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Ma’or Va-Shemesh: Lech Lecha

Oct 27, 2025 by saul orbach

In Parshat Lech Lecha the Ma’or Va-Shemesh teaches that “Lech Lecha”, go for yourself, is not a command to travel, but a call to ascend. Hashem was telling Avraham: Go inward. Go higher. Go toward the root of your soul.

Avraham feared that leaving home would diminish his influence, fewer guests to host, fewer souls to inspire, less means to give. But the Holy One promised: Go, and I will bless you even more. When you leave behind what is familiar for the sake of Heaven, your blessings expand, not shrink.

“From your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house”, the Ma’or Va-Shemesh explains that each phrase means letting go of deeper layers of attachment: the habits of your culture, the patterns of your family, even the imprint of your parents, until you reach the pure core of who you are before God.

Every tzaddik, he says, must keep walking, even one who already serves Hashem faithfully, because holiness is never static. Each day demands new humility, new ascent, new Lech Lecha.

Every “Lech Lecha” in life is a whisper from Heaven: Don’t stop here, there is still more light to uncover. True leadership, like Avraham’s, begins when we leave behind what once defined us and keep walking toward the truth of who we are before God.

Use this source sheet, complete with footnoted sources and a concise, footnoted bio of R. Kalonymus Kalman Epstein (Ma’or Va-Shemesh) to enjoy this teaching at your own pace, perfect for self-learners.

Prepared by Rabbi Shalom (Saul) Orbach

The Ma’or Va-Shemesh is a classic Hasidic commentary on the weekly portions and festivals by R. Kalonymus Kalman Epstein of Kraków (1751-1823). A foremost later disciple, and for years the Shamash, of R. Elimelech of Lizhensk, he emerged after his rebbe’s passing as a leading figure in the fourth generation of Chassidut and of Polish Hasidism. His Torah blends close reading of the Psukim with mystical depth, emphasizing Dvekut, heartfelt prayer, joy, and sanctifying the everyday, with a hallmark leadership ethic: the tzaddik sweetens judgment into mercy and draws people close.

Parshat Behar 5784

May 22, 2024 by Rabbi Johnny Solomon

Material success & spiritual failures

By Rabbi Johnny Solomon

Parshat Behar (see Vayikra 25:35-36) is one of the many parshiot in the Torah where the prohibition of taking interest is listed. Yet beyond addressing the clear concern that taking interest from someone in need is not a ‘kind’ or ‘fair’ thing to do, Rabbi Hirsch adds that taking interest from others highlights a deep misunderstanding of our relationship towards God, money and materialism: ‘God is the Master of the material goods.. [and] possessions do not belong to the possessor… Therefore, every Jew who accepts interest.. denies, in so doing, that wealth really belongs to God, and [in so doing] commits idolatry and apostasy.’ (Horeb, paragraph 567)

As should be evident, this remark is not limited to the topic of interest, with numerous other laws mentioned in Parshat Behar, such as the law of Shemitta, further emphasising the message that God is ultimately the Master of the world and all material goods.

Interestingly, the focus of the latest edition of Tradition is ‘Material Success and its Challenges’, and in his essay titled ‘The Religious Perils of Materialism’ (which can be read here) Rabbi Jeremy Wieder notes that:

‘An individual who understands that, on a moral level, his money does not truly belong to him but rather is a trust over which he has been designated as a trustee, behaves very particularly in how he uses it. On the other hand, one who operates under the presumption of “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me” (Deuteronomy 8:17), and regards his accumulated wealth as completely his own, in the spirit of “what’s mine is mine; what’s yours is yours” (Avot 5:10) behaves quite differently. This spiritual failure damages three distinct areas—the broader community, the children being raised in such a milieu, and the person him or herself.’

I would strongly encourage all those interested in this topic to read the rest of Rabbi Wieder’s essay where he presents a range of insights and examples about the devastating spiritual effects which we are seeing today among those who truly believe that their money and their possessions belong to them.

Ultimately, as he concludes, ‘As individuals and as a community we must find ways to shift our focus away from the obsession with the material and orient ourselves in the direction of that which truly matters… to set aside our fleeting desires and pursue a life of enduring value.’

Shabbat Shalom!

Winter Zman 2022 Launch

Jan 02, 2022 by Amihai Zippor

WebYeshiva is proud to announce its new launches this week.

The zman will run for ten weeks until Purim and features more than 40 different live, interactive, online series on a variety of topics.

All classes are free and stand alone so if you haven’t been sitting in for the earlier lessons you can join at any time without feeling lost.

Also, as usual all courses are recorded and available for download within 24 hours of the live class.

We hope to see you of over the next few months.

Rabbanit Shira Mirvis Interview

Aug 29, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

Rabbanit Shira Mirvis will be giving two special free, live, and interactive online shiurim on the Sundays prior to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

They include and

WebYeshiva spoke with her about her journey, her teaching and her thoughts for the new year:

Learning Torah

What would you say has been the most fulfilling part of your journey learning Torah?

The privilege to have been able to clear my schedule and actually sit and learn full time for five full years. Not just doing it but thinking it, living it day and night. It brought me to where I am today and was a huge privilege not everyone is allowed, and I am very grateful. It will always be very meaningful to me.

What do you like learning most?
I love to learn halacha, specifically Hishtalshut halacha, -how it developed from the time of the Chumash down through our days. It is so fascinating to see its path from the times of the Tanach, through after the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash, through the times of the Gemara, through the various galuyot, diasporas, etc, and see what happened to Torah Sheh B’al Peh and how it was modified throughout the years.

The Importance in Remembering the Past

You gave a special shiur for WebYeshiva on Tisha B’Av. Why is Tisha B’Av still relevant today?
I think it is relevant every year, every generation and I see Tisha B’av as a kind of stop sign. Some 3000 years ago Yirmiyahu the Prophet was crying about the Beit Hamikdash. Today, we live in a society which is so polarized, full of unfortunate arguments, and people disrespecting one another in very painful ways.

Like a stop sign Tisha B’av gives us the opportunity to put on the brakes and think: how did we arrive at such a place? How is this similar to the time leading up to the destruction and what can we learn from this, to not repeat such things in our generation.
Part of what I think we will discover is changing the language and the way we act together as a Jewish community both in Israel and the diaspora is the key. We must recognize there is a lot of work to be done, always.

Thoughts for the New Year

You will be giving two special upcoming shiurim, one on the Sunday before Rosh Hashanah and one on the Sunday before Yom Kippur. What are some of your thoughts on the coming year and what we need to be doing as a People?

I think the beauty of Rosh Hashana this year, like every year, is the ability to start from the beginning.
I believe that this year, we need to take advantage of all that is in our power to really do a -“restart,” to allow ourselves, in our private lives as well, a clean slate. We need to reflect, fix our mistakes, and think about what we do with a new set of eyes.

We need to enter this year with true intentions in our hearts of how we can create a better existence and experience for our community.

Surprising as it may be, the pandemic, which is not going away so quickly, is demanding from us a certain level of social responsibility. It’s an existence of “שויתי ה׳ לנגדי תמיד” -I have set HaShem always before me.

On an individual level it means to always live with the knowledge that God is with me, and to therefore think about how I am living and creating a just society, a moral society, a truthful society, a society which sees the people that dwell within it.

Each person needs to think about the way they care for the people around them.

Sometimes, we have to do things that aren’t comfortable for us, such as wearing masks. But we need to do so with mindfulness, and with the understanding that our actions have an effect on the people surrounding us. Whether it’s in our family, our congregation, and especially for all of Am Yisrael, the message is : “כל ישראל ערבים זה לזה – All of Israel is responsible for one another”

Rabbi Dovid Fink Interview: The Moadim Course

Aug 24, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

This Fall the will be launching two new courses: Kitchen & Shabbat taught by Rabbi David Brofsky and with Rabbi Dovid Fink which will cover the various halachot of the Jewish holidays throughout the year.

WebYeshiva spoke with Rabbi Fink about why learning the major practical halachic points of the Moadim is important.

1. The Halacha Mastery Program is about teaching students how to make their own practical halachic decisions. Why do you think studying the sources for the practical mitzvot of the Moadim is valuable?

Torah observant Jews must make many halachic decisions each Yom Tov. For example:

If you are ill, which are the most important elements of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to follow?
How do we choose a kosher etrog and lulav?
When is the best time to light Chanukah candles and where is the best place?
What is the minimum requirement for hearing the Megilla on Purim?

A solid grasp of the underlying principles of halacha governing the Moadim will have broad application in many other areas of halacha.

2. There are many aspects to the Moadim and halacha. What will a course like this look like?

For each holiday we will study the primary sources and opinions of the leading poskim with an aim towards drawing practical conclusions. It’s all part of learning to make your own decisions.

3. What aspects of the Moadim do you think are most difficult to understand halachically?

When it comes to the holiday cycle, there are many things which Jews do which are not strictly halachic requirements but are treated as such. I think the most difficult aspect of the Moadim is distinguishing between obligatory halacha and common practices or minhagm, which is not always easy.

For more information about the Halacha Mastery Program please visit .

Rabbi David Brofsky: Kitchen & Shabbat Course Interview

Aug 22, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

This fall WebYeshiva’s will again offer its popular course, this year taught by Rabbi David Brofsky.

WebYeshiva spoke with Rabbi Brofsky about the course and his goals for the upcoming academic year.

1. The Halacha Mastery Program is about teaching students how to make their own practical halachic decisions. Why do you think that is important today?

I strongly believe that it is important for students to be sufficiently aware of the halachot in order to properly observe them, and in order to know when and what questions to ask. Those who invest enough time learning and gaining an understanding of halachic application and decision making will make many of their own practical halachic decisions. Those who reach this depth of understanding and mastery most often feel more connected and committed and halachic discourse and observance becomes a central part of their Avodat Hashem. Additionally, those who attain a mastery of halachic material are able to teach and help others and the Torah becomes a Torat Chesed (a Torah of kindness) because it enables them to share their learning with others as well.

2. There are many aspects to Hilchot Shabbat. Why is a course specifically dealing with the kitchen important?

The laws of Shabbat are numerous and complex. I believe that the halachot related to the kitchen, i.e., food preparation, cooking, and reheating, are so central to our weekly Shabbat experience that they deserve special attention and study.

3. What topics regarding kitchen and Shabbat do you think are most challenging to master?

While the laws and prohibitions of cooking and heating food for and on shabbat are among the larger topics, I think various aspects of other melachot related to food preparations are both complex and challenging. I look forward to studying them with the Halacha Mastery Program participants and arrive at clear, practical halachic guidelines.

4. What have you enjoyed most about teaching in the Halacha Mastery Program?

I have thoroughly enjoyed the various classes I have taught on WebYeshiva in general, and the Halacha Mastery Program in particular. I am continually amazed to see students from around the world, logging in at all hours of the day, to learn Torah. I am truly inspired by the participants’ motivation and thirst for Torah knowledge.

For more information about the Halacha Mastery Program please visit .

New Shemitta & the Kitchen Series

Jul 19, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

This Rosh Hashanah marks the start of the Shemitta year. The Torah mentions in several places every seventh agricultural year the people must let the land rest.

Since observance of the Shemitta or the Shvi’it year can often feel complicated or confusing with various restrictions and practices, WebYeshiva is offering a special free, live, fully interactive 5-part online series, , which will cover the major issues with managing the observance of shemitta in the home and kitchen.

Taught by Rabbi Dovid Fink, starting August 2, the series will look at the sources of the relevant topics and present the practical halacha in each case. WebYeshiva students will gain the knowledge to be ready for observance of Shemitta at home and in the market.

In preparation for the series, WebYeshiva spoke with Rabbi Fink about what he will be teaching and his thoughts on the Shemitta year in general.

1) How important is it to review the practical halachot of shemitta? Isn’t going according a certain hechsher (kosher certification) enough?

In general, following a specific hechsher might be sufficient. But there are important reasons for studying the underlying halachot of shemitta including the following:

Produce of the shemitta year has kedusha (sanctity). When bringing it into the house, one has to know how to treat it, handle it, and dispose of waste.
You will not always have the option of relying on a hechsher. At times you will have to deal with issues of shemitta yourself.
Understanding the underlying decision that a specific hechsher has made in controversial matters will enable you to interact seamlessly with others who follow other hechsherim.
It’s important to know the halachic advantages and disadvantages of the hetter mechira and otzar beit din.

2) What do you think are the most challenging halachot of shemitta?

Establishing which opinion is embraced by the mainstream and deciding when to follow the strict and when to follow the lenient opinion on controversial issues.

3) Why is it important to study laws of shemitta even if you live abroad?

Those who live outside Israel should study the laws of the shemitta year for a number of reasons:
1. Learning Torah is always a mitzvah.
2. When unable to perform a specific mitzvah, learning about it is second best.
3. Those who live abroad will probably encounter shemitta issues if they visit Israel (post Covid) or if they buy Israeli produce sold abroad. Note that this issue arises with most etrogim sold in Europe and North America.
4. Like every other halacha, the underlying principles of the shemitta year have broad application throughout the length and breadth of Torah.

3) Aside from the dos and don’ts, the practical halachot, what do you feel we are supposed to internalize about the experience of the shemitta year?

The Land and all that is in it is the Lord’s.

PODCAST: Megilat Eichah

Jul 15, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

During this week’s parshat hashavua shiur Rabbi Brovender discussed Megilat Eicha.

This shiur was dedicated in memory of Mr. Norman Ruback z”l by his loving family: לעי”נ נחמן בן גדליה הכהן ז”ל

Join Rabbi Chaim Brovender’s weekly Parsha Shiur live on Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. (Jerusalem time) in our live, interactive online classroom (click here for free registration) and simulcast here on Facebook Live (Facebook account not required).

PODCAST: The 42 Journeys

Jul 08, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

During this week’s parshat hashavua shiur Rabbi Brovender discussed the 42 journeys of B’nei Yisrael in the midbar.

PODCAST: Daf Yomi One Week at a Time Yoma: Daf 80-88 + Siyum

Jul 07, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

Rabbanit Dr. Tamara Spitz reviews key topics of the previous week’s seven pages.

This week we will continue learning about the amounts one is liable for eating and drinking on Yom Kippur. The Gemara teaches that children are exempt from the prohibitions of Yom Kippur but from a certain age they must practice keeping the laws. We will learn fundamental concepts that apply to our lives like: The importance of saving a life, saving a life overrides the laws of Shabbat, the concept of Repentance and how one goes about achieving atonement for various sins. We will be completing Masechet Yoma together this week in class.

To join the live class please visit Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Yoma.

PODCAST: Who Was Pinchas?

Jul 01, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

During this week’s parshat hashavua shiur Rabbi Brovender discussed Pinchas. Who was he and how did his actions effect everything that came afterwards?

PODCAST: Daf Yomi One Week at a Time Yoma: Daf 71-79

Jun 29, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

Rabbanit Dr. Tamara Spitz reviews key topics of the previous week’s seven pages.

This week we will learn about the priestly garments; how they were made and who wore which clothes. With that we will complete the 7th chapter of Yoma. The 8th chapter discusses the 6 prohibition of Yom Kippur that we are commanded to keep even now that there is no Temple. The Gemara discusses how each one is an affliction of the soul.

To join the live class please visit Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Yoma.

PODCAST: Rabbi Brovender: Bilaam the prophet?

Jun 24, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

During this week’s parshat hashavua shiur Rabbi Brovender discussed Bilaam and how he could be mentioned as a prophet.

PODCAST: Daf Yomi One Week at a Time Yoma: Daf 64-70

Jun 21, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

Rabbanit Dr. Tamara Spitz reviews key topics of the previous week’s seven pages.

As we continue learning about the service of Yom Kippur in the Temple, this week we will learn about the goat that was sent out to the wilderness. The Gemara describes the procedure of who takes him out, where did they go and how they got there. We will then learn what happens in the Temple after the goat was taken and hopefully after the nation received atonement.

To join the live class please visit Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Yoma.

PODCAST: Rabbi Brovender: Miriam The Prophetess

Jun 18, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

During this week’s parshat hashavua shiur Rabbi Brovender discussed the personality of Miriam.

PODCAST: Daf Yomi One Week at a Time Yoma: Daf 58-63

Jun 14, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

Rabbanit Dr. Tamara Spitz reviews key topics of the previous week’s seven pages.

This week we will learn about the blood application on the Golden Alter and the order and direction that it was placed by the High Priest. We will also learn what happens to the leftover blood. The Gemara discusses if these applications are one set or are seen as individual.

To join the live class please visit Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Yoma.

PODCAST: Rabbi Brovender: Machloket L’Shem Shamayim

Jun 09, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

During this week’s parshat hashavua shiur Rabbi Brovender discussed the topic of machloket l’shem shamayim.

לע”נ ר’ יצחק יהודה בן אליהו הלוי ז”ל ב’ תמוז

PODCAST: Daf Yomi One Week at a Time Yoma: Daf 52-57

Jun 07, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

Rabbanit Dr. Tamara Spitz reviews key topics of the previous week’s seven pages.

This week we will learn how the High Priest entered into the Holy of Holies and burned the incense. We will learn the procedure of sprinkling the blood of the bull and the goat in the Holy of Holies and then in the outer sanctuary. The Gemara then discusses different scenarios of mix-ups that can happen in the Temple.

To join the live class please visit Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Yoma.

S.Y. Agnon & The Hit Series Shtisel

Jun 06, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

WebYeshiva’s Rabbi Jeffrey Saks will be hosting a special online event on Zoom for Jerusalism and Tel Aviv Review of Books on the impact of Hebrew literature’s only Nobel laureate, Shai Agnon, on the hit TV series Shtisel.

Religious or secular, Jew or non-Jew, Shtisel is enjoyed by people of different faiths and walks of life from around the world.

The story of a Haredi family in Jerusalem, Shtisel incorporates various outside references, including that of Agnon, making it a witty, inviting, and very real look into the insular world of the ultra-Orthodox in Israel.

To join the live online event on Sunday, June 13, 2021 at 8pm IDT (1pm NY time), please sign up HERE

PODCAST: Rabbi Brovender: The Spies

Jun 03, 2021 by Amihai Zippor

During this week’s parshat hashavua shiur Rabbi Brovender discussed the topic of the spies, trying to understand how this event was worse than all the others for B’nei Yisrael in terms of the punishment.