Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

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Sefer Devarim - the most 'misunderstood' book in the Bible
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: תשסט | |
Despite the popular assumption that Sefer Devarim is a ‘review’ of Chumash, our lecture will prove quite the contrary; showing how most of its legal content actually belongs in Sefer Shmot. Afterward, as we discuss the prophetic purpose of its composition, we will explain why its narratives appear to contradict what was recorded earlier in Shmot & Bamidbar – and why the two sections of daily “kriyat shema” have become so central in our daily prayers.
Counting the Omer, or Eating the Omer
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ב | |
While the Hebrew word ‘omer’ is usually associated with something that is ‘counted’, we will trace the few instances when the word ‘omer’ appears in the Bible to show how it consistently refers to a special measure of grain. In light of our discussion, we will uncover the deeper thematic connection between ‘counting the Omer’ and our commemoration of the events at Mt. Sinai.
Expulsion or Redemption, Re-examining the story of the Exodus
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ג | |
We re-read the story of the Exodus from Egypt and ask: why was there an apparent need for trickery? If God told Moshe that He knows Pharaoh will refuse Moshe's request, why does God command Moshe to offer the pretense to Pharaoh of going on a three- day desert journey? What was God's plan in getting the Israelites out of Egypt? And what is gained by having the Israelites forced out of Egypt in the middle of the night? Our study leads us to explore the mindset of Bnei Yisrael, in addition to that of Pharaoh.
The Mishkan: A Mini Mt. Sinai, or a 'Kosher' Golden Calf
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ג | | Hour and 5 minutes
In this shiur, we seek to understand the sin of the Golden calf. What is so bad about it? What can we learn from it? Through our study, we also gain insight into the role of the Mishkan and the ark.
The Mishkan - Ideal First Choice or After-the-Fact?
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
One of the major areas of disagreement concerning the effect of the sin of the Golden Calf concerns the Mishkan. Would there have been no Mishkan according to Rashi had the nation not sinned?
Jerusalem
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Why isn't Jerusalem mentioned in the Torah? A careful read of Parashat Re'eh will uncover the significance and purpose of Jerusalem, and the reason it isn't mentioned in the Torah.
Haazinu: Who Takes the Blame?
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | 32 minutes
This shiur focuses on the song in Parashat Haazinu; beginning by looking at the prelude to Haazinu. Understanding Haazinu - a response to the question of why bad things happen communally - helps us to appreciate the purpose of Neviim Rishonim, especially Sefer Yehoshua and its message of how we must take initiative and follow God's laws in order to benefit from God's conditional covenantal promises.
Izebel, Israel, and the Valley of Yizre'eI
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag |
King Ahab, one of the greatest kings of Israel - marries Jezebell, the daughter of the King of Sidon!

Eliyahu ha'Navi, the greatest prophet of his time is so scared of her, that he runs away to Mt. Sinai and 'resigns' after she threatens him; yet several years later, General Yahu has no trouble finding volunteers to push her out the window to her gruesome death in the Valley of Jezreel.

In this shiur, we will attempt to make sense out of these and many other strange events in Melachim Bet.
The War against Amalek
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Bnei Yisrael were unprepared for their redemption from Egypt, and God places them in various situations of peril, encouraging Bnei Yisrael to raise their spiritual level high enough to enable that process to continue, and work toward real independence from their captors.
Chanukah's Biblical Roots
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Why do we celebrate “Chanuka” on Chanuka? According to the book of Chagai, the original construction of the second Temple (in the “Return to Zion” period) began on the 24th (or 25th) day of Kislev. If Chanuka marks the rededication of that very same Temple (several hundred years later), then one can assume a thematic relationship between these two events. We review the context of the prophecies of Chagai and Zechariah, and examine the messages in their prophecies which pertain to Chanuka.
Chanukah's Biblical Roots- Part II
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Why was the 25th of the ninth month chosen for the foundation (and re-dedication) of the Second Temple, and why did the holiday of Chanukah continue after the destruction of the Second Temple? As we explore these questions, we find that they are related to stories of much earlier and much later- a midrash about Adam haRishon and the miracle of the Chanukah story, as well as a miracle in the time of the first Temple. What emerges is an enduring message of the importance of hope in a time of darkness.
The Borders of the Land of Israel
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Why are the borders of the Land of Israel not defined more clearly? Should they include everywhere from the Nile to Euphrates, or do they range from Dan to Beer-Sheva? This shiur examines the biblical roots of this complicated problem.
Sefer Devarim, the Most ‘Misunderstood’ Book of the Bible
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: תשסט | |
What is the purpose of Sefer Devarim? Rabbi Menachem Leibtag challenges the popular assumption that Sefer Devarim is a ‘review’ of the rest of Chumash, and proves that, in fact, Sefer Devarim is a crucial ending to the Chumash. By examining the progression from Sefer Shmot all the way to Devarim, we can see that Devarim is not a historical review; rather it details how Am Yisrael must become a nation representing God, utilizing a whole new set of laws, once they enter the land of Israel.
Yirmiyahu and the Goal of Prophecy
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: תשס"ט | | 10 minutes
Who is Yirmiyahu? This short shiur explores the personality of this prophet who is commonly associated with the destruction of the Temple and the exile. Through a discussion about the seventy years usually attributed to the length of exile, we can learn about Yirmiyahu and the goal of prophecy in general.
Megillat Esther and its Hidden Message
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
The verse that introduces Mordekhai in the Megillah is full of satire and irony. In fact, the entire Megillah is written with satire and irony. But its inclusion in the Tanakh implies a hidden prophetic message. How does the reader uncover this message?
Megillat Esther - Questions for Self Study
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
These self-study questions will prepare you for this series of lessons about Megillat Esther. The qustions deal with the historical background of Megillat Esther and the relationship between Megillat Esther and Sefer Zekharya.
Historical and Prophetic Setting
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
After the seventy years of the Babylonian exile come to an end with the Cyrus declaration, a small number of Jews decide to return to Eretz Yisrael while the majority of Jews choose to stay in Babylon and Persia. The story of the Megillat Esther in Shushan takes place after Cyrus's declaration with those Jews who did not return.
'Hester Panim' and its Prophetic Message
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
'Hester Panim' is a concept that is prominent in the understanding of Megillat Esther. On a positive side, Shirat Ha'azinu teaches us that even when God's providence is not apparent, he never abandons Am Yisrael. However, 'Hester Panim' also implies a sinful situation that leads to God's reaction of 'Hester Panim'. The sin of Am Yisrael in the story of Megillat Esther is also hidden.
The Theme of the Megilla and its Satire
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Based on this historic and prophetic setting, one might suspect that the impending destruction of Am Yisrael by Haman may be a Divine punishment for their apathy. After all, the Jews living in the Persian empire appear to have:
- Preferred Shushan over Yerushalayim;
- Opted to subjugate themselves to Ahashveyrosh rather than respond to God's call to return to their land;
- Replaced the Beit HaMikdash with the palace of Ahashveyrosh!
Textual and Thematic Support
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Several hints in Megillat Esther imply that the sin of Am Yisrael is the abandonment of the mission of returning to Eretz Yisrael and rebuilding the Beit HaMikdash:
- Parallels between Ahashverosh's Palace and the Beit HaMikdash
- The use of the term "Birah" - a term used only for the Beit HaMikdash and Shushan
- 70 days between Haman's letters of destruction and Mordekhai's letters of salvation are reminiscent of the 70 years of exile
Why Satire?
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
The message of Megillat Esther is hidden, but why is the message only hinted at but not explicitly stated by Chazal?
Megillat Esther and Sefer Zekharya
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

According to the chronology posited by Seder Olam, Ahashveyrosh was the king immediately after Cyrus but before Darius, and the story of Megillat Esther immediately led to the building of the second Beit HaMikdash and a mass Aliya. However, according to the common historical approach Ahashverosh was the king who succeeded Darius. The Beit HaMikdash was already built and two decades pass before any new Aliya movement. In fact, no major event takes place immediately after the events in Megillat Esther. However, parallels between Megillat Esther and the prophecies of Zekharya imply that the initiators of the holiday of Purim understood that the ultimate success of the Return to Zion and the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash depended on the implementation of social Mitzvot.
Tehillim 107 - Yom Haatzmaut
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
In Israel, Yom Ha'zikaron [Memorial Day] and Yom Ha'Atzmaut [Independence Day] are separated by a mere split second. It is precisely this proximity that gives extra meaning to both days. Our awareness that the dedication of those who fell made our independence possible gives us the strength to cope with the sorrow of Yom Ha'Zikaron. At the same time, our awareness of that terrible price, encourages not only to appreciate our joy on Yom Ha’Atzmaut, but also to strive to channel our independence in the proper direction.

This contrast between sorrow and joy at a time of redemption is reflected in Tehillim 107. It is the custom in Israel to recite that perek before davening Maariv on Yom Ha’Atzmaut. The following shiur will analyze the internal structure of Tehillim 107, and will explain why it was chosen to be read on this day.
Chronicle vs. Composition - An Example from Sefer Bamidbar
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: תש"ע | |
Is the Tanach a chronicle or a composition? Does the Tanach merely list historical events, or is there a deeper message to be gleaned from the way it is written and organized? By examining the books of Shoftim and Bamidbar, we can gain a new understanding of Tanach as a composition. Each book has a prophetic agenda which teaches us a deeper lesson about the goal and message of the book, and understanding this message allows the reader to see the book in a whole new light.
From Seven to Eight
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
What links Brit Milla, the Metzora, the Eighth Day of Miluim, and Shmini Atzeret? The number seven represents nature, and the number eight represents that which transcends nature.
Parshat Va'era
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
According to the popular Midrash, Bnei Yisrael had fallen to the 49th level of "tumah" (spiritual impurity) in Egypt. However, there appears to be no foundation for this criticism in either Parshat Shmot or Va'eyra. What is the basis for this harsh condemnation? By exploring the verses serving as the biblical source for this Midrashic censure, we can enhance our understanding of several difficult psukim in Parshat Va'eyra, and also arrive at a better perception of the nature of Moshe Rabeinu's "shlichut" (mission) to take Bnei Yisrael out of Egypt.
Parshat Bo
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Already four hundred years before the Exodus, Pessah was celebrated in the city of Sdom! According to Rashi, Lot baked matzot, because his guests arrived on Pesach. At first glance, this statement seems rather absurd, for what possible meaning could there be in commemorating an event which had not yet taken place! While examining the purpose and significance of the Korban Pesach, we uncover the fundamental biblical theme of "Yom Hashem". This theme helps us understand the relationship between the destruction of Sdom and the process of Yetziat Mitzraim.
Parshat Beshalach
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Bnei Yisrael gloriously depart Egypt, expecting a short journey to the Land of Israel. To their surprise, they encounter instead situations of frightening war, terrible hunger, and life-threatening thirst. Are Bnei Yisrael expected not to complain; to passively accept this fate, to wait patiently for God's salvation? Is God simply 'testing' their patience? In order to answer these questions we explore the purpose of the Exodus from Egypt as a process of building trust in God. During the six week period after the Exodus, Bnei Yisrael encounter several traumatic experiences and changes in daily routine which help transform their instinctive physical dependence on Egypt to their instinctive physical dependence on God.
The Prophetic Purpose of Sefer Yehoshua
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag |
Did Yehoshua fulfill God's command to capture the land promised to Am Yisrael? Through an analysis of the promise that God made to Yehoshua and to Moshe we learn about the acceptance of the covenant, and about Sefer Yehoshua as a book of prophecy rather than of history.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
The Shmita Year and its Connection to Shavuot and Har Sinai
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ד | |
What is the first real Shabbat of the Jewish people? And how does it connect to the Omer, to the brit at Har Sinai, to Shavuot, and to the Shemitta cycle? We begin by examining the meaning of “omer” by looking at the texts in which the word appears. After placing the test of the “manna” into the timeframe of Bnei Yisrael’s journey from Egypt to Har Sinai, what emerges is a crucial tool for the nation’s development and relationship with God, which is later symbolized and commemorated in rituals which are now ever more meaningful-- especially now that we understand more about the agriculture of the Land of Israel.
Shavuot and Matan Torah
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Why does the Torah purposely obscure the date of Matan Torah (and therefore the date of the holiday of Shavuot)? By answering this question we can gain a deeper understanding of our relationship with Torah and the covenant with God - the essence of our daily existence.
Study Questions for Tikun Leil Shavuot
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
On Shavuot night, the study of Torah takes on an added dimension, as we mark the anniversary of Matan Torah. This includes not only the minhag of learning throughout the night, but also HOW we learn. In other words, our learning should be more ACTIVE than passive. Towards this end, I have opted this week to write questions for self study, as opposed to a regular ('spoon fed') shiur in the hope that they will facilitate a more active manner of learning.

So, in case you are looking for a 'structured' learning program for Shavuot night, with or without a chavruta, I am sending out some 'preparation questions' which deal with Shavuot and Matan Torah.
The Chiastic Structure of Vayikra Chapter 20
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: תש"ע | |
The chiastic structure is a tool used to understand the meaning of a chapter of Tanakh in much greater depth. This lecture illustrates how this method creates order within verses that appear random and superfluous, and then examines Vayikra Chapter 20 by applying the chiastic structure in order to gain an appreciation about what it means to be representing God through sanctity.
The 'Real' Story of the Exodus - Why the Book is Better than the Movie
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag |
There are many questions we can ask about the Exodus story. For example, why didn't Moshe tell Pharaoh the truth about where the nation of Israel wanted to go? What was Pharaoh afraid of? This shiur offers an in-depth reading of the Exodus story, and a different perspective which clarifies the inconsistencies in the story, suggesting that perhaps the problem isn't convincing Pharaoh to let Israel go, rather it is convincing Israel to leave.
Sefer Yirmiyahu - When Politics and Religion Clash
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | Hour and 3 minutes
What is the role of prophecy? Typically the role of a prophet is to share a religious message. This shiur illustrates what happens when politics and religion clash- when religious status is used to promote political opinion. By differentiating between politics and religion, the nation during the time of Yirmiyahu could have prevented the destruction of the Temple. Analyzing Yirmiyahu's prophecies leads us to an understanding of the false messages of the political and religious leaders of the time, and about how to act as a nation representing God.
What Mitzvot Did the Avot Keep?
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
There are those who claim that the Avot kept the entire Torah - even the Oral Law and later Rabbinic prohibitions! Yet many students, when hearing this opinion, find it difficult to accept. In the following shiur, we discuss the pasuk that forms the source for this opinion; the debate among the commentators in regard to its interpretation; and an important lesson we can learn from this entire controversy.
Who Really Sold Yosef?
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Conventional wisdom says that Yehuda suggested that the brothers sell Yosef, the brothers accepted the suggestion and subsequently Yosef was sold. When he reveals himself to his brothers, Yosef says to them, "I am Yosef who you sold to Egypt!" Therefore, it appears that the answer to our question is Yosef's brothers. This is the position of the Rashi.

However, a closer reading of the story, combined with the geographical details of the story, make it feasible that the brothers did not sell Yosef, as is the position of Rashbam, Rashi's grandson. If that is true, the brothers suggested killing Yosef, leaving him to die in a pit and selling him but never actually went through with any of these suggestions.
Chanuka and the Prophecies of the Second Temple Period
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Throughout the history of Am Yisrael, there were many military victories, yet Chazal never established a holiday commemorating those events. Many varieties of miracles have also occurred, yet no Rabbinically-ordained holiday commemorates them. Why are the military victory and miracle of Chanuka different?

To answer this question it must be understood that the date of Chanuka possessed historic and prophetic significance several hundred years before the Hasmonean revolt! The following article will attempt to understand Chanuka based on its roots in the prophecies of Chagai and Zecharya.
Yosef and his Brothers: Choice and Rejection
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
The rejection and choice of sons is a theme throughout the book of Breisheet. This principle may have guided the Yosef's brothers to reject him by selling him into slavery. Likewise, this principle may explain why Yosef never contacted his father – an understanding that he was the rejected son.

When his brothers come to Egypt, Yosef realizes that this is not the case. As his dreams told him, he must be a leader to his brothers: bring them to repent and reunite his shattered family.
From Breishit to Shmot
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
When Yaakov and family depart for Egypt, are they planning to make Egypt their permanent home, or are they planning just a short visit?

Yaakov fears that his departure to Egypt may be against God's will or possibly even a threat to his bechira. The unique Korbanot that Yaakov offers in Beer Sheva are thanksgiving for the reunification of the family and the realization of the completion of the twelve tribes.

God's message to Yaakov reveals the upcoming slavery in Egypt but also the growth of an entire out of the seventy descendants to Egypt.
The Mishkan - A Reflection of Revelation, or of Creation
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ו | | Hour and 6 minutes
The Ramban, in his introduction to Parshat Terumah, proves how the Mishkan serves as an eternal reflection of the key events that took place at Har Sinai. In our discussion, we will show how the daily service in the Mishkan may also reflect the key message of the story of Creation, and will enlighten our understanding of one of the key themes of the Bible in regard to God’s relationship
with mankind.
The Story of Bilaam in the Context of Bamidbar
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag |
What is unique about the unit of the story of Bilaam and how does it fit within the context of Sefer Bamidbar as a whole? Through an analysis of the unit we learn about the goal of the story of Bilaam and the purpose of sefer Bamidbar in teaching us about the relationship between God and Israel and the way in which mitzvot give meaning to our lives.
Izebel, Israel, and Jezre'el: What's Going On?
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | Hour and 10 minutes
This shiur examines the state of the nation of Israel under several kings, taking into account superpowers and prophets at each stage. Through a close reading of the text, we explore the causes for success of such kings as Ahab, who doesn't follow the word of God and yet is immensely successful economically and militarily. Furthermore, we examine the three missions Eliyahu is charged with before his retirement, and understand that only after the fulfillment of these three missions would the nation rid themselves of Izebel.
Parashat HaShavua - Mishpatim
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | 37 minutes
Is the Humash a book of laws? Until now, it has been mostly stories. Parashat Mishpatim is finally a parasha that almost entirely discusses laws. We're going to try to understand that not only does Humash teach us lessons about laws through stories, but that there are a lot of lessons that can be learned from the way that laws are presented. We take a look at the structure and style of Parashat Mishpatim and note that the laws about interactions between man and his fellow man are bracketed by sections of laws about how to serve God, who desires that we follow Avraham's path of justice and righteousness.
Who Wrote the Book of Shmuel, and Why it makes a Difference
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ה | | Hour and 10 minutes
If one reads Sefer Shmuel, one may be bothered- how can we sing songs of King David when he did things that are problematic? Why was he chosen for a continued dynasty? And if he is supposed to be a model king, why are there so many negative things about King David in Sefer Shmuel? In this shiur, we hope to answer not only the question of who wrote the book, but the question of what the prophetic purpose of the book is. The prophet can put things in perspective: justifying cases where they king looked guilty but was innocent, criticizing the king for his sins, and highlighting that though flawed, David is a good leader. He admits his sins and repents, is generally humble, has a sensible political domestic and foreign approach and works toward aspirations to elevate the people to be God's nation.
Hizkiyahu's Pesach and Yeshayahu's Prophecies
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | 51 minutes
Amid the looming threat of Assyria, Hizkiyahu prepares to commemorate a national Pesach sacrifice and festival on a grand scale, inviting those from the other Israelite tribes, as well. We analyze the chapters and background of this monumental event, and look at Hazal's praise and criticism of various aspects of Hizkiyahu's choices. Was Hizkiyahu's unusual (and belated) Pesach a good thing? And where does Yeshayahu fit in? It was a fine thing for Hizkiyahu to inspire the people to greater religious involvement and revival. But ritual alone is not enough. It is Yeshayahu's task to remind the people that the religious involvement at Pesach needs to be taken to the next step - implementing the social commandments to build an ethical society.
Matan Torah - Parshat Yitro
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
Parshat Yitro describes the historic event of Matan Torah, but the manner in which it does so is not as simple as meets the eye. This shiur contains two parts:

Part I serves as a general introduction to the methodology of analyzing the 'structure' of parshiot to find their 'theme'.

Part II discusses the significance of the Torah's PRESENTATION of the events that take place when the Torah is given at Har Sinai.
Why King David Could Not Build the Temple, and When We Should
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: 5777 | | Hour and 8 minutes
When King David expresses his wish to build the Mikdash, the prophet Natan is enthusiastic. But he returns immediately with a prophetic message that David is not to build it - that David may wish to build a house for God, but God will have to build David a "house" first. Why is this? And who really selects the "place that God chooses?"

Throughout our study, we will explore different parts of Tanakh that deal with the meaning and purpose of the Temple (mishkan and mikdash, respectively). Who is the Mikdash really for? We consider what it means to build a house for "God's name" and examine the implications of "calling out in God's name." The viability of the Mikdash is intrinsically linked to our ability to "call out in God's name" properly.
Parshat Beshalach Part 1: The Journey from Egypt to Mount Sinai Begins
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | 27 minutes
This podcast begins Parshat Beshalach, which is a turning point in the book of Shemot- describing Bnei Yisrael’s transition from slavery in Egypt to worship of God in the desert. Through an examination of the text, we notice that all the events that transpire focus on one goal- to prepare the nation for their encounter with God at Sinai.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
Parshat Beshalach Part 2: The Break from Egypt and its Culture
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | 27 minutes
This podcast describes the reasoning behind God’s great miracle of the splitting of the sea. Not only did it serve as a punishment for the Egyptians, but also helped prepare the Jewish Nation for their encounter with God at Mount Sinai by breaking their slave mentality and transforming their fear of the Egyptian master into awe of God.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
Parshat Beshalach Part 5: The 'Manna': A Training Experience, Forever
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | 35 minutes
This podcast deals with the beginning of Bnei Yisrael’s journey through the desert, the miracles that occurred along the way and the mitzvot that were given to them at Marah. Through a discussion of the goals of miracles in general and the purpose of the mitzvot given at this point, we can understand that they are all intended to prepare Bnei Yisrael for their encounter with God at Mt. Sinai.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
Parshat Beshalach Part 6: What's So Evil About Amalek?
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | 30 minutes
This podcast concludes Parshat Beshalach with the eternal law to remember Amalek and a discussion about what makes them so evil. We also discuss the significant parallels between the laws of Shmitta in the Land of Israel and the manna in the desert, leading up to the covenant at Sinai.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
Parshat Devarim Part 1: Introduction to Sefer Devarim
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | 31 minutes
This podcast serves as an introduction to Sefer Devarim and provides an overview as to what we will encounter throughout the book.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
Mei Meriva: When it Happened, Why it Happened and How it Happened
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | Hour and 5 minutes
It is unclear what Moshe’s sin was in Mei Meriva, and why he was punished so severely. This lecture surveys the different opinions and discusses the reason behind these various opinions. We study the story through a specific methodology of analyzing the text and examine it through many contexts in order to glean important messages about leadership.

Click here for a downloadable audio version of this lecture
Sefer Yehoshua: Nach's Opener or Torah's Closer? (Part 1)
Tanach Study
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | 21 minutes
This lecture is the first in a two-lecture series about the book of Yehoshua. Through a close examination of the book, Rabbi Leibtag attempts to explain the placement of Sefer Yehoshua as the final book of the Chumash.

To watch the second part of the series click here.

Courtesy of Tanachstudy.com
Sefer Yehoshua: Nach's Opener or Torah's Closer? (Part 2)
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | 39 minutes
This lecture is the second in the two-lecture series of introduction to Sefer Yehoshua. Rabbi Menachem Leibtag explains the reasons why Sefer Yehoshua belongs in the book of Neviim and the ways in which it serves as an introduction to this section of the Tanach.

To watch the first part of the series click here.

Courtesy of www.tanachstudy.com
The Importance of Yom Hashemini
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | Hour and 10 minutes
This shiur discusses the day of inauguration of the Mishkan, Yom Hashmini, and highlights the differences in its portrayal in the books of Shemot, Vayikra and Bamidbar. A close analysis of the texts reveal an important lesson about what it means to be a leader.

Courtesy of tanachstudy.com
When Politics and Religion Clash: A Crash Course on Sefer Yirmiyahu
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | Hour and 4 minutes
Yirmiyahu, like most other prophets, rebukes the nation on issues relating to idol worship and ethical behavior. However, at a certain point in his career, Yirmiyahu finds himself in a unique and most uncomfortable position, when God demands that he tell the people (and the King) to surrender to the Babylonian army. In our class, we will explain when and why this happens, and how it affects our understanding of not only the book of Yirmiyahu, but also the underlying reason for the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the first Temple.
Does God Prefer Prefection Or Repentance?
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | Hour and 6 minutes
Through exploration of the text of the chumash, we will try to grapple with the question - Does God Prefer Prefection Or Repentance?

Studying the text through the lense of context as well as content, this question becomes more clear and an answer arises.

Sponsored by Mark, Terry, Aaron and Estee Brooks in memory of Lindsay and Joseph Samuel and Harriet and Walter Brooks, a"hs.
How Sefer Tehillim interprets Sefer Breishit
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: 2022 | | Hour and 5 minutes
Even though Sefer Breishit clearly tells the story of how God chose our forefathers to start a nation; the underlying thematic question of why God chose them remains unclear. In this lecture, we will turn to several key chapters in the book of Tehillim that allude to those stories, to see how they can help us answer that fundamental question.
Wiping out Amalek: Vendetta or Virtue?
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag
תאריך פרסום: 2023 | |
How can the same section in Sefer Devarim which forbids 'punishing children for the sins of their parents' also demand that we wipe out the descendants of Amalek? The lecture examines the numerous encounters with Amalek throughout Chumash & Navi - to determine if Amalek is the eternal 'enemy of Israel' or the 'enemy of God'.
The Golden Calf: Idol Worship, Idle Worship or Ideal Worship?
Rabbi Menachem Leibtag | Hour and 3 minutes
Why was God so upset with the nation after the incident of the Golden Calf? After all, when studying the simple meaning of the text, the people were simply following Aharon’s own initiative and instructions. Our shiur will suggest an answer to this famous question, by considering the broader themes of Chumash, as well as the impact of the ‘splitting of the sea’ and the ‘war with Amalek’ on the psyche of the nation.