Tonight we got rather kabbalistic. What is the world of Atzilut? What's it like to be a soul of Atzilut? Who in history were the souls of Atzilut? What is the function of Malchut in Atzilut? Why is Shechinah, the Divine presence, also called G-d's word, mother and queen? From Epistle 25 of Igeret Hakodesh by the Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad.
From Epistle 25 of Igeret Hakodesh by the Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad, part I.
Laws of Yom Kippur, Shulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe chapter 606
Can you desecrate the holiday to retrieve a shofar at the top of a tree? Can you swim across a river for it? Can you clean a shofar on the holiday and what cleanser can never be used to clean a shofar? Bonus: A sermon tip to be derived from the latter law. Text source: Laws of Rosh Hashanah, Shulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe #586
Why a "Trump" shofar would not be kosher and why in Berkeley they would agree you should take off your hearing aids to hear the shofar. One of the most powerful sounds of Judaism is the piercing cry of the shofar. It cuts through layers of apathy to the heart and core of the soul. In this 4th installment of the seemingly very technical laws of Rosh Hashanah, we discover deep lessons on the power of a mitzvah, no matter who does it, the importance of sincerity and maintaining the pure, unembellished sound of the soul. Text source: Laws of Rosh Hashanah, Shulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe #586 https://www.chabadnp.com/library/article_cdo/aid/3376117
Laws of Rosh Hashanah Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch part II Text source: Laws of Rosh Hashanah, Shulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe #584
The first two chapters of the Alter Rebbe's Laws of Rosh Hashanah (Shulchan Aruch HaRav).
Why does G-d require that we have the testimony of witnesses who have seen the new moon in order to establish Rosh Chodesh -- shouldn't the astronomical calculations suffice? Bonus: chasidic aphorisim from one of the hidden tzadikim sheds new light on the Kohen's blessing before the priestly blessings.
Bonus: Chasidic thought on who’s doing whom the favor
Who is kosher to testify for the new month? Bonus readings: Chasidic aphorisms on the importance of implanting love for others in your heart. Kiddush Hachodesh by Rambam, chapter 2.
How the ancient Jewish calendar was made: witness interrogation, leap years, and astronomy. A text-based class using Maimonides' Mishneh Torah, laws of Kiddush Hachodesh Sundays Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30 pm on Zoom @ chabadnp.com/zoom with Rabbi Yossi Marcus
Sefardic Custom on blessing for Hallel; connection of Hallel and Aaron; and what it’s like in the World to Come
Plus: why the penitent transcends the perfectly righteous. Rambam, Laws of Teshuvah, chapter seven.
Didn’t G-d harden Pharaoh’s heart? And can I lose my free choice but in a good way? Maimonides chapter 6, laws of repentance
A study of Maimonides on the concept of Freedom of Choice, part I