R Yitzchak Shifman Torah Classes

The Kohanim, Levi'im, and Yisraelim's involvement in the Korbanos continues the theme of finding and elevating the good points.

The 11th midda of "Chessed l'Avraham" is the idea of having extra compassion for the people who, like Avraham, act beyond the letter of the law.

In finding the good parts we elevate the "chai" of the Korban to "medaber" and can properly begin davening to Hashem.

After the battles in the south, the Jews conquer the northern region of Eretz Yisrael, and finally there is quiet.

Korbanos (as first step of Shacharis ) is the beginning of the process of elevating the mundane through identifying the goodness, and bringing it to the level of "medaber".

The 10th midda, "Titen Emet l'Yaakov", highlights the "beinoni" and how truth is colored by mercy.

Proving the idea of the allowance to eat Teruma after tzess, and this is the idea implied in the Mishna.

Saying the Korbanos and Ketores, the first part of tefilla in the morning is a process of finding the good and elevating it.

The statue of Nevuchadnezzar's dream and it's eventual destruction highlight the idea of the wicked oppressors (the "Metzulot Yam") receiving back the suffering they have caused, and one must act with this midda, bringing close those who have suffered and become cleansed.

Discussion of placement/order of the mishnayos and the chiddush in referring to tzess through the Kohanim

The Shechina is performing "sifting" at night, and when one awakens he begins the 4 parts of Shacharis corresponding to the the 4 worlds.

The ninth midda of "v'Tashlich bim'tzulot yam kol chatotam " highlights the way Hashem sends the punishment back onto the aggressor.

Bereishit Rabba (Vayigash) 95:3- our ancestors studied Torah wherever they were, prior to it being given.

Seeing the nekuda tova in oneself is seeing the G-dliness, and this supports one in their time of despair.

One needs to "awaken" themselves from their "slumber" by seeing the goodness in themselves, and this was the ability of Avraham Avinu who could see the nekuda tova in others, allowing him to gather converts.

Through finding the nekudos tovos of every Jew Moshe was able to build the Mishkan, and this acted as the tikkun for the act of the eigel hazahav.

Tosfos (Rabbeinu Tam and R"I) challenge the position of Rashi regarding shema in shul and at night, instead offering two alternatives to resolve the issues.

Hashem (as illustrated in the story of the eigel) "sees" and uses the nekuda tova of every Jew to push away the many impurities and judge him favorably.

Although much "blackness" may coat the nekuda tova, the goodness remains beautiful, and, when recognized and activated, can overcome all the negativity. This is illustrated in Moshe's defense of the Jews after the eigel hazahav.

Shemirat HaLashon, Sha'ar HaTevuna Chapter 11- The bitachon that a person develops assists in dealing with situations that may arise in which one is affronted or mistreated.

When seeing the nekuda tova, the G-dly element in oneself, a person can remove himself from "sleep" and "awaken" himself to Hashem's service.

The Jews protect the Giv'onim from the attacking five nations of the south, and then proceed to conquer the southern cities of Eretz Yisrael.

Introduction to the ninth midda of "v'Tashlich bim'tzulot yam kol chatotam", regarding the way Hashem punishes the nations who afflict us.

The person who sees the goodness of the individuals is qualified to be chazzan, the tzaddikim build "mishkanos" with these nekudos tovos empowering the tinokos shel beis Rabban, and the Tzaddik haDor gathers them all, etc.

Mishna states 3 opinions as to times for krias shema of evening.

Importance of seeing the "nekuda tova" in oneself and others, and the impact this has on accomplishing Teshuva.

The eighth midda, "Yichbosh Avonotenu", highlights the kindness Hashem does with us in differentiating between the value of a mitzva and avera, a lesson that we must replicate with others.

The Jews are deceived by the Giv'onim and nonetheless maintain the treaty with them.

Bereishit Rabba 1:2- The Torah's message in beginning with the details of creation implies a powerful and timely idea that impacts our lives until today.

The seventh midda of "Yashuv Yerachamenu" highlights how Hashem values the ba'al teshuva more than even prior to sin, and is replicated in interpersonal relationships when repairing a rift.

The Jews conquer the city of Ay through Divine strategy and the story of the earlier event of Harei Gerizim and Eival is recorded.

The sixth midda of "Ki Chafetz Chessed Hu" teaches the idea of seeing the good kindness in others that can act to remove deserving anger that emerges from another side.

The Jews fail in battle against the city of Ay and Hashem explains the reasons to Yehoshua, who promptly corrects the issues.

The fifth midda of "Lo Hechezik L'Ad Apo" is the the idea of lessening even deserved anger and rebuke, a powerful message for interpersonal relationships.

The Jews miraculously conquer the city of Yericho.

The forth midda of "L'She'erit Nachalato" highlights the closeness Hashem has with the Jewish people and the way we should be with other Jews as well.

Jews undergo national brit mila, celebrate Pesach, bring Korban Omer, and Yehoshua speaks with an angel about the conquest of Yericho.

The third midda of "Over al Pesha" highlights how Hashem Himself cleanses man from the stain of his sins, requiring us to to follow suit with the wrongdoings of others, as well as acting as a preventative from performing future sins.

As the Jews finish crossing the Jordan, the Kohanim pass over it miraculously, and two sets of stones are set up as commemorations of the miracles of that great day.

Jews begin process of crossing the Jordan River into mainland Eretz Yisrael