Rabbi Chaim Brovender , Rosh Yeshiva Emeritus  [See "Parshat Hashavua"] Pesach Pesach: Miracles and Wonders   Read Rabbi Brovender's Op-Ed in The Jewish Week  Tisha Be'Av   Chanukah    Shavuot:"The Blessing of Torah Study"  Rabbi Chaim Brovender discusses various issues pertaining to Tisha B'av.  Conversations with Rabbi Brovender: Women and Torah study Conversations with Rabbi Brovender:  "Conversations with Rabbi Chaim Brovender"   Miracles and Wonders: Rabbi Chaim Brovender examines the miracle of the Exodus from Egypt.: Rabbi Brovender's Travel Diary  "From the Rebbe's Table..."

 

Rabbi Shlomo Riskin  [See featured "Parshat Hashvua"] CLICK HERE to listen to Rabbi Riskin's memorial lecture on the recent yahrzeit of Joseph Straus, z"l. Ohr Torah Stone remains proud and privileged to associate the name and ideals of Joseph Straus, z"l, with our Rabbinical Seminary. A brilliant attorney and passionate Zionist, Joseph Straus was immensely involved in Jewish education and numerous political, communal, and social activities. He is remembered for his goodness, personality and erudition and the help he offered to many, which he left as a legacy to his wife, Gwen z"l, his four children and his grandchildren.  Yom Ha'atzmaut  Insights into Pesach "We Have to Fight for the Light": Rabbi Riskin broadcast this Chanukah message as part of Isracast.com's "Illuminating Perspectives" series. Listen to the Message   Read the Transcript "City of What?" Read Rabbi Riskin's article about Jerusalem in the current issue of OLAM.  "Paradoxes of Purim" Insights into Pesach

 

	Rabbi Shuki Reich  [See featured "Source Sheets"] Parshat Vayishlach: Shiur 1, Shiur 2

 

Rabbi Yitzchak Blau [See featured "Aggadot"] Published Articles Learn Chumash Dvarim with Rabbi Blau A Day In Zefat by Rabbi Yitzchak Blau Lighting Chanukah Candles in Shul (source sheet) Why is This Holiday Different From All Other Holidays: The Unique Theme of Hanukah   "Purim Wildness and the Exuberance of Religious Life"  Rabbi Yitzchok Blau reflects upon the challenges of attaining a moral society "You Can Take A People Out of Slavery, But Can You Take Slavery Out of A People?" "And Despair Shall Have No Dominion"   Rambam's Vision of Human Perfection   On Tisha B'Av

 

	Rav Menachem Schrader [See "Learn Gemara with Rabbi Schrader"] קונטרס מלאכת אוכל נפש A Chanukah message Lessons of Agadda "Shavuot Eludes Time" "Torah Priorities"

 

	Rabbi Dovid Fink [See "Learn Halacha with Rabbi Fink"] The Use of Non-Scientific Medicine on Shabbat   Introduction to the Principles of Kashrut

 

Rabbi Dr. Stuart Fischman [See Wedding Issues in Halacha] [See archives of Parshat Hashavua] Parshat Vayishlach Parshat Vayetze  Parshat Shmini, in memory of his father-in-law, Mr. Stanley Sacks, whose yahrzeit is the 26 of Nissan.  How to achieve Eternal Youth: Chayei Sarah  The behavior of the people of Sdom, its origin, and how it brought about their destruction  The mitzvah of brit milah as it relates to our parsha  An examination of Parshat Noach  Parshat Bereishit  Parshat Toldot  "Approaching the Irrational"

Rabbi David Walk [is currently on Shlichut in Stamford, CT] Bereshit  Read Rabbi David Walk's article on Parshat Bereishit  Rabbi Walk looks at the blessings given by Ya'akov Avinu to the future tribes of Israel.  Rabbi David Walk examines the rivalry between Yehuda and Yosef and its ramifications  Rabbi David Walk discusses the nature of angels in relation to this week's parsha  Rabbi David Walk's article 'Excelsior': Insights into Parshat Vayetze  Rabbi David Walk's article 'Offspring': Parshat Toldot as a guide to parenting.  In his article,"Home", Rabbi David Walk examines the personalities and roles of the Matriarchs.  In his article, 'Testing', Rabbi David Walk examines why Hashem chose Avraham to carry out Akeidat Yitzchak   Rabbi David Walk analyzes the character of Avraham Avinu Shemot  Rabbi David Walk looks at the message embedded in Parshat Hachodesh, in his article 'Proud'.  Rabbi David Walk looks at the proximity of the Torah's civil laws with the revelation at Sinai, in 'Legal Excitement'.  Rabbi David Walk considers the eternal ramifications of the "Epiphany" at Sinai.  Rabbi David Walk explores the Jews' experience at the splitting of the sea in 'Eyewitness'  Rabbi Walk's article on Parshat Bo discusses Moshe Rabbeinu's 'Meeting' with Pharaoh and its significance for us.  Rabbi Walk's article on Parshat V'eyra discusses Moshe Rabbeinu's 'Qualifications' for leadership.  Rabbi Walk examines the meaning of the burning bush in his article "Lowly" Vayikra  Rabbi David Walk attempts to understand the Temple service in his article 'Sacrifice'.  Rabbi David Walk tries to wade through all the details of building the mishkan in 'Boring!' 'Seven Fold Encouragement' thoughts on Parshat Bechukotai "And on the Eighth day, Man Created...":  Thoughts on Parshat Shemini Bamidbar  Rabbi David Walk examines the poetry of Bilaam's blessings in his article 'Lionized'.  Rabbi David Walk examines the charges against Moshe Rabbeinu for hitting the rock in his article 'Water'.  Rabbi David Walk examines the rebellion of Korach and his challenge to Moshe in his article 'Leadership'.  'Spies and Traitors' by Rabbi David Walk  Rabbi David Walk presents a view of history in his article 'On the Road Again.'  Rabbi David Walk analyzes the workings of the priestly benediction in his article 'Blessing'.   What is a Zealot? Rabbi Walk takes a look at Parshat Pinchas  Saying Mazal Tov -- Rabbi Walk examines Parshat Balak.  "Unthinkable": Rabbi David Walk writes about Parshat Chukat.  Rabbi David Walk shares his reflections on Parshat Korach and its relevance to today's youth.  Rabbi David Walk ponders preparations for receiving the Torah Shavuot morning, in his article "Control."  Rabbi David Walk looks at the blessings in this Torah reading in light of current events, in his article 'Stroll'.  Rabbi David Walk takes a look at the importance of the period of counting the omer in his article 'Count'.  Rabbi David Walk discusses the theme of sanctity in this week's Torah reading in his article 'Holy".  Rabbi David Walk describes the splendor and mask worn by Moshe Rabbeinu when he descended from Mt. Sinai in 'Veil'. Dvarim  Rabbi David Walk examines the verses which describe God's demands of us in his article 'Exhortation'.  Rabbi David Walk explores the concept of "seeing" in his commentary on Parshat Re'eh: "Vision"  The Wake Up Call   Dveykut as a  Process Elul, Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur  Rabbi David Walk examines the nature of scrutiny in his article 'Surveillance and wishes everyone a Shana Tova.  Rabbi David Walk explains the relationship of this week's blessings and curses to our preparation for Rosh Hashana, in his article 'Effect'.  Rabbi David Walk tries to unravel the mystery of destroying bad in his article 'Evil'.  Rabbi David Walk examines the Torah's command to appoint a king in his article 'Fit for a King'.  Rabbi David Walk attempts to explain what we are supposed to see in this week's parsha, in his article 'Perspective'.  Read the article, "Search", by Rabbi David Walk, in which he investigates the importance of the Ten Days of Repentance  "Themes" by Rabbi David Walk: A look at the ideas in the Rosh Hashanah prayers  "Thirteen" by Rabbi David Walk; An Approach to Understanding the Slichot Service  Rabbi David Walk explores what happiness is.  Rabbi David Walk discusses Ellul in "Adopted". Sukkot/Shemini Atzeret  Rabbi David Walk discusses the festival of Shemini Atzeret.  "Divine Shade" by Rabbi David Walk Tisha B'av & The Three Weeks Tisha B'Av Thoughts   Rabbi David Walk explains the mourning of Tisha B'av as it appears in Kinot, in his article 'Ninth of Av'.  Rabbi David Walk attempts to understand the special nature of the month of Av in his article 'Month of Mourning'.  Rabbi David Walk's article 'Troubles' examines the special haftorot for the three weeks.  Rabbi David Walk attempts to give perspective to Jewish tragedy in his article 'Holocaust'.  "Comfort"  Rabbi David Walk discusses the literature of Kinot and the message of Tisha B'av in his article "Lament".  Rabbi David Walk: Illusions Purim  "Call it Sleep-A Purim Message" by Rabbi David Walk  Rabbi David Walk takes a look at the role of Queen Esther in the Purim story in his article 'Esther?' Pesach  Rabbi David Walk surveys the seder to find significance in the number four in his article 'Let the Fours be With You'. Rabbi David Walk offers a dvar torah for Shevi'i Shel Pesach, entitled 'As Hard as Splitting the Sea'. The Seder as Talmud Torah Shavuot  Rabbi David Walk, of Yeshivat Hamivtar Orot Lev shares his thoughts on Shavuot Rabbi David Walk discusses the mitzva of the omer in "The 49 Steps"  Rabbi Walk looks at prayer through the eyes of this week's chapter in Pirkei Avot in his article 'Prayer Primer'. Miscellaneous  This week, Rabbi David Walk takes a look at Shmitta  Rabbi David Walk takes a look at the significance of the Number 15 in Judaism.  Rabbi David Walk, of Yeshivat Hamivtar Orot Lev asks "Am I forgetting thee, O Jerusalem?"

 

	Rabbi David Ebner
	'An Esther Day'  "Turning Sounds" - a Rosh Hashana poem Ruth and Shavuot: Torah of Lovingkindness   Sicha: Purim and Matan Torah "Rabbi Shlomo Hakohen of Radomsk" Rabbi Ebner's shiur to the alumni in New York "Ruth and Shavuot:"  The Gates to Tears  "Sinai Silence", a poem

 

	Rabbi Menashe Bleiweiss
	"In Defense of the Inaccessible: The Oxymoron of Internet Torah Study"  Bal Tashchit Understanding Yonah's Integrity

 

	Rabbi Matthew Mintz
	The Distinguished Day The Nature of the Omer  Brotherly Love The Significance of the Dreidel Role Models Actions Approaches to Drinking Reactions  Conclusions

 

Divrei Torah from Students and Alumni

Are We Running the Show, or is G-d? by YHOL student Ira Dounn Moshe Rabbeinu’s Lesson on Kibud Av v’Aim   by YHOL student Ira Dounn Shmuly Yanklowitz discusses the place for performing Chessed in day-to-day life "Where was Yitzchak?" by Yeshivat Hamivtar Orot Lev student Josh Rosenbloom "The Importance of Chessed," by Noah Stern "Love and Fear in the Revelation at Mount Sinai" by YHOL student Steven Starr Kidnapped Israelis by Joseph Straus Rabbinical Seminary student Leo Dee Joseph Straus Rabbinical graduate ,Yitzchak Jaffe, on Don’t Forget Who You Really Are "Justified Favoritism and Jealousy: The Moral Decision to Bring Yourself Up or to Cut Others Down," by YHOL student Ira Dounn Joseph Straus Rabbinical graduate and current rabbi of Cornell University,Yitzchak Jaffe, on the Significance of Every Person and Every Letter Listen to newly-ordained Joseph Straus Rabbinical Seminary Rabbi Ari Savir on "Enjoyment of Mitzvot" What is the difference between being a Chasid and doing Chessed? - by Straus Rabbinical student Benyamin Gilbert "God's Emissary-A Child," by Ari Ellis "Learning to Connect our Dreams to Reality," by Straus Rabbinical student Sruly Porath  "Transitions Between Books of the Torah," by Ira J. Dounn of Yeshivat Hamivtar Orot Lev On Yom Hashoa - by Louis Lipsky (former student and YHOL adminstrator) Parshat Shemini by Ari Ellis Straus alumnus Rabbi Michael Laitner on Fly the Flag? The Lion of Judah? "Rashi's First Question," by Straus Seminary David Falk Fellow Moshe Morris Hamivtar student Ira J. Dounn: "He Saw Camels Coming, She Saw Yitzchak" "Yosef and the Miracle of Chanukah," by David Falk Kollel student Ari Ellis.  Student Leo Dee, on Parshat Vayishlach Straus Rabbinical Seminary Yehuda Potok on Parshat Vayetze A dvar torah on Parshat Chayyei Sarah, by Hamivtar student Gabriel Pransky. Parshat Vayera - a dvar torah by Straus Rabbinical student Michael Laitner Parshat Lech Lecha - a dvar torah by Straus Rabbinical student Benyamin Gilbert "The Flood and the Land of Israel" by Straus Rabbinical student Yitzchak Falk "What is the simcha of Simchat Torah?"-- by Straus Rabbinical student Jason Demant Dvar Torah from the Kollel: Parshat Pinchas by Betsalel Edwards. Secular Music and the Jewish Soul by Rabbi Todd Berman Chanukah Insights  Reflections on Hair Transplants