Topics:

• Chassidus applied to Chai Elul
  • What can we learn from this day?
  • Is it significant that the Baal Shem Tov was born on Elul?
  • What was the Baal Shem Tov’s main teachings?
  • Why was there so much opposition to the Baal Shem Tov?
  • Is there a similarity between the Besht’s teaching that all Jews are equal in the eyes of G-d to l’havdil the elimination of class distinctions in socialism?
  • Who was Achiyoh Hashiloni and what connection did he have with being the teacher of the Besht?
  • Why were there groups of hidden tzaddikim? Doesn’t it seem inappropriate to deprive people of their greatness?
  • Are shluchim fulfilling the words of Moshiach to the Besht?
  • Are all Besht legends true?
  • Did the Besht eliminate demons?
  • What’s the story with the Maharal and the Golem, and the Frierdiker Rebbe visiting the shul in Prague to see the Golem’s remains?
• Lessons from 15 Elul: 124th anniversary of the founding of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim
  • What does it mean to be a tamim?
  • What was different and unique about the curriculum in this yeshiva?
  • Who coined the phrase and what is the meaning of “if someone ate the kasha in Tomchei Tmimim they will always be a tamim”?
  • Is there a source that the Rashab looked into the future and handpicked all the souls that would be students in the yeshiva?
• Lessons from Ki Tavo
  • If only after 40 years the people reached the level of having a heart to know, eyes to see and ears to hear, how were they able to say naaseh v’nishma and experience high levels of revelation before that?
  • What is the difference between the rebuke in Bechukosei and the one in our chapter?
• Selichos: When we say “Machnisei rachamim, hachnisu rachameinu” whom are we addressing and what are we asking to be done?
• Did the Rebbe comment on the Crown Heights riots 30 years ago?
• Is there a connection between Covid and dibbuk (covid in reverse)?
• Is flood damage from a big storm or hurricane bad in and of itself, or is the bad due to too much chesed and a lack of gevurah?
• Follow-up
  • Why would the Torah allow a husband to abuse his power of withholding a get?
  • Mamzeirim
• Chassidus question: Why do we exist?