Rabbi David Sedley

A repository of written, audio and video Torah classes given by Rabbi David Sedley

Month: March 2012

  • Rav Tzadok on the Hagaddah

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    Here are some of Rav Tzadok’s ideas on the hagaddah. He discusses why we have 4 cups of wine, but only 3 matzot. What does it mean to remember the exodus from Egypt and how does ‘bread of poverty’ taste like manna. I look forward to your comments. Here is the audio shiur (and the… Read more

  • Lord Jakobovits on Sacrifices

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    This week we begin the book of Vayikra (Leviticus). The first few parshiyot deal with various kinds of sacrifices. Slaughtering animals for religous rites is a concept which is quite foreign to us today. (See ParshaBlog on Ibn Caspi’s view on sacrifices.) In the 1990 edition of the Singer Siddur (Authorised Daily Prayer Book) there… Read more

  • Amazing musical instrument(s)

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    I know this is just an advertisement for Intel, but it is really quite cool. What happens to all those balls afterwards? Read more

  • Mehadrin Matzot

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    Are matzot still considered mehadrin if they are stolen? Or more specifically, are matzot considered mehadrin (or even kosher) if the tax man is cheated out of his 16% VAT (Sales Tax for Americans)? I ordered some matzot this year from a different place than usual (for various reasons). I was told that I could… Read more

  • What is the difference between Rabbi and Rebbi?

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    I came across this quote on the website of the Biala Rebbe of Bnei Brak There are many differences but in short, a Rebbe listens to you from your soul and gives you guidance and answers from that level. Whereas a Rabbi, listens to you from a your mouth and gives you guidance and answers… Read more

  • Achashverosh and Candaules

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    I am reading Heroditus‘ history (I’m trying to understand the context of the Purim story, but it will take quite a long time) and have come across several interesting things. I will try to post things as I find them (if for no other reason than to help me remember them). Since we have just… Read more

  • Rav Tzadok on Purim

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    Last week I said I was going to speak this week about the historical context of Purim. I think it is important to understand the context to get the real meaning of Purim. But I failed to keep my promise. It was too difficult for me (and Micha Berger suggested that a shiur should be… Read more