(Wednesday) Yeshivat Har Etzion is headed by three Rashei Yeshiva: Harav Yaakov Medan, Harav Baruch Gigi and Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein. All three were distinguished students of the Founding Rashei Yeshiva Harav Yehuda Amital zt"l and Harav Aharon Lichtenstein zt"l, who headed the yeshiva for roughly forty years and were privileged to appoint thousands of students, many of whom became educators, rabbis and even other Rashei Yeshiva. Here, we will release an address (sicha) by one of the Rashei Yeshiva about the week's parasha or current events.

(Tuesday) An analysis of the parasha, incorporating innovative approaches as well as traditional commentaries, with particular attention to literary aspects and their religious meaning. We welcome the addition of Rav Itiel Gold and the return of Harav Yaakov Medan and Rav Gad Eldad to the writing staff of this series. 

(Tuesday) An analysis of the parasha, incorporating innovative approaches as well as traditional commentaries, with particular attention to literary aspects and their religious meaning. We welcome the addition of Dr. Yoshi Fargeon and Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg and the return of Rav Itiel Gold to the writing staff of this series.

(Wednesday) Addresses (sichot) on the weekly parasha by the Rashei Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion: Harav Yaakov Medan, Harav Baruch Gigi and Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein, with a focus on messages for contemporary life.

In his lessons, which have since been published as a book - "Text and Subtext: On Exploring Biblical Narrative Design," Prof. Jonathan Grossman deals with tools for the literary analysis of the Bible stories. It is difficult to overstate the importance of such analysis for understanding the intentions behind these stories, most of which are not told openly.
 

(Wednesday) VBM Digest, concise divrei Torah in a pdf format, prepared weekly by Rav Dov Karoll, for distribution in shuls. Previous years' archives of VBM Digest can be found here>>.

(5782 - Coming Soon) A study of the “Later Prophets” through a historical-political lens reveals striking parallels between the prophets of the period of Uzziyahu-Yerovam (Yeshayahu, Amos, Hoshea), those of the time of Achaz and Chizkiyahu (Yeshayahu, Hoshea, Mikha), those of the days of Yoshiyahu (Tzefania, Chulda, Nachum, Chavakuk, Yirmiyahu), early prophecies (Elisha and his students), and “lost” prophecies from the time of Menashe. By studying the prophecies against the backdrop of the rise and fall of empires, we gain insight into foundational questions regarding the meaning, goals, audiences and function of prophecy.

(Tues, Thur, Summer) The hidden messages in the book of Daniel carry a fresh and relevant spiritual message. Unfortunately, however, this sefer remains sealed to the general public due to its Aramaic language and secretive style. Harav Yaakov Madan will lay it out for you in clear and fluent language, as well as from a unique perspective, emphasizing its historical dimension. The learning is dedicated to the memory of Lt. Daniel Mandel, HY”D. The shiur will be mailed twice a week beginning July 1, through the chagim.

(5782 - Coming Soon) (Thursday) An analysis of the major issues in the gemara, geared for students who are learning the basic text on their own. This sidra - on Bava Metzia - allows, in essence, every Jew in the world to join a beit midrash, and receive a weekly gemara study lesson at home. It is intended for yeshiva graduates, chevrutot and anyone who wants to enrich his study of the gemara by an in-depth iyuni shiur. The lessons are based upon advanced preparation of sources (source sheets are included). 

(Thur, Summer) This course will take the midrash to Sefer Bereishit, the Book of Genesis, and see how it illuminates the text, both as a deep commentary on it, and as a source for basic ideas in the understanding of the Sages of the relationship between Bereishit and our lives as Jews who serve God. The shiur will be mailed on Thursdays, beginning after Shabbat Nachamu, until Shabbat Parashat Shemot.

(5782 - Coming Soon) Although Torah She-be’al Peh (the Oral Law) is the lifeblood of Judaism, its students often fail to address foundational issues: Which components were given at Sinai and which were developed by the Sages? What is the relationship between the simple meaning of biblical verses and their interpretation by the Oral Law? What can account for the discrepancy between the literal meaning of a Mishna and its interpretation in the Gemara? How did sages throughout the generations address a changing reality using the tools of the Oral Law? These questions and  others receive comprehensive and in-depth treatment in this series.

(5782 - Coming Soon) This year's course will be divided into three mini-series covering the topics of tefillin, mezuza and chol ha-moed. Each topic will be explored from its sources in the Torah and Chazal and traced through the writings of Rishonim and Acharonim, with special attention to contemporary disputes and applications.

(Monday) Over the past millennium, the Jewish community has faced many challenges, opportunities, and changes, and all of these have been reflected and refracted through the lens of Halakha. In this course, we will address the halakhic challenges that arose directly from important historical events, starting from the 11th Century and continuing up to the Second World War. UPDATE: The 5781 syllabus has reached 1802, with an examination of Napoleon and the Emancipation. Rav Tabory will continue to explore halakhic ramifications of the 19th and 20th century during the Spring semester of 2022. You may register now to ensure your participation in this mailing.

(Thursday, every other week) Guided, source-based study of halachot pertaining to women, from a woman's perspective. This series is presented in conjunction with Deracheha: Women and Mitzvot, a halachic education website sponsored by Yeshivat Har Etzion in partnership with the VBM and Beit Midrash Migdal Oz. 

(Mon, Summer) An exploration of the laws of the current Shemitta year, focusing on the legal concepts underlying them, based on an analysis of Mishnayot Shevi'it. This series will be mailed on Mondays, beginning the week of Rosh Chodesh Elul.

(Wed, Summer) Through analysis of sources from Tanakh to the present, this series will explore the economic, interpersonal, spiritual, ecological, Zionistic and national themes illuminated by Shemitta observance. This shiur will be mailed on Wednesdays, beginning 19th of Av, running upto Tu BeShevat.

(5782 - Coming Soon) Chazal maintained that ideal Torah study should be "lishmah" - accompanied by the proper mindset and motivation. The series explicates this ideal while showing that it actually is a reflection of what Torah is all about. We will focus first on the position of Rav Hayyim of Volozhin and then on Rav Kook, who continued and developed the thought of his predecessor.

The first year of this series (5774) focused on the first two values of Berit Avot – Jewish peoplehood and the Land of Israel. The sequel  series, released in 5779, continued on to the latter two values of ethical living and of pursuing a rich spiritual life. It also examined Berit Avot's significance in the Jewish calendar, throughout Tanakh, and for modern educational challenges. We are pleased to announced that Rav Dr. Goldberg will, bli neder, be writing an additional 15 shiurim for release this coming Spring (5782). We recommend that you sign up now, and use the interim months to review the archived shiurim.

(5782 - Coming Soon) Behind our routines of daily prayer lies a hidden world of interiority, which touches upon both the heights of faith and the depths of the soul. This year, the series will explore the insights of great medieval and early modern thinkers, from R. Saadia Gaon to R. Moshe Chayyim Luzzato, and next year the series will continue with Hasidic and contemporary thinkers.