Time for Torah: By Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Zt"l

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וישב.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וישב.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl On פרשת וישלח. Discussed:  Why did Yaakov Avinu establish the tefillah of Maariv only after he left Eretz Yisrael? Understanding how each of the Avos represents the three times we went to Galus, and similarly, each corresponds to one of the Batei Mikdash. R' Elchonon explains that the Soton waited to battle with Yaakov, and not the other Avos, because Yaakov...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl On פרשת וישלח. Discussed: Discussing why Dinah was associated with her mother Leah, implying similar character traits, and how her personality was particularly suited to reform Eisav. With this understanding, we can explain why Yaakov was punished for hiding Dinah from his brother, Eisav. The Akeidas Yitzchok writes that women have two purposes. This is why we f...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl On פרשת וישלח. Discussed: Rabeinu B'chaya explains the deeper meaning behind Yaakov's request when he asked Hashem to supply him with "bread to eat and clothes to wear". R' Moshe writes that Hashem provides according to the standards of each generation; the basics are readily available but the luxuries are harder to obtain. The Kli Yakir explains what it means t...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on the topic of הכרת הטוב.   Discussed:   A better understanding of the idea of Hakaros Hatov based on a seemingly arrogant statement of R' Zoma, brought down in the Gemara of Brachos. Lessons we can learn from Moshe Rabeinu regarding the extent of the obligation to recognize goodness.   How Kibbud Av V'em embodies the dual nature of Hakaros Hatov which...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on the topic of הכרת הטוב.  Discussed:   Different Halachik opinions regarding a Jew celebrating Thanksgiving.   The Alshich explains why Chazal say that the world was created on account of Mitzvas Bikkurim. What is so significant about this specific Mitzvah? Why is someone who is כפוי טוב (unappreciative) considered an Apikorus (denier of God)?

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת ויצא.  Discussed: The Daas Zekanim and Baal Haturin note that Parshas Vayetzei is a Parsha סתומה, which symbolizes Yaakov's life in Galus and our long Galus these past 2,000 years. The Gra writes in a letter to his family, מחר תבכה מאשר היום תשחק (tomorrow you will cry at what today you laughed). This idea is illustrated by Leah and Rochel who both merit...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת ויצא.Discussed: The Gemorah says that no one ever gave thanks to Hashem until Leah did so upon the birth of Yehuda. The Rif explains that even though there are numerous instances where the Avos and previous generations expressed appreciation to Hashem, Leah was the first to describe it as a “Hodah” (admission). Why is this significant and what is the mes...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת ויצא. Discussed:  Why Yaakov's love for Rochel felt like only a few moments when it was 14 years and usually fondness for something makes the wait feel longer? Why is Veahavta  L'Reicha the essence of the whole Torah?

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת ויצא.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת תולדות.  Discussed:   The Chasam Sofer explains the ideal relationship between Eisav and Yaakov. This is represented by the relationship between R' Yehuda Hanasi and Antoninus. He further explains that people who support Torah are actually put on a higher pedestal than those who learn Torah. Discussion of Eisav's potential, and why Yitzchok’s persona of...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת תולדות.   Discussed:   The Steipler explains why Eisav was upset and accused Yaakov of tricking him into selling the בכורה (firstborn rights), in contrast to the beginning of the Parsha when Eisav seemed more than happy to sell it. Rabeinu B'chaya explains what Yaakov exchanged and sold to Eisav when he acquired the birthright. Why did Eisav's clothing s...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת תולדות. Discussed:  R’ Chatzkel Abramsky compared the way the Ponevezher Rav went about establishing Yeshivas and communities post WW2 to the way Yitzchok restored the wells of Avraham that were destroyed by the Pelishtim. Similarly, the Ponevezher Rav and other Torah leaders were restoring the European wells of Torah after the Nazis attempted to destroy...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת חיי שרה. Discussed:  What is the connection between Sarah and Esther? Chazal say that Esther merited to rule 127 countries because Sarah lived 127 years.  Why does the Gemara say Sarah’s beauty was like a 7 yr old and her innocence was like a 20 yr old - shouldn’t it be the other way around? How two seemingly contradictory compliments regarding Sarah’s b...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת חיי שרה.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת חיי שרה.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וירא.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וירא.Discussed: What is the message we should learn that one should attend to guests before the Shechina? The Rambam’s parameters for when we say the Torah is speaking figuratively as opposed to literally. The Abarbenal’s explanation of how to reconcile the Rambam given all the questions the Ramban asks.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וירא. We continue the discussion of last week regarding Lot. Discussed: Why does the Torah emphasize that Avrohom returned to the same inns on his journey back from Mitzrayim? R’ Leib Chasman explores why some people achieve true greatness while others, despite great potential, stagnate and fail to progress? He adds that one must not let the focus on ove...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת לך לך.Discussed: Understanding the argument between Yitzchok and Yishmael regarding the ideal way to perform Mitzvas Bris Milah. Is it better to perform the Mitzvah as an intelligent thirteen-year-old or an innocent baby? Understanding the story of אחר (R' Elisha Ben Avuya), a great sage who went off the Derech. The Gemara cites the Pasuk טוב אחרית ד...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת לך לך.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת לך לך.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת לך לך.  Discussed:  The difference in child rearing between someone observant by rote versus someone who chose it through their own conviction.  Why do we list the Avos in ascending order? Furthermore, why do we delineate them separately at the beginning of the first Bracha of Shmonei Esrei and then conclude only with Avroham?  R’ Shimon Shkup’s incredib...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת לך לך. Discussed: What type of journey was Avrohom Avinu commanded to take? Did he go altruistically or to receive reward?  How to understand Lot? Was he a Tzadik, who attached himself to Avrohom, following him through thick and thin, or a Rasha who unhesitatingly abandoned Avrohom and embraced Sodom?