Selichos Unveiled

1

Thanksgiving - Hallel with a Bracha? (Vayetzei)

Nov 28, 2025

29:02

Explaining the opinion of Rav Shraga Feivel

2

Toldos

Nov 21, 2025

32:05

L'iluy Nishmas my nephew Yitzchak Shlomo ben Manis Levi

3

Chayei Sarah - Sarah's daughter

Nov 14, 2025

31:07

Rabbeinu Bachya on Standing/Sitting while speakingLearn about Rabbeinu EphraimLimmud zechus on ShadchanimEating immediately when food is put down

4

Parshas Vayeira

Nov 7, 2025

32:03

Bowing down, thanking Hashem, is how we can be saved from all troubles.

5

Parshas Lech Lecha 5786

Oct 31, 2025

30:36

Why did Avraham save Lot but not his own wife, Sarah?Why does sitting during a speech forgive everyone's sins?

6

*Chumash Shiur!!! * Parshas Noach 5786

Oct 24, 2025

34:45

Chumash like you’ve never learned it before. Exploring fascinating Rishonim and Midrashim.

7

Introduction to Selichos (during Aseres Yemei Teshuva)

Sep 26, 2025

13:55

Fulfilling Teshuva and Tefila through our Selichos.A beautiful addition to the Levush (regarding Selichos).

8

Av L'Racheim (Erev Rosh Hashana. Minhag Lita 37)

Sep 22, 2025

11:07

When we are called "Banim."(Mentioning Hashem being our father on Rosh HaShana)

9

How we connect to the Akeidas Yitzchak

Sep 19, 2025

9:32

Explaining how we tap into the great zechus of Akeidas Yitzchak, through the blowing of Shofar and eating the ram's head.

10

Yisrael Amecha Techina Orchim (Ashkenaz Day 5)

Sep 17, 2025

17:43

Understanding the importance of remembering times of Shmad.The Selicha refers to them blessing Hashem, what bracha were they making during Sha'as HaShmad? [The Rishonim don't mention them making a bracha of Kiddush HaShem]

11

Rashi's Piyut (Hashem Elokei Tzevakos)

Sep 10, 2025

15:43

A line-by-line translation and explanation of Rashi’s piyut, illuminated by the words of the Rishonim.We explore what it means that the “gates of prayer” are locked — and why daven at all if they are.We also explore:The “windows of teshuva” and how they remain openWhy, if this world is compared to the letter hei with an opening at the bottom, a person must return through the side to do teshuva

12

B'Motzai Menucha!

Sep 8, 2025

18:57

In this episode I reveal my identity :)This episode discusses the first Selicha we say, B’motzai Menucha, and the Arugas HaBosem — one of the only Rishonim’s commentaries on Selichos that has been published.Some ideas discussed are:How Selichos are tefilos.How “kedusha” is really praising Hashem.How yissurin and the difficulties of galus forgive our sins.The different nuschaos and peirushim the Rishonim had on this Selicha.

13

Malachei Rachamim (Ashkenaz Day 3, Sefard Day 2)

Sep 3, 2025

19:24

In this episode, we explore the meaning behind key phrases in Malachei Rachamim through rare Rishonim manuscripts. Along the way, we tackle fascinating questions: Is Gavriel an angel of mercy or judgment? And what does it mean when we call ourselves ‘sick’?

14

Who Really Has the Power to Pray? Understanding Malachei Rachamim and the Secret of Tefillah

Sep 2, 2025

34:39

In this episode, we uncover deep insights into the hidden strength of prayer and humility:How to make R’ Yehuda bar Yakar’s approach practicalWhy the tefillah of someone embarrassed yet silent carries extraordinary powerHow the simplest Jews can sometimes hold the greatest influence in Shamayim…and more eye-opening perspectives on the essence of davening.

15

Introduction to Malachei Rachamim

Aug 29, 2025

10:14

Introducing Rabbeinu Shmuel HaKohen of Lotharingia (לותיר), who was murdered al kiddush Hashem in Mainz on the 3rd of Sivan, 1096. This episode serves as an introduction to the Selicha Malachei Rachamim, focusing on how to understand the phrase itself through the lens of Rabbeinu Yehuda b”r Yakar. We also address "Barchuni L’shalom", "Bamarom Yelamdu", and other similar expressions with a different approach. The Selicha itself, bez”H, will be discussed next week.

16

Introduction: "Where is Hashem?!" A Yesod to understanding Selichos

Aug 25, 2025

11:13

Exploring a fundamental principle that illuminates our Yom Tov davening and deepens our understanding of the Selichos we recite.

17

Ain K'middas Basar (Minhag Ashkenaz Day 2, Minhag Sefard Day

Aug 21, 2025

5:37

In this episode, we explore a fascinating selicha and, using numerous unpublished manuscripts, uncover the deeper meaning behind its words. Discover how these rare sources shed new light on what the text is really saying.

18

Machnisei Rachamim Without the Controversy?

Aug 21, 2025

22:46

This episode uncovers a forgotten perspective from R. Yehuda ben R. Yakar that could change how we view Machnisei Rachamim. We explore differences between manuscript editions, show how his ideas influenced later sources, and explain why—based on his words—saying this tefillah might not be controversial after all.