Rabbi Yakov Bronsteyn - Parsha Classes

**Throwback Episode** We present the various opinions about what to do in terms of keeping Mitzvos in places where there are no days and nights including Outer Space. Maybe you don’t? This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 1/28/10.

We discuss the role, ascetics and beauty in Jewish Thought that is borne out of the Gemara. Why does the Torah make it a point to bestow adulation on physical beauty? Why do we find statements to the contrary that are disparaging? This class was given for the Taanis Chaburah on 1/6/22 at the Phoenix Community Kollel.

We discuss the prophecy of Zephaniah about the language to be spoken in Messianic times. We explain the Ohr HaChaim HaKodesh regarding why Moshe didn’t use his staff for the plague of Darkness.

**Throwback Episode** We peruse through the various opinions of the Midrash, Rishonim, and Achronim as to what exactly was the reality of this supernatural phenomenon. We especially focus on the opinion of the Nesivos Shalom who posits that it was a monstrously acute light. This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 1/28/09.

**Throwback Episode** This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 12/29/10.

**Throwback Episode** We the discuss some aspects of the plague of Barad/Hail. From there the conversation leads into a discussion of how to fill a Mikvah properly with snow. This class took place in 2005 right after the completion the Ohr HaTorah Keilim Mikvah.

We discuss the reason why Dassan Veaviran couldn’t hurt Moshe. This is the reason why Hashem tells him to return to Egypt. We also present the perspective of the Maharal as why the state of poverty has an aspect to it that’s tantamount to death.

**Throwback Episode** We discuss the reasoning behind the Permission of the One Hundred Rabbis document and present a Responsa with a novel idea to centralize its impact in 1946 to alleviate the calamity that befell the survivors of the Holocaust. This class was given at Ahavas Torah of Scottsdale on 1/8/10.

We discuss the opinions of the Ramban in his commentary on the Torah and The Disputation and that of the Maharal in his Gur Aryeh about the nature of Yehuda’s monarchal requisition. What was the actual Bracha that Yaakov gave him promising that his monarchy would never be usurped.

**Throwback Episode** We discuss his anatomy as an Angel, his charge, appearance, and purview. This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 1/08/09.

We discuss the perspective of the Gur Aryeh as to what was the status of the Forefathers before the giving of the Torah at Sinai regarding keeping Mitzvos. This class was at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 12/8/21.

**Throwback Episode** We discuss the concept of dignified etiquette both in the Temple and on one’s person. We explain why there had to be guards in the Temple and reasoning of why certain materials were used in the construction of the vessels. We also explain why Yosef had to be groomed before his audience with Pharoh. This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 12/23/09.

We read the Gur Aryeh’s explanation regard why Yosef required the Egyptians to get a Bris before he would support them. We also read the Beis Elokim’s explanation of why donuts are better then wheat kernels. This class was given at the PJCC ON 12/1/21

**Throwback Episode** This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 12/24/08.

We discuss some reasons as to why Yosef remained in prison for two more years the he was supposed. We also explains why sometimes there are seemingly dire consequences to to minuscule acts.

**Throwback Episode**

This class was given to the Kinyan Masechtah Chaburah in Congregation Ohr HaTorah and the Phoenix Community Kollel at the PJCC. We discuss the opinion of the Ra’avad that the statement of the Talmud is understood literally. Hashem has 3 Keys; rain, birth, and Resurrection. That is to say that they are never given out.

We discuss the Rambam’s perspective as to why Shimon and Levi were justified in killing the males of an entire city. We analyze his opinion with the commentaries of the Ramban and the Gur Aryeh.

**Throwback Episode** We discuss the different aspects of tombstones and the various reasons why they are put up. We present the Halacha, Jewish Thought, and Kabbalah. This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel in 2007.

We discuss what a Torah Scholar is supposed be. A person who isn’t an animal nor an angel. But, rather a perfectly balanced human to whom the Torah was given.

We discuss the conversation that took place between Rachel and Yaakov regarding having children.

**Throwback Episode** We discuss the different opinions of Yaakov Avinu’s prophecy of the ladder. Where was he? Where was it situated? We also discuss the different aspects of the Divine Presence at the Western Wall. This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 11/25/09

We discuss the difference between Avraham who kept the Mitzvos based upon his own devices and the Jewish People who accepted the Torah at Mt. Sinai. We present the perspective of Rabbi Avraham Grozinsky in his Toras Avraham.

**Throwback Episode** We deal with the question of the Drashos HaRan. How was Yaakov Avinu justified in ignoring the honor of his father even if he was following the directives of his mother? This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 11/19/19

In this episode we grapple to understand the Torah Avraham’s perspective of the change that took place after eating from the Tree of Knowledge. Is it wrong to shirk every yoke and do whatever one wants? What is the definition of Freedom.