Explore every episode of the podcast Rabbi Yakov Bronsteyn - Parsha Classes

This was a talk at the Shearim Torah High School in Phoenix Arizona on the occasion of their Shevuos Yom Iyun. We discuss women’s role in the study of Torah.

We discuss why the gallows were so high.

Why do we take three step back in Shmonei Esrei? What significance do they have.

Sheva Brachos for Mordechai and Bracha Wolin. She discuss the education can’t be שלא לשמה.

My father’s 85th birthday in Glatt Ala Carte in Brooklyn, NY on 1/1/26.

A Bracha for Torah.

We the discuss the nature of Torah and the fight we had with the Greeks.

We discuss the various stages that one goes through in life. It’s important to accept them. There are physical and spiritual thresholds of development that we pass as we live. We strive to grow in each of these moments in time. This class was given at a private home on 11/2/25.

This is a throwback episode given on 10/26/08 at the Phoenix Community Kollel.

We explain the Gemara in Avodah Zara (19a) that a person should always study what they desire. This is a rendition of a class given at the HaTurim Congregation on Shemini Atzeres 5786.

We discus the essence of Moshe’s name and its significance.

This Drasha was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix, Arizona on Yom Kippur. We discuss the greatness of the Jewish people and their continuity.

Throwback episode. This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 9/1/10.

We discuss the meaning of us being created in the Image of God as a simile. Just as Hashem is the Actor of and upon the world so to we are actors in the world. It is God’s will that we should know this fact and embrace it. We then use the plot of A Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde as an analogy to this idea. This class was given at a private home on 9/14/25.

Throwback episode. We relate three responses regarding the issue of the Safer Torah being burnt or destroyed. This class was given at Ahavas Torah of Scottdale on 8/26/10.

Throwback episode given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 9/7/11.

This was an in-depth analysis of the relationship between rov and chazakah. We explained the Shev Shmattah’s probe on whether a rov can be used in place of chazakah when there are two diametrically opposed testimonies from two sets of witnesses. This was a holiday iyun shiur at the Sha’arei Tefilah Congregation in Lawrence, NY on Labor Day 2025.

This is was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 8/24/11.

We spoke about the basics of many interesting Torah issues. It was recorded on 7/10/25.

We discuss a seeming contradiction in the Maharal’s writings regarding women’s spiritual proclivities. This call was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 8/6/25.

Retro episode 7-21-10

This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 7/25/12

We discuss how Judaism is under attack on all fronts from the Talmud, the Yeshiva world, Israelis and Jews in general. The author of the Kinna is forming a parable to the city of Jerusalem being a woman distraught and crying over her travails propagating a profanations of God’s name. We discuss how as a people we are ready for God’s Name to be sanctified and that we are unified . To signify that unification we sing this kinna together.

Throwback episode of a class that was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel on 7-23-08. It deals with the laws of immersion of vessels.

Speech at our son’s Sheva Brachos in Lakewood, NJ on 6/3/25.

My speech at the Phoenix Community Kollel 25th Anniversary celebration. We discuss how Torah learning has a metaphysical power to transform not only on a cosmic but also on a communal level. These remarks were delivered at the PJCC (Phoenix Jewish Community Center) on 5/25/25.

We discuss how Hashem orchestrates not only the salvation but also the tribulation. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 5/15/25.

We discuss why the Jewish People have suffered so much through history. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 4/2/25.

We discuss the meaning of Moshe’s and Esther’s name. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 3/12/25.

We discuss which reading of the Megilla is more important. Day or night? This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 2/26/25.

We read the Maharal in the Netzach Yisrael Chapter 11 about the status of children of the Jewish People. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation on 2/19/25.

We discuss two things. The purpose of the Decalogue and a question regarding the laws of Shabbos. This leads to an explanation of what it means to sanctify God’s name. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 2/12/25.

We discuss Miriam’s accusation of Amram’s actions and the renewal of redemption. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation on 1/29/25.

We discuss current issue of the Israeli Government paying a heavy price for a few hostages. What would the Halacha say about it? What are the issues? This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 1/22/25.

We discuss a few medical ethics issues regarding complications in pregnancies. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 1/15/25.

We discuss if a renewed sense of simcha even if it’s just perceived is sufficient to warrant a Bracha. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix, Arizona.

We discuss a lesson to be gleaned from the candles and what holds a marriage together. This class was given on Chanukah 5785 at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix.

We discuss how Jezabel was a conflicted person who had a dichotomous set of acts that caused her both merit and demise. We explain how both of those approaches are the catalysts for the destruction and building of the Beis Hamikdash. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah of Phoenix Congregation on 12/18/24.

We discuss the Rambam and Nefesh HaChaim’s perspectives on Yaakov’s Ladder and the purpose of Mitzvos. We also mention that we should look to our parents as examples.

This Drasha was given at the Yeshiva of Waterbury in תשפ״ה

We read the Guide to the Perplexed in volume 1 chapter 15 where he explains what the Torah mean by the description that Hashem is standing on top of the ladder. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation on 12/4/24.

Rivka questioned why she is having children if they are going to be evil when she’s isn’t commanded in the mitzvah of propagation.

Rabbi Kalish asks why we daven that the evil should be cut off according to the position of the Rabbeinu Chananel. We should daven that they should do teshuva?

We have a lively discussion about these insights, free will, and God’s knowledge of the future.

This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 11/27/24.

We discuss how the foundations of religion are contingent on treating people with kindness and respect. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 11/20/24.

We discuss the corporeal images and descriptions that are used in reference to Hashem specify sitting and standing. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 11/12/24.

We discuss how the outcome of any event is rooted in in the beginning especially in the area of education. This class was given in our Sukkah in 2024.

We discuss what elements are necessary to survive the onslaught of the Yetzer Harah and the day of judgement.

We relate one thought about how to come away from Yom Kippur with a concrete commitment; doing one mitzvah with proper intention. This class was given at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 10/9/24 .

We discuss how relatives are spiritually connected to each other. This vort was given at my niece’s Sheva Brachos in Baltimore at the Hilton Garden Inn Owings Mills.

We discuss why it’s important to mourn individual tragedies on Tisha B’Av. It is to make a connection with what we have lost. Once we make that connection we can begin the healing process. This was said at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 8/13/24.

We discuss how we sing some of the Kinnos. The reason for is that even though life can be difficult at times we still don’t give up. This was said at the Ohr HaTorah Congregation of Phoenix on 8/13/24.

We discuss the special nature of Eretz Yisroel and what we are missing on Tisha B’Av. This class was given at the Phoenix Community Kollel for the Rabbi’s Thursday Night Parsha Shiur.