Hurban

Found 11 Search results

1. Eikha: A Historical Introduction

   Part 1

   Dr. Yael Ziegler | 48 minutes

    Eikha depicts a grieving process. It does not contain historical dates - because its relevance exceeds its own particular historical context of the churban. Nevertheless, a historical context is crucial to understanding Eikha. This introductory shiur explores how four biblical/historical events helped shape problematic attitudes leading to the disaster of the churban.

2. Eikha Chapter 1

   Part 3

   Dr. Yael Ziegler | 54 minutes

   The third shiur in this series explores Perek Alef (Chapter One), which is comprised of two halves. The first involves an objective narrator; the second is a first person collective perspective. The first, more accusing tone, appears to be the prophet's (God's perspective), and the second describes Jerusalem's grappling with grief and sorrow.

3. Eikha Chapter 2

   Part 4

   Dr. Yael Ziegler | 51 minutes

   While Perek Alef is characterized by the deafening silence at the aftermath of the churban, Perek Bet takes a retrospective look at the horror of the churban as it unfolded. Like the first chapter, Chapter two is divided into two halves - but this time, the part representing collective Jerusalem has difficulty admitting any sense of culpability; instead, there is a sense of an accusation against God.

4. Chanukah's Biblical Roots- Part II

   Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

   Why was the 25th of the ninth month chosen for the foundation (and re-dedication) of the Second Temple, and why did the holiday of Chanukah continue after the destruction of the Second Temple? As we explore these questions, we find that they are related to stories of much earlier and much later- a midrash about Adam haRishon and the miracle of the Chanukah story, as well as a miracle in the time of the first Temple. What emerges is an enduring message of the importance of hope in a time of darkness.

5. A Fresh Look at Eicha Chapter 5

   Rabbi Chaim Brovender

   תאריך פרסום: תשס"ט | | 52 minutes

   This shiur examines chapter 5 in Megillat Eikha, which seems to differ in both style and content from the rest of the megilla. These differences can be explained through an analysis of the process of categorizing the books of Tanach, and the differences between the books in Nevi'im and Ketuvim. Noticing the differences between the books in each category teaches us about the goals of the books, and sheds light on chapter 5 of Eikha - focusing on the concepts of teshuva, zachor, and what they mean for us today. 

6. King Menashe – An Idolatrous Kingdom

   Rabbi Alex Israel

   Menashe introduces idolatry and bloodshed into Yehuda in ways previously unknown. He accepts complete Assyrian domination and sets the wheels of destruction and exile into motion. Sefer Melakhim ends the description of Menashe on this note. However, Divrei HaYamim describes Menashe being taken into captivity by the Assyrian general, praying to God, repenting, God returning him to his kingdom and Menashe removing the idolatry that he instituted. This enormous gap between the two stories shed light on the different agendas of the two books. Despite his repentance, Menashe's negative influence impacted beyond his reign, and specifically to his son Amon who followed in his evil ways.

7. The Tragedy of Yoshiyahu

   Rabbi Alex Israel

   Yoshiyahu's dramatic religious revolution led him to two erroneous conclusions, giving him the confidence to confront Pharaoh Nekho who lead his army through Israel in order to confront the emerging Babylonian empire. Firstly, he believed that the religious level that was achieved was one that would make God support him against an idolatrous king. Secondly, he believed that the revolution was sincere and accepted among the people, when in fact in the short amount of time since the major change it was imposiible to uproot norms and beliefs that had set in over such a long period. This folly decision led to his death by the archers' arrows ending abruptly the reign of a righteous king. The lack of real change among the people means that wheels of Hurban that were set in motion by Menashe were not stopped - though they might have had the chage been sincere.

   Modern Biblical scholars claim that Devarim was the Sefer Torah that Yoshiyahu discovered and it was written in his time and not by Moshe. The claim of the 7th century authorship is refuted by a series of simple proofs.

8. Eikhah and Eikhah Rabbah: Different Responses to the Hurban

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   תאריך פרסום: תש"ע | |

   Focusing on the books of Eikhah and Eikhah Rabbah, this lecture highlights the differences between Megillat Eikhah and midashic work of Eikhah Rabbah - the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash as portrayed by Chazal. By examining the differences between the books we understand that Chazal's goal in Eikhah Rabbah is to help the nation contend with the destruction and with future tragedies as well. 

9. Inside the Divine Chariot: Deciphering the Book of Yechezkel

   Rabbi Yitzchak Twersky

   תאריך פרסום: תשע"ד | |

   This shiur begins with the Ma’ase Merkava (the Chariot Vision), and takes a broad look at the entire book of Yehezkel, noticing Yehezkel’s distinctive style in dealing with the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash in his prophecies, such as that of the “double prophecy” wherein Yehezkel provides the prophetic content twice: first allegory and then exposition. Emerging from this study is a recurring image of the Garden of Eden, a comparison between the Kohen Gadol and Adam HaRishon, the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash and the expulsion from the Garden of Eden, and a message of sadness and consolation about the departure and return of the Divine Presence.

10. Is God a Judge, an Enemy, or a Source of Faith?

    Rabbi Alex Israel

    תאריך פרסום: תשע"ב | | Hour and 10 minutes

    Our aim is to look into the heart of the collection of laments in the book of Eikha and to seek Hashem. We embark on a daring study wherein we ask: Where is God in the midst of the terrible suffering of the destruction of Jerusalem? We compare the first three chapters of Eikha, and look at the kinna recited on the night of Tisha b'Av. We discover that God is personified in different ways. Each personification acts as another layer in the depiction of God’s involvement in the Hurban. 

11. Can There Be a Third Destruction? A Reading of the Curses in Light of Ramban’s Commentary

    Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin Nun

    Ramban’s commentary on the Torah features systematically historical exegesis. We shall examine a few citations that demonstrate this point and then focus more closely on the curses in our parasha and their implications for us.  

    Ramban presents his unique exegetical approach: the rebuke in Vayikra is a prophecy concerning the destruction of the First Temple, while the rebuke in Devarim foretells the destruction of the Second Temple.  The most important implication of Ramban’s interpretation is that there can be no third destruction. After the ingathering of the exiles described in Parashat Nitzavim, there may be terrible suffering – as foretold in the song of Haazinu – but there is no room for a third destruction, as the Torah offers no third set of curses.