Rabbi Moshe Kesselman Weekly Shiurim

Parsha Shiur Noach 5786 Parsha Shiur Noach 5786 What happened to Noach? In the beginning of the Parsha he is described as an: ‘Ish Tzaddik Tamim Haya Bedorosav…’ He finds favor in the eyes of Hashem. Hashem chooses to save all of humanity because if him. At the end of the Parsha, we find him drunk, exposed, rolling around in his tent defiled and emasculated by his own son. This Shiur explores the...

The first time a human being commits murder, seems like a terrible story. A stingy miser descends to anger, jealousy, murder, lies to GD and refuses to take responsibility. But upon reflection, it’s clear that there’s so much more to the story. Why would an individual trying to express his gratitude to Hashem bring an inferior quality Sacrifice? Why would he be surprised that his sacrifice is reje...

On the first day of Rosh Hashana after the Torah reading we read the story of Chana, a barren woman who prays to Hashem for children. Chana’s prayers were answered and she bore a son named Shmuel. The Torah makes no effort to hide the raw emotions in the story. Initially as Chana Davened, Eli thought she was drunk. Chana herself was the one who clarified to him, that she was broken hearted not ine...

On the first day of Rosh Hashana after the Torah reading we read the story of a barren woman’s prayer for children. Chana’s prayers were answered and she bore a son named Shmuel. The Torah makes no effort to hide the raw emotions in the story. The Talmud provides fascinating insights into this story. Chana’s prayers to beat children represents an actual battle. Her husband Elkanah, seems non empat...

Parsha Shiur Ki Tetze 5785 ‘If you desire to guard yourself against being smitten with Tzaraas, do not speak Lashon Hara. Remember what was done to Miriam who spoke against her brother and was smitten with plagues. (Rashi this weeks Parsha 24:9) What is it about Lashon Hara that makes it so difficult to avoid? Why is Miriam the Icon for Lashon Hara? There are only 6 places the Torah instructs us t...

The Rambam writes that no war may ever be waged by the Jews without first offering the other side a peaceful solution. This according to the Rambam applies even to Amalek. But why? Why offer our arch enemies a way to make peace with us? The Midrash insists that this was Moshes’s initiative. After he seemingly deviated from Hashem’s instructions and offered Sichon a peaceful option, Hashem swore th...

The Midrash wishes to impress upon us the value of listening to Hashem. ‘Some people listen to their wives and profited, others listened to their wives and suffered losses. But those who listened to Hashem, never lost out.’ This Shiur explores the deeper meaning of the original Sin of Adam and Chava eating from the tree of knowledge. The deeper meaning of the conversation between Avraham and Sarah...

Rebbi Yaakov said: ‘This world is a Hallway before the world to come. Prepare yourself in the Hallway so that you can enter the mansion.’ The Mishnah seems to leave us with more questions than information: 1. What exactly are we supposed to do in order to prepare ourselves in this world?  2. ⁠Is there no redemption for one who has not prepared himself in this Hallway to enter GD’s mansion? 3. What...

Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1maQbMyJig9gjdL4s9t9TJpDEsQDL5ysx/view?usp=drivesdk Moshe insists the Jews Keep Hashem’s Mitzvos. After all ‘What Does Hashem ask of you but to fear Him, go in His ways and Serve Him with all your heart and all your Soul… For your own good. Behold, to Hashem belongs the heavens and the heavens of heavens the earth and everything in it. But, He delights...

Parsha Shiur Va’eschannon 5785 Parsha Shiur Va’eschannon 5785 Moshe Rabbeinu begged and pleaded with Hashem to go into Eretz Yisroel. He was even prepared to accept that Yehoshua would be the leader and he would go into Eretz Yisroel as a ‘regular’ Jew. Hashem repeatedly refused to grant him entry. He wasn’t even allowed to be buried in Israel. He was given only the opportunity to see it The Shiur...

Parsha Shiur Devorim 5785 The time had come for Moshe to rebuke the Jews. But, being an experienced leader, he anticipated some serious resistance and push back. Jews don’t like being told off. Moshe took precaution in 2 significant ways: ​ He made sure to rebuke them, while they were all present. He challenged the Jews to their face: ‘You are all here. If anyone has anything to say in response, l...

Pirkei Avos series Summer 2025 Perek 3 Mishnah 3 Rabbi Shimon said: ‘Three people eat at one table and don’t say words of Torah upon it, it is as if they have eaten from the sacrifices of the dead… But Three people who sit at one table and speak words of Torah upon it, it is as if they have eaten from the table of Hashem. This Shiur explores the personal connection between Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai...

Shiur Parshiyos Mattos Massei 5785 The story starts off so simply. The tribes of Reuven and Gad have a tremendous amount of cattle. They observe that the land of Sichon and Og, that Hashem has already granted the Jews, is lush with pasture and perfect for their animals. With humility, they approach Moshe Rabbeinu and the Jewish leaders and ask if they can accept their portion of Israel in the Tran...

Don’t underestimate me! Pirkei Avos Series Perek 2 Pirkei Avos Series Summer 5785Perek 2 Mishnah 8Rabbon Yochanan Ben Zakkai received the Torah from Hillel and Shammai. He taught: ‘If you have studied a lot of Torah do not take the credit for yourself. For this is what you’re created for.’This Shiur explores a deeper meaning of the Mishnah based on the Rebbe’s explanations and the historic context...

Parsha Shiur Pinchas 5785 Parshas Pinchas contains Hashem’s instructions to Moshe and Elazar to count the Jews again. Rashi provides 2 reasons for this Divine instruction at this point. Baal Haturim calls out attention, to 2 seemingly superfluous words the Torah uses as it lists the names of the tribes and their families. Baal Haturim says, these words indicate something that will befall the Jews...

Pirkei Avos Series Summer 2025 Chapter 1 Hillel said: ‘Be among the students of Aaron. Love peace, pursue peace, love the creations and bring them close to Torah. Why is it necessary for the Hillel, to introduce the concept of peace by saying that one should be ‘among the students of Aaron. Peace is not as simple as it sounds. People will always have different opinions. The Yeshiva of Hillel had H...

King Balak clasps his hands in frustration with Bilaam: ‘I summoned you to curse my enemies, behold you have blessed them 3 times. I intended to bestow upon you honor but GD has prevented you from receiving this honor.’The Baal Haturim explains the connection between this and a conversation between Avigayil and Dovid Hamelech. The Talmud insists that a person should always study Torah and fulfill...

The Jewish nation is quarreling with Moshe Rabbeinu. The Jews have no water, they are dying of thirst. They’re watching their families and livestock thirst as well. The Midrash insists that the Jews were skeptical. They made very specific demands of where they wanted Moshe to produce water for them. The Baal Haturim calls upon the famous and infamous battle of King Shaul and the Amalekim for a dee...

The Spies did not want to bring back fruit from Israel to show the Jews. They were forced by Kalev. Kalev threatened them, he said if you don’t bring back fruit there’s gonna be war between. Either you’ll kill me or I’ll kill you.

Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WN4vVa_WNy0ChYcEQJcjzV3tKV-kpamB/view?usp=drivesdk Miriam spoke Lashon Hara about her brother Moshe Rabbeinu. She was displeased that he got divorced. In the end, Hashem had told Moshe to divorce. But the Jewish people honor her and wait for her for 7 days. מקורות במדבר פרשת בהעלתך פרק י״ב פסוקים א- ט״ז פירש״י פסוקים א׳ ח׳ וט״ו פירוש דעת זקנים מבעלי ה...

Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lQ5LOAI59dn5neMkZe_GiqPdfz1wCmDR/view?usp=drivesdk The longest Parsha has an incredible amount of repetition. The Princes of the tribes all brought exactly the same gifts and sacrifices. But, their meaning and significance is completely different. מקורות פרשת נשא פרק ז׳ פסוקים י״ב - י״ז מדרש רבה במדבר פרשה י״ג סימן י״ד מדרש רבה במדבר פרשה י״ג סימן י״א...

Source sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NkqGELDS7fC_pL7JJbyjCNiCr4KG6pYI/view?usp=drivesdk Hashem instructs Moshe not to count Shevet Levi. But, he also instructs him to count Shevet Levi. What is the significance of counting the Jews? מקורות פרשת במדבר פרק א׳ פסוק מ״ט ופרק ג׳ פסוק וא״ו מדרש רבה במדבר פרשה ג׳ סימן ז׳ פירוש עץ יוסף ד״ה ולמה זכו  מדרש רבה במדבר פרשה ג׳ סימן ח׳ ליקוטי שיחות חל...

Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/141b2Enp8xE_O1EveTX-fvaqOA_p-COF9/view?usp=drivesdk The conversation between Boaz and Ruth in Perek 2 of Megillat Ruth is warm and elegant. But, at one point, Boaz seems to take a harsh tone and corrects Ruth on something she has said. Quote: ‘Heaven Forbid. You are not among the maidservants…’ Why the need for the aggressive tone? The Rambam writes th...

Source Sheets: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DIIB53gMrhYLC0HYLoRT2RaaDcgbMtsL/view?usp=drivesdk The Gemara says that Shimshon rebelled against Hashem with his eyes and was punished by having his eyes gouged out by the Plishtim. Yet, before he died he asks Hashem for reward for his eyes. The Kabbalists see tremendous significance in Shinshon’s choice of words as he Davened to Hashem for strength...

Source Sheets https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jsTEzDYqCqhm5RNGUh9ceGdrthBEdhAS/view?usp=drivesdk Ruth speaks to Boaz for the first time: ‘Why have I found favor in your eyes to recognize me? I am a stranger’The Midrash says she knew through prophecy that she would be his wife. The Targum says she insisted that she could not be his wife because she was from the nation of Moab who were rejected ete...