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YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim

Etshalom, Rabbi Yitzchak

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39:23

בשוב ה' את שיבת ציון: Shiur in honor of Yom...

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/04/30

בשוב ה' את שיבת ציון: Shiur in honor of Yom ha'Atzma'ut - Psalm 126 - Apr 30, 2025 - Since those miraculous days of 1948, there have been several proposals to amend the National Anthem with the recitation of Psalm 126 - בשוב ה' את שיבת ציון; famously, Menachem Begin read the entire Psalm in the Rose Garden before signing the Camp David Accords in 1979. The sense of seeing ancient prophecies fulfilled in our day and before our eyes is a powerful one, and this psalm uniquely captures that feeling of

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33:10

Vayyikra 14: זבח השלמים (part 2)

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/04/23

Vayyikra 14: זבח השלמים (part 2) - Apr 23, 2025 - Continuing our study of Sefer Vayyikra, we pick up our discussion of the Korban Shelamim (זבח השלמים). Noting the few special circumstances where either a שלמים was offered (e.g. Yitro's visit) or mandated (e.g. on Har Eval or for a Nazi upon the successful completion of his Nezirut), we propose a broad explanation for the type of feast that would exemplify the intent of a שלמים and use that explanation to revisit all of those instances where it is

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35:15

ברכת השיר (part 2) - נשמת כל חי

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/04/09

ברכת השיר (part 2) - נשמת כל חי - Apr 9, 2025 - As we discussed in the previous shiur, the liturgical poem "Nishmat Kol Hai" is quite ancient and predates the era of the פייטנים. It is mentioned by R. Yohanan as the "Birkat haShir" which is to accompany the fourth (or fifth?) cup at the Seder. After reviewing some of the Halakhic considerations regarding its recitation - including a quick survey of the main approaches among the ראשונים regarding what is said over the fourth cup and if there is a

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38:22

ברכת השיר (part 1)

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/04/02

ברכת השיר (part 1) - Apr 2, 2025 - Our common practice is to read the Hallel over the fourth cup of wine, after which we nearly finish the blessing customarily recited after Hallel - but without a "signature" (חתימה). We then recite Psalm 136 and נשמת כל חי which we read to its conclusion - "מלך א-ל חי העולמים". This odd mix of a double-conclusion to Hallel is the result of several confusing Sugyot. We assess the sources, including the key rulings of the Geonim and Rishonim and follow them through

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33:04

Introduction to Midrash Arami Oved Avi

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/03/26

Introduction to Midrash Arami Oved Avi - Mar 26, 2025 - As the Mishnah (Pesahim 10:4) codifies, the core text to be used in telling the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim is Devarim 26:5-8 - "Arami Oved Avi" which, in 4 short verses, retells the story of the exile, servitude, pleas for deliverance and miraculous Exodus. We examine the earliest sources of the Midrash and demonstrate how our traditional Haggadah-text of this Midrash is a combination of several Midrashic strains - all brought together in a

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29:06

From Disgrace to Praise: A Reassessment

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/03/19

From Disgrace to Praise: A Reassessment - Mar 19, 2025 - The "Maggid" section of our Haggadah has two central components - the first of which is the Midrash on "Arami Oved Avi" and the other is Rabban Gamliel's explanation of the foods. However, our Haggadot have quite a bit of text between the "quick answer" given in response to "Mah Nishtanah" - and these passages don't seem to conform to the aims of the evening. We reassess the rabbinic dictum מתחיל בגנות ומסיים בשבח - "begin with disgrace and

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31:14

Mordekhai Would Not Bow...Why Not?

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/03/12

Mordekhai Would Not Bow...Why Not? - Mar 12, 2025 - The critical catalyst for the story of Purim is Mordekhai's refusal, as a member of Ahashverosh's court, to show obeisance to Haman. The text never explicates the rationale behind this decision, in spite of its centrality to the plot. We survey some common answers given and suggest possible challenges to each - and then propose a new answer which impacts on our reading of the entire story, up to and including the climactic war that takes place 11

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31:19

Vayyikra 13: זבח השלמים (part 1)

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/03/05

Vayyikra 13: זבח השלמים (part 1) - Mar 5, 2025 - In our continued study of Sefer Vayyikra, we have moved on to the 3rd type of Korban presented - the "Shelamim". We examine the (possibly) earliest mention of Shelamim, then the offering of Shelamim at the foot of Sinai, along with the mandate to bring "public Shelamim" with the שתי הלחם as well as the personal obligation for a Nazir, upon successful completion of his Nezirut, to offer a Shelamim. Finally, we note the obligation to bring Shelamim at

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33:00

Vayyikra #12: The Minhah (part 3)

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/02/26

Vayyikra #12: The Minhah (part 3) - Feb 26, 2025 - In our continued analysis of the Korban Minhah - which we present as a "tribute" offering that directly goes to God, but He grants it to the Kohanim, we observe an anomaly within the world of Korbanot. Unlike the Olah, Shelamim, Hatat and Asham, the Minha has five variations that are the choice of the donor - he or she can offer plain flour and oil, either of two forms of baked cakes or either of two forms of fried cakes. We begin the shiur by

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53:27

Amos@The Seforim Sale

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/02/19

Amos@The Seforim Sale - Feb 16, 2025 - In this brief introduction, I discuss the development of prophecy in Israel, the evolving definition of "Navi" and the development of "literary prophets". We then study the first set of prophecies found in the book of Amos, with an ear towards the oratorial genius of Amos and the many tools he harnesses to effect a suasive presentation to his Samarian audience. This shiur was given at the YU Seforim Sale to introduce my new volume "Amos: The Genius of Prophetic

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26:40

Vayyikra #11 - המנחה (part 2)

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/02/19

Vayyikra #11 - המנחה (part 2) - Feb 19, 2025 - As we continue our exploration of the Minhah, we turn our attention to the series of Minha-wide rulings found in Vayyikra 2:11, 13, including the requirement to have all Menahot (grain offerings) salted. The end of the verse indicates - and such is the Halakhah - that all offerings must be salted; yet that requirement only appears in the context of the Minha. We explore the notion of an "eternal covenant" associated with salt and find that it appears

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30:57

Vayyikra #10: המנחה (part 1)

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/02/12

Vayyikra #10: המנחה (part 1) - Feb 12, 2025 - In our continuing study of Sefer Vayyikra, we address the "Korban Minhah", noting several unique characteristics of this offering - it's name - "Minhah", which means "tribute", the fact that it is almost completely eaten by the Kohanim, it's introduction with the unusual line "נפש כי תקריב" and the unusual affinity that the Kohanim have with it, both as a מנחת חינוך and חביתי כהן גדול.

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29:12

Vayyikra #9: עולת העוף

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/02/05

Vayyikra #9: עולת העוף - Feb 5, 2025 - After the presentation of the עולת הבהמה, coming from an essential component of the donor's estate or livelihood, the Torah offers the option of bringing a simple bird as an offering. We examine the role of this bird - one or another type of dove - within the world of offerings and suggest that the bird-offering may carry a greater significance than simply a more economic option for the person who cannot afford a lamb or goat. Building on several verses in

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36:46

Amos: An Introduction

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/02/03

Amos: An Introduction - Feb 1, 2025 - This shiur was given at a book launch for Rav Etshalom's new book: "Amos: The Genius of Prophetic Rhetoric" (Koren, 2024) given in Seattle, Washington on Motzaei Shabbat, February 1, 2025.

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31:08

Vayyikra 07: עולת הבהמה

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/01/29

Vayyikra 07: עולת הבהמה - Jan 29, 2025 - The opening paragraphs of Vayyikra detail the Olah offering - of the herd, and the flock. Subsequently, the Torah details bringing a bird as an Olah and then continues with the grain offering (Minhah) which may (or may not) be yet another extension of the Olah, as we will discuss in a few weeks. The emphasis in the Torah, as evidenced in Vayyikra 6:2, is on the Olah "from the flock and from the herd" - yet the two opening paragraphs do not describe an

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33:45

VAY 07 - פתח אהל מועד (part 2)

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/01/15

VAY 07 - פתח אהל מועד (part 2) - Jan 15, 2025 - From the opening passage in Vayyikra, the "Opening to the Tent of Meeting" (פתח אהל מועד) continues to appear, both as the place of bringing offerings, as well as gathering for the inaugural ceremony of the Kohanim and posing questions to the leadership about Law. In this concluding part of this 2-part series, we examine the many mentions of "the opening of the tent" and its parallel in the era of the Mikdash and note its consistent association with

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47:10

The Education of Pharaoh

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/01/12

The Education of Pharaoh - Jan 12, 2025 - As we begin our reading of Sefer Shemot, the grand story of Yetziat Mitzrayim unfolds before our eyes. We are all aware of the "Ten Plagues" with which Hashem punished the Egyptians - but why was there a need for plagues at all? If the goal was to redeem His "firstborn son" to be free to worship Him - there are many ways that God could have rescued them without afflicting their oppressors. We examine the sequence and presentation of the "plagues" and note a

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33:04

VAY06: פתח אהל מועד (part 1)

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/01/08

VAY06: פתח אהל מועד (part 1) - Jan 8, 2025 - From the opening passage in Vayyikra, the "Opening to the Tent of Meeting" (פתח אהל מועד) continues to appear, both as the place of bringing offerings, as well as gathering for the inaugural ceremony of the Kohanim and posing questions to the leadership about Law. In this first of a 2-part series, we explore the role of that location and the consistent emphasis on אהל (tent) as opposed to בית (house) in the תורה up through the first generation of the

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29:49

The Mysterious Date of Hanukkah

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2025/01/01

The Mysterious Date of Hanukkah - Jan 1, 2025 - Every other day that is marked in our calendar for celebration has a clear source as to why that date was chosen. In the case of festivals marked in the Torah - that is the source. In the case of Purim, the text records that the Jews of the Persian Empire celebrated on the 14th (and, in Shushan, on the 15th) of Adar and declared that those days will be kept for generations. There is, however, no clear source as to why Hanukkah begins on the 25th

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32:36

"Mizmor Shir Hanukkah haBayit...leDavid?" Analysis of...

YUTORAH: R" Yitzchak Etshalom -- Recent Shiurim ·

2024/12/25

"Mizmor Shir Hanukkah haBayit...leDavid?" Analysis of Psalm 30 and Its Association with Hanukkah - Dec 25, 2024 - A custom is recorded in Maskhet Soferim (c. 9th century) to recite Psalm 30 on Hanukkah. We study the psalm, exploring the meaning of the words, structure of the psalm and its powerful message - and then present an innovative explantion as to the propriety of its recitation on Hanukkah. Along the way, several methodological strategies for the study of Tehillim are presented.

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