Rabbi Moshe Kesselman Weekly Shiurim

Why does Esav all of a sudden concede the Brachot? Which Divine Oath of His would Hashem like to have annulled? Why did Yaakov need to run from Esav in the first place? Sources: Baba Basra Daf 74 A Parshas Vayishlach Perek 33 Pesukim 4 - 9 Bereishis Rabba 78:9

Description: Husbands and wives are supposed to love and support each other. How could it be possible that Yaakov hated Leah? Why was Leah so sure that when her son Reuven was born, Yaakov would love her? Sources: Gemara Brachos 7 B Bereishis Perek 29 Pesukim 18 - 32 Commentery of Rashi Possuk 32 Likkutei Sichos Vol 10 page 95 Diveri Eliyohu L’Hagr”A

Our enemies have been watching us fight among ourselves for years. They perceived us as fragmented and weak. They were dead wrong. The Midrash tells us about conversation between Yaakov and Leah the morning after their wedding. Leah shows Yaakov that his marriage to 2 sisters would be one of unity and eternity. Sources: Daas Zekeinim M’Baalei Hatosfos Bereishis Perek 29 Possuk 25

Parsha Shiur Toldos 2023 What did Yaakov mean when he asked Esav to sell him the birthright? How can you sell or purchase birthrights? The Commentaries connect, the story of Yaakov and Esav, to the story of Purim with Mordechai and Harman. Sources: Bereishis Peres 26 Pessukim 19 - 22 Ramban explanation on Possuk 20 Sefer Ezra Perek 4 Possuk 6 Commentary of Even Yechiya on Ezra (Mishbetzos Zohov Pa...

Unity doesn’t mean we’re the same - It means that we are one. Sources: Rashi Parshas Toldos Perek 25 Possuk 19 Likkutei Sichos Vol 20 Page 100

What were Klal Yisroel praying for during the October 7th massacre? Were the Angels offended when Avrohom asked them to wash their feet? Why did Eliezer ask Rivka for water if it was her destiny to marry Yitzchok anyway? Why did Eliezer Daven that he be answered in the merit of Avrohom having water brought for the angels? Sources: Bereishis Perek 18 Possuk 4 Commentery of Rashi on Possuk Gemara Ba...

Avrohom tried to make Rivkah’s family eager to send her off to marry Yitzchok. He sent Eliezer with a document stating that he gives all his wealth to Yitzchok. It doesn’t seem to work. Sources: Parshas Chayei Sara Perek 24 Possuk 10 Rashi on the Possuk Perek 25 Possuk 5 Baal Haturim on Perek 25 Possuk 12

Avrohom tells the Malachim that Sara his wife is in the tent. Her modesty stands as an example for women and even Dovid Hamelech would credit his royalty to this virtue. Yet the Midrash tells us that Yael who ‘went out of her tent’ was superior in greatness. Sources: Parshas Vayera Perek 18 Possuk 9 Rashi on the Possuk Gemara Maseches Yevamos 76 B Shoftim Perek 4 Possuk 18 Commentery of Megalle Am...

On the way up to the Akeida, Avrohom is informed by the Satan that his son Yitzchok would not become a burned offering. He would be replaced by a sheep. Avrohom responds that he refuses to listen to the words of a lying Satan even though he is telling the truth. Sources: Bereishis Parshas Vayeira Perek 22 Possuk 7 Gemara Sanhedrin 89 B Likkutei Sichos Volume 25 Page 132 footnote 10

Description Avrohom asked Hashem for confirmation that his children will one day inherit Eretz Yisroel. The question seems to have resulted disastrously. What was Avrohom’s question? And what was Hashem’s answer? Sources: Gemara Nedarim 32 A Parshas Lech Lecha Perek 15 Pesukim 4 - 9 Rashi Commentery on Possuk 6 - both explanations. Baal Haturim on Possuk 8 Tanya, Likkutei Amorim end of Chapter 3

It’s been going on for 4000 years… the family of Avrohom the first Jew are burned alive because they are Jews. Haran was the first and now another one and a half thousand Jews… The Sfas Emmes highlights for us the only acceptable answer to this tragedy. Commentary of the Sfas Emmes on Parshas Lech Lecha Perek 13 Posssuk 5

Description: As articulated by the Torah, the same logic that motivated Hashem to destroy the world, seems to motivate Hashem to swear that He will never again destroy the world. If humanity is still completely evil, What was accomplished by the flood? Sources: Bereishis Perek 5 Pesukim 5 - 8 Noach Perek 8 Pesukim 20 - 21 Baal Haturim Perek 8 Possuk 21 Bereishis Perek 27 Possuk 27 Gemara Sanhedrin...

Sources: Parshas Noach Perek 9, Pesukim 22 - 26. Rashi Pesukim 22, 25 and 26. Gemara Sanhedrin 91 A Likkutei Sichos Vol 10. Page 28

This shiur explores the commentary of the Baal Haturim on Bereishis 3:11. When Hashem confronts Adam Harishon for eating from the Tree of knowledge. Sources: Bereishis Perek 3 Pesukim 9-11 Baal Haturim on Possuk 11 Melachim 2 Perek 6 Pesukim 24 - 30 Medrash Rabba Shir Hashirim 1:36 Gemara Brochas 40 A

Brief insight on the first Rashi on Chumash articulating the inherit nature of the Jews ownership of Eretz Yisroel. Likkutei Sichos Vol. 5 pages 4-9

Parsha Shiur Ki Savo 2023 We don’t just empower our own demons we actually create them - by running from ourselves. As soon as we embrace our inner identity of light - the darkness ceases to exist. Sources: Devorim Perek 26 Possuk 1 Baal Haturim on the Possuk Baal Haturim on Bereishis Perek 31 Possuk 22 Gemara Sanhedrin 99 B Medrash quoted in Pirush Hatosfos Hadar Zekeinim end of Parshas Beshalach...

Short Dear Torah Ki Savo 2023 There was a declaration of gratitude that accompanied the bringing of Bikurim. The declaration highlights some of main historic moments in Jewish history. But a seemingly inaccurate nuance in the chronology of events, teaches us that there's more to be grateful for than gifts and miracles.

Parsha Shiur Ki Tetze 2023 Sources: Shmuel 1 Perek 28 Pesukim 7 - 17 Gemara Chagiga 4 B Tosfos Chagiga 4 B 'D'leika Milas Dichsiv B'Oiraisa' Gemara Brochas 31 B Sefer Mishbetzos Zahav on Megillas Rus page 117 Devarim Perek 23 Possuk 4 Rambam Hilchos Issurei Biah Perek 12 Halacha 18

Short Dvar Torah Ki Teitze 2023 The Mitzvah of Ben Sorerer U'Moreh gives us great insight into one of the most important ingredients in Chinuch

Parsha Shiur Re'eh 2023 A Talmudic Discussion about what may be done with the ruins of an Ir Hanidachas, and Rabbi Akiva's Perspective on Darkness and Loss. Sources: Devarim Perek 13 Pessukim 13 - 17 Gemara Sanhedrin 113 A Gemara Makkos 24 B Likkutei Sichos Volume 19 pages 67 - 72 Gemara Sotah 44 A Commentary of Chida on the Possuk Gemara Shabbos 88 B

Parsha Shiur Eikev 2023 Sources: Devarim Perek 11 Pesukim 19, 20 and 21 Rashi on Possuk 19 Gemara Chagiga 14 B and 15 A Tosfos 15 A Shuvu Bonim Shovavim Likkutei Sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Volume 6 Page 65 and note 45. Pirkei Avos Perek 4 Mishnah 20 Likkutei Sichos of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Volume  19 pages 43 and 44

Tisha B’av Shiur 2023 Sources: Gemara Gittin 56 B Gemara Sanhedrin 26 A Gemara Berachos 28 B Sefer Lev Avos on Pirkei Avos by Rabbi Yaakov Haber Od Beit Shemesh

Parsha Shiur Devorim 2023 Sources: Midrash Rabbah Devorim 1:1 Gemara Gittin 56 B Beis Halevi Commentary on Haggadah Shel Pesach Commentary of Rashi on Devorim 1:1

Marsha Shiur Mattos Massei 2023

Parsha Shiur Pinchas 2023 Sources: Bamidbar Perek 25 Pesukim 14 and 15 Commentary of Ohr Hachayim on the Possuk Gemara Nedarim 50 B with commentary of Rashi and Tosfos Sefer Gilgulei Neshamos LehoRame Mipanu 30:76 Gemara Brochas 61 B Gemara Menachos 29 B