Jewish History

00:00 – Daryavesh, king of the Chaldeans, conquers Bavel (Babylonia).*07:58 – Why a person should daven (pray) in a place where he can see the sky through a window.13:34 – Comparison between Daniel being thrown into the lion’s den and the selling of Yosef HaTzaddik. “Save me from the hand of man.”14:40 – Why is a scorpion more dangerous than a snake?19:20 – King Daryavesh discovers that Daniel is still alive in the lion’s den. Daniel relates how an angel protected him from the lions, and that the Navi Habakuk had stayed with him as well.21:32 – Habakuk was chosen to stay with Daniel because he is a symbol of techiyas hameysim (revival of the dead).24:05 – The story of Daniel describes, in a hidden way, the process of the revelation of Moshiach.24:19 – Why does a person suffer? “HaTeva” is, b’gematria, “Elokim”.28:59 – How would a person go about performing miracles? What is nature?32:14 – The main teaching of Rebbe Nachman is simple faith.*35:39 – Maintaining simple faith, even in the difficult times before Moshiach is revealed. This is done through learning Torah and turning Torah into tefilah.

00:00 – Brief review of previous shiur in Sefer Daniel.02:29 – Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar‘s dream. Daniel is elevated to the highest post in Bavel and the king recognizes and acknowledges the absolute supremacy of Hashem.06:10 – Introduction to the miracle of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah in the fiery furnace. Why did Nebuchadnezzar stop believing in Hashem? This questions applies to all nations that attempt to harm Am Yisrael. Similarities between Hitler and Roosevelt יש”ו – both were against the Jewish People, but went about causing harm in different ways.14:05 – The word gematria means “numerical value”. Refugees from Korea were accepted but the Jews during World War II were not.16:53 – During the Sinai Campaign in 1956 the United States united with Russia against Israel.19:13 – Anti-semitism results in suicidal behavior.22:09 – Nebuchadnezzar built a statue based on his dream and commanded everyone to bow down to it. By forcing the Jews to do this, his goal was to prevent the fulfillment of his dream, in which Moshiach ultimately triumphed over his kingdom.28:37 – Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah speak to the king about the self-sacrifice of the frogs during the ten plagues.34:47 – Introduction to Nebuchadnezzar‘s dream of the tree.

00:00 – Archival recording of the LaG B’Omer shiur of 5735 (1975).04:32 – How does the Zohar HaKodesh protect the Jew in every generation?13:35 – Rebbe Nachman’s explanation of the debate in the gemara (Shabbos 139a) about the Torah being forgotten.21:53 – How can a regular person living now connect with the light of the Torah and tzaddikim?24:26 – Rabbi Rosenfeld introduces an archival recording of the LaG B’Omer shiur of 5733 (1973).29:13 – [Recording becomes more audible.] Gahl Eyd – mound of stones – Gahl is LaG.31:11 – The gemara (Shabbos 139a) states that the Torah will be forgotten, so how can Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai contradict this? Hashem assures Am Yisrael that He will “forget” the Egel HaZahav – sin of the Golden Calf.*36:32 – חַדֵּ֥שׁ יָמֵ֖ינוּ כְּקֶֽדֶם – “renew our days as in previous time” (Eicha/Lamentations 5:21). The power of beginnings.37:04 – Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai achieved the same Ohr Panim – radiance of face – as Moshe Rabbeinu.39:38 – The power of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai’s ability to remember is renewed every LaG B’Omer. Rebbe Nachman of Breslov said “Now I am here, too, to add to this power.”

03:23 – The Satan praises Avraham Avinu and Hashem praises Iyov (Job).07:04 – Hashem proposes a trial for Iyov.08:26 – Why did the Satan praise Avraham Avinu?10:24 – The Satan is the “m’od” of “tov m’od” in the account of creation.13:55 – Iyov responds to all his devastating losses: “Hashem gives and Hashem takes away.”19:09 – The Arizal reveals that Iyov was a gilgul of Terach and his wife was a gilgul of Dinah bas Yaakov.27:30 – Iyov’s three friends: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.31:21 – No person today knows astrology.

00:00 – Review.02:32 – The evil king Amon is assassinated and his righteous son Yeshayahu becomes king of Yehudah.08:10 – Chuldah HaNaviyah (Huldah the Prophetess) is consulted by the king when a sefer Torah is discovered hidden in the heichal (chamber) of the Beis HaMikdash.09:37 – To encourage teshuvah (repentance) among the People of Israel, Yeshayahu funded an especially festive celebration of Pesach.13:22 – When Yeshayahu Melech Yehudah is killed in battle, his son Yoachaz becomes king for 3 months.19:06 Tzidkiyahu tried to escape from the siege of Jerusalem through a tunnel, but was captured. His sons were killed in front of his eyes, and then he was blinded. The Arizal reveals that Tzidkiyahu was a gilgul (incartnation) of Shimson HaGibor (Samson).24:05 – The walls of Jerusalem were breached on Tisha B’Av and the Kadosh Kadoshim (Holy of Holies) was set on fire.25:29 – Gedaliah was made ruler of the kingdom of Yehudah but was assassinated the day after Rosh Hashanah. He is commemorated through Tzom Gedaliah, a public fast day.26:08 – On Rosh Hashanah there are two days of din (judgement) – the first day is called Dina Kashya (strict judgement) and the second day is called Dinah Rafya (lenient judgement).27:53 – The rise of Bavel (Babylonia) and the destruction of Yerushalayim, end of Sefer Melachim (Book of Kings).32:03 – The blood of Zechariah HaNavi seethed up from the ground and would not rest.35:51 – A ger (convert to Judaism) is judged by the status of Am Yisrael at the time of his conversion.

00:00 – Review of Chizkiyahu Melech Yehudah.03:12 – Chizkiyahu falls ill and is told by Yishayahu HaNavi that he will die.04:25 – Debate in the gemara about what sin a man is doing if he abstains from fathering children.07:36 – Yishayahu HaNavi tells the king that it doesn’t matter if evil children are foreseen, it’s still a mistake not to marry.08:23 – Sometimes it’s necessary to break a Torah law in order to save a life, so why doesn’t that principle apply here? The king’s prophecy about his children being evil was not far-reaching enough. It could be that these evil children will give birth to tzaddikim.09:26 – Chizkiyahu asks to marry the daughter of Yishayahu HaNavi.12:51 – Chizkiyahu Hamelech “turned his face to the wall”.13:24 – The Zohar HaKodesh reveals the depth of these words: if a person wants his prayer answered, he must first remove anything that is interfering with it being accepted by Hashem.14:57 – The word “kir” (wall) stands for the Shekhina (Divine Presence). The Shekhina is the origin of the souls of females.15:57 – The Chida z”l explains the association between “wall” and the Shekhina. “Rochel cries for her children…” The gematria of the Name of Hashem, Alef Daled Noon Yud, plus the name Rochel equals kir (wall). 65 plus 238 plus 7 for the letters = 310. Yesh (substance) and Shai (gift) are both b’gematria kir.*17:50 – In his prayer to beg Hashem for his life, Chizkiyahu HaMelech mentioned the good that he did. The Gemara reveals what good, specifically, he meant: 1) that he rose early every morning to pray c’vatikin (at sunrise).*22:00 – The second aspect of Chizkiyahu’s good was that he hid the Sefer HaRefuot – a book in which Shlomo HaMelech had recorded the cure for every illness.25:15 – Explanation of Chizkyahu‘s “good in Hashem’s eyes” by the Maharshah z”l. Because the Sefer HaRefuos was hidden, people were forced to turn to Hashem for their cure. Therefore, what Hashem considers “good” is to turn first to Hashem, before resorting to doctors (Berkahot 60a).27:53 – Explanation of “the best of doctors will go to gehinnam”*28:33 – Hashem’s response to the king’s prayer – he will live. The prophet tells him “Hashem has seen your tears.” ( Berakhos 10a-b). “The Gates of Tears are never locked” (Berakhot 32b).32:27 – Tosefot asks a question on the 15 years of life granted to Chizkiyahu.36:32 – Chizkiyahu asked for proof that this miracle of additional years will come true. In response, Hashem caused the sun to move 10 hours earlier. “The sun does revolve around the earth.” These 10 hours were made up on the day of his passing, by miracle.39:23 – The main lesson of this story is the importance of tefilah.

00:00 – Overview of the kings of the Ten Tribes of Israel. Yeravam ben Yoash reigned for 41 years.02:36 – Shalom ben Yaveish assassinated the son of Yeravam and became king of the Ten Tribes for one month until he was assassinated by Menachem ben Gadi.03:42 – The rise of Assyria. The importance of knowing Jewish history.06:41 – Hosheah ben Elah, the last king of the Ten Tribes of Israel (2 Melachim 17:1-6).07:45 – The downfall of Shomron, the capital city of the Ten Tribes of Israel. The Ten Tribes are driven out into exile.10:53 – Emperor Alexander the Great.11:08 – Reason for the dispersion of the “Ten Lost Tribes” of Israel. Why were only ten tribes punished? Why were two tribes spared? Hashem’s vow to Dovid HaMelech protected the tribes of Yehudah and Benyamin.*14:58 – The ingathering of the Lost Tribes of Israel is assured during the time of Moshiach, but not until after the building of the Beis HaMikdash.15:57 – Likutey Halakhos on the kings of the Ten Tribes. The 600,000 root souls of Israel correspond to the 600,000 letters of the Torah. The 613 mitzvos of the Torah correspond to the organs (248) and arteries (365) of the human body.*21:03 – The history of Israel corresponds to the history of every individual Jew.*23:46 – The most powerful method for a Jew to revive himself is hisbodedus.38:21 – Above all, a Jew should never give up hope. The arrows of Hashem will someday be “used up”, bringing an end to all suffering. Description of Olam HaBaah (Future Eternal World).

00:00 – Clapping hands in tefilah (prayer), even on Shabbos.06:11 – Yehu is commanded by Elisha HaNavi to kill the entire family of Achav, including all of Ahav’s 70 sons.14:53 – Yehu executes every priest of Baal, yet fails to eradicate idol worship from Israel, and is punished.22:15 – Slander can cause death. When Yehu said “I will serve Baal much…” in order to trick the priests of Baal, he didn’t really mean it. But because he allowed himself to say the words, eventually his statement was fulfilled.36:52 – Even a thought of idol worship is considered a sin.29:29 – Ataliah, daughter of Achav, takes over leadership of the Two Tribes by killing all who stand in her way, including her own grandchildren.30:22 – Yoash ben Achazyahu (grandson of Ataliah) is rescued by his aunt and hidden in the Beis HaMikdash. For six years he is protected by Yehoyada, Kohen Gadol.32:14 – Yoash is crowned King of the Two Tribes and Queen Ataliah is killed. Yoash eliminates idol worship from Israel.34:53 – Yehoyada, Kohen Gadol, is succeeded by his son, Zecharia HaNavi.

00:00 – Elisha HaNavi cures Na’aman of leprosy by telling him to immerse seven times in the Jordan River.08:00 – Na’aman becomes a ger toshav (conditional convert to Judasim) in gratitude for the miracle of his recovery.11:35 – It is forbidden for a Jew to bow to an idol. Chana and her seven sons.12:24 – Gechazi collects a reward from Na’aman for Elisha HaNavi’s miracle, but he’s punished for his disrespect with leprosy.20:37 – The King of Aram tries to capture Elisha HaNavi.27:34 – The King of Aram lays siege to Shomron (2 Melachim/Kings 6:24).30:51 – The King of Israel sends a messenger to kill Elisha HaNavi, blaming him for the siege and famine.34:06 – The army of Aram flees in baseless panic. [K].38:30 – The land of the Shunamite woman is returned to her.

00:00 – Yohoram ben Achav. The Kings of Israel combined forces against the King of Moab.01:40 – First and second versions of what took place at that time.04:37 – Third version of what took place during this war: when Moab asked his advisors “What gives the Jews their power to succeed?” he was told: “The Jews serve Hashem, and even when they stray, the merit of their forefathers protects them.” When the King of Moab heard about the near sacrifice of Yitzchak Avinu he decided to sacrifice his own son to gain power over the Jews.06:51 – Review of the different types of sacrifices. This sacrifice resulted in a negative decree from Heaven against Israel and the Jews were forced to retreat.08:40 – Continuation of the story of Elisha HaNavi who performed 16 miracles, twice the number performed by his teacher, Eliyahu.10:11 – The Torah’s prohibition against ribis (interest on a loan). Achav’s son, Yehoram, lent money to the prophet Ovadiah at a high rate of interest.14:51 – The four who are called Yireh Hashem: Avraham Avinu, Yosef HaTzaddik, Iyov, and Ovadiah.16:27 – Elisha HaNavi performs the miracle of oil for the widow of Ovadiah HaNavi to save her from this oppressive debt.*19:01 – Income must be “salted” to remove its non-kosher element through taking ma’aser. But there is no obligation to take ma’aser from something received through miracle.23:30 – Elisha NaNavi and the mother of Ado HaNavi.27:11 – The mitzvah of haknasas orachim – hospitality – the important kindness of preparing the guest’s bed. Mitah (bed), shulchan (table), kisey (chair), ner (lamp) – roshei teyvos MiSHKaN.*30:58 – Tefilah b’tzibor – The heavens will never reject the tefilah of someone who prays with a minyan. רחמים Rachamim (298) is b’gematria tzibor צבור. Elisha NaNavi promises the mother of Addo HaNavi another son.36:57 – Rosh Chodesh is a special holiday for women.38:59 – Elisha HaNavi gives his staff to his servant Gechazi and tells him to revive a dead child. Gechazi fails in his mission because he publicized the miracle.42:40 – Elisha HaNavi revives the child himself. The spiritual aspects of sneezing. Nukva depardashka – the breath of life. Moshiach.

The passing of Eliyahu HaNavi witnessed by his student, Elisha HaNavi. The miracles performed by Elisha. Shimush – service to a Torah scholar is greater than study. Speaker: Rabbi Zvi Aryeh Rosenfeld z”l.03:57 – The cape of Eliyahu HaNavi.10:26 – Elisha HaNavi enters the city of Yericho (Jericho).18:35 – The impurity of long hair at the back of a man’s head.25:19 – Tzedakah (charity) should never be accepted from a non-Jew to support a talmid chocham (Torah scholar).26:54 – Elisha HaNavi performed 16 miracles, while Eliyahu HaNavi performed 8.*28:14 – Yehoram, son of King Achav, forms an alliance and goes out to fight Moav, but his troops don’t have enough water. Story of the greatness of Elisha HaNavi when water poured forth from his hands on Har Carmel.37:53 – Sipurey Masiyos – the power of music. [Klop at 39:12.]39:36 – Elisha HaNavi and the miraculous river that supplied water for the armies of Yehoram and Yehoshofat.

00:00 – King Achav defeats Ben Hadad, King of Assyria, but lets him live. Achav is rebuked by a prophet.05:38 – “One who puts his armor on for battle should not boast as one who takes it off.” (1 Melachim/Kings 20:11)21:46 – Eliyahu HaNavi and Elisha.29:52 – How Reb Shimon became Rebbe Nachman’s servant in Olam Habah (the Next World).

Melachim 1 – Lesson 06 – Eliyahu HaNavi and the Key to Rain