Questions for Preparation and Self Study - The 13 Midot of Rachamim
Questions for Preparation and Self Study - Rosh HaShanah
Shiur #1: Slichot: The 13 Midot of Rachamim
Shiur #2: Rosh HaShana: Yom Tru'ah
Shiur #3: Yom Kippur: The Meaning of 'Kapara'
Shiur #4: Eglah Arufa & Asham Talui (& vidduy)
Shiur #5: The Torah Reading for Yom Kippur Mincha

Slichot: The 13 Midot of Rachamim

Believe it or not, in the story of Chet HaEgel, a possibility arises where Bnei Yisrael could have entered the Land of Israel without the Torah! [Or at least without an important part of it.] Surprising as this may seem, it is this possibility which sets the backdrop for understanding what God's 13 Midot HaRachamim" are all about. In the following shiur, we explain this possibility as we follow the flow of events from Ma'amad Har Sinai, through Chet HaEgel, until the second luchot. Hopefully, our conclusions will help us better understand our tefilla on Yom Kippur.

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Rosh HaShana: Yom Tru'ah

To our surprise, the holiday that we call Rosh HaShana is never referred to as such in Chumash! In fact, Chumash tells us very little about this holiday which we are to celebrate on the "first day of the seventh month." How do we know that it is indeed a 'day of judgement' and that it marks the beginning of a 'new year?' In the following shiur, we attempt to answer this question from within Chumash itself.

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Yom Kippur: The Meaning of 'Kapara'

Is the 'Day of Atonement' a precise translation for Yom Kippur? The word 'atonement' implies amends for a certain wrongdoing. In this sense, the 'Day of Atonement' implies expiation for transgressions which may have been committed over the course of the previous year. However, in Chumash we find numerous instances in which the word "kippurim" is used in a different context. In the following shiur, we examine the use of the shoresh k.p.r. in order to arrive at a deeper understanding of the nature and significance of Yom Kippur.

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Eglah Arufa & Asham Talui (& vidduy)

One of the "al chet's" that we recite on Yom Kippur is "al chataim sh'anu chayavim aleyhem korban ASHAM vaday v'talui" - for sins that we would have required us to bring a ASHAM offering. As Chodesh Elul is the time when we prepare ourselves for Yom Kippur, the following shiur will discuss how the law of "eglah arufah" in Parshat Shoftim can help us better understand this section of the "viduy".

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The Torah Reading for Yom Kippur Mincha

It is interesting to note that on Yom Kippur shacharit we read Vayikra chapter 16, while at mincha we read Vayikra chapter 18. Now the reason why we read chapter 16 is simple, for it details the special AVODAH of the Kohen Gadol on Yom Kippur in the Bet ha'Mikdash. However, why do read specifically chapter 18 for mincha? After the prohibition of "arayot" (the primary topic) contains no obvious connection to Yom Kippur? As we will show, chapter 16 constitutes the climax of the first half of Sefer Vayikra for on Yom Kippur, as the "kohen gadol" enters the "kodesh ha'kdoshim" on the "shabbat shabbaton", Am Yisrael ascends to the highest level in all realms of "kedusha".

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