Why Does Hashem Test Us?

"Aliyah L'Regel": An inspirational journey through the Jewish Calendar through the lens presented by teachings of great Jewish thinkers. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed.The calendar month of Marheshvan brings with it a unique blend of quiet introspective waiting and historic communal restoration. Chief among these reflections is the powerful celebration of Sigd, a holiday preserved for generations by Ethiopian Jewry. As we mark this day of renewal and transition toward Rosh Chodesh Kislev, we uncover how ancient longing, communal resilience, and historic halachic decisions continue to shape our celebration of Jewish time.In this episode, we explore the origins of Sigd and the spiritual lead-up to Chanukah through four key questions:The Origins and Practice of Sigd: What are the historical and spiritual foundations of Sigd, and how has this traditional day of fasting, prayer, and renewal evolved into a national celebration in modern Israel?The Journey and Halachic Hurdles of Beta Israel: What historic challenges and halachic questions accompanied the Ethiopian Jewish community's heroic struggle and eventual Aliyah to the land of Israel?Preparing for Rosh Chodesh Kislev: How does the transition from Marheshvan into Kislev shift our focus from deep longing toward light, miracles, and rededication?The Year of Waiting: Why did the Sages wait a full year after the victory of the Hasmoneans before officially establishing Chanukah as an eternal annual holiday for future generations?

"Ripped From The Headlines": Presenting topics in current events considered through the lens of Jewish law and thought. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed.Canada’s continuing expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) has sparked profound ethical debates worldwide, culminating in intense communal friction over rabbinic rulings regarding end-of-life choices and communal burial. As rabbinical bodies struggle to maintain traditional halachic boundaries in the face of modern end-of-life legislation, we are confronted with complex legal, pastoral, and communal dilemmas surrounding the sanctity of life and post-mortem honors.In this episode, we explore the intersection of medical ethics, halachic jurisprudence, and communal policy through four core questions:Active Euthanasia vs. Removing Obstacles: How does halacha strictly differentiate between actively hastening death (euthanasia/MAiD) and withholding treatment or removing an impediment to allow a natural departure of the soul?Ownership of the Body and B'tzelem Elohim: What is the foundational Jewish perspective on personal autonomy versus Divine ownership of the human body, and how does it define the intrinsic value of human life during terminal suffering?The Status of Suicide in Halacha: How do classic halachic sources categorize self-inflicted death, and under what circumstances are traditional mourning and burial rites restricted or preserved?Communal Autonomy and Burial Sanctions: What is the legal and pastoral rationale behind rabbinic policies that restrict communal burial honors for MAiD recipients, and how do communities balance halachic integrity with compassion for grieving families?

"Ripped From The Headlines": Presenting topics in current events considered through the lens of Jewish law and thought. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed.When high-profile criminal cases culminate in a mistrial due to a hung jury, it highlights fundamental questions about how secular legal systems determine guilt, handle deliberation, and seek justice. Standing in stark contrast to modern trial by jury is the biblical Sanhedrin, which operated on an entirely different legal framework engineered to prevent wrongful execution while ensuring truth and rigorous integrity.In this episode, we examine how the Sanhedrin functioned compared to modern jury systems and unpack the unique principles governing capital and criminal trials in Jewish law:Juries vs. Sanhedrin: How does the structure and legal authority of a panel of expert halachic judges differ from a jury of lay peers?The Ironclad Standard of Evidence: Why does halacha require two valid, eye-witnesses with explicit prior warning (hatra'ah), and how does this affect the admissibility of circumstantial evidence?Majority Rules vs. Unanimity: How many judges are needed to convict versus acquit, and why does a unanimous guilty verdict surprisingly lead to the defendant being exonerated?Deliberation & Deadlocks: What is the critical importance of structured judicial debate, and what happens within the Sanhedrin framework when judges cannot reach a consensus?

Dvar Torah on Parashat Chayei Sarah

Exploring the ten tests of Avraham, why Hashem challenged Avraham in these ways, and how we can prepare to overcome challenges in our lives. Shiur delivered to FJL alumni in Tel Aviv

Dvar Torah on Parashat Vayeira 5787

"Aliyah L'Regel": An inspirational journey through the Jewish Calendar through the lens presented by teachings of great Jewish thinkers. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed.The calendar we live by shapes how we mark time, history, and our relationship with the world around us. Yet, in our modern interconnected lives, navigating between the Hebrew calendar and the secular calendar raises fascinating questions of identity and halacha. Coupled with the arrival of the rainy season, the changing months invite us to reflect on both our temporal markers and the divine expressions of love that sustain our world.In this episode, we explore the halachic status of secular timekeeping and the spiritual depth of seasonal transitions through two core questions:The Halachic Status of the Secular Calendar: Is there a halachic issue or prohibition associated with using the secular (January) dating system, and how do traditional legal documents and commercial practices navigate this? What are the underlying heterim (permissible grounds) for using it when necessary?The Rain of Unity: How does the arrival of seasonal rain symbolize divine love and forge a profound sense of unity and shared destiny among the Jewish people?

"Ripped From The Headlines": Presenting topics in current events considered through the lens of Jewish law and thought. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed.When high-profile criminal cases culminate in a mistrial due to a hung jury, it highlights fundamental questions about how secular legal systems determine guilt, handle deliberation, and seek justice. Standing in stark contrast to modern trial by jury is the biblical Sanhedrin, which operated on an entirely different legal framework engineered to prevent wrongful execution while ensuring truth and rigorous integrity.In this episode, we examine how the Sanhedrin functioned compared to modern jury systems and unpack the unique principles governing capital and criminal trials in Jewish law:Juries vs. Sanhedrin: How does the structure and legal authority of a panel of expert halachic judges differ from a jury of lay peers?The Ironclad Standard of Evidence: Why does halacha require two valid, eye-witnesses with explicit prior warning (hatra'ah), and how does this affect the admissibility of circumstantial evidence?Majority Rules vs. Unanimity: How many judges are needed to convict versus acquit, and why does a unanimous guilty verdict surprisingly lead to the defendant being exonerated?Deliberation & Deadlocks: What is the critical importance of structured judicial debate, and what happens within the Sanhedrin framework when judges cannot reach a consensus?

Dvar Torah on Parashat Lech Lecha 5787

"Ripped From The Headlines": Presenting topics in current events considered through the lens of Jewish law and thought. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed.As election cycles approach and political debates heat up, voters often view casting a ballot strictly as a civic right or a political preference. But from the perspective of halacha (Jewish law), does participating in modern democratic elections go beyond civic duty into the realm of a religious obligation?In this episode, we examine the legal and philosophical frameworks surrounding voting in elections, exploring how Jewish thought approaches civic engagement and public leadership:Building a Good Society: We explore the halachic obligation to actively engage in building a functional, moral society. Today, this responsibility requires participating in the electoral process, voting, and supporting leaders who will help shape a just and righteous community.The Classical Paradigms: How did historical Rabbinic authorities view community appointments and public governance, from the Talmudic requirements of town governance (Bnei Ha'Ir) to modern responsibilities in democratic societies?Voting in Eretz Yisrael: Is there a heightened halachic obligation when voting in Israeli elections? Join us for a fascinating, thought-provoking discussion at the intersection of Jewish law, democracy, and national destiny.