Torah From Tzion http://torahfromtzion.com Inspiration for the mind, heart and soul from the heart of Jerusalem. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:40:17 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Rabbi Shimshon (Seth) Nadel is an educator, musician, and author. He lives with his family in Jerusalem where he writes, studies and teaches Torah, inspired by the land and its people. Before making aliyah, Rabbi Nadel served as a Synagogue Rabbi in Nebraska and Connecticut. He studied at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary under HaRav Moshe Dovid Tendler. An accomplished musician, Rabbi Nadel toured nationally as a solo act and along with his band inspiring Jewish communities across North America. His highly acclaimed CD album, Achat Shoalti- One Thing I Ask, a high-energy hybrid of rock, pop, folk, and blues has been called by critics, “passionate rock n’ roll for the soul.” A sought after lecturer, he has served as scholar in residence for communities across the world and has over a thousand readers of his weekly divrei Torah. Culling from sources throughout our rich literature, his classes display his depth of thought and breadth of scholarship, and are always full of wit, wisdom and inspiration. Inspiration for the mind, heart and soul from the heart of Jerusalem. Rabbi Shimshon Nadel http://torahfromtzion.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/podcast.jpgTorah From Tzionhttp://torahfromtzion.com torah, tzion, rabbi shimshon nadel, israel, jewish, judaism no Rabbi Shimshon Nadel rabbinadel@gmail.com The Chumra-ization of the Jewish World http://torahfromtzion.com/jewishtought/the-chumra-ization-of-the-jewish-world/ http://torahfromtzion.com/jewishtought/the-chumra-ization-of-the-jewish-world/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:00:32 +0000 admin http://torahfromtzion.com/?p=248 An honest look at the role of chumra (stringency) in Jewish Law & Life.

]]> http://torahfromtzion.com/jewishtought/the-chumra-ization-of-the-jewish-world/feed/ 0 An honest look at the role of chumra (stringency) in Jewish Law & Life. An honest look at the role of chumra (stringency) in Jewish Law & Life. The Religious Philosophy of Korah, its Relevance & Danger http://torahfromtzion.com/parsha/the-religious-philosophy-of-korah-its-relevance-danger/ http://torahfromtzion.com/parsha/the-religious-philosophy-of-korah-its-relevance-danger/#comments Sun, 26 Jun 2011 10:23:48 +0000 admin http://torahfromtzion.com/?p=241 Exploring Korach’s rebellion and his religious philosophy, its relevance and danger, Rabbi Nadel also addresses some issues the NY Jewish Community is struggling with today – Charter Schools and “Half-Shabbos.”

]]> http://torahfromtzion.com/parsha/the-religious-philosophy-of-korah-its-relevance-danger/feed/ 0 Exploring Korach’s rebellion and his religious philosophy, its relevance and danger, Rabbi Nadel also addresses some issues the NY Jewish Community is struggling with today – Charter Schools and “Half-Shabbos.” Exploring Korach’s rebellion and his religious philosophy, its relevance and danger, Rabbi Nadel also addresses some issues the NY Jewish Community is struggling with today – Charter Schools and “Half-Shabbos.” Standing Under Mt. Sinai http://torahfromtzion.com/festivals/standing-under-mt-sinai/ http://torahfromtzion.com/festivals/standing-under-mt-sinai/#comments Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:36:12 +0000 admin http://torahfromtzion.com/?p=238 A famous yet difficult passage in the Talmud expresses how we relate to God and His Holy Torah.

]]> http://torahfromtzion.com/festivals/standing-under-mt-sinai/feed/ 0 A famous yet difficult passage in the Talmud expresses how we relate to God and His Holy Torah. A famous yet difficult passage in the Talmud expresses how we relate to God and His Holy Torah. Yom HaAtzmaut 5771- God’s Smile http://torahfromtzion.com/festivals/yom-haatzmaut-5771-gods-smile/ http://torahfromtzion.com/festivals/yom-haatzmaut-5771-gods-smile/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:00:47 +0000 admin http://torahfromtzion.com/?p=229 Reflections on Yom HaAtzmaut 5771, given at Beit Knesset Kol Rina, Nachlaot, Jerusalem.

]]> http://torahfromtzion.com/festivals/yom-haatzmaut-5771-gods-smile/feed/ 0 Reflections on Yom HaAtzmaut 5771, given at Beit Knesset Kol Rina, Nachlaot, Jerusalem. Reflections on Yom HaAtzmaut 5771, given at Beit Knesset Kol Rina, Nachlaot, Jerusalem. clean Parshat Va’eira- A Fifth Expression of Redemption http://torahfromtzion.com/parsha/parshat-vaeira-a-fifth-expression-of-redemption/ http://torahfromtzion.com/parsha/parshat-vaeira-a-fifth-expression-of-redemption/#comments Wed, 05 Jan 2011 07:15:11 +0000 admin http://torahfromtzion.com/?p=221 This Shabbat we read the Four Expressions of Redemption (or, Four Redemptions), Exodus 6:6-7, which serve as the source for the Four Cups of wine at the Pesach Seder (Rashi to TB Pesachim 99b; TY Pesachim 10:1; Bereishit Rabbah 88).

What follows is a fifth expression, “And I will bring you to the Land…”So why don’t we drink a fifth cup of wine at the Seder?

1) According to one version of a beraitta in Pesachim 118a, we should indeed have five cups (Rambam, Rif, Ba’al HaMaor, Ra’avad to Rif), the fifth accompanying Hallel haGadol (Psalm 136).

2) The Cup of Elijah is represents this “Fifth Expression,” the Ultimate Redemption.

3) Some explain that while the Four Expressions of Redemption were lasting, while the Fifth Expression was temporary as we were eventually exiled from our Land.

4) Da’at Zekeinim explains that the Fifth Expression, “And I will bring you to the Land…” is the fulfillment or basis for all the other expressions. It does not require its own cup of wine as all the other Expressions of Redemption are predicated upon it: G-d took us out of Egypt to give us a Torah and bring us to Eretz Yisrael.

5) Kli Yakar explains that in reality this Fith Expression is included in the Fourth Expression, where G-d promises, “I will take you to Me for a people…”

The gift of the Land of Israel represents the intimate relationship between G-d and His People. It is so basic, it doesn’t require it’s own expression through a cup of wine.

]]> http://torahfromtzion.com/parsha/parshat-vaeira-a-fifth-expression-of-redemption/feed/ 0 This Shabbat we read the Four Expressions of Redemption (or, Four Redemptions), Exodus 6:6-7, which serve as the source for the Four Cups of wine at the Pesach Seder (Rashi to TB Pesachim 99b; TY Pesachim 10:1; Bereishit Rabbah 88). What follows is a fifth expression, “And I will bring you to the Land…”So why don’t we drink a fifth cup of wine at the Seder? 1) According to one version of a beraitta in Pesachim 118a, we should indeed have five cups (Rambam, Rif, Ba’al HaMaor, Ra’avad to Rif), the fifth accompanying Hallel haGadol (Psalm 136). 2) The Cup of Elijah is represents this “Fifth Expression,” the Ultimate Redemption. 3) Some explain that while the Four Expressions of Redemption were lasting, while the Fifth Expression was temporary as we were eventually exiled from our Land. 4) Da’at Zekeinim explains that the Fifth Expression, “And I will bring you to the Land…” is the fulfillment or basis for all the other expressions. It does not require its own cup of wine as all the other Expressions of Redemption are predicated upon it: G-d took us out of Egypt to give us a Torah and bring us to Eretz Yisrael. 5) Kli Yakar explains that in reality this Fith Expression is included in the Fourth Expression, where G-d promises, “I will take you to Me for a people…” The gift of the Land of Israel represents the intimate relationship between G-d and His People. It is so basic, it doesn’t require it’s own expression through a cup of wine. This Shabbat we read the Four Expressions of Redemption (or, Four Redemptions), Exodus 6:6-7, which serve as the source for the Four Cups of wine at the Pesach Seder (Rashi to TB Pesachim 99b; TY Pesachim 10:1; Bereishit Rabbah 88). What follows is [...] Infallible or Human: Can we be Critical of the Avot? http://torahfromtzion.com/parsha/infallible-or-human-can-we-be-critical-of-the-avot/ http://torahfromtzion.com/parsha/infallible-or-human-can-we-be-critical-of-the-avot/#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:36:53 +0000 admin http://torahfromtzion.com/?p=198 Infallible-or-Human.m4a

In our study of Torah, how are we we to view the Avot and other Biblical figures? Are they to be put on a pedestal? Are they infallible? Or, are they human beings like us, and subject to human frailty?

]]> http://torahfromtzion.com/parsha/infallible-or-human-can-we-be-critical-of-the-avot/feed/ 0 Infallible-or-Human.m4a In our study of Torah, how are we we to view the Avot and other Biblical figures? Are they to be put on a pedestal? Are they infallible? Or, are they human beings like us, and subject to human frailty? In our study of Torah, how are we we to view the Avot and other Biblical figures? Are they to be put on a pedestal? Are they infallible? Or, are they human beings like us, and subject to human frailty? Did the Avot Keep all 613 Mitzvot? http://torahfromtzion.com/parsha/did-the-avot-keep-all-613-mitzvot/ http://torahfromtzion.com/parsha/did-the-avot-keep-all-613-mitzvot/#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:31:06 +0000 admin http://torahfromtzion.com/?p=195 Did-the-Avot-Keep-613-Mitzvot.m4a
The Sages teach in the Midrashic and Talmudic literature that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob kept all 613 mitzvot of the Torah. How are we to understand this?

]]> http://torahfromtzion.com/parsha/did-the-avot-keep-all-613-mitzvot/feed/ 0 Did-the-Avot-Keep-613-Mitzvot.m4a The Sages teach in the Midrashic and Talmudic literature that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob kept all 613 mitzvot of the Torah. How are we to understand this? The Sages teach in the Midrashic and Talmudic literature that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob kept all 613 mitzvot of the Torah. How are we to understand this? The Case of the Missing Minhag: Why Don’t We Recite Kiddush in the Synagogue Friday Night in Eretz Yisrael? http://torahfromtzion.com/jewishtought/the-case-of-the-missing-minhag-why-dont-we-recite-kiddush-in-the-synagogue-friday-night-in-eretz-yisrael/ http://torahfromtzion.com/jewishtought/the-case-of-the-missing-minhag-why-dont-we-recite-kiddush-in-the-synagogue-friday-night-in-eretz-yisrael/#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:49:41 +0000 admin http://torahfromtzion.com/?p=189 Kiddush-in-The-Synagogue.m4a
Outside of the Land of Israel, there is a prevelant custom to recite Kiddush in the Synagogue on Friday Night. Rabbi Nadel explores why the custom is different in Eretz Yisrael.

]]> http://torahfromtzion.com/jewishtought/the-case-of-the-missing-minhag-why-dont-we-recite-kiddush-in-the-synagogue-friday-night-in-eretz-yisrael/feed/ 0 Kiddush-in-The-Synagogue.m4a Outside of the Land of Israel, there is a prevelant custom to recite Kiddush in the Synagogue on Friday Night. Rabbi Nadel explores why the custom is different in Eretz Yisrael. Outside of the Land of Israel, there is a prevelant custom to recite Kiddush in the Synagogue on Friday Night. Rabbi Nadel explores why the custom is different in Eretz Yisrael. Rosh HaShanah: A Time for Joy? http://torahfromtzion.com/festivals/rosh-hashanah-a-time-for-joy/ http://torahfromtzion.com/festivals/rosh-hashanah-a-time-for-joy/#comments Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:59:39 +0000 admin http://torahfromtzion.com/?p=144 Rosh-HaShanah_-A-Time-for-Joy_.m4a
Rosh HaShanah is the Yom HaDin, the Day of Judgement. Yet we treat it like a festival. What should one feel on Rosh HaShanah? Joy? Fear? Uncertainty? Awe? Confidence? Rabbi Nadel explores the dialectic of Rosh HaShanah as expressed in the halachik literature.

]]> http://torahfromtzion.com/festivals/rosh-hashanah-a-time-for-joy/feed/ 0 Rosh-HaShanah_-A-Time-for-Joy_.m4a Rosh HaShanah is the Yom HaDin, the Day of Judgement. Yet we treat it like a festival. What should one feel on Rosh HaShanah? Joy? Fear? Uncertainty? Awe? Confidence? Rabbi Nadel explores the dialectic of Rosh HaShanah as expressed in the halachik literature. Rosh HaShanah is the Yom HaDin, the Day of Judgement. Yet we treat it like a festival. What should one feel on Rosh HaShanah? Joy? Fear? Uncertainty? Awe? Confidence? Rabbi Nadel explores the dialectic of Rosh HaShanah as expressed in the [...] Teshuvah: A Self Transformation http://torahfromtzion.com/festivals/teshuvah-a-self-transformation/ http://torahfromtzion.com/festivals/teshuvah-a-self-transformation/#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:28:02 +0000 admin http://torahfromtzion.com/?p=120 Teshuvah, often mistranslated as “repentance” or “forgiveness” is really a process of self-exploration and examination. It is a transformation that leads to self-mastery.

]]> http://torahfromtzion.com/festivals/teshuvah-a-self-transformation/feed/ 0 Teshuvah, often mistranslated as “repentance” or “forgiveness” is really a process of self-exploration and examination. It is a transformation that leads to self-mastery. Teshuvah, often mistranslated as “repentance” or “forgiveness” is really a process of self-exploration and examination. It is a transformation that leads to self-mastery.