Learning Center
Classes, lessons, and thoughts from Rabbi Motzen.
Classes
Yeshaya Class
Text-based, interactive, in-depth exploration of the books of Tanach using both classical sources as well as modern commentaries. For beginners to advanced. Currently studying the Book of Yeshaya (Isaiah).
Every Shabbos afternoon. See shul bulletin for times.
Parsha Class
Weekly parsha class, exploring the major themes of every Parsha and its relevance to our daily living.
Thursday’s at 11:00 AM in the Chapel.
Semichas Chaver Program
In-depth study of pertinent Halachos, with tests, and certification upon completion. For men. Registration is required. Please contact Rabbi Motzen at yisrael.motzen@gmail.com.
Thursday’s at 8:30 PM
Women's Halacha Class
An in-depth source-based Halacha class for women.
From the Talmud through the Shulchan Aruch through the modern authorities.
Sundays at 8:30 AM
Sermons
Loving Dead Jews – Second Day of Rosh Hashana
It was the height of Chutzpah. Too surreal to be believed. Too unimaginable to be made up. The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz was standing together with Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, in Berlin, fielding questions from reporters. Suddenly, one...
Finding Awe Ki Seitzei
There will be many terms that you will hear and read in the tributes to Queen Elizabeth II. Words like stability, dignity, tradition, unifier of her country, and grace. Those are all special terms in that they are hard to find in this day and age. As one columnist put...
The Here and Now Parshas Shoftim
I’m sure by now you’ve seen the Pizza Hut commercial. Certainly, the many people here today from the former Soviet Union know what I’m talking about. Da? In 1997, Mikhail Gorbachev, who passed away this week, appeared in a Pizza Hut commercial. He and his...
Podcast
Halacha
Laws of the Three Weeks and Nine Days 2022
The Three Weeks of Mourning begin Saturday evening, July 16th. It is a time of mournful reflection on the destroyed Bais HaMikdash and subsequent tragedies. In order to instill within ourselves a sense of loss, our Sages instituted numerous restrictions to create a...
Laws of Lulav and Esrog
Who can think of Sukkos? We haven’t even celebrated Rosh Hashana! The Talmud instructs us to study the laws pertaining to a holiday 30 days before the holiday. It’s less than 30 days to Sukkos and the laws of Lulav and Esrog are complicated and many. So let’s begin!...
Laws of the Sukkah
A few Halachos pertaining to building a Sukkah: - One must first build the walls and then place the s’chach. Placing the s’chach first and then building the walls would invalidate the Sukkah. - One must make sure there is no overhang (roof, leaves, etc.) over the...