Talmud Tour Session 15: Berachot 16a-17a

Talmud Tour Session 15: Berachot 16a-17a

A Talmud Tour session on Berachot 16a-17a, using the Steinsaltz elucidation with comments drawn from Chassidic teachings. It covers why a groom (and anyone engaged in a mitzva) is exempt from reciting the Shema, Rabban Gamliel's unusual conduct in mourning his wife and his servant Tavi, the teaching that only three Patriarchs and four Matriarchs are so named and the qualities every Jew inherits from them, and Rabbi Elazar's reading of Psalm 63 as referring to the Shema and the Amida.

Sixth Day of Creation + Rosh Hashana

THE MILI G. KABBALA GROUP WITH TALI LOEWENTHAL, 8 Sept 2008. Discussing the Sixth Day of Creation, leading on to the exploring the theme of Rosh Hashana

Talmud Tour Session 14: Berachot 12a-b

Explores morning prayer order, bowing in Amidah, High Holiday textual changes, praying for others, forgiveness via shame, and Shema inclusions like Exodus mentions, with Steinsaltz and Chassidic commentaries. 28 December 2025 sourcesheet: https://files.chabadresearch.net/TalmudTour%20-%20Berachot12a-b.pdf

Talmud Tour Session 13: Berachot 9b

Explores Divine Name "Ehyeh," redemption promise, Elijah's double plea, and morning Shema timing from dawn distinctions to three hours. Chassidic comments highlight prayer's transcendence, kingship of Jews, and juxtaposing blessings without interruption. 7 September 2025 sourcesheet: https://files.chabadresearch.net/TalmudTour%20Berachot9b-10a.pdf

Talmud Tour Session 12: Berachot 7b-8b

Topics include the virtue of praying with the community, the importance of the Halachah (as opposed to varied opinions in the Talmud), physical and spiritual death, the importance of marriage and womanhood, work and study, relationship with one's teacher, the concept of reciting the Hebrew text of the verses of the Sedra of the week, verse by verse, twice, and then the Aramaic translation. 20 July 2025 sourcesheet: https://files.chabadresearch.net/TalmudTour-Berachot%208a-b.pdf