Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת אחרי מות. Discussed: R' Yaakov Emden brings a historical account written by a Roman who describes the Avodah of the Kohen Gadol in the Bais Hamikdash on Yom Kippur. The Gemara says that a ממזר Talmid Chochom comes before a Kohen Gadol who is an עם הארץ. This can be illustrated by the story brought in the Gemara about Sh'maya & Avtalyon who met a Kohen Gadol on Motzei Yom Kippur, as explained by the Maharsha. R' Yisrael Salanter writes that יקרה היא מפנינים refers to the Kohen Gadol in the Kodesh Hakodashim on Yom Kippur, who is the holiest person in the holiest place during the holiest time, and that the Torah is more precious even than that!

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת בהר. Discussed:The Chasam Sofer explains that Shemita is the ultimate proof that the Torah is from Hashem. If it weren’t true, no one would keep Shemita after one cycle once they saw the promised blessings weren’t fulfilled.The Beis Yisroel writes that just as Shemita requires Bitachon in order to fulfill the Mitzvah, so too all Mitzvos and Torah study can only be properly observed with a “Shemita mentality” and faith in Hashem.The Sefer HaChinuch explains that the three crowns—Torah, Kehuna, and Malchus—were given to all of Klal Yisroel. For example, although Kehuna was emphasized in the Kohanim, every Jew can access its attributes. Similarly, the Sforno notes that the Torah expects even a farmer to take a Sabbatical and aspire to the spiritual goals of a Kohen or Levi—unlike other religions, where spiritual sabbaticals are only for clergy or scholars.

Shiur from Rabbi Elimelech Kohn Ztl on פרשת בחוקתי. Discussed: What does the Sifra (brought by Rashi) mean that Yaakov took the 'ו' (Vav) of Eliyahu's name as a guarantee that he will come and herald the redemption? Why does Yaakov want collateral if the Torah already guaranteed there will be a redemption? What is the necessity and the purpose of Eliyahu Hanavi announcing the imminent arrival of Moshiach? The Rambam explains the Haftorah of Shabbos Hagadol, which is the last prophecy of the last prophet (Malachi), and writes that Eliyahu Hanavi's mission is only to bring peace and Teshuvah to the world, with no other agenda.  R’ Schwab explains the necessity of Eliyahu Hanavi heralding Moshiach prior to his arrival, based upon the Ramban that explains that even though the birth of Moshe Rabeinu was arguably a much greater miracle than the birth of Yitzchak (since his mother was even older than Sarah Imainu) still the Torah only recounts miracles that were predicted in the Torah prior to their occurrence.