Time for Torah: By Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Zt"l

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת שמיני .  Discussed:  Understanding how Aharon was able to receive נבואה after the deaths of his two sons, in contrast to Yaakov who didn't receive prophecy for the 22 years he only assumed Yosef was dead.  R' Chaim Vital's principle for how one can discover their true mission in life.  The Bais Halevi on the Shira of Moshe, and how Dovid Hame...

Two part shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פסח.This two-part series delves into the sources for the Four Sons, glean many insights and lessons into how the Torah presents the Four Sons, and contrasts them to how the Haggadah portrays them.

Two part shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פסח. In this two-part series we will delve into the sources for the four sons and glean many insights and lessons in how the Torah presents the four sons, and contrast them to the way the Haggadah portray them.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פסח, continuing on the topic of Galus and antisemitism. Discussed: Understanding the Pasuk brought in the Haggadah, ואמר לך בדמיך חיי ואמר לך בדמיך חיי (and I said to you, by your blood you shall live, and I said to you by your blood you shall live). Should we understand the Pasuk על פי פשט or דרוש, which seem contradictory? Furthermore, why does the Pasuk re...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פסח, discussing the topic of Galus and antisemitism. Discussed: Analyzing the Pesukim in Ki Savo that the Haggadah Darshens to elaborate on the story of יציאת מצרים and how the Jews became a nation as they were metaphorically born in Mitzrayim, in Galus. The Meshech Chochma writes that Yaakov Avinu established for future generations the strategy Jews use to s...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פסח.Discussed: Is there a minimum Shiur for the Mitzvah of Sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim? If not, what about the famous R' Gamliel that obligates one to say at least three things (Pesach, Matzah, and Marror)? Different ways to understand the Chiyuv to recite Hallel on Leil Pesach, including Rashi and the Rambam who consider it a part of סיפור יציאת מצרים, and...

The second part of a Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פסח. Discussed:  Why Bris Milah and Karbon Pesach are the only positive commandments that have the severe punishment of Kares, and why having a Bris is a pre-requisite to be able to partake in a Karbon Pesach.  Why the Torah refers to Pesach as "Shabbos," and how the theme of Sefirah is to ‘earn’ Shavous.  Why we say Yizokor on...

First part of a Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פסח. Discussed:  The significance that Hashem personally killed the Egyptians by Makkos Bachoros and did not use an emissary. Additionally, why do we focus our eternal gratitude to Hashem for the inaction of passing us over and not killing us? Why did Klal Yisroel bow down in gratitude when they were told they would have descendants that would...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פסח. Continuation of the topics discussed from the shiurim on Parsahas Hachodesh and Purim.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פסח.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת צו. Discussed:  Various Peshatim in the words of Chazal, that the Korbon Tamid requires extra זריזות (vigilance) because it involves a loss of money.  The Medrash Tanchuma emphasizes the importance of studying the Halachos of Korbonos, and why children are particularly important in this regard.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת ויקרא.  Discussed:  Two lessons from the small Alef in Vayikra, and why it was appropriate to give over these lessons at the beginning of Sefer Vayikra.  If the Torah is against celibacy why did Moshe separate from his wife permanently?  An explanation of the Medrash that says that the Shechina went into Galus only once the children were exiled, and why...

The second part of a Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת החודש. Discussed: R' Yaakov Kaminetzky elaborates on the Ramban, presenting a new approach to understanding the Geula from Bavel and Tekufas Bayis Sheni. R' Yaakov's perspective on the modern state of Israel as it relates to Galus, specifically to the horrors of the Holocaust and the rise of the Soviet Iron Curtain. R&#39...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת החודש. Discussed: The Ramban explains when and why we started calling the months by name (Nissan Iyar etc); names that are not Jewish but rather based on Persian/Babylonian pagan God's. This leads to the question, why are we using Persian names for our calendar? The Sefer Haikram asks, how could the Jews adopt non-Jewish Persian names of the months?...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת החודש.  Discussed:  What is the message in the fact the first Miztva Hashem gave to Klal Yisroel was Kiddush Hachodesh?  Why was Moshe so concerned about what the Egyptian Astrologers thought?  The underlying message in the Pirkie D'Reb Eilezer that no part of the Ram from Akedes Yitzchock went to waste, and the principle of the 'conservation of...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת פקודי.  Discussed:  How to understand the order of the Parshiyos and why the Torah interrupts the construction of the Mishkan with Parshas Ki Sisa? Was there a Mitzvah to build the Mishkan before the חטא העגל?  Why does Parshas Pekudei constantly repeat כאשר צוה ה' את משה (like Hashem commanded Moshe) over and over again?  The Bais Halevi explains the un...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn on פרשת ויקהל-פקודי.  Discussed:   Hashem only gives wisdom to the wise: why doesn’t Hashem give it to those that are lacking the wisdom, surely they need it the most? Furthermore, what is "wisdom of the heart" (Chachmiey Lev) that the Torah keeps referring to?   Why did Hashem want the Krevuim to be in the image of children?   R’ Chaim Shmuelevitz on what...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת פקודי, continuing on the topic of the Yetzer Hara. The Shiur can also be listened to as a standalone Shiur.  Discussed:   The Rambam in his Hakdama to Mishnayos asks, what is the value of all the people who waste time and spend their days in trivial pursuits?  The Paradox of money: Why people have a limitless desire for money, a means to an end, but the...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת ויקהל, discussing the Yetzer Hara.  Discussed:  The meaning of במראת הצבאת (mirrors of the legions) that were donated for the Kiyur. Are we praising the women for spurning mirrors and physicality or lauding them for utilizing the mirror?   R' Shamshon Refael Hirsch's question: Why did משה accept the women's jewelry including the כומז but (ini...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת כי תשא.  Discussed:   R' Chaim Shmulevitz wonders how it was possible for Klal Yisroel to rapidly fall from receiving the Torah to idol worship in the span of just a few months.   The lesson R' Yehuda Hanasi learned from dropping his Megilah.   Why people who go off the Derech fall much further than those that were never religious in the first pl...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת כי תשא. Discussed:  A discussion regarding the first Luchos, based on the Pasuk, חרות על הלוחות (engraved on the Tablets), which Chazal say should be read חירות (freed). Additionally a connection between the חטא העגל and Parshas Parah.  R' Nissin Alpert learns a lesson from the leftover ink that lit up Moshe Rabeinu's face, which signifies the pa...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פורים. Discussed:  If every Jewish holiday is named after the defining miracle of that Chag, why is Purim named after the seemingly insignificant lots which Haman drew to decide when to exterminate the Jews?  What is the 'Song' of the Megillah that the Gemora says replaces the standard Hallel we recite on every Jewish holiday?  Why does the fulfillmen...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פורים. Discussed:  Chazal compare Esther to the dawn, she was the end of miracles and a new era in Jewish history started. One would think that she should be compared to dusk, ushering in the night, so too Esther started the era of Galus and darkness and we lost miracles and prophecies.  The Zohar states, there is no light except that which emanates from dark...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פורים.Discussed: The Medrash states that Purim & Yom Kippur will be the only two Yom Tovim around after Moshiach. The Tshuvos HaRashba asks on this Medrash, how can it be that any part of the Torah will be abolished at any point in time and why would Purim have precedence over the other Yom Tovim that are D'orayasa The Ramban on the Tochacha explains...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פורים. Discussed : The Yaaros Devash explains the perplexing Chazal, which compares Esther to the dawn because Esther signifies the end of miracles. On the contrary, Purim seemingly marks the end of divine enlightenment and the beginning of the night of Galus? Understanding why the Pasuk in Tehilim says that a fool will not understand Hashem’s deep and profou...