The Stone Tablets

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1. The Ten Commandments

   Rabbi Yehuda Rock

   The Torah refers to the 'ten' commandments on the two stone tablets - but the division and identification is not explicit. This lesson will offer three divisions based on the Mesorah, and a fourth suggestion for dividing the commandments into ten.

2. What is a "Covenant"?

   Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman

   תאריך פרסום: תשסט | | 59 minutes

   What is a covenant? How does it describe our relationship with God? What does it mean that God is a "brit partner" with us? Using archeological findings from the ancient Near East, Rabbi Josh Berman shows how the Torah patterned our relationship with God after a special type of covenant that existed between kings in the ancient world - the relationship of a vassal king to a sovereign king. Examining our relationship with God from this perspective allows us to appreciate the unique covenant based on loyalty and gratitude that each of us as individuals has with God.

3. Definitions of Churban - The Comfort of Eternity

   Rabbi David Milston

   תאריך פרסום: תש"ע | |

   From the depths of mourning throughout the difficult times leading to Tisha B'av we can view Parshat Va'etchanan as the ultimate parsha of comfort. By closely examining the message of the parsha and its haftara of Nachamu we can understand the importance of Eretz Yisrael, the nature of our relationship with God, and the meaning of true redemption. 

4. "For the skin of his face shone"

   Rabbi Amnon Bazak

   Twice in our Parshat Ki-Tisa, Moshe descends from Mount Sinai: he brings down the first set of tablets prior to the sin of the Golden Calf and then the second set following the sin. The two descents differ in many respects, one of the most prominent differences being that on his second descent, the text notes that Moshe's face shone. Unquestionably, this is a dramatic change for Moshe's image and his standing in the eyes of the nation. From this point onwards, whatever Moshe conveyed to the nation in God's Name would be obeyed, in fear of and in deference to the sight of his shining face. But why does this change take place specifically upon his second descent from the mountain? Through a close examination of the text, we can understand that the radiance of Moshe's face was actually a result of the sin, and that had the sin not taken place, this phenomenon would not have occurred at all.

5. The Second Luchot and the Thirteen Middot

   Rabbi Yair Kahn

   תאריך פרסום: 5777 | | Hour

   The Thirteen Middot (or the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy) occupy a very prominent position in Jewish liturgy, constituting a central part of Slihot, as well as the Torah reading on Fast days. Wh was this chosen? What singular theme did the Sages find expressed specifically here?  I believe the solution lies in a deep appreciation of the Scriptural context of the Thirteen Middot.

   We will examine this section in order to achiveve a more profound understanding that will hopefully lead to a more informed, inspired, and meaningful avodat Hashem whenever we recite Slihot.  We will also come to appreciate the added significance of Yom Kippur as the day that Israel received the Second Divine Tablets, the day that the covenant is renewed and completed, and the day that Israel first experiences the Thirteen Middot, as they achieve atonement before God - as they behold the Divine Presence.

6. The First Tablets and the Second Tablets - The Differences Between Mishpatim and Ki-Tisa

   Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin Nun

   In this shiur, we will compare and contrast a number of parallel passages in Parshiyot Misphpatim and Ki Tisa, focusing on the differences resulting from the sin of the golden calf, which took place in the interim.