Time for Torah: By Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Zt"l

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת נח. Discussed:  What is the significance of the animals becoming deviant? How can man affect the animal kingdom and why would animals be punished for their moral failings if they only operate on instinct?  The Beis Halevi explains why the Tzadik gets the Rasha's portion of his merits and vice versa.   What is the difference between Din and Cheshbon?

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת נח.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת נח.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת נח.  Discussed:  What is the connection between the Mitzvah to build the Taivah and the Mitzvah to build the Mishkan, and how the function of Yeshivos have evolved over the years from being just a Mishkon to serving a dual purpose of a Taivah & a Mishkan. Rabbi Chaim Dov Keller Zt”l had a Vort, that you can’t be a Bar Mitzva without being a Ben Torah...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת בראשית.  Discussed:  • The Netziv's introduction to Sefer Bereshis explains that Sefer Bereshis is called Sefer Hayashor and serves as the introduction to the entire Torah, teaching by example the message of Derech Eretz Kadma Latorah.  • The observation that the Torah was willing to write the pesukim of creation in ways that can be corrupted and miscons...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת בראשית. Discussed:   • What was the state of Adom Harishon before he ate from the Etz Hadas (Tree of Knowledge)? What changed after he sinned?  • Learning from the Parsha the way the Yetzer Hara operates, and how desire fools us.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת בראשית. Discussed: • The Kli Yakir explains what it means that Kayin offered his Korbon, מקץ ימים, at the end of days. What was the motivation behind Kayin's Korbon, and why did Hashem reject his Korbon? • Understanding the essential concept of Korbonos. If Hashem doesn't "need" our gifts, why do we offer Korbonos? Furthermore, what is the significance o...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on סוכות. Discussed:   The Vilna Gaon's answer to the famous question; why is Sukkos celebrated in Tishrei?  A second Vilna Gaon, where he explains the Mishna that compares rain on Sukkos to a servant who has water poured back in his face by his master.  A discussion on the importance of time.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on סוכות. We continue the theme of the last Shiur.  Discussed:   Why do we pray in Avinu Malkeinu to inscribe us in the Book of Merit; either we are meritorious already or not? R' Mattisyahu Solomon asks why is Sukkos defined as Zman Simchaseinu (time of our joy), what is the source of this joy?

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on סוכות. Discussed:  The connection between Sukkos, Moshiach, and the end of days.  The Vilna Gaon's approach for why we celebrate Sukkos in Tishrei and not in the month of Nissan.  How the Shofar represents the power of Teshuva and why this confounds the Soton.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on סוכות. Discussed:   The Bach teaches that there are three Mitzvos that have a special requirement to know the reason behind the Mitzvah in order to fully satisfy the obligation; Sukkos, Tefilin and Tzisis. Is there a reason why these Mitzvos are unique in this regard?  The Sefer Haikram writes that there are three basic fundamental principles of belief, and t...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on סוכות.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on יום כיפור. Discussed: • R' Chaim Shmulevitz highlights the need to resolve Bein Adam Lchaveiro issues before Yom Kippur, otherwise, one cannot obtain full atonement on the day of judgment. • R' Chaim Shmulevitz writes of the severe punishments that can result from sins of Bein Adam Lchaveiro, even when the person unintentionally and only indirectly harmed the...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on יום כיפור. Discussed: • The Chinuch writes that Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur sustain the world because it enables us to gain yearly atonement. Without this gift of yearly atonement, we would be overwhelmed by the burden of Aveiros and we would never be able to perform Teshuva. • Three concepts underlying the fast of Yom Kippur 1) לפום צערא אגרא, the more pa...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on יום כיפור.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on יום כיפור.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת וילך.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on ראש השנה‎.Discussed: • Why does the Torah call Rosh Hashana a Yom Teruah (referring to Shofar) which is only one of the Mitzvos of the day, but nowhere is it mentioned that it's the beginning of the new year and a day of judgment - the defining feature of the holiday? • What are the connections between the 4 places the Torah mentions the Shofar that are all i...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on ראש השנה‎.   Discussed:   Numerous reasons why we blow the Shofar on Rosh Hashana, and the underlying themes of these different and sometimes conflicting reasons.   The Shlah's explanation of why we end each set of Tekiaos with a Tikiya Gedolah, and why the confounding of the Yeitzer Hara only happens after the second Tikiya.  How the blowing of the Shofe...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on ראש השנה‎.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת נצבים-וילך. Discussed: Lessons we can learn from Moshe Rabeinu and R' Yisrael Salanter on their last day of life. The Sforno explains what the Pasuk means that Teshuva is not in the heavens nor in a distant land. What was special about Reuven that Chazal say he was the first person to perform Teshuva; What about Adom, Kayin, and others who also did Teshu...

Shiur From Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl' on ימים נוראים.  Discussed:  The Gemara teaches that for those who forgo the grievances against them, Hashem reciprocates and will overlook the evil you might have committed.  The significance of the סימנים and the importance of how you act on Rosh Hashana.   The attitude one should have on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Should one cry? The diffrent opinions and...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on Elul.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת כי תבא.  Discussed:  • A deeper look into the Parsha of Bentching: why does the Torah only have a Mitzvah to make a ברכה after the meal when one is satiated, it would seem more logical to make a Bracha before we eat.  • The Ksav Sofer explains why we use the Loshon of השקיפה (look down at us) in the Bracha after bringing Bikkurim, which has negative conn...

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת כי תבא. Discussed: • What does the Medrash mean that the world was created on account of Mitzvas Bikurim? • Understanding the preciousness of Mitzvas Bikurim that it manifests an acceptance of Hashem's Hashgachas Pratis. • The Alshich writes that the Torah attaches great importance to the Mitzvah of Bikurim because it demonstrates the Middah of Hakaros H...