The DataBeis with Rabbi Yehoshua Eisenberg

We revisit and revise our thoughts on this very important question. We don't recite Selichos on Tish'ah B’Av as we do on other fast days. We mourn on Tish'ah B’Av. But, what if there is another element to the day? If Teshuvah is a key component of Tish'ah B’Av, how do we express it differently on this most unique day on our calendar? What is the key difference between Yom Kippur and Tish'ah B’Av?

Why did the Churban happen? On Tish'ah B’Av, the Navi announces the somewhat surprising answer, which is apparently something so terrible, it is not as bad as abandoning Hashem Himself. What could that be? What could we do to fix it?

What is the vision of Yishaiyah? The Navi doesn't describe much imagery. Yirmiyah and Yishaiyah both lament with the word Eichah. But, they use these words quite differently. Yirmiyah compares Yerushalayim to an Almanah (widow). Yishaiyah compares us to a Zonah (harlot). What do an Almanah and a Zonah have in common? How are they starkly different? What is the message of Chazon Yishaiyah?

What makes your blood boil? Zechariah HaNavi's blood boiled and wouldn't stop even at the threat of the slaughter of Jewish children. Who was Zechariah? He is the center of one of the most heartbreaking Kinos. What was his story? Why did his blood bubble relentlessly? Why is his tragedy worse than any of the others? The answer has to do with the Rebbi Akiva's laughter and tears. What do I mean? Wh...

What is Sinas Chinam? Does anyone actually hate another person baselessly, for ZERO reason at all? On a separate note, Chazal teach that due to the story of Kamtza U'Bar Kamtza, Yerushalayim was destroyed. Do they mean to say that Yerushalayim was destroyed based on a pure fluke misunderstanding?

Yirmiyah lists 'two evils' to explain why we were doomed to experience the unparalleled Churban of the first Beis HaMikdash. If you look at the list though, it looks like only one sin was committed; idol worship. What are the TWO evils? Moreover, with the inclination for paganism no longer prevalent in Orthodox Judaism, of what relevance is this Haftarah's message to us?

The timing perhaps could not be better as we begin the story of Kamtza U'Bar Kamtza during the 3 Weeks. The Gemara begins the infamous story while Darshaning (expounding on) an innocent Pasuk in Mishlei. This Pasuk might actually be the secret solution to generations of suffering and exile.

Why do we read the Haftarah of Mattos this week? What are the Telas D'Puranusa? Why are they more important than the Parsha HaShevuah? 

Why do we read 'Dirshu Hashem' on Ta'aniyos Tzibur? What is the point of fasting altogether? What do all Ta'aniyos have in common?

The Haftarah for Pinchas is rarely read (Indeed, it will NOT be read this year). But, when it is read, it seems to almost contradict our Parsha. Pinchas is zealous for Hashem and is rewarded. His reincarnation Eliyahu HaNavi is zealous for Hashem and is rebuked. What was the difference between them? Are we supposed to aspire to emulate Pinchas or not?

 Why is Balak different from all other Parshiyos? Why does Parshas Balak even exist? Why do we need this story in the Torah? Why does the Navi, Michah, insist on talking about it? Correction: 6:8 is the final verses of the Haftarah (not 6:9 ).

If you enjoy political debates about the history of Israel and Israeli occupation of land, this Haftarah about Yiftach is one for you. But, what does the diplomacy of Yiftach have to with Parshas Chukas? Also, who was Yiftach? Does he have a personal connection to anyone in our Parsha? We answer all of the above as we explore this tragic hero's sad origin story, his rise to political and military...

We have 2 back-to-back connections between Daf Yomi and this week's Parsha in Israel, Parshas Chukas all in under 4 minutes! Have a wonderful Shabbos!

You would think that the Haftarah for Korach would feature a climactic rebellion story in Navi. There are MANY of them. None of them are discussed in the Haftarah. Instead, we hear Shmuel’s response to Klal Yisrael’s request for a king. Why? What is Korach's rebellion really about?

By way of incredible Hashgachah Pratis, I heard today's Gemara quoted in a Parsha Shiur yesterday. I couldn't pass it up.

2 years in a row in Inyana D'Yomi, the Daf quotes the same Pasuk in Korach during the week of Korach. Plus, is the Ketores poisonous? Is the Torah poisonous? We investigate as we address seemingly conflicting Rashi's in our Parsha.

Chazal appear to suggest that sending in Miraglim was a mistake on Moshe's part from the outset. Why would Yehoshua repeat that tactic? And if it was a bad idea, why would Hashem 'okay' it in the first place?

Our Parsha teaches us about Pesach Sheini, but our Haftarah seems to introduce us to Chanukah Sheini, repeating the same exact Haftarah of Shabbos Chanukah. Why repeat the Haftarah? See also: Half-Torah/הַפְטָרָה - Shabbos Chanukah/Mikeitz: Just a Menorah Shout-out? (Zechariah 2:14-4:7) 🕎 https://jewishpodcasts.fm/thedatabeis/47019

If you are curious enough by my clickbait title, you might also be curious as to why our Haftarah features the conception of Shimshon. He happens to be the most famous Nazir, but he does not resemble the Nazir described in our Parsha. Is the connection just a loose one? 'Who Knows 10?' (?עַשָׂרָה מִי יוֹדֵעַ) - 10 Nazirim in our Mesorah 🧔🏼‍♀️ https://jewishpodcasts.fm/thedatabeis/51229

In his one-time appearance in our liturgy, Chavakuk joins those of us in Chutz LaAretz accompanied by a random Aramaic poem and perhaps the most powerful message about Kabbalas HaTorah for B'nei Yisrael in Galus. See also: BTW - Ba'al Tefilah Workshop: Yetziv Pisgam 👼🏻🌋 https://jewishpodcasts.fm/thedatabeis/14702 Correction: The Krias HaTorah for Shavuos Day 2 is from Re'eih, not from Mishpatim...

What if we made it to Sinai but did not receive the Torah? Would that have been enough? Could there have been a Shavuos? What is Kabbalas HaTorah without Torah? Maybe, there is a additional element of Ma'amad Har Sinai that we could have and could still tap into on Shavuos. We will try to identify it as we ride the Divine Chariot.

In a timely connection to Shavuos, the angels come to our defense to ask why Hashem appears to disregard our commitment of Na'aseh V'Nishma. Find out why here.

Why does Erev Rosh Chodesh have its own Haftarah? It doesn't even have its own Maftir. Is it just because we found a place in Navi where someone says, 'Machar Chodesh'-'tomorrow is Rosh Chodesh'? What does that have to do with us today, when it's not yet Rosh Chodesh? What does the story of Dovid, Shaul, and Yonasan teach us about the apparently unique hours of 'Machar Chodesh'?

Did Hashem do this just to make a point? What was the point? How important was it? And what does it have to do with Bamidbar?

The Parshiyos, Dirshu Mishnah Berurah, and the Daf all meet up this week with Birchas Kohanim. How do we know that Kohanim must bless us out of 'love'? What is the most important blessing we could receive?