Rabbi Kraz's Shiurim

Tidbits on Rosh Hashanah

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Is Rosh Hashanah a time of Tzara? The Ritva in Nedarim. The Chida and the Baal Shem Tov explain how G-d can forgive us.Reb Levik's letter to the Rebbe.The Rameh miFano's 3 explanations about Rivka.The apple in honey debacle. Debate of Shevus Yaakov and Sharei Teshuvah.Kaf hachaim questions our custom.Answering his challenge. Reb Akiva Eiger enlightens Rashi.The Rebbe's Maamer gets us thinking. Stories on Rosh Hashanah

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Rosh Hashanah And Reb Yosef Karo's Mystifying Diary

09/01/2026

Source Sheet: https://RabbiKraz.com/MagidMeisharim

Is one allowed to fast on Rosh Hashanah?Is one supposed to fast on Rosh Hashanah?Is there a difference between the first and the 2nd day?History of the Magid MesharimContradictions between Magid Mesharim and the Shulchan Aruch

Shiur sponsored L'zchus Orley Chaya Mushka bas Elisheva Geulah for a Refua Sheleima

The Noda B'yehuda and R' Itzikel Hamburger Go Head To Head Over A Bizarre Gett

08/18/2026

Source Sheets: https://rabbikraz.com/getoflevov

Story of the get of Levov.Cherem D'rabenu Gershom.Noda B'yehuda's letter.Sugya of Ein Shliach L'dvar Aveira.Reb Yosef Shteinhart describes the case. Reb Itzikel Hamurger and the Noda B'yehuda go way back. The Ba'al Hafla'ah's letter.Crucial Gemmoro of Bava Metzia 10bThe critical Tosafos.Opinion of the Nesivos.Questions of Reb Itzikel Hamburger. Responses of the Noda B'yehuda.

Shiur sponsored in part by Beis Hamedrash Levi Yitzchak

"Thou Shalt Not Accept Bribery!" But If I Did..

08/11/2026

Source Sheets https://RabbiKraz.com/Bribery

Story of Rav Chaim Kafusi.Tales of the Avnei Nezer.The Apter Rav's new interpretation.Reb Heschel Of Krakow gives his children a lesson.Questions on the RambamDebate of Ketzos and Nesivos concerning a loan.The Minchas Chinuch's first approach. His second approach.Pnei Yehoshua concerning defrauding. Debate of the Taz and Sme concerning Ribis.Debate of the Shvus Yaakov and Chida.Hashem takes bribes.

Rabeinu Yerucham's Seforim May Cost You Your Life, Ch"V

07/28/2026

Source Sheets:

History of Rabeinu YeruchamShould a pregnant woman fast?Should we all go join Hatzalah?Is it OK to write commentary on Rabeinu Yerucham?Are the current copies of Rabeinu Yerucham accurate?What is Kimli?Will performing a Mitzvah protect one from danger?If one eats something prohibited, do they make a Blessing?Can one redeem/substitute a fast with Tzedaka?Why don't we wear Tefillin all day?How does Rabeinu Yerucham say that a person must sit in order to carry less than 4 Amos without being Chayav?

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Yerushalayim: Crown, Destruction, & Comeback PT 5 (Final)

07/24/2026

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Leadup and aftermath of the Destruction of the 2nd Beis Hamikdash

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Yerushalayim: Crown, Destruction, & Comeback PT 4

07/17/2026

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The Roler Coaster Of The 2nd Beis Hamikdash

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The Radiance Of The Yismach Moshe - A Gaon And A Rebbe.

07/14/2026

Source Sheets: https://RabbiKraz.com/YismachMoshe

Stories and history of the Yismach Moshe. Story of R Michel Zlotchover and Rashi.Why is the Beis Hamikdash called the Beis Habechirah?His great and constant yearning for Moshiach.What should one have in mind when bringing Korbanos?If a sofer doesn't put on Tefillin of Rabeinu Tam, why can't he write them? In what case is a Mumar L'tayavon more strict than a Mumar L'Hachis?

Sponsored by Brian Gross in honor of Rabbi Kraz

Yerushalayim: Crown, Destruction, & Comeback PT 3

07/10/2026

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The Babylonian Exile, Alexander The Great, & The Lead Up To The 2nd Beis Hamikdash

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The Radvaz's Wisdom, And The Vow That Threatened To Destroy A Marriage

07/07/2026

Source Sheet

History of the Radvaz.R Ovadia Yosef defends the Radvaz.The Radvaz's opinion regarding the 13 principles of faith.Do Mitzvos require Kavanah?The reason for Mitzvos.Kabalah vs Halacha.Can a vow of Nezirus Shimshon be anulled?Several answers of the Radvaz on situations of vows of Nezirus Shimshon

Co-sponsored by:

Avraham Kalikstein - In Memory of Harav Tzvi Dov ben Yitzchak Eizik Lieberman. Shloshim for R Hershel Lieberman on 17 tammuz.Peter Muehlsiegl - In memory of the Wolf & Neu families who lived and had a shul in Ober Klingen Germany until 1939

Yerushalayim: Crown, Destruction, & Comeback PT 2

07/03/2026

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The Destruction of the First Temple & the Babylonian Exile

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Yerushalayim: Crown, Destruction, & Comeback PT 1

06/26/2026

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History of the 1st Beis Hamikdash

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The Get of Cleves Rocks the European Rabbinate

06/23/2026

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Gett of Cleves Story. What categorizes someone as a Shoteh?Rambam's position on Shoteh and Pessi.Nodah Beyehuda's stance.Reb Chaim Tzanzer states his opinion. Reb Itzik Hamburger passes.Letter of the Shaagas Aryeh.Story of the Haflo'oh.

Partially sponsored by Yaakov Yosef Belfer in honor of his birthday.

Does The Body Of A Tzaddik Emit Tumah?

06/17/2026

Source Sheets

Story of the Arizals passingDoes a Nasi give off Tumah? Can a Cohen become Tamei for a Nasi?How was R Yishmael Cohen Gadol able to touch Raban Shimon be Gamliels head? How was Elazar allowed to be in the cave with Aharon?Do all Tzadikim pass away with a kiss of G-d?Does a goy make someone Tamei with Ohel?If someone passes away with the kiss of G-d do they give off Tumah?Can a Cohen go to Kivrei Tzadikim in Eretz Yisroel?What were the Yidden of Pesach Sheni Tamei from?

What's With All The Kissing Of Mitzvah Objects?

06/10/2026

Source Sheet (https://RabbiKraz.com/KissingMitzvahs)

What's the Inyan of kissing the rocks of Eretz Yisroel?What are the 4 types of kisses? What about all other Mitzvos like Sukkah, Lulav, Esrog, Matzah Maror etc?Is it OK to smell or kiss an Esrog on Sukkos?Story of R Yaakov Tzemach.A Segulah to remember your learning.Is one allowed to use a Sefer for benefit?Kiss or touch the Mezuzah?Should one hold their Tzitzis during Shema?- Is kissing your Tefillin / Tzitzis during Tefilah a Hefsek?

Shiur sponsored by the Engel family in honor of Rabbi...

The Brilliance of the Sha'agas Aryeh

06/02/2026

Source Sheet (https://RabbiKraz.com/ShaagasAryeh)

History of the Sha'agas AryehAmount of times the Sha'agas Aryeh finished ShasHis thoughts on his contemporariesEating before MussafTadir vs Ein Maavirin in Benching, Talis/Tefillin, Leining Chanukah/Rosh Chodesh. Until when can one daven Mincha?What takes precedence Mussaf or Mincha?Kedimah vs Dechiyah, Tadir vs Mekudash, Talis vs TefillinMekudash vs Maalin BakodeshIf one did not make a Bracha before the Mitzvah can he make it afterwards?When remembering the exodus from Egypt, does it need to be done by saying it or can one think it?When should one begin saying...

The Unfaithful Wife Who Had All The Right Reasons (Mature Audience)

05/26/2026

Source Sheet (https://RabbiKraz.com/Unfaithful)

Story of the woman who was unfaithful with good intentionsWhen it comes to a situation of an unfaithful woman, is 1 witness enough? When do you need 2 witnesses?Machlokes R Eliezer and R Yehoshua in SotahIf a woman is violated is she Assur to her husband?What about a Ketanah?Binyan Tzion back and forth on the original story of the woman who was unfaithful with good intentions.The Maharik makes a Kal vachomer from Esther.

Sponsored by Dovid and Chana Keila Cohen in honor of all the family Simchas in the...

The Inscription Of The Luchos Defies Physics - PART 2

05/19/2026

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Machlokes in the Yerushalmy, R Chanina Ben Gamliel, Rabanan, Rashbi, and R Simai regarding what was written on the LuchosDid the writing on the luchos go all the way through to the other side?Reconciling Rashi in the Chumash and Rashi in the GemaraDifferent opinions in how the luchos were written How we get to the count described in the Yerushalmy

Sponsored by הלל קנארק In Honor of ניר משה בן יצחק (אברך)

The Inscription Of The Luchos Defies Physics - PART 1

05/13/2026

Source Sheets

When were the Luchos written?Story of Moses Mendelson and the Vilna Gaon.Who wrote the second Luchos?-Size of the Luchos.Debate of bavli and yerushalmi.Mechilta of 5 commandments corresponding to the other 5.Kesav Ivri vs Kesav Ashuri. Ritva & Radvaz raise a big dilemma. Chasam Sofer on 10 commandments of each Luach.

Did The Rif And The Rambam See Eye To Eye?

04/28/2026

Source Sheet

History of the Geonim and the RishonimHistory of the RifSeveral Halachik instances where the Rif disagrees with most other opinionsIs a jew allowed to ask a non jew to do a biblical prohibition on Shabbos if it's for a Mitzvah?How many Blessings do we make on Tefillin?Are the days of mourning Biblical or Rabbinic?Techum ShabbosHow many times do the Rif and the Rambam disagree?In what case can a Beis Din blow Shofar on Shabbos?What does the Rif hold in a case of Teiku or a Cohen who grabbed?Why does the...

The Ba'al Hama'or Began An Endless Quest

04/22/2026

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History of the Ba'al Hama'or.Why don't we say Shehecheyanu on Sefiras Haomer?Why do we make a Bracha on Sefirah if we're still going to do another Seder?Why don't we count 2 nights every night due to Safek?Is Sefiras Haomer today biblical or rabbinic?Why don't we make a Shehecheyanu when we burn the Chametz?Why don't we make a Shehecheyanu on Matzah?How does the Ramban say that Sefirah is a Mitzvah that is not bound by time?

The Maharam of Rottenburg is Captured! Let's Release Him!

04/14/2026

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History of the MaharamWas the Maharam a Kabbalist?Was the money to redeem the Maharam actually raised?Can someone from a later generation argue with the Maharam?What did the Maharam say about Mesiras Nefesh?Why did the Maharam avoid his father?The Maharam said Mashuv Haruach 90x. What's the reasoning and does it work?Explaining the Machlokes of R Meir and R Yehudah

Rabbi Kraz Sr. Hagaddah Notes

03/29/2026

Pesach Special from Rabbi Kraz Sr.

So Who Authored The Haggadah?

03/18/2026

Source Sheet

Who wrote the Hagaddah?Are there parts of the Hagaddah that are more important than others?Is it 2 separate Chiyuvim to remember Yetzias Mitzrayim by day and night or is it 1 Chiyuv together?Moshe and the 50th gate of wisdom.R Akiva and the sale of YosefWho wrote Tana Dvei Eliyahu?In which era was the Hagaddah compiled?What is the source of the name "Hagaddah"?

Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk: The Rebbe of Rebbes

03/10/2026

Source Sheet

History of R Elimelech of Lizhensk and his great Talmidim who became Rebbeim.Why do we follow Beis Hillel over Beis Shamai?Stories of R' Elimelechs humilityR' Elimelech did Teshuva for sins as a youth and before.R' Elimelechs Sefer is all about TzadikimDid the Alter Rebbe write a Sefer of Tzadikim? What happened to it?

Haman's Promiscuous Reverie Over Esther (Mature Audience)

02/24/2026

Source Sheet

Why did Esther show Haman favor in front of Achashverosh?How could Haman think that Esther wanted him and why would he covet the kings wife?How could a Malach frame Haman for a crime he didn't commit?What actually happened between Yael and Sisra?Why were Chevers family and the Keini friendly with Yavin and Sisra?Was Yael a Yid, ger or ger toshav?Is it greater to commit an Aveira Lishma or a Mitzvah not Lishma? Why was Yael greater than other great women?Who was Yaels Gilgul?Who was Sisras Gilgul?

It's Time To Meet The Chida

02/19/2026

Source Sheet (https://rabbikraz.com/Chida)

The Chida's teachers.The night they sought to bring Mashiach.The consequences of forcing the redemption.The Rashash leaves Yerushalayim and passes on.Rav Chaim De La Roza receives 4 missos beis din.B'nei yissaschar accepts the Chida"s authority. Explanations of the Chida.Episode of the unfaithful woman in Livorno.Rav Ovodia challenges the Chida. Rav Yaakov Hillel defends.The Chida and the Chasidim.Chida's sadness after the untimely passing of his wife. The Rebbe publicizes the Chida's remedy for the redemption.

Kotzk and Lubavitch

02/11/2026

Source Sheet

History of R Elimelech, The Chozeh, the Yid Hakadosh, R Simcha Bunim and The KotzkerHistory of KotzkDid the Tzemach Tzedek and the Kotzker correspond?The scholarship of the KotzkerTorah thoughts of the Kotzker

G-d Says "Lo Sachmod". But I Do Covet!

02/05/2026

Source Sheet

How can G-d command me to what to desire?The Ibn Ezra's story of the princessThe Reishis Chochma's story of the saint in the cemeteryThe curious tales of the Semak Reb Tzadok Hakohen encourages the lustful manThe debates of the Rambam & Ra'avadThe Chofetz Chaim's unexpected instructionThe Kuzheglaver and the Imrei Emes

Why Aren't There More People Learning Ibn Ezra?

01/27/2026

Source Sheet

History/Biography of the Ibn Ezra- Did the Ibn Ezra give up his life Al Kiddush Hashem?Was the Ibn Ezra a Ba'al Talmudah?Why didn't the Jews fight back against the Egyptians?Why did that generation have to die in the desert?Why was it important that Moshe grow up in the royal palace?Were all Pesukim in the Torah written by Moshe?Ibn Ezras cryptic explanation on the goat of Azazel.Is one allowed to go to doctors?Did the Jews eat Matzah in Egypt?

Tefillin In The Desert?! Reb Menachem Ziemba, The Malbim, And The Rebbe, Weigh In.

01/19/2026

Source Sheet (https://RabbiKraz.com/TefillinDesert)

Did the jews wear Tefillin in the desert?The Medrashim debate this point.The Mabit and the Ra'avan take one side.The Rashba's revolution. The difficult Ramban and the Radvaz's objections.Reb Memachem Ziemba and his son.Reb Shaul Berlin's take The Malbim believes it's all based on a debate in Gittin.The Rebbe spins it in the opposite direction.

Why Aren't There More People Learning Tanach?

01/13/2026

Source Sheet

Is one allowed to teach if he does not know Tanach?What does the Mitzvah of Yedias Hatorah entail?The Efodi explains the importance of Tanach.Is one allowed to learn Tanach by heart? What about at night?What did Rashi mean when he wrote Makas Bechoros is equal to all of the Makos?

Why Aren't There More Rabbonim In Lubavitch?

01/06/2026

Source Sheet

History of Chassidim who were also RabbanimPoint 1 - There is no need to aspire to be a Rov.Point 2 - There were many Chassidim who were also Rabbanim, however they weren't known as Rabbanim, rather they were known as great Chassidim.Should a Talmid Chacham who Toraso Umnaso (private individual) be required to pay community taxes? Must he be a Moreh Hora'ah (public individual)Point 3 - Ri Migash. Most today don't learn Halacha, they focus on Gemara. The amount of knowledge needed to properly pasken Halacha is immense and not many have that...Point 4 - Spiritual...

The Creepy Mummies of Ancient Egypt

12/31/2025

Source Sheet

Mummifying practices of ancient EgyptWhy did they mummify people?Who mummified Yaakov? Yosef?Letter from the Mahara"tz ChiyusEmbalming vs autopsy vs cremation

From Majorca to Algeria: The Genius of the Rashbatz

12/24/2025

Source Sheet

History of the Rashbatz: Reb Shimon ben Tzemach DoronHistory of 1391 Spain, Mallorca and AlgeriaWhy is the Kesuba seemingly such a small amount? Won't people take it lightly?Is one allowed to be paid to teach/learn TorahHistory of how the Rivash was appointed as head Rabbi in AlgeriaCan the leg of the letter Kuf touch the top in a Sefer Torah?Do we force the husband to divorce his wife in the case of a Moredes?

Dreams May Be More Than Just Dreams

12/02/2025

Source Sheet

Are all dreams meaningful?Is one allowed to fast on Shabbos for a bad dream?Is there a difference if one has the same dream several times?Do dreams have an effect on real life?Are dreams nonsense or are dreams prophecy?Can you Pasken based on answers from heaven?

Rav Asher Weiss Tackles the Rameh MiFano

11/25/2025

Source Sheet (http://rebrand.ly/RavWeissRameh)

What is the source for not mixing two Simchas?Do we learn Dinim from before Matan Torah?Is one allowed to get married on Purim?Why don't we do Kiddush Levana on Friday night or Yom Tov?

Amsterdam Rabbi Thrown Out After Plagiarism Accusations

11/18/2025

Source Sheet

History of Reb Dovid Lida Does the Abarbanel allow plagiarism?Why doesn't he mention the Akeidah?Is it a requirement to mention the original author?Can one Attribute an idea to someone else incorrectly? If you come up with an idea and then you see it from an earlier source, do you need to mention them?If you see someone bring an idea from someone else, do you need to mention the middleman too?

Enter Rav Yosef Engel's Amusement Park

11/11/2025

Source Sheet (https://rebrand.ly/YosefEngel)

Avraham kept the entire Torah. Several questions on this.How did Avraham take away Yishmaels inheritance?Can one Pasken from Nevuah, Dreams, or a revelation from Eliyahu?Did Dovid remarry Michal based on the word of a Navi or Ruach Hakodesh?Can we differentiate between a Bas Kol to verify facts and a Vas Kol to pasken Halacha?

The Depravity of Sedom - A License To Sin (Adult content)

11/06/2025

Warning: Mature Content. For Adult audiences only.

Source Sheet (https://rebrand.ly/LicenseToSin)

Is one allowed to commit a lesser sin in order to avoid a more stringent sin?If someone does an aveirah L'shem Shamayim does he get Schar?Can the Beis Din condone sinful behavior in order that it shouldn't lead to worse sins?Can the Chachamim turn a blind eye to Aveiros being done in order not to aggravate and cause them to sin more?

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