15 Tevet 5784 (December 26, 2023)
Rabbi Friedman introduced the text, ספר פאר ישראל, the writings of Rabbi Yisroel Shalom Yosef Friedman (no relation), a Romanian Hasid of the 19th century.
Rabbi Friedman (ours) translated multiple passages from this work as part of his capstone work in school.
February 13, 2024
Study sheet for 2/13/2024 class
Previously
The class delved into the very first chapter of the book which explores the Rashi commentary on the very first sentence of the Torah, “In the beginning G-d created…”. Rashi quotes Rabbi Isaac (a patriarch of his?) and states, “The Torah which is the Law book of Israel should have commenced with the verse:
הַחֹ֧דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֛ה לָכֶ֖ם רֹ֣אשׁ חֳדָשִׁ֑ים רִאשׁ֥וֹן הוּא֙ לָכֶ֔ם לְחׇדְשֵׁ֖י הַשָּׁנָֽה׃
Exodus 12:2
This month shall mark for you the beginning of the months; it shall be the first of the months of the year for you.
which is the first commandment given to Israel.”
There are many opinions about this commentary. The class focused on that of פאר ישראל (Rabbi Friedman) in a study sheet that can be found here.