Blog – Page 4 – Study Torah Online: Live and Interactive Torah Learning with Rabbi Eliyahu Shear

Learn Talmud – Berachot #54 Daf 21a Part 1 (Koren Talmud Bavli) [Doubts About Having Recited Shema]

Our lessons in Tractate Brachot continue. On Daf 21a we continue the discussion of the Mishnah that related to the permissibility and prohibition of reciting certain things due to Ezra’s decree concerning a man who has had a seminal emission.

Lessons in Tanya #63 – Chapter 30 Part 3 [Crushing The Animal Soul Through True Introspection]

The Tanya continues with the theme of Timtum HaLeiv – a dullness of the heart that prevents us from praying and serving God as we should.

Mesillat Yesharim – Path of the Just #36 – Chapter 6 – Zeal! [Enthusiasm in Fulfilling Mitzvot]

We begin Chapter 6 of Mesilat Yesharim today! It’s all about energy and enthusiasm! Having concluded our learning about the trait of watchfulness, we move on to its counterpart – zeal!

Learn Talmud – Berachot #53 Daf 20b Part 2 (Koren Talmud Bavli) [Ezra the Scribe’s Decree]

After a quick recap of our Mishnah which discusses various Mitzvot that women, slaves and minors are exempt from, we continue with the theme of obligations in Mitzvot.

Lessons in Tanya #62 – Chapter 30 Part 2 [Be Humble Before Every Person]

We do a brief recap from our last lesson concerning Timtum HaLeiv (a dullness of the heart) and as it will pertain to our current chapter – 30.

Mesillat Yesharim – Path of the Just #35 – Chapter 5 – Watchfulness [Dangers of Keeping Bad Company]

We conclude Chapter 5 in today’s lesson. It’s taken a few lessons – but understanding the trait of Watchfulness has become clear!

We’ve learnt that there are three factors that detract from our being able to get on with the task at hand (life and growth in this world!) These include:

Learn Talmud – Berachot #52 Daf 20a Part 2 / 20b Part 1 (Koren Talmud Bavli) [Conception In Purity]

The Talmud tells us of two sages who involved themselves in the same thing – which by today’s standards may seem quite inappropriate.

14 Shevat – Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan

The 14th of Shevat is the Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. In his memory I am posting a radio interview of him for those interested in hearing him. Please note the picture on the side is of Rabbi Avraham Sutton who was a pupil of his.

Mesillat Yesharim – Path of the Just #34 – Chapter 5 – Watchfulness [Dangerous Distractions]

The Ramchal tells us that the reason why the evil inclination can con us into following an immoral negative path in life and convince us of its “righteousness” is because it has the ability to distract us. Before long, we don’t realise the path we are on and we are in the clutches of its wiles and following it totally out of control.

Lessons in Tanya #61 – Chapter 29 Part 5 Chapter 30 Part 1 [A Rebuke That Brings Us To Holiness]

It is in fact God (and the side of holiness) that gives power to the Sitra Achra (the Other Side / the forces of evil) to be able to rise itself over the side of kedushah (holiness). This is in order to give us the opportunity to overcome it and ultimately cast it to the ground and humble it. This is the goal.