Topics covered: Chapter 8, Mishna 1 What is an “observant” Jew? Defining the minimum measure that creates liability for eating on Yom Kippur. We know it’s large date volume with its pit, but how does that compare with an egg-bulk, …

Topics covered: Chapter 8, Mishna 1 The reason our prayers for the Redemption have not been answered? Leather shoes are not allowed on Yom Kippur but other footwear is ok per the Sages themselves! May one wear his prosthetic leg …

Topics covered: Chapter 8, Mishna 1 National conflicts in our world are paralleled by conflicts among the nations’ guardian angels in the upper world. Daniel’s righteousness below empowered the angel Gabriel above. Just as it is prohibited to bathe one’s …

Topics covered: Chapter 8, Mishna 1 The five forms of afflicting oneself on Yom Kippur are derived from the five mentions of “afflict yourselves” in the Torah. We may not eat/drink, engage in marital relations, wear (leather) shoes, bathe, or …

Topics covered: Chapter 8, Mishna 1 A series of pearls of wisdom arising from Rav Ami and Rav Asi disagreeing about the meaning of the manna and other verses in Torah. What did the manna taste like? When/where/how and to …

Topics covered: Chapter 7, Mishna 3, Chapter 8, Mishna 1 Besides the garments, what are the differences between and ordinary priest and the High Priest? What is the Priest Anointed for War? What is the Urim v’Tummim and how does …

Topics covered: Chapter 7, Mishna 3 The garments of the High Priest were made of extremely fine craftsmanship, and every element held symbolic meaning. According to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, they represent three types of Jews. If he didn’t atone for …

Topics covered: Chapter 7, Mishna 1, 2, 3 We don’t roll a Torah in synagogue to access disparate reading unless the synagogue only possesses one Torah. We don’t pass over the opportunity to perform a mitzvah, even to perform another …

Topics covered: Chapter 7, Mishna 1 Apropos the question of whether priests could wear their consecrated garments outside the Temple, we encounter two amazing stories. 1) When Alexander the Great met the High Priest Shimon the Righteous, it turned out …