Topics covered: Chapter 1, Mishna 1 When would a Torah scholar be justified in expressing anger? Is there a better way? Did Abraham entreat the Lord properly? Did he pass the test with regard to Isaac? Did Eliezer entreat the …

Topics covered: Chapter 1, Mishna 1 For half the year it is mandatory to praise God for bringing rain, and for the other half it is prohibited. Why don’t these stringencies apply to wind, dew and clouds? Why is a …

Topics covered: Chapter 1, Mishna 1 From when in the year do we adjust the Standing Prayer (recited 3x/day) to include a prayer for rain? How do we know we’re supposed to make that adjustment? There are three “keys” God …

Topics covered: Chapter 4, Mishna 10 SIYUM! Rabbis and Rabban Gamliel debate whether listening to a prayer leader exempts one from reciting his own prayers on Rosh Hashana and other occasions. Law follows Rabban Gamliel. Can the prayer leader even …

Topics covered: Chapter 4, Mishna 10 Why did R’ Abahu decree a catch-all Tekia-Shevarim-Terua-Tekia shofar blast for Rosh Hashana? This happened relatively late in Jewish history – wasn’t the annual shofar-blowing tradition well established by then? Why is it a …

Topics covered: Chapter 4, Mishna 9, 10 We patiently train kids how to blow the shofar, even on Rosh Hashana, once they’re old enough to be trained in mitzvos. What is unearned lovingkindness and how does it relate to the …

Topics covered: Chapter 4, Mishna 5, 6, 7, 8 Deriving the liturgy of Rosh Hashana as it’s still practiced today: which verses do we include and why? Why don’t we sing Hallel on Rosh Hashana? #festival #Judaism #halacha #Torah #mitzvos …

Topics covered: Chapter 4, Mishna 3, 4 The Psalms sung by the Levites on each day of the week in the Holy Temple are still recited every day in our synagogues thanks Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai.The Divine Presence left the …

Topics covered: Chapter 3, Mishna 4, 5, Chapter 4, Mishna 1, 2, 3 Must a shofar blower for an audience of one have intent for that one? Did Moses’ elevated arms win the battle against the Amalekites? Who is qualified …