Author Archives: tasteofyeshiva

About tasteofyeshiva

RABBI YAIR FRIEDMAN teaches in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in YES and is the president of Visionary Reading. He was a Rebbi at The Torah School of Greater Washington, and a founding member of the Greater Washington Community Kollel and the owner of Camp Gevaldig LLC.

Mishpatim 5773: Chasidim, Chasidus, Chasid: What really defines a Chasid?

Taste of Parasha What was the first group of laws to be outlined for the Jews after they received the Ten Commandments?  Mishpatim- fiscal law, laws governing slaves, holidays, converts, adultery and keeping Kosher to name a few.  Is there … Continue reading

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Yisro_5773: Finding your own way may not be the best way

Taste of Parasha The Medrash says: Yisro made a deal with Moshe Rabbeinu, “You may marry my daughter Tzipporah on condition that you allow your first born son to serve Idols!”  The Medrash also says: Moshe Rabbeinu saw a prophetic … Continue reading

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Beshalach_5773: Emunah Peshutah, is it really so Pashut?

Taste of Parasha Have you ever experienced an elevated level of connection to G-d?  Perhaps it was in Yeshiva or on a trip to the Holy Land.   May be it was a heightened awareness of your Neshama and your inherent … Continue reading

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Bo_5773: Emunas Chachamim

Taste of Parasha When Moshe Rabbeinu first conveyed G-d’s message to Pharaoh, he did not say anything about the children joining them nor did he ask for anything more than a three day furlough.   When Pharaoh finally agrees to let all … Continue reading

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Va’eira 5773: A real fire ball

Taste of Talmud and Halacha There is a fundamental Machlokes between Rabbi Yochanan and Raish Lakish how to deal with the liabilities of a person who was irresponsible with a fire.  Rabbi Yochanan is of the opinion that your fire … Continue reading

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Vayechi_5773: Of Trees, Oxen, Pits and avoiding pitfalls

Taste of Parasha Yosef is compared to an ox with strong and beautiful horns.  Moshe Rabbeinu says of him “Bechor shoro hadar lo” (Deut. 33:17).  Rashi explains that this is referring to the strength of his descendant Yehoshua who was … Continue reading

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Vayigash_5773: Man’s Mission is to be Praying not Preying

Taste of Parasha There was once a King who was very pleased with his servants.  He made a proclamation, “Every one of my servants may make one request and it shall be granted.”  There was one wise servant who requested … Continue reading

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Mikeitz: Hiddur Mitzvah Part 3

Taste of Halacha and Hashkafa It was the third night of Chanukah and Yaakov only had two candles.  He lights one in keeping with the basic obligation to light one candle per home.  Later in the evening he received a … Continue reading

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Hiddur Mitzvah Part 2

Taste of Talmud, Halacha and Chanukah When the Chashmonaim returned to the Bais Hamikdash they only found one small flask of oil that had not been defiled by the Greeks.  According to the account of Rav Achai Gaon, this flask … Continue reading

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Hiddur Mitzvah: Putting Your Best Foot (Light) Forward

Taste of Talmud and Halacha How does one fulfill the Mitzvah of lighting the Menorah?  The basic Mitzvah is fulfilled by one person lighting one light in his home.  There is a more beautiful way to perform this Mitzvah:  Each … Continue reading

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