Shows
YUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimShemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 1: IntroductionShemuel I Mini-Shiur Part 1: Introduction - Aug 10, 2025 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shoftim, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. Introducing the book of Shemuel - don't the events of this book belong in Shoftim and Melachim? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washemuel2025-08-1014 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimOur Olim Will Lead the MezumanOur Olim Will Lead the Mezuman - Aug 8, 2025 - Derashah for Parshat Vaetchanan/Nachamu (Shabbat Aliyah) 5785. Why did Moshe decline to lead the mezuman? What is the difference between seeing and entering Eretz Yisrael?2025-08-0806 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimShoftim Mini-Shiur Part 136: 21:22-25 - The ConclusionShoftim Mini-Shiur Part 136: 21:22-25 - The Conclusion - Aug 8, 2025 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shoftim, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. Concluding the book: There is no king in Israel. To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washoftim.2025-08-0811 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimIs Shema Yisrael Only for Jews?Is Shema Yisrael Only for Jews? - Aug 7, 2025 - According to the Sefer haChinuch (#417), we learn from the pasuk of Shema Yisrael that shituf - joining Hashem with something else - is prohibited. Does this prohibition apply to non-Jews as well? Or is just "Shema Yisrael"?2025-08-0737 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimShoftim Mini-Shiur Part 135: 21:19-21 - The Festival in Shiloh and Tu b'AvShoftim Mini-Shiur Part 135: 21:19-21 - The Festival in Shiloh and Tu b'Av - Aug 7, 2025 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shoftim, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. They did WHAT to find the last 200 wives? And how does this connect to Tu b'Av? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washoftim.2025-08-0713 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimShoftim Mini-Shiur Part 134: 21:13-18 - What do we do for the remnant of Binyamin?Shoftim Mini-Shiur Part 134: 21:13-18 - What do we do for the remnant of Binyamin? - Aug 5, 2025 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shoftim, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. We have found wives for 400 men of Binyamin, but what will we do for the other 200? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washoftim.2025-08-0514 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimRav Kook on Tefillah #5 - Making up for time without tefillahRav Kook on Tefillah #5 - Making up for time without tefillah - Aug 4, 2025 - A weekly chabura based on עולת ראי"ה, Rav Kook on the Siddur. How tefillah "demands of the neshamah its responsibility," and how to recover from a period without tefillah with kavvanah.2025-08-0430 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimWhen Hashem Told Yirmiyahu Not to DavenWhen Hashem Told Yirmiyahu Not to Daven - Aug 3, 2025 - Why did Hashem tell Yirmiyahu not to daven - and why three times? A lesson in the role of a navi and in the importance of persistence in tefillah.2025-08-031h 00YUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimWe can end hester panim with a shining faceWe can end hester panim with a shining face - Aug 1, 2025 - Derashah for Parshat Devarim/Chazon 5785. Ramban's concept of הארת פנים, and Rav Shlomo Wolbe's extension of that power to human beings. We can send berachah and bring geulah by truly seeing others.2025-08-0108 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimShoftim Mini-Shiur Part 133: 21:10-12 - Destroying Yavesh Gilad and MidianShoftim Mini-Shiur Part 133: 21:10-12 - Destroying Yavesh Gilad and Midian - Aug 1, 2025 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shoftim, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. The tribes demolish Yavesh Gilad, applying the rules of the biblical war with Midian. Why? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washoftim.2025-08-0111 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimWho Picked Moshe's Judges? / Lo TaguruWho Picked Moshe's Judges? / Lo Taguru - Jul 31, 2025 - Views on why (and when) Moshe asked the people to identify judge candidates, and brief discussion of why judges may be required to accept danger when hearing cases.2025-08-0131 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimShoftim Mini-Shiur Part 132: 21:4-9 - Destroy a Village, Save a TribeShoftim Mini-Shiur Part 132: 21:4-9 - Destroy a Village, Save a Tribe - Jul 31, 2025 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shoftim, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. Why did they bring korban shelamim? Why didn't Yavesh Gilad join the war? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washoftim.2025-07-3111 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimMegillah 3a-bMegillah 3a-b - Jul 29, 2025 - Between megillah reading, learning Torah, burying the dead, and working in the Beit haMikdash, which mitzvot have priority over which other mitzvot? And a side note from Yehoshua's encounter with a malach.2025-07-3044 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimShoftim Mini-Shiur Part 131: 21:1-3 - Regret Over BinyaminShoftim Mini-Shiur Part 131: 21:1-3 - Regret Over Binyamin - Jul 29, 2025 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shoftim, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. The assembled tribes are upset about (nearly) eradicating Binyamin. Who is at fault? To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washoftim.2025-07-2912 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimRav Kook on Tefillah #4 - Rabbi Yochanan and Rabbi Shimon bar YochaiRav Kook on Tefillah #4 - Rabbi Yochanan and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai - Jul 28, 2025 - A weekly chabura based on עולת ראי"ה, Rav Kook on the Siddur. Rav Kook quotes Rabbi Yochanan's wish that people would daven all day; why would this be good? And why did Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai opposite it?2025-07-2828 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimArzei HaLevanon: Making Up for the LossArzei HaLevanon: Making Up for the Loss - Jul 27, 2025 - Understanding the kinah of Arzei HaLevanon, about the asarah harugei malchut (the ten giants murdered by the Romans). The loss of role models - and how we can use our speech to facilitate recognition/creation of new role models.2025-07-2846 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimFourteen Centuries #53: Hasdai ibn Shaprut, Part 2Fourteen Centuries #53: Hasdai ibn Shaprut, Part 2 - Jul 27, 2025 - Hasdai as a Jewish leader, interaction with the Kuzarim (Khazars), and Menachem ibn Saruk and Dunash ben Labrat. Note: The history is more overview than granular, and certainly not academic.2025-07-2739 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimShoftim Mini-Shiur Part 130: 20:41-48 - The End of the WarShoftim Mini-Shiur Part 130: 20:41-48 - The End of the War - Jul 27, 2025 - A daily mini-shiur delivered via Whatsapp, on the book of Shoftim, in the merit of the soldiers of the IDF, as well as the hostages and the wounded. Figuring out the death toll for the tribe of Binyamin. To join the Whatsapp, go to http://tiny.cc/washoftim.2025-07-2711 min
Mining The Riches Of The Parsha10@9 We Stand As Israel - June 13, 2025This morning Israel is at war with the Iranian Government (not the Iranian people). We discuss an incredible commentary to this week's Torah portion, B'Ha'alotechah, written decades ago by Rabbi Benzion Firer, which directly and presciently addresses today's events. Thanks to my friend and colleague Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner, for brining this to my attention.
Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with...2025-06-1317 min
Halacha Headlines8/31/24 – Shiur 481 – Ozempic and weight loss injections – wonder drugs or a failure of our generation?What causes someone to be unhappy with their looks?
Are our bodies halachically our own, such that we can do what we want with it?
Can we take medications when we don’t understand how they work and when there are serious side effects?
Should weight-loss injections be used only after trying to diet and control eating?
Can we suppress our appetite if it will take away from Oneg Shabbos and Simchas Yom Tov?
If someone uses Ozempic to lose weight while dating, does it need to be disclosed?
Host: Ari Wasserman...2024-08-291h 33
Desert Island TorahEp.93 with Rav Mordechai TorczynerIn this episode, we speak to Rav Mordechai Torczyner, who shares his Desert Island Torah, looking at Gittin 57b, Torah from Nefesh HaChaim and a Sifri on Haazinu
2023-06-1822 min
Sparks of HistoryThe Geonim - Rabbi Mordechai TorczynerThe Geonim - Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner
Achai Gaon - Saadia Gaon - Amram Gaon - Sherira Gaon - Hai Gaon 2023-03-2842 min
Parsha in MotionBeshalach | Rabbi Mordechai TorczynerRabbi Torczyner has been Rosh Beit Midrash of Beit Midrash Zichron Dov in Toronto since its founding in August 2009. Rabbi Torczyner received his B.A. (Comp Sci) from Yeshiva University in 1993, and studied toward a Masters (Comp Sci) at New York University while learning for the rabbinate in Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. After his ordination in 1997, Rabbi Torczyner served as Rabbi of Young Israel of Pawtucket, Rhode Island for four years, and then Congregation Sons of Israel, Allentown, Pennsylvania for eight years. While in Allentown, Rabbi Torczyner spent three years mentoring new pulpit rabbis for Yeshiva Un...2023-02-031h 01
The Toronto TorahKi Tetze - A Match Made in Heaven?[Ki Tezte] Kiddushin & Get: A Match Made in Heaven? With Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner
A print version of this article along with the complete Toronto Torah can be downloaded at http://tiny.cc/ttpodcast?
For comments. questions and dedications please email torczyner@torontotorah.com2022-09-0804 min
The Toronto TorahParshat Behar - BitachonRabbi Mordechai Torczyner and Rabbi Yehuda Mann discuss parshat Behar in light of Bitachon (Confidence in Hashem)2022-05-1822 minThe Toronto TorahParshat Tazria - Seeing: Believing or Deceiving?Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner (Rosh Beit Midrash) and Rabbi Chaim Metzger (Avreich) discuss how the Torah employs visual images to guide human behaviour, harnessing the power of sight while trying to avoid its pitfalls.2022-03-2921 minThe Toronto TorahParshat Pekudei- Creativity: Bounded or BoundlessThe Jews were told to create the Mishkan to exact specifications, and so they did. But Rabbi Steven Gotlib and Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner ask: Isn't there room for Creativity in Judaism?2022-02-2822 minThe Toronto TorahParshat Tetzaveh - Clothes, Priests, and UsRabbi Steven Gotlib (avrech) and Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner (rosh beit midrash) ask: Why does the Torah command us to create clothing of honour and splendour for the kohanim? And what does this have to do with us?2022-02-0722 minThe Toronto TorahParshat Mishpatim- On Slavery in JudaismRabbi Mordechai Torczyner (Rosh beit midrash) and Rabbi Chaim Metzger (avrech) explore one of the most challenging topics in the Torah: Slavery. How can we relate to this troubling institution, which occupies the first part of Parshat Mishpatim?2022-01-2424 minThe Toronto TorahParshat Vaera- On ListeningRabbi Mordechai Torczyner (Rosh Beit Midrash) and Rabbi Yehuda Mann (Sgan Rosh Beit Midrash) discuss Parshat Vaera in the light of listening. How can we improve our listening skills? How can we educate our children to love Torah? 2021-12-2724 min
The Toronto TorahParshat Vayigash - On a Mission from G-dRabbi Mordechai Torczyner (Rosh Beit Midrash) and Rabbi Jared Anstandig (Sgan Rosh Beit Midrash) discuss Parshat Vayigash from the perspective of missions. What was the mission that Yosef thought he was on? What is the importance of being on a mission? And what are the risks of being on a spiritual mission?2021-12-0622 min
YUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimCelebrating 70, Topic 5b: The Aliyah of Ethiopian JewryCelebrating 70, Topic 5b: The Aliyah of Ethiopian Jewry - May 30, 2018 - Part 2 of 2: What is the status of Ethiopian Jewry in Jewish law, and why was their aliyah delayed until Operation Moses in 1984? Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.2018-05-3016 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimCelebrating 70, Topic 6: Fallout of the DisengagementCelebrating 70, Topic 6: Fallout of the Disengagement - May 30, 2018 - How did the Disengagement from Aza (Gaza) of 2005 happen, and what has been its impact on the world of Religious Zionism in the years since? [NOT discussing whether the Disengagement should/shouldn't have happened.] Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.2018-05-3041 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimCelebrating 70, Topic 5a: The Aliyah of Ethiopian JewryCelebrating 70, Topic 5a: The Aliyah of Ethiopian Jewry - May 23, 2018 - Part 1 of 2: What is the status of Ethiopian Jewry in Jewish law, and why was their aliyah delayed until 1984? Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.2018-05-2332 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimCelebrating 70, Topic 4b: The Election of Menachem BeginCelebrating 70, Topic 4b: The Election of Menachem Begin - May 23, 2018 - Part 2 of 2. What was it about the election of Prime Minister Menachem Begin that inspired some, and frightened others? Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.2018-05-2326 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimCelebrating 70, Topic 4a: The Election of Menachem BeginCelebrating 70, Topic 4a: The Election of Menachem Begin - May 16, 2018 - What was it about the election of Prime Minister Menachem Begin that inspired some, and frightened others? Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.2018-05-1621 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimCelebrating 70, Topic 3b: Zionism = Racism?Celebrating 70, Topic 3b: Zionism = Racism? - May 16, 2018 - United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379 condemning Zionism as a form of racism. Is the charge entirely unfounded? Does Judaism require discrimination? The issue of non-Jewish life in a Jewish state. Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.2018-05-1635 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimCelebrating 70, Topic 2b: The Langer AffairCelebrating 70, Topic 2b: The Langer Affair - May 9, 2018 - The story of Chava Langer's two marriages, and the question of whether her children Chanoch and Miriam from her second marriage would be viewed as mamzerim. The impact on Religion and State in Israel. Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.2018-05-0938 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimCelebrating 70, Topic 3a: Zionism = Racism?Celebrating 70, Topic 3a: Zionism = Racism? - May 9, 2018 - United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379 condemning Zionism as a form of racism. How did it happen? And is the charge entirely unfounded? The issue of non-Jewish life in a Jewish state. Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.2018-05-0920 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimCelebrating 70, Topic 1b: Israel's Nuclear Energy CommissionCelebrating 70, Topic 1b: Israel's Nuclear Energy Commission - May 2, 2018 - Concluding our discussion of nuclear ethics. Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.2018-05-0228 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimCelebrating 70, Topic 2a: The Langer AffairCelebrating 70, Topic 2a: The Langer Affair - May 2, 2018 - The story of Chava Langer's two marriages, and the question of whether her children Chanoch and Miriam from her second marriage would be viewed as mamzerim. The impact on Religion and State in Israel. Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.2018-05-0228 minYUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimCelebrating 70, Topic 1a: Israel's Nuclear Energy CommissionCelebrating 70, Topic 1a: Israel's Nuclear Energy Commission - Apr 25, 2018 - Why did Israel develop nuclear weapons? How does war, and particularly the pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, fit into Jewish law and philosophy? Geared toward a group including people without strong background in Torah text study.2018-04-251h 00YUTORAH: R' Mordechai Torczyner -- Recent ShiurimCelebrating 70: Divrei Torah from a Pop-up RestaurantCelebrating 70: Divrei Torah from a Pop-up Restaurant - Feb 26, 2018 - In conjunction with Ely's Fine Foods, the YU Torah MiTzion Beit Midrash Zichron Dov created a pop-up restaurant. The food was themed to reflect an "updated Israeli cuisine" celebrating 70 years to the State of Israel, and the accompanying divrei Torah shed light on the Torah and historical meaning of food in Jewish life. The flyer is in the sources with the description of each course.2018-02-2624 min