Mr. Sammy Saka – Mishna 1:18 “Core Values of Leadership” | Pirkei Abot

Rabbi Ike Hanon – Pesahim 39b (2) | Weekday Gemara

Rabbi Ike Hanon hosts classes Monday through Friday at 6:10 AM at West Deal Shul. The class opens a new Mishnah on Pesachim 39b dealing with chametz, covering practical cases where water contacts grain — feeding chickens, bathing scrubs, and wound salves — and why each is forbidden on Pesach. The Gemara then analyzes a Beraita listing baking, cooking, and scalding as processes that prevent chametzification, resolving an apparent contradiction by explaining that "baked then cooked" means cooking is only permitted after prior baking, not on raw grain. This leads into a discussion of Gebrochts, with the Gemara seemingly supporting the permissibility of wetting baked matzah, while acknowledging the custom's historical roots. The class also explores the principle that continued motion — such as a steady drip of water onto flour — prevents fermentation, with debate among Rishonim about when the 18-minute clock begins once the drip stops. Finally, the Gemara's distinction between oil-based and water-based tikka is presented as a proof in support of the Sephardic/Rambam custom permitting egg matzah, against Rashi's more stringent position. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) New Mishnah: Bran & Chametz (1:58) Scalding vs. Cooking Explained (3:55) Beraita: What Prevents Chametz (7:49) Gemara Questions Cooking (8:50) Gebrochts Discussion (12:27) Dripping Water on Flour (14:59) Motion Prevents Fermentation (16:13) Tikka: Two Types (17:07) Egg Matzah & Fruit Juices - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com

Rabbi David Semah – Parashat Naso "Gold in Bircat Kohanim" | Weekly Parasha

Rabbi David Semah hosts classes every day at 6:45 AM at West Deal Shul. In this class on Parashat Naso, Rabbi Semah explores the profound spiritual depth of Bircat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing. He opens with a Midrash teaching that the Shechina, God's divine presence, rests upon the Kohen's outstretched fingers, making the blessing truly come from God Himself. Rabbi Semah then addresses the sin of Nadav and Avihu, explaining that because they never married they were considered spiritually incomplete, disqualifying them from performing Bircat Kohanim — and that disqualification was at the root of their death. He delves into the mystical significance of the letter Yud, showing how its revealed and hidden numerical values correspond to the 60 letters of the three blessings, and draws extensively from the Zohar on why Bircat Kohanim is the climax of the prayer service and a moment when God's gates of compassion are fully open. The class concludes with a passionate and practical unpacking of each word of the blessing — Yivarechecha, V'yishmerecha, Ya'ir, and V'yichuneka — urging the congregation never to leave before receiving this extraordinary spiritual opportunity. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Introduction & Bircat Kohanim (0:32) Shechina rests on Kohen's hands (1:20) Nadav & Avihu: why they died (2:32) Yud opens each blessing (3:28) Hidden letters of the Yud (4:24) Zohar: power of Bircat Kohanim (6:28) Gates of compassion open (7:34) 60 letters in Bircat Kohanim (8:25) Yivarechecha unpacked (8:45) V'yishmerecha unpacked (9:38) Ya'ir unpacked (11:30) V'yichuneka unpacked (12:27) Closing: don't miss the blessing - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com

Rabbi Moshe Tobal – Parashat Naso "Serving Hashem as One" | Weekly Parasha

Rabbi Moshe Tobal hosts classes every day at 6:30 AM at West Deal Shul. In this class on Parashat Naso, Rabbi Moshe Tobal explores the episode of the Nesiim bringing inaugural korbanot to the Mizbeach. He explains how the Nasi of Shevet Yisachar inspired all twelve tribal leaders to set aside personal honor and bring identical offerings in perfect unison, stepping in complete synchrony as a single unified force. Rabbi Tobal highlights a remarkable halacha where Hashem suspended the prohibition of bringing voluntary korbanot on Shabbat as a direct reward for the Nesiim's selfless dedication to achdut. He also explains why the Torah individually names each Nasi and then summarizes all the korbanot together — to underscore that while each tribe had its own identity, they were ultimately one. The practical lesson is that although every Jew has a unique way of serving Hashem, when personal interest threatens the unity of Klal Yisrael, one must sacrifice individual honor for the sake of kavod Shamayim, and Hashem will reciprocate with boundless blessing. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Opening & Dedication (0:18) What Is Parashat Naso? (0:47) The Nesiim & the Mizbeach (1:10) Yisachar's Nasi & the Idea (1:39) Unity Among the Shevatim (2:41) The Nesiim March as One (3:09) Hashem Honors Their Achdut (4:00) The Problem of Shabbat (4:31) Hashem Pushes Aside Shabbat (5:04) Names Written in the Torah (5:47) Summing Up All the Korbanot (6:18) The Lesson: Unity Over Ego - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com

Mr. Sammy Saka – Pirke Abot 2:2 “ For the Sake of Heaven”

Mr. Sammy Saka hosts classes on Zoom Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30PM. Contact Jacob Betesh to be added to the chat. In this class, Mr. Sammy Saka explores Pirkei Avot 2:2, taught by Rabban Gamliel son of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, which contains three interconnected teachings. The first teaching emphasizes that Torah study must be paired with Derech Eretz — good ethical conduct and character — because without this combination, a person risks falling into sin. The second teaching warns that Torah study without work is also dangerous, as idleness can lead a person down the wrong path, making honest labor an essential partner to learning. The third and central teaching focuses on community work done l'shem shamayim, for the sake of heaven, with pure intentions and no personal agenda, promising that such individuals will be supported by the merit of the community's righteous forefathers whose tzedakah endures forever. Mr. Saka concludes with a personal and encouraging note: even those too busy to participate in communal work will be rewarded by Hashem as if they had done it themselves. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Introduction to Mishnah 2:2 (0:36) Torah Combined with Derech Eretz (3:49) Torah Combined with Work (5:22) Working for the Community L'Shem Shamayim (6:24) Merit of the Forefathers (7:28) Hashem Rewards Community Workers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com

Rabbi Ike Hanon – Pesahim 39b | Weekday Gemara

Rabbi Ike Hanon hosts classes Monday through Friday at 6:10 AM at West Deal Shul. This class covers a section of Pesachim 39b dealing with the laws of Maror, beginning with a question about planting the five Maror species together and whether kilayim concerns apply. The Gemara works through several possible explanations for Rav's statement about planting in one plant bed, ultimately concluding that the chidush relates to Chazeret hardening as it grows, with a discussion of the Chazon Ish's interpretation. The class then addresses Rav Chisda's ruling that dry Maror is only permitted for the stalk and not the leaves, examining a Beraita where Rabbi Meir and the Chachamim debate dry versus moist, and clarifying the distinction between fully dry, wilted, and pickled or cooked Maror. A brief analysis follows regarding whether Maaser Sheni produce can be used for Maror, contrasting the positions of Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yosef HaGalili. The class concludes with a look at the Rambam in Hilchos Chametz U'Matzah 7:13, confirming that leaves must be moist while the stalk may be dry, and leaving open the question of wilted Maror based on the Rambam's silence on the matter. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Intro: Kilayim & Maror Species (0:50) Five-Die Planting Method (2:31) Are Maror Species Seeds? (3:35) Chidush: Chazeret Hardening (4:47) Chazon Ish's Reading (5:40) Dry vs. Moist Maror (6:29) Question on Rav Chisda (7:10) Beraita: Rabbi Meir vs. Chachamim (8:29) Rav Chisda's Response (9:07) Wilted vs. Dry Maror (10:56) Maaser Sheni & Maror (13:00) Rabbi Akiva vs. Rabbi Yosef HaGalili (14:24) Rambam on Maror: Halacha L'maaseh (17:46) Rambam: Why No Best Species? (18:17) Kamush in the Rambam: Open Question - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com