Rabbi David Sedley

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

Category: audio

  • Rav Tzadok on the Hagaddah

    , ,

    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

  • Rav Tzadok on Purim

    , ,

    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

  • Parshat Tetzaveh – Aharon and Kiruv

    , ,

    This shiur is based on the writings of Rav Tzadok HaCohen. This shiur is dedicated anonymously. Parshat Tetzaveh is basically a listing of the various garments worn by the Cohanim and the Cohen Gadol. Rav Tzadok asks three questions on Parshat Tetzaveh:1. Why is Moshe’s name missing from this parsha?2. Why is the golden altar… Read more

  • Mishpatim – Naaseh veNishma

    , ,

    This shiur is also based on the writings of Rav Tzadok HaCohen. May this shiur be a Refuah Shleima for Shiri bat Gila. Mishpatim contains not only many of the civil laws which guide us as a nation, but also the continuation of Maamad Har Sinai and the Giving of the Torah. At the end… Read more

  • Parshat Beshalach – Amalek and Theology

    , , , ,

    This shiur is also based on the writings of Rav Tzadok HaCohen. May this shiur be a Refuah Shleima for Shiri bat Gila. Rav Tzadok says that remembering what Amalek did to us is really about remembering the sin that we committed which led to Amalek coming. But the Torah does not specify what the… Read more

  • Rosh Chodesh – the Power of Renewal

    , , ,

    This shiur is also based on the writings of Rav Tzadok HaCohen. The shiur is sponsored in memory of Irena bat Ilia Brezner. May her soul be bound in the bonds of Eternal Life. This week is a new beginning for my Tuesday night women’s shiur – we have moved to a new home in… Read more

  • VaEra – Derech Eretz

    , , , ,

    This week (and hopefully in coming weeks) I’m using Rav Tzadok HaCohen as the basis for the shiur. The parsha begins with G-d telling Moshe that He only appeared to the Avot as E-l Shaddai, but He will appear to Moshe as YHVH. The problem is that G-d appeared many times to the Avot with… Read more

  • Parshat Vayeshev – The Poor Person

    , , ,

    I’m sorry – I forgot to put this shiur on the web last week. So you will either have to listen to last week’s parsha now (I think it is still kosher if you listen before Tuesday) or you will have to wait until next year to listen to it. This shiur is fairly simple,… Read more

  • Parshat Vayishlach – the Divine Within

    , , , ,

    I gave this shiur last night in Jerusalem. Happy Birthday Michael and thank you for hosting the shiur. This shiur is in part a continuation of last week’s shiur on angels. Only this time we examine ‘Who is G-d’? Who did Yaakov wrestle with? All the Rishonim (without exception as far as I could tell)… Read more

  • Parshat Chayei Sarah – Superstition

    , , ,

    Here is a shiur I gave this week to a group in Katamon. It is similar, but different, to the shiur I gave last night on WebYeshiva I begin with Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” and look at Eliezer’s quest to find a wife for Yitzchak. He asks G-d for a sign to help him find a… Read more