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

Mr. Sammy Saka – Pirke Abot | Mishna 2:3 "Political Action"

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 teaches Pirkei Avot Chapter 2, Mishnah 3, which warns us to be careful of rulers, noting that they draw close to people only for their own benefit and do not stand by others in times of need. He explores the tension between this warning and the genuine successes the Sephardic community has achieved through political engagement, citing examples such as the founding of the Sephardic Community Federation, the growth of Jewish institutions in Ocean Township, and the contributions of community leaders like Maurice Zakaria and Geeta Kaplan. The central lesson drawn is that while political involvement is encouraged and has proven beneficial, Jews must always remember they are in Galut and cannot place their ultimate trust in rulers or governments. Mr. Saka uses the story of Mordecai and Esther as the timeless model — participating in the political world with wisdom and care, while directing all faith and trust toward Hashem. He concludes with a practical framework: contribute, build relationships, invite officials to communal events, but maintain appropriate distance and never forget that all outcomes are in the hands of Hashem. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Intro: Mishnah 2:3 Overview (0:53) Reading & Translating the Mishnah (1:32) SCF & Community Political Action (3:14) Key Word: Zahirim — Be Careful (3:38) Chris Christie & NJ Commission (5:23) Ocean Township's Jewish Institutions (7:09) Joe Batesh & Westdale Synagogue Story (9:33) Maurice Zakaria & Modern Leadership (10:06) Giving to Campaigns — Practical Guidance (11:06) Galut & Trusting in Hashem (12:01) Spain & History as a Warning (13:35) Mordecai & Esther as the Model (15:13) Faith in Hashem Above All (16:13) Eric Adams Event & Community Support (16:55) Geeta Kaplan — Modern Day Esther (18:03) Closing: The Key Lesson of the Mishnah - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com

Rabbi Moshe Tobal – Berachot 20b | Weekday Gemara

Rabbi Moshe Tobal hosts classes every day at 6:50 AM at West Deal Shul. In this class on Berachot 20b, Rabbi Tobal explores the Gemara's question of whether women are obligated in Birkat Hamazon from the Torah or only rabbinically, and why the distinction matters practically — specifically regarding whether a woman can be motzi a man. The class draws a parallel to the reverse problem with Kiddush, where a man who has already prayed Ma'ariv is technically yotzei d'Oraita while a woman remains obligated d'Oraita, raising the question of who can be motzi whom. Rabbi Tobal introduces the concept of Arvut — the mutual responsibility among all Jews — as one answer to how someone already yotzei can still be motzi others. Along the way, the class discusses the famous story of Rabbi Eliezer ben Horkenus and Tanur Shel Achnai, the principle of yachid v'rabim halacha k'rabim, and the significance of the Bat Kol declaring elu v'elu divrei Elokim chayyim. The class closes by explaining that Arvut only applies when both parties share the same level of Torah obligation, which is precisely what is in question when a woman's obligation may be only rabbinic. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Intro: Women & Birkat Hamazon (1:10) Why D'Oraita vs Rabbanan Matters (2:56) Women & Kiddush: Reverse Problem (3:52) Shamor/Zachor & Women's Obligation (6:15) Arvut: Kol Yisrael Arevim (8:07) Nistarot vs Niglot — Ki Tavot (9:16) Tochacha & Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah (13:26) Tanur Shel Achnai & Rabbi Eliezer (16:28) Stam Rabbi Eliezer, Shimon, Yehuda (17:03) Beit Din Burns Rabbi Eliezer's Rulings (18:36) Bat Kol & Elu v'Elu (21:41) Beit Shammai & Beit Hillel: Yibbum (23:10) Tzarat Ha'Ervah Machloket (25:46) Yachid v'Rabim: How Halacha is Decided (27:22) Rav Chanon Wasserman: Why Halacha k'Beit Hillel (28:35) Arvut as the Answer for Motzi - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com

Rabbi Ike Hanon – Pesahim 40a-40b | Weekday Gemara

Rabbi Ike Hanon hosts classes every day at 6:10 AM at West Deal Shul. The class covers the Talmudic discussion in Pesachim 40a-40b regarding whether one may rinse wheat kernels before Pesach or during it, tracing a spectrum of opinions ranging from Rav Nachman who considers it praiseworthy, to Rabba who advises against it for the extra-scrupulous, to Ravah who initially forbids it entirely before reversing himself twice. The central debate evolves into the foundational question of Matzah Shmurah — what it means to "safeguard" the matzah as commanded by the Torah, and from which point in the grain-to-matzah process that watchfulness must begin. Rava argues that shimur must begin from the earliest stage, even from when the wheat stalks are cut in the field, and uses the concept of bitzekot shel nochrim (Gentile dough) to prove that watching from the kneading stage is already too late. The Gemara pushes back on Rava's proof, arguing it only demonstrates that a pre-made dough cannot retroactively receive shimur status, but does not conclusively establish that shimur must precede the kneading of flour and water. In practice, we rule stringently like Rava, requiring shimur from the earliest stages of production, which is the basis for the modern standard of matzah shmurah used at the seder. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Intro: Soaking Grain on Pesach (1:12) Rav Nachman Criticizes Rabba (2:34) Examples: Rav Huna's Household (3:37) Amoraim Baking Fresh on Pesach (4:23) Three Opinions on Rinsing Wheat (6:02) Ravah Says Rinsing is Forbidden (8:15) Ravah Reverses: Rinsing Allowed (9:24) Rappapa Challenges Ravah (11:53) Ravah's Second Reversal: It's a Mitzvah (13:54) The Pasuk: Safeguard the Matzot (15:00) Matzah Shmurah Introduced (17:14) When Must Shimur Begin? (19:53) Gemara Challenges Rava's Proof (21:57) Ravina's Mother Seals the Grain (22:17) Machloket: Shimur from Cutting vs. Kneading - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com

Rabbi Moses Hidary – Shaar Habitachon Perek 4(f) | Mussar

Rabbi Moses Hidary hosts classes every Monday night at 8:00 PM at West Deal Shul. In this class, Rabbi Hidary explores a section of Shaar HaBitachon dealing with the misguided pursuit of wealth for the sake of honor. He explains that people who chase money primarily for kavod are trapped in a cycle that can never be satisfied, as illustrated by the story of Haman and supported by the Gemara's teaching that a person dies without half of his desires fulfilled. The class then examines the concept of hishtadlut in modern times, wrestling with what constitutes normal effort in today's economy where basic expenses like health insurance and housing already demand enormous income, and whether investing qualifies as a legitimate avenue of parnasa. Rabbi Hidary uses a Novardok mashal of a man banging on a train wall — mistakenly thinking his effort is making it move — to illustrate how people confuse their own actions with the true source of their success. The central takeaway is that while effort and honest work are required and will be asked about in Heaven, one's trust and recognition must be directed toward Hashem alone, who is not bound by any particular means and can bring parnasa through any avenue He chooses. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Wealth for the Sake of Honor (2:41) Kavod Is Never Enough (6:57) No One Can Add or Withhold (8:35) The Trap of Fake Kavod (11:00) Neglecting What Really Matters (13:00) True vs. False Kavod (17:18) Misunderstanding Success (20:00) Defining Basic Necessities Today (23:20) Is Investing Part of Hishtadlut? (27:56) Praising the Means, Not Hashem (30:31) The Train and Horse Mashal (33:09) Hashem Is Not Bound by the Siba (36:42) The Dumpling Story - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com

Rabbi Joseph Dana – Halachot of Kiryat Shema and Daily Prayer | Weekday Gemara

Rabbi Joseph Dana hosts classes Monday through Friday at 6:45 AM at West Deal Shul. This class covers the obligations of women, slaves, and children in Kiryat Shema and daily prayer, drawing from the Gemara, Shulchan Aruch, and Mishnah Berura. Regarding women and Shema, the class explores the opinion of the Ohel Moed, who holds that while women are exempt from the full Shema, they are obligated in the first pasuk as an acceptance of the yoke of Heaven. For children, the class examines the dispute between Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam over whether a father is obligated to train his son in Shema once the child reaches the age of Chinuch, with the Mishnah Berura and Kaf HaChaim debating when that age begins. The class then turns to women and prayer, presenting the Rambam's view that prayer is a biblical obligation requiring praise, petition, and thanks, which explains why women are obligated in the Amidah at least once daily. Practically, the class notes that in traditional Sephardic communities women historically fulfilled their prayer obligation by speaking to God from the heart, a custom rooted in the reality that most women did not have formal religious schooling until the Bais Yaakov movement of the 1920s. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com