We should always see ourselves as half guilty, half innocent -- one more aveira and our sentence will be sealed.
8 Elul 5766 | Duration: 10:54
MT Teshuva 3:1-2
Dedicated by Ronald and Marion Stein l'ilui nishmat Hinde bas Hersh on the occasion of her yahrzeit.
When another has wronged you, you must work on yourself to develop a forgiving nature.
7 Elul 5766 | Duration: 14:17
MT Teshuva 2:10-11
Sometimes, teshuva on its own is not enough. If another person was involved, we must make restitution and seek forgiveness from him.
6 Elul 5766 | Duration: 12:51
MT Teshuva 2:5-6,9
Complete teshuva requires resolution of the heart, mind, and soul.
5 Elul 5766 | Duration: 11:34
MT Teshuva 2:2-4
Given as a zechus for a refuah shleima for Batya bat Leah.
How do you know when you've done teshuva? When is teshuva complete?
4 Elul 5766 | Duration: 7:36
MT Teshuva 2:1
Given as a zechus for a refuah shleima for Ephraim ben Chana Miriam.
What makes Elul such an auspicious time for reconciling ourselves with Hashem?
30 Av 5766 | Duration: 9:16
OC 581:1; MB 581 - Introduction
Given as a zechus for a refuah shleima for Ariella Rivkah bas Devora Pessel.
We begin blowing the shofar daily from Rosh Chodesh Elul. Why all the different sounds?
1 Elul 5766 | Duration: 7:17
OC 581:1; MB 581:3; MT Shofar 1:1
The four levels of transgression and the requirements of kaporah for each.
29 Av 5766 | Duration: 12:47
MT Teshuva 1:4
Teshuva and the se'ir hamishtaleach of Yom Kippur.
28 Av 5766 | Duration: 12:43
MT Teshuva 1:2-3
The interrelationship among korbanot, teshuva, and vidui.
27 Av 5766 | Duration: 12:04
MT Teshuva 1:1
Given as a zechus for a refuah shleima for Tuvia ben Brocha.
The tremendous value of teshuva is more precious than the World to Come.
23 Av 5766 | Duration: 7:16
Avot 4:21-22
Dedicated for a shidduch for Henya Rivka bas Fruma.
Vidui is a Mitzvah d'Oraita according to the Rambam. How is it done?
24 Av 5766 | Duration: 7:40
MT Teshuva 1:1
L'ilui nishmat Freida bas Mendel on the occasion of her yahrzeit.
On Tisha b'Av, the restrictions on eating, drinking, and washing are identical to the restrictions on Yom Kippur.
25 Tamuz 5766 | Duration: 15:55
OC 554:5-11; MB 554:16,21-22
Rav Dovid tells the story of Rabbi Akiva and the Ten Martyrs, rabbinic leaders killed by the Romans during the Hadrianic persecution. This emotional story lays the ground for deep theological concepts concerning Torah, martyrdom, and justice.
13 Tevet 5766 | Duration: 8:54
What is Teshuva? How do we do it? Rav Dovid explains the basics of the process of repentance and return according to Maimonides' Hilchos Teshuva (Laws of Teshuva).
9 Tishrei 5766 | Duration: 47:22
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