The Practical Parshah - Biblical Sources for Mitzvot

1:02:49

Practical Parshah—Bereishit

By Mendel Kaplan

In the first portion of the Torah, Adam and Eve receive the commandment to “be fruitful and multiply.” What are the parameters of this mitzvah today?

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45:00

How to Talk to a Sinner

Practical Parshah - Noach

By Mendel Kaplan

The life of Noah raises questions of how to address the moral failings of others, from zealous extremism on one hand to insularism and apathy on the other.

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45:00

Rebuking a Relative?

Practical Parshah—Lech Lecha

By Mendel Kaplan

How, when and if to speak up for what’s right, when the people who are acting improperly are your own family members.

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45:00

Visiting the Sick

Practical Parshah—Vayeira

By Mendel Kaplan

G‑d’s visit to Abraham following his circumcision teaches us some important guidelines in how to properly perform the mitzvah of bikkur cholim—visiting the sick.

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45:00

Burying the Dead

Practical Parshah—Chayei Sarah

By Mendel Kaplan

Abraham’s response to the loss of his wife, Sarah, teaches us how to properly honor those who have passed on.

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45:00

Giving Tithes

Practical Parshah - Toldot

By Mendel Kaplan

Emulating our forefather Isaac's financial success and how he apportioned his wealth to tzedakah—charity.

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45:00

When to Forgo a Religious Stringency

Practical Parshah—Vayeitzei

By Mendel Kaplan

We learn from our father Jacob an important lesson in when and how to forgo a personal religious stringency in the face of a greater obligation.

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1:04:25

A Kosher Butcher

Practical Parshah—Vayishlach

By Mendel Kaplan

The story of Jacob’s struggle with an angel provides the source for the prohibition of eating the sciatic nerve of an animal. In this class, other complicated issues involving the preparation of kosher meat are also discussed.

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1:07:35

Redeeming the Firstborn

Practical Parshah - Vayeishev

By Mendel Kaplan

Rachel's firstborn son, Joseph, being sold into slavery as a source for the mitzvah of monetarily redeeming the firstborn son of a Jewish woman.

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1:13:17

Economic Crisis and Family Planning

Practical Parshah—Mikeitz

By Mendel Kaplan

The Torah tells us that both of Joseph’s sons were born before the famine began in Egypt. What do the commentaries say we are supposed to learn from this?

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1:05:05

Making an Oath

Practical Parshah - Vayigash

By Mendel Kaplan

In this week's portion in which Judah promises the safe return of his brother Benjamin, we look at the severity of oaths and vows, how to know when you've made one and how to be released from it once you have.

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1:04:54

Writing Your Will

Practical Parshah - Vayechi

By Mendel Kaplan

In this week’s portion, Jacob gives his sons his last will and testament. What does Jewish law say about how to bequeath an inheritance to heirs?

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1:08:14

A Mother and a Mohel

Practical Parshah - Shemot

By Mendel Kaplan

The unusual circumstances of Moses’ son’s brit milah (circumcision) and what it teaches us about how that mitzvah may be performed -- and by whom.

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1:11:56

Where a Jew Prays

Practical Parshah—Va’eira

By Mendel Kaplan

Moses would not pray anywhere within Pharaoh’s capital city, because it was full of idols. Where—besides for a synagogue—can a Jew pray? Where is a Jew forbidden to pray?

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1:00:00

Getting Ready for Passover

Practical Parshah - Bo

By Mendel Kaplan

In this week’s Torah portion, the Jews leave Egypt and receive the commandment to keep the Passover. What practical preparations are needed to be ready for Pesach?

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1:08:57

Two Challahs for Shabbat

Practical Parshah - Beshalach

By Mendel Kaplan

A double portion of manna would fall from heaven on Fridays. We discuss the mitzvah of the “double Shabbos loaves” (lechem mishneh) and other customs of the Shabbat meal.

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1:19:08

Remembering Shabbat

Practical Parshah - Yitro

By Mendel Kaplan

The difference between “remembering” and “keeping” the Shabbat.

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1:06:24

Jewish Courts

Practical Parshah - Mishpatim

By Mendel Kaplan

The strict prohibition against two Jewish litigants taking their case to secular courts.

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58:01

Make Me a Sanctuary

Practical Parshah—Terumah

By Mendel Kaplan

Every synagogue is known as a “miniature sanctuary” (mikdash me’at). How does one show respect for a shul?

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1:15:26

Wool and Linen—Shatnez

Practical Parshah—Tetzaveh

By Mendel Kaplan

The priestly garments were allowed to contain an admixture of wool and linen that is normally forbidden. Why is this? And why is it normally prohibited?

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58:26

Morning Handwashing

Practical Parshah—Ki Tisa

By Mendel Kaplan

The priests would wash their hands in the laver (“kiyor”) each morning before working in the Temple. What are the laws of the morning handwashing ritual?

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1:04:22

Resting on Shabbat

Practical Parshah - Vayakhel

By Mendel Kaplan

“Six days shall you work…” How does one actually rest on Shabbat?

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1:00:00

Transparency and Accountability

Practical Parshah - Pekudei

By Mendel Kaplan

Moses publically audits what all of the donations were used for in the building of the Sanctuary. To what lengths must one go to clear oneself of suspicion?

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1:04:14

Salt in Jewish Law and Custom

Practical Parshah—Vayikra

By Mendel Kaplan

This Torah portion speaks about the central role that salt played in all of the Temple sacrifices. In this class, we will see how this prominence carries over into many common Jewish practices.

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55:00

Thanking G-d (Birkat HaGomel)

Practical Parshah—Tzav

By Mendel Kaplan

We learn about the thanksgiving offering (korban todah), which is the basis for the blessing recited when one survives a life-threatening situation.

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55:00

Kosher Food

Practical Parshah—Shemini

By Mendel Kaplan

The biblical criteria for determining which animals are kosher, and their practical application today.

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1:02:29

Circumcision (Brit Milah)

Practical Parshah - Tazria

By Mendel Kaplan

This portion provides the Biblical source for the mitzvah of circumcision on the eighth day. What are the specific laws and customs of this life-cycle event?

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1:09:37

Family Purity (Taharat HaMishpacha)

Practical Parshah - Metzora

By Mendel Kaplan

A textual analysis of the Biblical origins for the laws of family purity and mikveh.

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45:00

The Sanctity of Marriage

Practical Parshah - Acharei

By Mendel Kaplan

In this portion that lists all of the many forbidden relationships, we examine how Torah expects us as Jews to conduct ourselves in the most private and holy aspect of our lives.

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1:06:59

The Beard

Practical Parshah—Kedoshim

By Mendel Kaplan

A detailed explanation of how the commandment “Do not destroy the corners of your beard” (Lev. 19:27) is understood in various communities.

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1:15:36

How to Be a Kohen

Practical Parshah - Emor

By Mendel Kaplan

Various added restrictions, responsibilities and honors that apply to the patrilineal descendants of Aaron even in our days.

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1:13:25

The Sabbatical Year

Practical Parshah - Behar

By Mendel Kaplan

The agricultural restrictions of the seventh (shemita) year, how it is practiced by Jewish farmers in the Land of Israel today, and how it affects kosher consumers.

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1:13:57

The Obligation to Study Torah

Practical Parshah - Bechukotai

By Mendel Kaplan

Even laymen are obligated to be learned in Torah. But how much is one actually obligated to study? How often?

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1:11:11

Counting Jews

Practical Parshah - Bamidbar

By Mendel Kaplan

In this portion, Moses takes a census of the Jewish people without directly counting any of them. Why do we not count each other directly and what are the practical applications for this mitzvah today?

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1:04:56

Giving a Blessing

Practical Parshah - Naso

By Mendel Kaplan

The kohanim are commanded to bless the people. What is the meaning of a blessing given by one human being to another?

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53:23

Being an Omnivore

Practical Parshah - Behaalotecha

By Mendel Kaplan

Torah views meat-eating as a luxury, not a right. When is it appropriate -- and inappropriate -- to use animals for food?

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45:00

Fringes (Tzitzit)

Practical Parshah—Shelach

By Mendel Kaplan

The commandment to attach fringes to the corners of our garments. What it means, and how it is done.

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1:00:51

When to Argue

Practical Parshah - Korach

By Mendel Kaplan

The Sages tell us that the argument of Korach in this week's portion was doomed to fail because it was "an argument that was not for the sake of heaven." What is an argument that is for the sake of heaven?

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1:13:01

Healing

Practical Parshah - Chukat

By Mendel Kaplan

This portion describes Moses' unusual way of healing those who suffered from poisonous snake bites. A Jewish look at how healing really works.

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1:03:34

Believing in Moshiach

Practical Parshah - Balak

By Mendel Kaplan

This portion contains poetic references to the coming of Moshiach. What is the obligation to believe in the coming of Moshiach?

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59:29

Being a Vigilante

Practical Parshah - Pinchas

By Mendel Kaplan

Pinchas took the law into his own hands and was vindicated. When is it permissible to be a vigilante?

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49:31

Annulling a Vow

Practical Parshah—Matot

By Mendel Kaplan

It is a mitzvah to keep a vow, but it is also a mitzvah to have a vow properly annulled. How is a vow annulled?

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45:00

Not Mentioning the Name of an Idol

Practical Parshah - Massei

By Mendel Kaplan

In listing the places where the Jews encamped, we learn alternative names for locations named for idols. What is the law about mentioning the name of a false deity?

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1:01:44

Translating the Torah

Practical Parshah - Devarim

By Mendel Kaplan

Moses translated the Torah into the languages of his day. What are the rules, and the risks, of translating Torah into other languages?

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55:00

Marrying Jewish

Practical Parshah - Va'etchanan

By Mendel Kaplan

The prohibition against intermarriage appears in this week's portion. How does Torah guide Jews in finding Jewish spouses? (This video was shot live on location from Jerusalem.)

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