The JLC Torah Podcast

The spies are accused of speaking Lashon HaRa about the land. What does that mean? - An insight of Rav Soloveitchik.

Why is it that all of a sudden, in the middle of Sefer Bamidbar, the relationship between the Jewish people and Hashem seems to fall apart?

The last couple of minutes from the interrupted episode.

The recording of the podcast was interrupted, and the last couple of minutes are in part 2.

What does Kedusha (holiness) entail?
In this shiur, we seek to answer this question by analyzing the first chapter of our parsha.

The Talmud says we accepted the Torah on Purim. What does that mean and how should that affect our Purim?

Why does the Torah repeat the elaborate details of the Mishkan construction when those elaborate details were already included in the original command to build it? It is to teach us a critical lesson about the Torah...

Why does Shabbat have the specific 39 melachot (prohibited labours) that it does?

9 minutes

(8 minutes)

What does it mean "marbin be-simcha" (we increase in joy)?

What impact does the Chanuka story have on our contemporary situation?

How necessary is religion for morality?

End of the previous shiur.
Future posts will appear on http://jlctorah.podomatic.com/.

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Interruption in the shiur

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This is the continuation of the shiur after the recording was interrupted.

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The beginning of the shiur was not recorded. Starts 9 lines into 18a. The recording was interrupted and continued in the second file.

When the Jews entered the Land of Israel, the laws of shechita changed. Why? And what can this teach us about the meaning of Shechita?

What is the essence of Jewish leadership? Why does Moshe break down when the people ask for meat? (16 minutes)

What was the Torah seeking to achieve by creating method of checking the sotah (suspected adultress)? What message does it have for us today? (7 min)

16 minutes

How hard must one really look for chametz? (11 minutes)

(16 minutes)

Part 3 of the series: "But Why? - Dealing with the big questions children ask" (20 minutes)

Part 2 of the series: "But Why? - Dealing with the big questions children ask" (19 minutes)

Does Chanuka simply celebrate a victory of the past, or is there more to it than that?(16 minutes)

Part 1 of the series: "But Why? - Dealing with the big questions children ask" (19 minutes)

(11 minutes)

Is lying forbidden in halacha? When and when not? (21 minutes)
Based on an article by Rabbi Mark Dratch.

Why does the Torah write so much about Avraham's acquisition of a burial plot?(18 minutes)

Can one daven in a language other than Hebrew? It's not a simple question.

The role of kavana (concentration) in davening. Based on Peninei Halacha.

12 minutes

The laws of Tefilla (Prayer) - Is it enough to think one's prayers or must they be said. Based on Peninei Halacha

13 minutes

Why do we say L'David Hashem in the month of Elul? (10 minutes)

The relevance of the law of the false prophet for our times. (10 minutes)

What is so special about this day? (24 minutes)

(10 minutes)

What is the objective of these 3 weeks? (16 minutes)

(15 minutes)

Some of the halachot and philosophical ideas about davening with a minyan. (14 min)

15 minutes

Describing the dynamics of the Jewish people's relationship with G-d(22 minutes)

How Yom Yerushalayim changed world history, and its relationship to Shavuot. (12 minutes)

What is the uniqueness of Purim? Discover how Purim has possibly the most profound message of all festivals for today's reality. (15 min)

Why is mixing meat and milk a problem? (14 minutes)

14 minutes

8 minutes

We are starting a new series featuring the best questions from students of Moriah College high school. This week's best question was: If you pray for someone to get better, and they don't, was there any point praying?

What does it mean to have a blessed life? (15 min)
Dedicated to the memory of Raizel Ceylon.

What does the Torah really think about monarchy? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? (20 minutes)

When the Torah tells us to utilize objects, such as Tefillin, Mezuzah and the recital of Shema, the idea is not just for our own reflection. (12 minutes).
Also: Podcast shiurim can now be sponsored and dedicated. (www.jlc.org.au)

What is the significance of this mysterious day that was dubbed "one of the happiest days of the year"? What should it mean to us? (19 min)

What are we trying to achieve in the Three Weeks? (20 minutes)

What is the problem of Jewish continuity today, and what are its solutions? (10 minutes)

Making brachot over food (21 minutes)
See English translation of the Mishna text at http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Mishnah/Seder_Zeraim/Tractate_Berakhot/Chapter_6

Is G-d's revelation a once-off event of the past, or does it continue today? (15 min)

Having the right state of mind for davening. (18 minutes)

See English translation of the Mishna text at http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Mishnah/Seder_Zeraim/Tractate_Berakhot/Chapter_5

Here we explore the profound philosophical reasons for washing one's hands in the morning, and their practical implications. (15 minutes)
(Based on Pninei Halacha)

The times of davening and non-ideal davening situations, e.g. while travelling, not familiar with the full text of the brachot, etc. (14 minutes)

See English translation of the Mishna text at http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Mishnah/Seder_Zeraim/Tractate_Berakhot/Chapter_4

A selection of some of the philosophical concepts and practical laws of Chanukah. (18 minutes)

People who are exempt from Shema and other mitzvot. (18 minutes)

See English translation of the Mishna text at http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Mishnah/Seder_Zeraim/Tractate_Berakhot/Chapter_3

What makes an enterprise successful? (11 minutes)

Chapter 2 deals with saying the Shema when one is engaged in other activities. (18 minutes)

See English translation of the Mishna text at http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Mishnah/Seder_Zeraim/Tractate_Berakhot/Chapter_2

A new series giving an overview of the halachic and philosophical ideas conveyed in the Mishna. Brachot Chapter 1 deals with the time of saying Shema. (18 minutes)

See English translation of the Mishna text at http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Mishnah/Seder_Zeraim/Tractate_Berakhot/Chapter_1

What is the basis of our belief in the covenant between G-d and the Jewish people? (14 minutes)

How Abraham's legacy can help us solve the problem of Jewish continuity. (17 minutes)

Here we explore one of the unusual responsibilities that a mourner's neighbours must practice - Seudat Havra'a. (10 minutes)
[Based on Torah LaDa'at, Parshat Toldot]

Why do we eat 3 meals on Shabbat? What are the 3 reasons for covering the challot? Can one use frozen challa? And more... (15 minutes)

In this episode we deal with the kabbalistic implications of washing one's hands in the morning. (13 minutes)

Parshat Vayera (2008) (8 minutes)

The difference between depth and superficiality in a person can often be seen by how they make plans. (10 minutes)

Why do we start our prayers with the mention of the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Who were they, and how should we relate to them? (16 minutes)

What was so great about Avraham, and what can we learn from him? (15 min)

The Rabbis had mixed feelings about Noach. Why? (16 min.)

How does one relate to a Being one cannot see or hear? We will examine an interesting Talmudic statement comparing God and the human soul. (17 min)

What is the significance of the blowing of the shofar on Rosh Hashana? (17 minutes)

Here we analyze the Torah's discussion of Birkat Hamazon, and come to understand that its significance is much more than just a thank-you. (15 minutes)

It is usually explained that "chukim" are mitzvot whose rationale we can't understand. Why do we have chukim, and how should they affect our relationship with G-d? (17 minutes)

Is one allowed to hate another person? (20 minutes)

The Torah tells us that we should be holy because G-d is holy. But what does this nebulous ideas actually mean? How does one actualize it? (12 minutes)

Why wasn't the Torah given straight away after the exodus from Egypt? (14 minutes)

What message can we take from the commemoration of Yom Hashoah? What are the implications of the Shoah for us? (12 minutes)

Looks at the issues associated with making kiddush not in the context of a proper meal. (15 min)

What is the connection between Purim and Pesach? What should we be feeling in the period between these 2 festivals? (16 min)

What is the purpose of drinking on Purim? How much should one drink? (14 min.)

Is Havdala a biblical obligation or a rabbinic one? What difference does it make? Do women actually have to make havdala? (17 minutes)