Aspaqlaria

Keeping Torah and Values in Focus

Category: Daily

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Daily

Tefillah Meanings: Exists Through His Word, part II

The berakhah of Shehakol is a Chiasm, a symmetric layout of topics. The focus is Hashem as Master of that which He created. We may eat this meat, or enjoy this morning coffee, but we do so knowing that Hashem provided it to us for a single Ultimate Purpose.

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1- Bereishis / Ashrei / Daily

Tefillah Meanings: Your Kingdom

What is the difference between malkhus (kingship) and memshalah (rule)? [This question adds meaning to three different lines in the siddur.]
… And so, we return to our original line from Ashrei: “מַֽלְכוּתְךָ֗ מַלְכ֥וּת כׇּל־עֹלָמִ֑ים, וּ֝מֶֽמְשַׁלְתְּךָ֗ בְּכׇל־דּ֥וֹר וָדֹֽר׃”
Malkhus is truly eternal. Memshalah will only last from generation to generation, through the course of history until its culmination. When all people will serve Hashem, will work together bring His Plan to reality.

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Daily

Exists Through His Word

“Shehakol nihyeh bidvaro”, this meat, egg, or candy I am about to eat, or juice I am getting ready to drink, they exist because Hashem is still “Saying” them.

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1- Bereishis / Birkhas haMazon / Chessed

Tefillah Meanings: Everything

A wealthy person is one who realized they have enough, exactly what Hashem deems they need to accomplish what they’re supposed to in life.

But to have everything is to be in a position where one can give to others.

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Birkhas haMazon

Tefillah Meanings: Beris and Torah

In Orach Chaim 186:1, the Arukh haShulchan discusses whether in Birkhas haMazon women should say “וְעַל בְּרִיתְ֒ךָ שֶׁחָתַֽמְתָּ בִּבְשָׂרֵֽנוּ וְעַל תּוֹרָתְ֒ךָ שֶׁלִּמַּדְתָּֽנוּ – for Your covenant which You sealed in our flesh; for Your Torah which You taught us;”…

The Jewish People are subject to two covenants with Hashem: Beris Avos, and Beris Sinai. That is what this line is referring to — the Beris seals in our flesh is Beris Avos, and the Torah is part of Beris Sinai. While women aren’t obligated in either Milah or Torah study, they are members of both covenants.

Shemeih Rabba 0

Daily / Eschatology

Shemeih Rabba

The Arukh haShulchan (OC 56:1,3) discusses the meaning of the opening words of Qaddish “Yisgadel veyisqadeish shemeih rabba“. Praying that Hashem’s Great Name be made great and holy. And since a name is how...

Modeh Ani (redux) 0

Daily

Modeh Ani (redux)

A while back I blogged a recording of a shiur I gave on Modeh Ani. The sound quality on the recording was too poor for the shiur to be made out by most listeners. I recently...

Types of Thought: Dictionary 0

Amidah / Daily / Psyche

Types of Thought: Dictionary

A while back, last time I had a chance to complete a blog entry, I promised a dictionary of terms for thought. When writing it up, I noticed I had MUCH more to say...

Benching Gomel 0

Daily

Benching Gomel

I just wrote the following in an email to some friends. I thought it might interest others. First, note that it’s called “gomel“, from a key word in the text of the berakhah. But...

Coronating G-d, part II — Pragmatics 0

Daily / Ta`amei haMitzvos / Teshuvah / Yom Tov

Coronating G-d, part II — Pragmatics

I was recently discussing the ideas in my essay “Coronating G-d“. In it I utilized the Vilna Gaon’s distinction between a melekh (king) and a mosheil. A melekh rules with the support of his...

Birchos haTorah 0

Audio / Daily / Shacharis

Birchos haTorah

This week’s shiur (audio recording) concludes a series on aspects of the soul. With Asher Yatzar we looked at man’s ability to exist in and relate to the physical world. This is followed by...

E-lokai Neshamah 0

Audio / Daily / Shacharis

E-lokai Neshamah

This week’s class was on E-lokai Neshamah. Some of the topics discussed: Different opinions about why the berakhah doesn’t begin with the word “barukh” The berakhah’s possible connection to Hamapil said before going to...

Asher Yatzer 0

Audio / Daily

Asher Yatzer

This week’s shiur began with a continuation of last week‘s discussion of qedushah (as in “asher qidishanu vemitzvosav”) and taharah (“al netilas yadayim”).The discussion of qedushah’s “separation for” and taharah’s “separation from” was used...

Al Netilas Yadayim 0

Audio / Daily

Al Netilas Yadayim

The audio recording (b”H, much clearer than my first attempt at recording a shiur) attached is from the “Tefillah: Beyond the Words” class, a discussion of the berakhah of “Al Netilas Yadayim“. The class...

Modeh Ani 0

Audio / Daily

Modeh Ani

WARNING: Recording sound quality is poor! Attached is an audio shiur on the subject of Modeh Ani.The topics covered: The meaning of the words and problems with the naive translation Two roles for prayer...

What is a Berakhah? 0

Daily

What is a Berakhah?

Today’s topic: How to make your morning coffee the religious high point of your day.After Shema, which is Torahitic, what is the next most important tefillah? Bentching is also deOraisa, but the text was...