Ein Yaakov 9 - Coopting the Yetzer Hara

This shiur studies the classic text of Agadeta found in Gemara Brachot, focusing as well on the commentaries of Ein Ya'akov of Rabbi Ya'akov ibn Habib and Ein Ayah from Rav Kook.

How do you beat the yetzer hara? Rav Kook (with the help of the Agadah) has some suggestions.

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Ein Yaakov 8 - Ashrei 1

This shiur studies the classic text of Agadeta found in Gemara Brachot, focusing as well on the commentaries of Ein Ya'akov of Rabbi Ya'akov ibn Habib and Ein Ayah from Rav Kook.

The Gemara makes a seemingly shocking statement about the importance of Tehillim 145 - the chapter we know as Ashrei, which leads to the obvious question: why is this chapter so important? And why did David Hamelech leave out the "nun"?

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Ein Yaakov 7 - What, Me Worry?

This shiur studies the classic text of Agadeta found in Gemara Brachot, focusing as well on the commentaries of Ein Ya'akov of Rabbi Ya'akov ibn Habib and Ein Ayah from Rav Kook.

After first learning an important principle about Teshuvah, we turn to the topic of worry. Is it a good thing to worry, or a bad thing? The answer is, of course, that it depends.

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Insights into Agadah 6 - The Urim V'Tumim

This shiur studies the classic text of Agadeta found in Gemara Brachot, focusing as well on the commentaries of Ein Ya'akov of Rabbi Ya'akov ibn Habib and Ein Ayah from Rav Kook.

If the Jewish people had access to a divine device which would automatically tell them what God wanted them to do, how could they ever make decisions on their own?

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Insights into Agadah 5 - Qualities of Jewish Leadership

This shiur studies the classic text of Agadeta found in Gemara Brachot, focusing as well on the commentaries of Ein Ya'akov of Rabbi Ya'akov ibn Habib and Ein Ayah from Rav Kook.

We begin with a wonderful thought from the Ben Ish Chai, and then turn to the story of David Hamelech, and how he spent his nighttime hours.

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Insights into Agadah 4 - A Chance Meeting With Eliyahu Hanavi 2

This shiur studies the classic text of Agadeta found in Gemara Brachot, focusing as well on the commentaries of Ein Ya'akov of Rabbi Ya'akov ibn Habib and Ein Ayah from Rav Kook.

Rabbi Yossi tells Eliyahu Hanavi what he heard as he was praying in the Churvah in Yerushalayim. Ein Yaakov and Ein Ayah use the text as a springboard to teach us what we're really missing without a Beit Hamikdash.

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Insights into Agadah 3 - A Chance Meeting With Eliyahu Hanavi 1

This shiur studies the classic text of Agadeta found in Gemara Brachot, focusing as well on the commentaries of Ein Ya'akov of Rabbi Ya'akov ibn Habib and Ein Ayah from Rav Kook.

A short sojourn into a Churvah in Yerushalayim leads to a meeting with Eliayhu Hanavi, and some important lessons about Galut, tefillah, and yearning for Moshiach.

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Insights into Agadah 2 - Five Interpretations of the Three Watches (Mishmarot)

This shiur studies the classic text of Agadeta found in Gemara Brachot, focusing as well on the commentaries of Ein Ya'akov of Rabbi Ya'akov ibn Habib and Ein Ayah from Rav Kook.

During our first shiur, we introduced the concept that the night is divided into three "watches" - mishmarot. In this shiur, we look at five unique perspectives on what these "watches" represent - all very different, each interpretation conveying a valuable and important lesson.

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Audio Shiur: Insights into Agadah Shiur 1 - Kohanim to the World

Audio Shiur:
Insights into Agadah Shiur 1 - Kohanim to the World

This shiur studies the classic text of Agadeta found in Gemara Brachot, focusing as well on the commentaries of Ein Ya'akov of Rabbi Ya'akov ibn Habib and Ein Ayah from Rav Kook.

In the very first shiur in this new series on Agaddah, and the commentaries of Ein Yaakov and Ein Ayah of Rav Kook, we examine the ideological difference between Shema at night and Shema during the day according to Rav Kook.

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Source Sheets can be found here.

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I'm working on submitting this shiur to iTunes as a podcast. Stay tuned for more info.