West Deal Torah Center

Magen David of West Deal Synagogue

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Congregation Magen David of West Deal Spreading the Torah of our beloved Rabbis through our online Torah Center. Sharing daily classes on Mishna, Gemara, Parasha, Halacha, and more from all corners of our Beit Midrash. Interested in sponsoring one or more classes? Reach out to us at west.deal.classes@gmail.com. Thank you so much for supporting our Synagogue!

12h ago

Mr. Sammy Saka – Pirke Abot 2:20 “Time is the Most Precious Thing in Life”

Mr. Sammy Saka hosts classes on Zoom Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30PM. Contact Jacob Betesh to be added to the chat. In this class, Mr. Sammy Saka teaches Pirkei Avot 2:21, the famous Mishnah of Rabbi Tarfon, which declares that the day is short, the work is abundant, the laborers are lazy, the reward is great, and the Master of the house is insistent. Rabbi Tarfon, the wealthy and learned teacher of Rabbi Akiva, uses this Mishnah to call us to recognize the preciousness of time and the urgency of spiritual opportunity. Mr. Saka illustrates this with a Midrashic parable of a king's treasury, the custom of gifting a groom a gold watch, and the first halacha in Shulchan Aruch — to rise like a lion — all underscoring that laziness is our greatest obstacle. He shares personal stories of his father's lifelong dedication to early morning Torah learning and shul attendance as a living example of conquering time. The class concludes with the reassurance that Hashem, as a loving parent and generous Master, eagerly rewards those who make the effort — whether through financial blessing, health, or family — and that our role is simply to show up and try. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Introduction to Mishnah 2:21 (0:15) Rabbi Tarfon's Mishnah recited (0:47) Who was Rabbi Tarfon? (1:52) The Day is Short: Life is Precious (2:08) Midrash: The King's Treasury Parable (2:53) Moshe on Har Sinai — No Wasted Time (3:17) The Gold Watch Custom for Grooms (4:02) The Work is Abundant (5:00) The Laborers are Lazy (5:22) First Halacha in Shulchan Aruch (5:41) Story: Mr. Saka's Father & Early Rising (7:19) The Reward is Great (8:36) Forms of Hashem's Reward (10:11) Hashem: The Master of the House (11:13) Summary & Closing Thoughts - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com
12h ago

Rabbi Joseph Dana – Berachot 24a | Weekday Gemara #373

Rabbi Joseph Dana hosts classes Monday through Friday at 6:50 AM at West Deal Shul. This class covers a Gemara in Berachot 24a discussing various involuntary bodily behaviors — yawning, burping, sneezing, and spitting — and how they relate to proper conduct during the Amidah. The Gemara contrasts the behavior of Talmudic sages, who performed these acts during prayer, with other sources that seem to prohibit them, and resolves the contradiction by distinguishing between involuntary acts and those done willingly. A key discussion focuses on the phrase 'sneezing from below,' which the Gemara uses as a euphemism for passing gas, and on the positive sign of a real sneeze during prayer as an indication that one's prayer is being answered. The class also explores how a person should handle phlegm or spit during the Amidah, citing a dispute between Rashi and Rabbeinu Yonah over whether one should use a turban or an undershirt, and concludes with a leniency for those who are too sensitive to follow the stricter practice. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Intro: Prayer conduct of the Sages (1:13) Covering your mouth when yawning (3:52) The Rif's opposing view on yawning (8:02) Praying out loud: lack of faith (9:31) Screaming in prayer like false prophets (11:18) Burping & yawning in prayer: arrogance (11:29) Sneezing in prayer: bad sign? (13:03) Resolving the contradiction: involuntary acts (15:01) Sneezing from below: passing gas (17:50) Sneezing as a good sign in prayer (20:28) Spitting during prayer (21:02) How to handle phlegm in Amidah (23:44) Rabbeinu Yonah: undershirt vs. turban (25:28) Rav Asher spits behind him mid-prayer (26:46) Leniency for those who are sensitive - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com
16h ago

Rabbi Joseph Dana – Berachot 24a | Weekday Gemara #372

Rabbi Joseph Dana hosts classes every day at 6:50 AM at West Deal Shul. This class covers the final section of Berachot 24a, focusing primarily on the proper handling of Tefillin and Tallit during and after prayer. The Gemara raises a contradiction regarding Rebbi's practice of hanging his Tefillin, resolving it by distinguishing between hanging by the strap versus the box, and ultimately concluding that Rebbi hung the Tefillin bag rather than the Tefillin themselves. The class then discusses the importance of folding Tefillin with respect, particularly before Musaf on Rosh Chodesh, and the customs surrounding when to remove Tefillin relative to Kaddish. A statement from Rabbi Chanina about Rebbi's behavior during Amidah — burping, yawning, sneezing, spitting, and dealing with lice — is analyzed through the lens of Rashi and Tosafot, who debate whether adjusting one's garment during prayer refers to removing lice or repositioning a Tallit. The class concludes with the Shulchan Aruch's ruling that if a Tallit falls off entirely during the Amidah, one should not re-wrap it as it constitutes an interruption in prayer. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Introduction & End of Perek Goal (0:25) Hanging Tefillin: The Problem (1:17) Torah Secrets & The Pasuk (3:08) Resolving the Contradiction (4:22) Folding Tefillin on Rosh Chodesh (7:15) Removing Tefillin Before Kaddish (9:28) Second Answer: Hanging the Bag (13:36) Rabbi Chanina's Account of Rebbi (15:30) Lice, Spitting, Yawning in Prayer (18:23) Rashi vs. Tosafot: Tallit Debate (21:45) Shulchan Aruch: Tallit Fell Off (22:40) Disposing of an Old Tallit - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com
1d ago

Rabbi Albert Setton – On Selichot, Episode 1 | Selichot Series

Rabbi Albert Setton hosts classes every morning at 9:00 AM at West Deal Shul. Rabbi Albert Setton opens his 40-day Selichot series by explaining the purpose and value of learning these prayers, noting their relevance both for daily Selichot and for Yom Kippur itself. He traces the origin of the 40-day period beginning on Rosh Chodesh Elul to Moshe Rabbeinu's ascent to receive the second Luchot, culminating in Hashem's declaration of forgiveness on Yom Kippur. He also brings from the Kaf HaChaim that the number 40 corresponds to the formation of a human embryo, symbolizing the goal of these days as a period of personal recreation and renewal. Rabbi Setton then outlines the core structure of Selichot, which includes Vidui (confession), the 13 Attributes of Mercy recited multiple times, Kabbalat Ol Malchut Shamayim, and Avinu Malkeinu, framing Selichot essentially as an expanded form of Tachanun. The class sets the foundation for the series by highlighting that Selichot is built around asking Hashem for mercy, confessing sins, and reaffirming His sovereignty over our lives. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Introduction to Selichot Series (1:02) Origins: Why 40 Days of Selichot (1:17) Minhag of Spain & Moshe's 40 Days (2:18) The Number 40 & Creation (3:23) Structure of Selichot Prayers (3:41) Piyutim Explained (4:06) Core Tefilot: Vidui (4:25) 13 Attributes of Mercy (4:44) Kabbalat Ol Malchut Shamayim (5:04) Avinu Malkeinu & Conclusion - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com
1d ago

Rabbi Ike Hanon – Pesahim 50b (II) | Weekday Gemara

Rabbi Ike Hanon hosts classes Monday through Friday at 6:10 AM at West Deal Shul. The class opens with a review of Rashi's opinion on Motzei Shabbat, clarifying that the prohibition on melacha is rooted in Kevod Shabbat and the obligation to extend Shabbat rather than rush it out. The Gemara then presents four cases involving zealous and lazy people, exploring who receives reward in relation to refraining from work on Erev Shabbat, with a fascinating application to the women of Mehoza who never worked at all yet are still considered rewarded. This leads into a broader discussion of mitzvot shelo lishma — performing Torah and mitzvot not for their own sake — drawing on Rav Yehudah's famous teaching that doing mitzvot even for the wrong reasons can ultimately lead a person to do them for the right reasons. Rava resolves an apparent contradiction between two pesukim in Tehillim by distinguishing between lishma and shelo lishma, with lishma yielding a reward that is literally above the heavens. The class concludes with a Tannaic teaching about a husband who relies on his wife's income from demeaning work, explaining why such reliance yields no blessing, while praising the industrious wife of Eshet Chayil who engages in dignified commerce. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Intro & Rashi on Motzei Shabbat (1:13) Four Cases: Zariz & Shafel (3:53) Women of Mehoza & Shelo Lishma (6:37) Contradicting Pesukim in Tehillim (7:39) Rav Yehudah: Always Do Mitzvot (8:08) Tosafot: Reconciling the Contradiction (9:38) Wife's Income & Siman Bracha (11:46) Eshet Chayil & Working Wives - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com
5d ago

Rabbi Ike Hanon – Pesahim 50b | Weekday Gemara

Rabbi Ike Hanon hosts classes every day at 6:10 AM at West Deal Shul. The class opens with a follow-up question from the previous day about why certain communities refrain from work the entire day of Erev Pesach, tracing the concept back to the Korban HaEtzim and the broader principle that a personal Yom Tov exempts one from work. The Mishnah on Pesachim 50b is then analyzed, which instructs a person not to deviate from local custom to avoid conflict, and the Gemara's apparent contradiction is noted — since following stringencies of both places could itself break local norms. A parallel case involving Perot Shevi'it is introduced, examining what happens when a person travels between regions where the produce has or hasn't yet run out, with the conclusion that in both directions he must perform bi'ur, either by Torah law or rabbinic enactment. The Gemara then questions why Erev Pesach is singled out for the work prohibition, offering two answers: that the prohibition begins a half-hour earlier than on regular Erev Shabbat or Yom Tov, and that violation on Erev Pesach carries the more serious penalty of excommunication rather than merely lacking a blessing. The class closes by examining a Baraita listing additional times when performing Melacha yields no Siman Berachah, including Motzei Shabbat, Motzei Yom Tov, Motzei Yom Kippur, and public fast days, with discussion of Tosefet Shabbat and what it means to work before Havdalah. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Intro: Why no work all day Erev Pesach? (1:28) Korban HaEtzim & personal holidays (1:52) Mishnah: Don't change local custom (2:04) Contradiction: Stringencies of both places (3:33) Perot Shevi'it across regions (5:56) Tanna Kama vs. Rabbi Yehuda (7:56) Why single out Erev Pesach? (9:06) Mincha Gedola vs. Mincha Ketana (11:16) Two answers: time & severity (13:19) Rashi's analysis of Chatzot (16:30) Baraita: When Melacha brings no blessing (17:43) Motzei Shabbat & Tosefet Shabbat (19:38) Public fast days question - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com
5d ago

Mr. Sammy Saka – Pirke Abot 2:19 “Diligence is the Path to Success” | Pirkei Abot

Mr. Sammy Saka hosts classes on Zoom Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30PM. Contact Jacob Betesh to be added to the chat. In this class, Mr. Sammy Saka teaches Pirkei Avot 2:19, the mishnah of Rabbi Elazar, which contains three interconnected lessons: be diligent in Torah study, know how to answer a heretic, and trust that Hashem will reward your toil. He explains that engaging with heretics or skeptics requires serious preparation and knowledge, and cautions that when dealing with a Jew who is distant from observance, it is often best to leave that sensitive work to rabbis rather than risk pushing the person further away. The central theme of the class revolves around the Hebrew word shakud, meaning diligence, which Mr. Saka defines as steady hard work, careful attention, and persistence, applying it not only to Torah study but to business, community service, and every area of life. He shares personal examples including his commitment to the Daf Yomi cycle and a year-long effort on a community event to illustrate how prioritizing and persisting leads to success. The mishnah's promise that Hashem can be relied upon to pay the wage of one's labor serves as an encouragement that any time sacrificed for Torah or communal good will be divinely rewarded. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (0:00) Introduction & Mishnah 2:19 (1:03) Be Diligent & Answer a Heretic (2:57) Answering a Jewish Non-Believer (4:46) Know Before Whom You Toil (6:34) Community Work & Hashem's Reward (7:57) The Word Shakud: Diligence (8:50) Diligence in Torah Study (10:35) Torah as a Guide for Life (13:17) Diligence in Business & Life (14:53) Conclusion & Closing Thoughts - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com
Aug 11

Rabbi Ike Hanon – Pesahim 50a | Weekday Gemara

Rabbi Ike Hanon hosts classes every day at 6:10 AM at West Deal Shul. The class wraps up a chapter by exploring Zechariah's prophecy about the end of days, focusing on two key verses. The first discussion examines the concept of Olam Hafuch — that those who are respected in this world may not be respected in the next — with the Gemara and Rashi clarifying that this refers to the wealthy who lack genuine virtue, not a blanket reversal of all honor. The second verse, regarding the mitzilot of the horse being kodesh to Hashem, generates three distinct interpretations: Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi reads mitzilot as shade, teaching that Yerushalayim will expand by the distance a horse runs in half a day, expanding the area where korbanot and maaser sheni may be consumed; Rabbi Elazar interprets it as the ornamental bells on horses being donated to the Beit HaMikdash out of generosity; and Rabbi Yochanan sees it as the spoils of the wars of Mashiach being consecrated to Hashem, leading to such wealth that even the copper pots of the Mikdash will become gold. The class concludes by establishing that the word Kanaani in Navi refers to a merchant rather than a Canaanite, supported by multiple prooftexts from Hoshea, Amos, and Yeshayahu. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Visit: westdealshul.org Sponsorships: west.deal.classes@gmail.com

Congregation Magen David of West Deal Spreading the Torah of our beloved Rabbis through our online Torah Center. Sharing daily classes on Mishna, Gemara, Parasha, Halacha, and more from all corners of our Beit Midrash. Interested in sponsoring one or more classes? Reach out to us at west.deal.classes@gmail.com. Thank you so much for supporting our Synagogue!

Creator

Magen David of West Deal Synagogue
Years Active

2026
Episodes

269
Rating

Clean
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© Magen David of West Deal Synagogue
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West Deal Torah Center