The Jewish Prayer Podcast

Join Rabbi Scott Kahn for a short but meaningful exploration of the link between Pesach Sheni, Lag BaOmer, and Jewish mysticism.

The Maggid section of the Seder - that is, the story of the Exodus - begins with a seemingly disingenuous invitation, addressed to anyone who is needy, to join the Seder. Why is it there? What is its purpose? Rabbi Scott Kahn investigates this question, and in the process uncovers an important message about the Divine Presence, the secret of Jewish history, and the necessity of unconditional love for every member of the Jewish people.

Avraham's great prayer on behalf of the inhabitants of Sodom was one of the paradigmatic moments in the religious history of mankind, a prayer from which we draw inspiration to this day. But wasn't it ultimately a failure? This shiur was sponsored in memory of Chaim ben Yosef HaCohen, Miriam bat Moshe, Yosef ben Yehoshua, Rachel bat Mordechai, and Rachel bat Yitzchak.

Chazal tell us that G-d established a covenant with Israel such that their recital of the thirteen attributes of mercy will always result in divine favor. The great Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (d. 1570) explains that it's not enough to recite these attributes; rather, we must learn what they are, and embody them in our own relationships. Join Rabbi Scott Kahn for a ten minute explanation of the thirteen attributes, as well as Rav Cordovero's practical suggestions of how to implement them in our lives.

With the imminent arrival of the New Year comes the obligation to hear the shofar. But there are many details involved in this mitzvah; without knowledge of these details, you may not understand why you're hearing what you're hearing. In this shiur, Rabbi Scott Kahn presents a comprehensive review of the laws of shofar in only 26 minutes, so that when you hear those sounds, you'll be informed and ready.

The words of this kinah sound as if there is almost no hope, until we look at the context: it is describing a woman in childbirth. Just as the pain of labor gives birth to the hope of tomorrow, our mourning this Tisha B'Av will hopefully lead to the final Redemption.

We learn the history behind the burning of the Talmud in Paris in 1236. While certainly tragic, why was it viewed by the Maharam MiRotenberg - the author of this kinah - with such a sense of foreboding?

The Chofetz Chaim told a parable about a man who prays, but doesn't do his part to make his prayer come true. Are we any different when it comes to praying for the redemption?

Why should we continue to mourn today, when we are fortunate enough to have been given the Divine gift of the State of Israel? Is there something missing? This shiur was dedicated by Tzvi Klein in memory of his grandparents, Daniel and Rhoda Schwartz.

Why do we refrain from saying Tachanun on Tisha B'Av, as we do on days of rejoicing? And if the answer is that Tisha B'Av will one day be a holiday rather than a day of mourning, what does that have to do with our experience today? And finally, why will Tisha B'Av be a happy day, rather than merely a "neutral" day?