As Rosh Hodesh Tammuz approaches this is an opportune time to hear HaRav David Bar-Hayim's shiurim on "The Four Fasts". 

Listen to 2 one hour shiurim on the four fasts which may be found in our selection of audio mp3s on Halacha.  You will also find a source sheet as a companion study aid to refer to as you listen to these very interesting shiurim.  Be sure to scroll down the page of shiurim for the download links and to go onto next page of shiurim to get both of the MP3s on this subject.

Here is a link to the Audio section for Halacha where your may download the source sheet and the shiurim.

Israel is lost and directionless. Its political leaders lack vision and aspire to nothing. Judaism is lost and directionless. Its rabbinical leaders lack vision and aspire to nothing.

Revisionist leader Ze’ev Jabotinsky once illustrated his criticism of mainstream Zionism with the following analogy: “I see a man limping down the street, using only one leg, even though it is apparent that nothing is wrong with the other one. I turn to him and ask: ‘Why don’t you walk on both legs?’ He replies: ‘Is there something the matter with the one that I am using?’”

This text should be added to the Amidah and Birkat HaMazon of the Yom Ha’assmauth and Yom Yerushalayim. The addition of Al HaNissim in our prayers is Halachically unassailable. The Tur writes that one may add a supplication or words of praise in the Modim section of the Amidah (Ohr HaHayim 582 and Hagahoth Maimoniyoth Tephilla 6:3). Indeed even on days when Hallel is not said, such as Purim, Al HaNissim is recited - although we hold that you should recite Hallel with a beracha.

Click here to read the nusah.

Chag Sameach LeGeulah Shelayma.

The story is told of the Hassidic rebbe who, upon the establishment of the State of Israel, began to recite the thanksgiving prayer of Hallel on Yom Ha'assmauth, Israel's Independence Day. After a few years, his followers noticed that the rebbe no longer recited Hallel. When queried about this he explained: "When a child is born, everyone is happy. But if, as he grows up, he goes off the correct path and moves away from the Torah, the earlier jubilation becomes inappropriate".