Author Archives: Rabbi Leib Zalesch

Aruch Hashulchan Yomi – Thoughts and a Proposal

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Rabbi Leib Zalesch

*** June 2020: Updated post endorsing AishDas’ new Aruch Hashulchan Yomi program: https://rabbizalesch.com/2020/05/31/aruch-hashulchan-yomi-reprise/ Aruch Hashulchan Yomi (see Calendar at this link) begins a new cycle this Rosh Hashana, which appears to be a massive coincidence – according to the Calendar, … Continue reading →

Posted in Communal Matters, Halacha | 15 Comments

Our Goal in the Classroom: 6th Grade Mishna/Gemara

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Rabbi Leib Zalesch

Continuing a series on classroom methodology which, despite protestations from a non-teacher friend of mine, I cannot imagine anyone but teachers finding interesting. What if we viewed Mishna and Gemara, as the Amoraim did, not as separate disciplines appropriate for … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Experiences, Jewish Education (meta), Talmud / Daf Yomi | Leave a comment

Exploring Lecha Dodi, Part 5: Verse #3 – Mikdash Melech

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Rabbi Leib Zalesch

Other entries in this series: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 6 Continuing with our analysis of Lecha Dodi, we move on now to the third verse of the song, Mikdash Melech: מקדש … Continue reading →

Posted in Lecha Dodi, Tefillah | 2 Comments

Women’s Ordination Is Here … Would You Like to Change Something Else?

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Rabbi Leib Zalesch

News appeared this week (link) that Rabbi Avi Weiss’ Semicha of three women this past Sunday included language allowing them to “determine Halakhik rulings for the Jewish people” and “serve as a decisor of Jewish Law” (or in the Hebrew … Continue reading →

Posted in Communal Matters | 2 Comments

The High Price of a Free Ticket: Aliyah and the Leadership Gap

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Rabbi Leib Zalesch

An Oleh on a Bike Two summers ago, the last time that we were in Israel, my wife and I spent a beautiful afternoon with friends of ours who have made Aliyah to Yad Binyamin, a popular (if rustic) new … Continue reading →

Posted in Communal Matters | 3 Comments

Sources and Notes: Yom Tov Sheini

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Rabbi Leib Zalesch

I gave a Shiur over Shavuot on Yom Tov Sheini as it relates to Sefirat Ha’Omer and Shavuot. Here are the sources. A few notes based on the sources: 1) Sources 18 and 19 provide a fascinating back-and-forth between the … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Pesach, Shavuot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, Succot | Leave a comment

Spring Leaning: Halachot of Leaning at the Seder

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Rabbi Leib Zalesch

Yesterday I gave a Shabbat Hagadol Derasha on the Halachot of leaning at the Seder. Here are the sources. I want to highlight here a few points based on the sources, with gratitude to those in attendance whose comments and … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Pesach | Leave a comment

A work of fiction. I have nothing but respect for my students’ parents, but the concept of the letter below entered my head and appealed to me for its subtle sense of irony. What if, indeed, the teachers were allowed … Continue reading →

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Rabbi Leib Zalesch | Leave a comment

I happened to have the privilege this past Shabbat of learning with some friends at my nearest local out-of-town Center-Right Modern Orthodox Shul. As I do when I “happen to learn with friends,” I prepared plenty of sources ahead of … Continue reading →

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Rabbi Leib Zalesch | 1 Comment

Our Goal in the Classroom: Seventh Grade Chumash

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Rabbi Leib Zalesch

This post is conceived to be of particular use to other Jewish educators, and perhaps to parents of my students, but it is not expected to be of much interest to the general public. The public at large can expect … Continue reading →

Posted in Classroom Experiences, Jewish Education (meta) | Leave a comment