The Netivot Israel Class on Tefilah

In this shiur we discuss the major Payytanim of France, and some of their historical background. We also take a look at a few of their Piyyutim and genres.

In this shiur we discuss how the Italian Payytanim influenced the Ashkenaz Siddur, with the major figures being Eliah Bar Shemayah of Bari and Binyamin Ben Zerach.

In this shiur we discuss the Piyyutim of the famous Chassidei Ashkenaz, with the broader context of their lives and times.

In this shiur we learn about the Payytanim of the Second and Third Crusades, and give the background of their lives and context for the Piyyutim (and specifically Kinnot) that they wrote.

In this shiur we study the Piyyut and the personalities of the Payytanim of the First Crusade.

In this shiur we introduce the topic of Ashkenazic Piyyut and study the history of how many persecutions and especially the Crusades shaped this family of Piyyut.

In this shiur we learn about the life and times of the first Payytan of Ashkenaz, R' Shimon ben Yitzchak. We then study some of his Piyyut and poetic style.

In this shiur we discuss the early poet-sages of Northern Italy, marked by the the great Kalonymus family as well as other figures such as R' Shlomo HaBavli. We seek to explain their influence on German Jewry and Tefillah.

In this shiur we look at the history of Jews in Italy in the Middle ages, and try to develop an understanding of the Payytanim that lived in this time. We explore the Megillat Ahima'ats, and the Piyyutim that are still recited to this day.

In this class we learn about the fascinating life of R' Yosef Ibn Abitur, a hugely influential Rabbi and poet that lived in 10th century Spain and (in the 11th century) Cairo.

In this shiur we explore the life and poetry of R' Shmuel HaShlishi, a Payytan that has been long forgotten. The rediscovery of his works and experiences revealed that they are very much worth our study today.

In this class we begin studying the Late-Oriental period of Piyyut, and we focus on one of the most influential people in Jewish history, R' Sa'adyah Gaon, who made significant contributions to the world of Piyyut.

In this shiur we study the Classical Period of Piyyut, and discuss the influence of R. Eleazar b. Kallir and his colleagues.

In this shiur we explore the research and history of Eleazar HaKallir, as an introduction to further study regarding his works and legacy.

In this shiur we learn about Yannai HaPaytan, and we follow the 200-year long investigation into who he was and the Piyyutim that he wrote.

In this shiur we explore the life and work of Yose ben Yose, the earliest Payytan known to us by name.

In this shiur we introduce a new series on Piyyutim and the Payytanim. We begin with a general overview of the genre and it's history, and in the coming classes we will discuss the individual Payytanim and their poems.

In this shiur we explore the response of the leader to the questions posed in the Mah Nishtana, "Avadim Hayinu". We also briefly discuss the concept of freedom as it relates to Judaism.

In this shiur we study the section of Maggid, and open it up with the introductory questions famously known as Mah Nishtana. We dive deep into the history of the text of these 4 questions.

In this shiur we continue our study of the Haggadah with the breaking of the Matzah (Yachatz) and the Aramaic introduction to Maggid, Ha Lachma Anya. We also explore the many customs associated with this part of the Seder.

In this shiur we begin going through the text of the Haggadah Shel Pesach, and we cover the rituals and Tefilot that are either still practiced or extinct. We cover the first rhyme, Kiddush, Netilah, and Karpas.

In this shiur we begin our study of the Haggadah Shel Pesach (the Passover Haggadah). We study the history and development of the book itself, before diving more deeply into it's components.

In this shiur we study the end of Birkat HaMazon: all of the HaRachamans, Tefilot and themes that are customarily recited after HaTov ViHaMeitiv.

In this shiur we discuss the 4th Beracha of Birkat HaMazon. We study the history, the text, and the development of a special version of the prayer for mourners.

In this shiur we discuss the third Beracha in Birkat HaMazon, known in the Gemara as Boneh Yerushalayim. We study it's history, the various rites, and the additions for the Shabbat.