Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski shares shiurim on Jewish history, halacha, parsha, and other Torah topics.
Shiurim
- Unveiling the Secret Behind the Rambam and Raavad's Mysterious Disagreements.
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet 1 Source Sheet 2 Unveiling the Secret Behind the Rambam and Raavad's Mysterious Disagreements. (Through the lens of reb Sadya Gaon) (Shofar)
- Enter Rav Yosef Engel's Amusement Park
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet (https://rebrand.ly/YosefEngel) Avraham kept the entire Torah. Several questions on this. How did Avraham take away Yishmaels inheritance? Can one Pasken from Nevuah, Dreams, or a revelation from Eliyahu? Did Dovid remarry Mich
- Reb Chaim Vital, Isaac Newton, Their Intrigue With Alchemy, & The Quest for the Philosophers Stone
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source sheet 1 Source sheet 2 Class given on 02/23/23
- The Battle of Barcelona vs Provence and the Rashba's Cherem
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Class given on 11/3/22
- Don Yitzchok Abarbanel and The Gut-Wrenching Expulsion From Spain
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet A few tidbits from the Abarbanel's pirushim The history of the expulsion from Spain and the tragedies of the era
- Gimmel Tamuz. Can G-d Perform The Absolute Impossible? Can The Sun Set Yet Still Shine?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet 1 Source Sheet 2
- Must a Bris Milah Be Painful?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Parshas Tazria: Mitzvas Milah Does a Bris Milah need to hurt? Every Rabbi of the past 150 years, (and their great nephews), get in on the debate. Let's get in on it too. Source Sheet
- Avraham's Camels Spark a Heated Debate Between the Great Achronim
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet
- The Vilna Gaon's Greatness, Through the Eyes of a Lubavitcher
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Anecdotes about the Vilna Gaon's greatness His relationship with the alter rebbe and Chassidus Their agreements and disagreements
- Rav Ovadia Yosef, Rav Moshe Feinstein, And The Rav, Battle It Out
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet The Kohanim's daily prayers Are the Aseres Hadibros special or the same as the rest of the Torah? How many Mitzvas are there? Why don't we say the Aseres Hadibros during davening? Should one stand for Aseres Hadibros? Does it m
- The Moment You Touch Your Lulav, You've Entered Into Machloikes
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Should one get an Esrogs before or after yom kippur? Do some of the Minim need to be bound together? Do you need to hold all 4 at once to be Yotzei? If you don't have all 4, should you take what you have? Do you need to hold th
- A Kabbalist, a Litvak, and a Chossid, Walk Into a Bar on Shavuos Night
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet When did the Minhag to stay up shavuos night start Amazing stories with the kabbalists (R' Yosef Karo, R' Shlomo Elkabatz, R' Chaim Vital, Etc.) What should we learn? Should you learn Mishnayos or is one specifically not suppos
- The Primordial Black Hole, and the Great Debate of the Italian Kabbalists
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet How does Tzimtzum and Giluy work? How is it connected to black holes? Is the Tzimtzum literal or a just a Mashal? (4 ways to interpret) What was the Vilna Gaon's issue with the Alter Rebbe and the Chassidim? Can it be that ever
- The Rosh Yeshiva and the Head Shliach
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet 1 Source Sheet 2
- The Atheists Have a Field Day With This Bahag.
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Rambam vs bahag if there is a mitzvah to believe in Hashem. Opinions of Sefer Hachinuch, Semag, Semak, Rashi. The Netziv's take The Megillas Esther defends the Rambam The Abarbanel's proof Tzemach Tzedek takes it to a new level
- Yissachar or Yisaschar? Yes, It's a Big Deal!
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Class given on 12/4/22 Do We Pronounce יששכר With One ש or Both?
- Does a Child Have a Claim to the Father's Rabbinical Post?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Why was Yehoshua Moshe's successor and not Moshe's child? Does the child need to be the greatest around or are some qualities enough? How does inheritance work with the Cohen Gadol? Parshas Pinchas
- Shmura vs. Machine Matzah
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet 1 Source Sheet 2 Pesach
- The Crimes of Bilaam; the Rogachover Takes on the Vilna Gaon
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Which crime was bilam killed for? When was he killed? Was he convicted in beis din? What kind of death did he die? Parshas Matos
- Liability by Proxy? A Journey Through the Responsa of the Ages
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Why did Moshe only daven for Yehoshua? Why is there a mitzva to pay on time? An unpaid Shliach is a basically a borrowed human? Ramban's letter. The Mordechai may argue or agree. Letters of Maharshal & Maharam. Destruction of N
- Dreams May Be More Than Just Dreams
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Are all dreams meaningful? Is one allowed to fast on Shabbos for a bad dream? Is there a difference if one has the same dream several times? Do dreams have an effect on real life? Are dreams nonsense or are dreams prophecy? Can
- Self Defense, Rodef, and the Shocking Mizrachi
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Why did the brothers want to kill Yosef? Why was Yaakov distressed about the possibility of killing Esav Do you need to try other methods before killing a Rodef? Comparing a Rodef to a Rapist.
- Is Yaakov's Tefilah Chopped Liver?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Why is Ma'ariv Reshus? Class given on 11/27/22
- The Get of Cleves Rocks the European Rabbinate
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheets Gett of Cleves Story. What categorizes someone as a Shoteh? Rambam's position on Shoteh and Pessi. Nodah Beyehuda's stance. Reb Chaim Tzanzer states his opinion. Reb Itzik Hamburger passes. Letter of the Shaagas Aryeh. Story o
- The Radvaz's Wisdom, And The Vow That Threatened To Destroy A Marriage
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet History of the Radvaz. R Ovadia Yosef defends the Radvaz. The Radvaz's opinion regarding the 13 principles of faith. Do Mitzvos require Kavanah? The reason for Mitzvos. Kabalah vs Halacha. Can a vow of Nezirus Shimshon be anull
- Why Aren't There More People Learning Tanach?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Is one allowed to teach if he does not know Tanach? What does the Mitzvah of Yedias Hatorah entail? The Efodi explains the importance of Tanach. Is one allowed to learn Tanach by heart? What about at night? What did Rashi mean
- The Depravity of Sedom - A License To Sin (Adult content)
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Warning: Mature Content. For Adult audiences only. Source Sheet (https://rebrand.ly/LicenseToSin) Is one allowed to commit a lesser sin in order to avoid a more stringent sin? If someone does an aveirah L'shem Shamayim does he get Schar? Ca
- The Battle of the Titans. Shulchan Aruch HaRav vs Aruch Hashulchan.
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet History of Halachic Seforim through the ages Can you make up for missed Tefilos? How far back can you make up? Which Amida should you do first? How do you make up for a day with Ya'aleh V'yavo?
- The Rambam is Under Attack! (A Debate Between the Ba'al Haflo'oh and Reb Shlomo Eiger May Just Pave His Road to Safety)
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet
- It's Just Not Elul Without the Remarkable Rav Efraim Zalman Margolius
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet (https://rebrand.ly/RavEfraimZalmanMargolius) Rav Efraim Zalman Margolius - his background. The Kloiz of Brody. His father extols his wisdom. Story with The Apte Rebbe. His association with Chasidim Pausing learning torah to he
- Rav Asher Weiss Tackles the Rameh MiFano
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet (http://rebrand.ly/RavWeissRameh) What is the source for not mixing two Simchas? Do we learn Dinim from before Matan Torah? Is one allowed to get married on Purim? Why don't we do Kiddush Levana on Friday night or Yom Tov?
- Can I Argue With the Rambam?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Is it OK to come up with your own explanation to Torah? Are Derabanan as strict as Deoraisa? Can Rabbis argue with previous generations? Did the Amoraim ever argue with the Tanaim? Does it depend on how far apart they are in ti
- Shabsai Tzvi, Nathan of Gaza, and the Most Controversial Book in Judaism
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
History on Shabsai Tzvi, Nathan of Gaza, Who wrote the Chemdas Hayamim? Dancing to Gehenom?? Rebbe Igros, Ya'avetz, Chid"a, R Chaim Falaji, MM Halperin, Ruchos Mesapros - Rabbi Yehudah Fetaya. Stories of Dibbukim, Malachim, Gehenom and Kaf
- Stirring the Pot of Machloikes: Righteous Act or Sin?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Yalkut Shimoni brings some of Korach's clever arguments. Rameh M'panu says that husband and wife in story of Bava ben Buta and R' Meir were gilgulim of Korach and his wife. Rav says in Sanhedrin that one who is involved in Mach
- Defending Reb Yonason Eibeshitz (His Brilliance, and the Shabsai Tzvi Debacle with Reb Yaakov Emden)
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet 1 Source Sheet 2 Source Sheet 3
- Did Dovid Hamelech & Ezra Tamper With The Torah?!
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Rambam: What makes a person a Kofer Batorah? Moshe Feinstein: One cannot learn the manuscript Yehuda Hachasid manuscript about Ezra adding dots to the torah and Shiras Habe'er being swapped by Dovid Hamelech based on the Binyan Yegoshua, fr
- Turn to a Doctor, Or Turn to G-d?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
2-16-23 "Turn to a doctor, or turn to G-d? The heated debate of the philosophers vs the halachists".
- Tashlich Causes Mayhem Amongst European Rabbis
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet (https://rebrand.ly/Tashlich) מוקדש לזכות לרפו"ש לרפואה שלמה לבצלאל יהודה בן חנה הני', רבקה בת אסתר חדוה, כוכבה בת לואיזה History of the Shaloh and Kitzur Shaloh Yaakov Emden's letter on the Kitzur Shaloh Is one allowed to do T
- The Radiance Of The Yismach Moshe - A Gaon And A Rebbe.
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheets: https://RabbiKraz.com/YismachMoshe Stories and history of the Yismach Moshe. Story of R Michel Zlotchover and Rashi. Why is the Beis Hamikdash called the Beis Habechirah? His great and constant yearning for Moshiach. What sho
- Come Let a Mysterious Mystic Blow Your Mind Away
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Zohar - Moshiach will first appear in the Galil. Gemara - Sanhedrin moved to Teveriah and the Geulah will begin in Teveriah. R Meir referred to himself as Moshiach. Machlokes between R Yehuda and R Meir if someone who does not
- The Dangers of Practical Kabbalah
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet 1 Source Sheet 2 Source Sheet 3
- Haggadah Is For Women Too. Or Is It?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Is Vehigadeta Levincha considered Zman Grama? Are women obligated anyway? What about Sukkah? Does being part of the Neis make a difference? What is the status of the Bincha-child?
- Purim! The Sha'agas Aryeh and the Noda B'Yehuda Have a Tug of War With the Rashba and Ritva.
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Which Megillah reading is the main one? 10 Practical differences Megillah is a prayer? 3 options for someone that can't make it to Shul Source Sheet Shulchan Aruch, Magen Avraham, Terumas Hadeshen, Pri Chadash, Sha'agas Aryeh, Noda B'Yehuda
- Eliyahu Hanavi Gets Tangled in a Halachic Conundrum
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source sheet (https://rebrand.ly/EliahuHanavi) A history of the Radvaz History of Eliyahu If Eliyahu is Pinchas is he a Kohen? If so, how could he be in the same room as the dead child?
- Is One Allowed To Live In Egypt?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet
- Kohanim Today. Join Us As We Rock the Boat.
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet
- Permanent Makeup: Cosmetic Fix or Halachic Red Flag?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Parshas Kedoshim "Ksoves Ka'aka" Do you need both piercing and ink for it to be Osur? Does the order matter? Who is liable, the tattoo-ee or the tattoo-ist? Is it limited to what is being drawn/written? Is it only for permanent ink? Is Micr
- Adam Muad L'olam. The Rishonim Battle It Out
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Adam Muad L'olam. Responsibility for Accidental Damages, and the Difficult Rambam That All Are Grapling With"
- Does G-d Speak To Women?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source sheet Why did Rivka not go to Yitzchok or Avraham? What makes someone a Novi? Why are certain people not counted? Does the Megilla make Esther into a Neviah? Was Rivka a Neviah? What does Rivka mean when she says "Alai Kilelashcha"?
- The Rambam Bolsters Women & Comes Under Attack
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
The Sha'agas Aryeh roars again! Come join us as we take shelter with Reb Yosef Engel, the Minchas Chinuch and the Sefas Emes. Beis Hamikdosh, Milah, Pru Ur'vu, Zman Grama. Source Sheet
- The Medrash That Was Thrown Out of the Beis Medrash
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Controversial Medrash about Yehoshuas history Validity of this Medrash is debated Yehoshuas standing among Moshe's students Why was Yehoshua chosen to lead the yidden against amalek? Was Yehoshua a scholar or a warrior? What wa
- Yirmiyahu's Tears: How Could You Not Cry With Him?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet History of the destruction of the first Beis Hamikdash The last 3 kings till the destruction Kingdoms of Egypt VS Babylon Who were Yirmiah and Nevuchadnetzar a Gilgul of? Why did Nevuchadnetzar like Yirmiah? Why did the Nevuah
- So was Haman Persian, amaleki, or JEWISH, who is his descent teaching Torah in bnei brak, and what ever happened with his Alcazar?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Class given on 03/02/23 Source sheet 1 Source sheet 2
- Loshon Horah Like You've Never Heard Before
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet (https://rebrand.ly/LashonHorah) Different types of Lashon Hara Why was Gedalia held accountable? Is one only liable for Loshon Hara if he believes what he hears? Why is the one who the Loshon Hara is about at fault? Why is the
- Join Us As We Enter Into The Universe Of The Ketzos Hachoshen - On His Yortzeit
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet 1 Source Sheet 2 Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Aryeh Leib Heller HaKohen. History of his life and works; Shev Shmatsa, Ktzos Hachoshen, Avnei Miluim. Debate of Sfek Sfeka. Is it better than Roiv or not? What about money matters? Rashba, T
- What's With All The Kissing Of Mitzvah Objects?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet (https://RabbiKraz.com/KissingMitzvahs) What's the Inyan of kissing the rocks of Eretz Yisroel? What are the 4 types of kisses? What about all other Mitzvos like Sukkah, Lulav, Esrog, Matzah Maror etc? Is it OK to smell or kiss
- Gilgulim. Is Reincarnation for Real?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet Origination of the idea of Gilgulim. The severity of Gilgul. Different sages who believed and didn't believe in Gilgulim. Is there a difference between men and women when it comes to Gilgul? Reasons why people come back as a Gi
- Stuck With One Rabbi Forever?
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet
- Join Us As We Head South to the Great Barrier Reef, to Find the Chilazon
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Source Sheet 1 Source Sheet 2
- Rabbi, Am I Expected To Give In? But I Am So Sure That I Am Right!
Rabbi Mendel Krasnjanski
Several cases in Gemara of ליפנים משורת הדין. Difference between if one is חייב בדיני שמים or 50/50. Are you morally obligated to pay? Is it a requirement? Can Beis Din force? Does Tefisah work? Tosfos, R' Shimon Shkop, R' Asher Weiss, Rabb