Time for Torah: By Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Zt"l

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וארא.   This week’s Shiur is dedicated לעילוי נשמת ר' יצחק בן זאב - Eddie Chernoff. Eddie, was a dear family friend and Talmid of Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl. With a vision and commitment to Torah, Eddie founded The Time for Torah Fellowship in Telshe Yeshiva of Riverdale. These Shiurim are the direct fruits of his vision and efforts. יהי זכרו ברוך.   Discu...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וארא.  Discussed:  A question on the קל וחומר that Moshe Rabeinu made to Hashem, that if the Bnei Yisrael didn't listen to me then certainly Pharoah won't listen to me. However, the previous Pasuk states a reason why the Bnei Yisrael didn't listen, specifically because they were "short of breath" by being enslaved to Pharoah. So why did Moshe compare Pha...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וארא. Discussed: R' Yaakov Kamenetzky asks, why was magic so prevalent in ancient history in contrast to the modern age? Why did magic exist, where did it go, and why did it disappear? The Be'er Yosef asks, why did Hashem send Moshe and Ahron to turn the staff into a snake; what lesson or message was Hashem trying to send Pharoah, especially in light of...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וארא.  Discussed:  Two questions on the Parsha arise; why did HaShem harden Pharoah's heart, doesn't this interfere with the principle of free-will? Furthermore, if HaShem did harden his heart, why are the Mitzriyim punished for not letting the Jews go?  The Bais Halevi, (following the approach of the Ramban) discusses how to view choices made under dure...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת שמות. Discussed: Who received a harsher punishment, Bilam and his painless death, or Iyuv who lived with immeasurable suffering? R' Chaim Shmulevitz's important insight into the treasure of life, even a life full of pain and suffering. He explains the great value of life based on the Mishna in Avos, "better is one hour doing Mitzvos in this world, more t...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn ztl on פרשת שמות.   Discussed:   What was the cause for the close relationship between Roman Emperor Antoninus and Rebbi Yehuda Hanasi?   R' Yaakov Kamenetzky gleaned an important Chinuch lesson from Moshe Rabeinu's wet nurse.   R' Eliyahu Meir Bloch explains the Medrash that Reuvain & Aharon would have acted differently if they would have known that their actio...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn ztl on פרשת שמות.   Discussed:   A discussion of the prohibition against following the ways of the Goyim.   The Meshoch Chochma explains why Yaakov Avinu was so insistent that he be buried in Eretz Yisrael, and the lesson Yaakov taught future generations about living in Galus.   R' Moshe has a Teshuva discussing the permissibility of using non-Jewish names.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת שמות.  Discussed:  R’ Elya Meir Bloch’s insight into the dilemma Moshe faced in whether he should kill the Egyptian for beating the Jew.  The Chasam Sofer's explanation on why the Egyptian astrologers could not discern if the savior for the Jews would be an Egyptian or a Jew.  Explanation of how Pharoah, Chizkiyahu, and Yoseph's brothers all intended to...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl On פרשת ויחי‎.   Discussed: Four definitions of הודאה and how they apply to Yehuda.  The hidden significance of the ד in Yehuda's name.  The Rashba writes that Moshiach, who descends from Yehuda, integrates all the different aspects of Hodaah.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת ויחי‎. Discussed: Understanding that the conflict in Israel is not a physical battle but a spiritual war between the Bnei Yisrael and Yishmael. Those denying the authenticity of the Torah delegitimize our claim to Eretz Yisrael. Why did Yaakov claim that his sword and bow conquered Shchem, we know that Shimon & Levi were the ones to capture Shchem? H...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת ויחי. This Shiur discusses the topic of Chinuch and the ideas behind Jewish education.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn ZT"L on פרשת ויגש & עשרה בטבת. Discussed Understanding the purpose of a Taanis and why we fast every year, especially as Eretz Yisrael is engulfed in yet another war on Asara B'teves. It is not simply a commemoration of historical calamities, but rather a time to understand the root spiritual causes of past and present events, and to reflect upon our sp...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn ztl on ט' טבת.Discussed: Discussed the reasons and tragedies behind the fast of Ches and Tes Teves, as brought in Megillas Tannis; including the translation of the Torah into Greek, the death of Ezra & Nechamia, and the birth of Christianity. Discussed the Gemara which teaches the correct way to give Tochacha (rebuke), as illustrated by the story of R' Y...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn ztl on פרשת ויגש.   Discussed: Chazal explain why Yehuda deserved kingship.  R' Eliyahu Meir Bloch contrasts secular kingship with Jewish leadership.  Yosef represents the Tzadik who never sinned, and Yehuda represents the Tzadik who falls and does Teshuva.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת ויגש.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת מקץ.Discussed: The Gra answers a question on the Ramban, why would Yosef concoct a plan to torment his brothers and father just so he can fulfill his dreams? The Baal Haturin connects Yosef's accusation that the brothers were spies (מרגלים אתם), with the 10 Meraglim in Parshas Shelach. What is the significance of this connection? Rabeinu Bchaya write...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת מקץ. Discussed: Understanding the Gemara, that Yosef split and hid his storehouses of wealth and three people later found this vast wealth: Korach, Antoninus, and future Tzadikim. What is the significance of these three groups, and why is one-third only reserved for future Tzadikim, what about current Tzadikim? Discussing three sources of wealth, as expl...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on חנוכה. Discussed:  The contrast of the inclusiveness of Purim and the seemingly divisive nature of Chanukah explained with a Chasam Sofer.  The Sforno explains why there are 7 distinct branches to the Menorah but it is all cast out of a single unit.  Rabeinu Bichaya explains why the ten martyrs had to atone for the sale of Yosef.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on חנוכה and December 25th. Discussed: Four themes that we find in the Sefarim for Chanukah: 1) The physical salvation of the Jews and military conquest, celebrating when the Jews reconquered Eretz Yisrael and the establishment of Jewish independence, free from foreign influence. 2) A celebration for the rededication of the Bais Hamikdash. 3) The spiritual salva...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on חנוכה.  Discussed the Alter M'Kelm's approach to answering the famous question on Chanukah; why do we celebrate Chanukah for eight days if the miracle only lasted for seven.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on חנוכה.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on חנוכה. Discussed:  Three Questions on Chanukah; (1) Chazal tell us that Purim marks the end of prophecy and supernatural miracles, if so, why do we find supernatural miracles in the Chanukah story which takes place hundreds of years later? (2) Normally, Hashem performs miracles involving the salvation of the Jews, yet the miracle of the burning oil was simply...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וישב and on חנוכה.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וישב and on חנוכה. Discussed: The Sforno writes that the life of Yaakov Avinu parallels future generations; Yaakov's time spent at Lavan corresponds to Galus Bayis Rishon and the period of Vayeshev corresponds with the era of the second Bais Hamikdash culminating with the Galus of Miztrayim, and concludes with redemption when Yaakov's body returns to Ere...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וישב.