The Rabbi Yonah Sklare Podcast

  Many people assume that this period is associated with the frightful judgment which awaits us on Rosh Hashana. This attitude is deeply rooted in lore, for example the Yiddish legend that ‘’in Elul even the fish tremble.’’ However, when we research the significance of Elul in primary sources a very different perspective emerges. Elul is actually a time of love, and its message self-affirming...

    Despite our flowery dreams, life thrusts upon us the most unwelcome, seemingly most unholy conditions. Yet in truth it is these very challenges which provide spiritual opportunity and contour the sacred space for spiritual growth. This mandate, to convert the godforsaken to the consummately Divine, can be traced pervasively throughout our parsha.     

  even towards the individual who deserves physical retribution.     

  In a generation which is so skeptical of authority, there is a mandate upon the leadership to earn the people’s trust. This ideal is underscored by a splendid textual echo, when we hear the ‘’music’’ of juxtaposing passages in the parsha.  

 

  practices of some of the other faiths, reflects a fundamental misunderstanding with them, comes to light from a panoramic, thematic treatment of the parsha

    Any comparisons between Yiddishkeit and the perverse, cultish practices of some of the other faiths, reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of Torah. This firm disavowal of any association with them, comes to light from a panoramic, thematic treatment of the parsha overall.  

 Unlike other religious traditions, Judaism does not shun the body and material pursuit. In fact, to the contrary, it embraces the synthesis of guf and neshama which make-up the healthy composite of the Oved Hashem. This idea is borne out from a rich integrative treatment of the parsha and by tracing its theme.   

  So often we perceive ourselves as simply ‘’good’’ rather than ‘’great.’’ This self-imposed limitation undermines our spiritual self-esteem, and negatively informs how we comport ourselves. In truth, Chazal teach that we all can be righteous like Moshe, at least in a relative sense. We must declare to ourselves with conviction, “I’ve got a little bit of Moshe in me,’’ and I will act accordin...

  In an age of spiritual malady, mid-life crises, and a general feeling of ‘’blah,’’ we all yearn for stimulation and התחדשות– a sense of newness. But mistakenly we believe that such התחדשות is beyond our grasp so long as we are stuck in our present living conditions, relationships and life circumstances. In truth we all can satisfy this craviong for spiritual stimulation, without external ch...

  There is an irony in the Teshuva process. Amidst a feeling of stigma, distance, and ostracization from Hashem, the sinner runs to Hashem. This is akin to the child who has just done the unthinkable and is certain that his parents will pounce on him. Where does he hysterically run in? Into his mother’s bosom. This powerful phenomenon will be traced in the mitzvah of Ir Miklat (City of Refuge...

 Sh’tika- silence is a sacred mida which bespeaks the deep inner world which the person maintains. This message is particular relevant in a world of hyper communication where everyone seems ready to ‘’let it all out.’’     

 Sh’tika- silence is a sacred mida which bespeaks the deep inner world which the person maintains. This message is particular relevant in a world of hyper communication where everyone seems ready to ‘’let it all out.’’     

 The rickety world in which we live and uncertain future which we face gives rise to an unsatiable urge for security. Even though there is no true security in life, we try our best to act with clarity and conviction. In this regard it is key that we have authoritative Torah guidance upon whom to rely, and that in general we eschew impulsive, unilateral, personal decisions.   &n...

    This shiur a cohesive focus pervasively permeating Parshas Pinchos. All narratives in the parsha coalesce around the theme of family and marital fidelity. On a deeper level Parshas Pinchos highlights the uniqueness of both man and woman, and how each gender is indispensable to complement the other.      

 The most important mandate of Jewish leadership is to foster individuality. The needs of the tzibbur must never distort this goal, after all, what is a tzibbur if not a collection of individuals.    

    The ‘’zugos’’- partnering leaders throughout the period of the second Bais HaMikdash represent a collaboration of Divine attributes vested in the people. In this era of post-prophecy Klal Yisrael themselves find the path to inspiration.   

    For all the differences between Shamai and Hillel they ultimately work as a team. This is borne by the symmetry between they teachings, and how they are address the very same issues through their differing perspectives. Their differing perspectives enrich each other in a grand collaborative leadership.   

 Following the previous teachings of Hillel regarding relationship with fellow man (Bain Adom L’Chavero) and relationship with Hashem (Bain adom LaMokom), in this Mishna we can trace the third dimension of relationship with oneself (Bain Adom L’Atzmo). This is apparent from his charge that we each take responsibility for out own spiritual future.   

 Our parsha centers on the choseness of the Jewish people and how no other people holds a candle to this special nation. This becomes clear by tracing a cohesive theme traversing the entire parsha, as well as an intertextual linkage between our parsha and Sefer Beraishis as a whole.    

 Relationship is all-compassing, traversing all strata of the human condition: body, emotion, and spirit. However, it is so easy for it to lose this richness and become debased and animalized. This can be teased out from a deeper understanding of Ba’l Peor- the grotesque avodah zara, coupled with the alluring snares of the B’nos Moav (Daughters of Moab).   

    The teachings of Shamai powerfully contrast with those of his colleague Hillel. At the heart of this differentiation are polar-opposite personas of Yira- discipline and practicality vs. Ahava- love and creativity. Ultimate these two great leaders have a complimentary relationship and are both indispensable to the leadership of Klal Yisrael.    

 This shiur will tease out how the frivolous pursuit of fame is not only un-pious but self-destructive.   

 

 The Jewish people spurn Hashem’s loving embrace much like the teenager who rejects his mother’s overtures. Ever the child, we perceive Hashem’s love as smothering rather than empowering. True maturity is the balanced understanding that reliance on our heavenly father only furthers our opportunities for personal fulfillment, further enables us to chart our own path.