Shema Yisrael

Found 10 Search results

1. Sefer Devarim - the most 'misunderstood' book in the Bible

   Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

   תאריך פרסום: תשסט | |

   Despite the popular assumption that Sefer Devarim is a ‘review’ of Chumash, our lecture will prove quite the contrary; showing how most of its legal content actually belongs in Sefer Shmot. Afterward, as we discuss the prophetic purpose of its composition, we will explain why its narratives appear to contradict what was recorded earlier in Shmot & Bamidbar – and why the two sections of daily “kriyat shema” have become so central in our daily prayers.

2. Love of God and Torah Study

   Rabbi Yehuda Rock

   Getting to know God can be a means to loving God, as Maimonides suggests; however, knowing God can also be an independent goal, achieved by the study of Torah. The commandment to study Torah at any given time educates us to the centrality of God's will in our lives, and expresses man's love for his creator.

3. Parshat Vaetchanan - Shema Yisrael

   Rabbi Alex Israel | 35 minutes

   Parashat Vaethanan is filled with well-known passages, including the Ten Commandments and the Shema. Reciting the Shema is seen as fulfilling the mitzvah of accepting the Yoke of Heaven. This shiur is devoted to developing a deeper appreciation of the first verse of Shema. Though only six words, it is a difficult text. We raise questions and examine the readings of various classical commentators, exploring historical, theological and philosophical readings which enrich our experience of this famous and meaningful declaration.

4. Shmuel David Luzzatto (Shadal) as a Bible Commentator

   Rabbi Dr. Martin Lockshin |

   In this class, we will examine the unique approach of Shadal (Shmuel David Luzzato) in his Bible commentary. We will look at different texts that highlight interesting features in his commentary to them. He does not hold back from interpreting the pshat (plain meaning of the text) in a way that contradicts traditional Rabbinic interpretations. Occasionally, he strongly voices his opposition to Rambam (Maimonides) and the apparent influence of Greek philosophers such as Aristotle on Rambam’s comments. Luzzato’s comments also reveal ideas about equality, sexual ethics, and the conviction that the purpose of the Torah(including mitzvoth such as Loving God, is not philosophy, but action: for furthering the goal of doing and spreading justice and righteousness.

5. Yaakov's Tearful Reunion with Yosef and the Recital of Shema

   Rabbi David Silverberg

6. Yaakov's Reunion with Yosef and the Message of the Shema

   Rabbi David Silverberg

7. The Expanded Shema

   Rabbi Dr. Yoel Bin Nun

   Keriat Shema, the twice-daily creed, is a focal point of our prayers, with its first two paragraphs, Shema and Ve-haya im Shamoa, coming from Sefer Devarim: 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 respectively. These two passages share thematic elements and details. In addition, they bookend the “commandments of faith."

   These similarities are readily apparent if we read the expanded text of Shema (Devarim 6) along with the expanded text of Ve-haya im Shamoa (10:12–11:25). 

   The correspondence between the two units is clearly apparent. We delve into what comes in between, and we consider the clear connections between these two units and the opening statement of the Ten Commandments.

    

8. Eikev: Rainfall, Risk, and Introspection

   Rabbi David Silverberg

9. Eikev: The Sweat of Your Brow

   Rabbi Jay Kelman

10. Sefer Devarim: Archaeology

    Nachliel Selavan | 22 minutes

    This is an analysis of the Archaeology of the Sefer Devarim by Nachliel Selavan.

    Archaeology Snapshot is a discussion on the location, timeline, main characters and highlights from history and archaeology, for each Sefer in Tanach.