Mesechta Avodah Zora: “The Designated Man,” and the He-Goat to Azazel “Prohibited for Benefit?”

Shabbos Vayakhel/Pikudei 5783 — 18 March, 2023

I want to heartily thank David Kallus for fitting me in to the Chabura schedule for this Siyum: Big-Time Mega-Dittos Tizke L’Mitzvot! I also want to thank David Leichter for the time when he gave the Daf HaShavua shiur on Mondays and Thursdays. Very much in mind as I give this Siyum is HaRav Chaim Zev ben Avraham Aharon HaLevi, Zt’l, my Rav, whose wisdom and insights have impacted my life. And HaRav Avishai David and Rabbi Binyamin Jacobson have also provided great insights for all of us. A special thanks to Rabbi Jacobson and to Tully Bryks for their feedback regarding my talk. The Piaseczna Rebbe – HaRav Kalman Menachem Shapira and HaRav Chayim Soloveichik have also provided great insights. Many thanks to Rabbi Hillel Horowitz for printing out for me the final piece of Gemara in large print and vowelized. Similarly, many thanks to Danny Michaels for printing out this talk. Lest I forget to recognize and express deepest appreciation for my many friends in Ramat Beit Shemesh who show the world what Kindness, Chessed and Hachnasat Orchim are all about. And many thanks to all of you who have joined me today, as well as all who have a part in sponsoring this Kiddush. read more

Parshat Vayikra 5783: Breaking Down a Posuk — The Switch from Singular to Plural

Dear Friends;

This year’s Parshat Vayikra vort is being sponsored by Benyamin and Tracy Skriloff and family of Ramat Beit Shemesh dedicated for the good health and security of kol Am Yisrael. To the Skriloff family, many thanks for your sponsorship and for your continued kindnesses.

You can celebrate a Simcha — a birth, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your life, or commemorate a Yahrtzeit of a loved one, or for whatever other reason by sponsoring a Parshat HaShevua. read more

ParshatVayakhel-Pekudei 5783: Vayakhel – More In-Depth, And the Why of “Mishkan, Mishkan”

Shalom Friends;

This year’s Parshiyot Vayakhel/Pekudei vort is being sponsored by Steven and Debra Glanz and family of Ramat Beit Shemesh dedicated to their children for Hotslocha this year in all of their endeavors. To the Glanz family, many thanks for your sponsorship and for your continued kindnesses.

You can celebrate a Simcha — a birth, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your life, or commemorate a Yahrtzeit of a loved one, or for whatever other reason by sponsoring a Parshat HaShevua. read more

Parshat KiTisa 5783: Aaron’s Read on the Situation, His Actions Regarding the Chet HaEigel, and Why Moshe’s Anger with Him was Mistaken

Shalom Friends;

Our Parshat Ki Tisa vort is being sponsored by Dov and Lauren Greenberg of Ramat Beit Shemesh dedicated in honor of their children and granddaughter. To Mishpochat Greenberg, many thanks for your sponsorship, and your continued kindnesses.

You can celebrate a Simcha — a birth, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your life, or commemorate a Yahrtzeit of a loved one, or for whatever other reason by sponsoring a Parshat HaShevua.

Please forward to your relatives and friends and encourage them to sponsor a Parshat HaShevua. And please be in contact with me with any questions, or for further details. read more

Purim 5783: The Extension of Achasveirosh’s Scepter and Hashem’s Total Mastery of the World

Shalom Friends;

Our Purim vort is being sponsored by Avraham and Miriam Deutsch of Efrat dedicated for the Chayalim – may they maintain their health and spirit. To Mishpochat Deutsch, many thanks for your sponsorship, and your continued kindnesses.

You can celebrate a Simcha — a birth, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your life, or commemorate a Yahrtzeit of a loved one, or for whatever other reason by sponsoring a Parshat HaShevua.

Please forward to your relatives and friends and encourage them to sponsor a Parshat HaShevua. And please be in contact with me with any questions, or for further details. read more

Parshat Tetzaveh 5783: Moshe’s Omission From the Parsha — Past Reflections, Fresh Clarity

Shalom Friends;

This week, our Parshat HaShevua, Parshat Tetzaveh is dedicated Lilui Nishmas for the Sixth Yahrtzeit of My Father: Me’ir HaKohen ben Shabtai who was niftar on 9 Adar 5777.

You can celebrate a Simcha — a birth, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your life, or commemorate a Yahrtzeit of a loved one, or for whatever other reason by sponsoring a Parshat HaShevua.

Please be in contact with me with any questions, or for further details.

Best Regards,

Moshe Burt
olehchadash@yahoo.com
skype: mark.burt3
**************************** read more

Parshat Terumah 5783: Understanding the Why of the Keruvim atop the Aron HaKodesh in the Mishkan

Shalom Friends;

This week, our Parshat HaShevua, Parsha Terumah is being co-sponsored both anonymously dedicated for Hatslucha to children of the community and by Rabbi Tully and Hindy Bryks of Ramat Beit Shemesh dedicated lilui nishmas for Hindi’s Father, Moshe Zev ben Yosef, z”l. To our anonymous co-sponsor and to Mishpachat Bryks, many thanks for your sponsorship and for your continued kindnesses.

You can celebrate a Simcha — a birth, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your life, or commemorate a Yahrtzeit of a loved one, or for whatever other reason by sponsoring a Parshat HaShevua. read more

Parshat Mishpatim 5783: Torah Text vs the Rabbis in Cases of Man Inflicting Personal Injury Upon His Fellow

Shalom Friends;

This week, our Parshat HaShevua, Parsha Mishpatim is being sponsored by Baruch and Yaffa Swinkin and family of Ramat Beit Shemesh dedicated lilui nishmas for Baruch’s grandfather Micha’el ben Yaakov and for their daughter Racheli’s marriage to Yehonatan YomTov. To the Swinkin family, many thanks for your sponsorship and for your continued kindnesses.

You can celebrate a Simcha — a birth, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your life, or commemorate a Yahrtzeit of a loved one, or for whatever other reason by sponsoring a Parshat HaShevua. read more

Parshat Yithro 5783: Revelation at Har Sinai and the Oral Torah

Shalom Friends;

This week, our Parshat HaShevua, Parsha Yithro is being sponsored by Pesach and Ann Chapler and family of Ramat Beit Shemesh dedicated for a total, complete, refuah Shleima for Yosef Azriel ben Chaya Michal. To the Chapler family, many thanks for your sponsorship and for your continued kindnesses.

You can celebrate a Simcha — a birth, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your life, or commemorate a Yahrtzeit of a loved one, or for whatever other reason by sponsoring a Parshat HaShevua. read more

Parshat Beshalach 5783: Liberating Yosef’s Remains From Mitzrayim and B’nei Yisrael Learning Independence

Dear Friends:

This week, our Parshat HaShevua, Parsha Beshalach is being sponsored by R’ Moshe and Marla Braun (Moshe Braun – Fine Judaic Art) and family of Ramat Beit Shemesh in honor of Marla’s birthday on 14th Sh’vat. Also Sponsoring is Julian Hurwitz of Ramat Beit Shemesh dedicated Lilui Nishmas for the Yahrtzeit of his Father Shlomo Leib ben Chaim Ephraim To the Braun family and to Julian Hurwitz, many thanks for your sponsorship and for your continued kindnesses.

You can celebrate a Simcha — a birth, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, a Chassuna or other Simcha event in your life, or commemorate a Yahrtzeit of a loved one, or for whatever other reason by sponsoring a Parshat HaShevua. read more