23 - Tazria - If It's Completely Bad Then It's Good?!- Second Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe When a metzora (leper) gets tzaraas (leprosy) which covers his entire skin, he is pronounced pure. This seems to be a great irony, as he is completely affected by the spiritual ailment. However, this concept applies to the end of days as well. When the government has completely turned to heresy, Moshiach will be able to arrive. Although it seems to be completely bad, the clear clarity of what is right and wrong can herald the arrival of Moshiach, and a completely new world order.

23 - Vayikra - The Korban of Closeness- First Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe In the first aliyah (section) of Parshas Vayikra, Hashem calls Moshe to come to speak with Him. It is not possible even for Moshe to encounter the presence of Hashem without being called. Hashem instructs Moshe about the korbanos, providing a way for Bnei Yisroel to come close as well. When a person brings up a korban, they are distancing themselves from the animalistic part of their nature, showing Hashem that they want to come close to Him. When we emphasize the tzelem Elokim (part of the Divine) within us, we can come closer to Hashem, even without being called like Moshe.

24 - Behar, Bechukosai - Shemitta, Golus and Shavous- Third Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe The placement of these parshios next to each other and before Shavuos is intentional. Shemittah and Yovel are reminders that we are merely guests in Hashem’s world, and we are not masters over the land. The tochacha (rebuke) tells what happens if we do not keep these laws. Shavuos is a time of remembering that everything is from Hashem, and not a result of our hard work.

24 - Metzora - Lobes, Fingers & Toes: 3 Worlds- Second Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe In the 2nd aliyah of Parshas Metzora, the process for the purification of the metzora (leper) is discussed. Part of the process involves placing blood and oil on the right earlobe, right thumb, and right big toe, similar to what is done when a Kohen is inaugurated. These 3 parts of a person represent the 3 worlds--the upper world, world of the constellations, and our world, the lower world. The Kohen brings together these 3 worlds in his service in the mishkan, while the metzora does the opposite, destroying worlds with his negative power of speech. As part of his purification process, the metzora needs to understand that all parts of him are unified, and he cannot use one of his faculties to separate and divide.

24 - Tzav - Chametz, Pesach, and the Mikdash- First Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe Parshas Tzav continues to discuss the korbanos. The korban mincha is a meal offering, made from flour and oil. The remainder of this korban cannot become chametz; rather, it is eaten by Aharon and his sons as matzah. Chametz symbolizes laziness, decay, and waste, as it just sits around and rises without action. This is in contrast to the alacrity and positive haste of the Kohanim when they do the avodah. The Beis Hamikdash is a place of life; therefore, it is not a place for chametz, which has many opposite characteristics. Although it is difficult to maintain that speed and zerizus the entire year, on Pesach are in that mode of vibrancy and vitality.

25 - Tazria-Metzora - Man, Creation, & the Power of Speech by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe The power of speech is the ultimate power of man who is the ultimate creation in the world. This is a creative power in which it takes something hidden and brings it out. The words that leave our lips should be a result of the thought and organization that went on in our minds before. Tzaraas is an impurity which comes from the misuse of speech, this gift that distinguishes man from the other creations. We need to use our mouth properly and specifically use it for Torah which was the framework in which the world was created. If that was the original concept, then man’s purpose is to bring out those words of Torah which is the thought and hidden reality that is there behind the action, through the power of speech.

26 - Acharei Mos-Kedoshim - The Gift of Eretz Yisroel- First Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe The first aliyah (section) of Acharei Mos speaks about the service of the high priest once a year on Yom Kippur, and the process of removing himself from the physical world. The beginning of Kedoshim speaks about how to make physical actions holy. Acharei Mos and Kedoshim are 2 opposite sides: Acharei Mos is once a year, making sure you are not getting lost in the physical world and Kedoshim is sanctifying the things within the material world on a day to day basis. Hashem gave the Torah as guidelines for building society in Eretz Yisrael. Eretz Yisrael is the world of applying the Torah to reality and it is the only opportunity we have to show Torah in its place. The gift of Eretz Yisrael is about bringing the Torah down to our hearts and down to the actual earth.

26 - Kedoshim - The Great Principle of the Torah- 2nd Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe In the 2nd aliyah of Parshas Kedoshim, we learn the mitzva of V'ahavta L'reiacha Kamocha, loving our friend as ourselves. This concept is the greatest principle in the Torah, as is taught by Rabi Akiva. During this period of Sefiras Ha'omer we are building up to Matan Torah when Klal Yisroel stood under Har Sinai like one man with one heart. In order to achieve that ultimate unity, we need to separate ourselves from our physicality and connect to each other in a spiritual way by working to achieve a higher level of kedusha. The period of Sefirah is when the students of Rabi Akiva died because they did not give kavod (honor) to each other. As long as they remained separate entities the Torah was not able to be sustained. We spend this period of time working on ourselves to truly give kavod to each other and become one in order to bring ourselves to a level of accepting the Torah.

27 - Emor - Recieved & Earned- First Aliyah by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe In this shiur we speak about the difference between the hebrew words amirah and dibur. Maamaros are statements which have a permanence. Kohanim have the crown of Kehunah which they get simply as a heritage so the passuk says "Emor". Dibros are not permanent because they are spoken to people who have a choice. They require action to bring them into existence. The crown of Torah and the holy position of the high priest are given to someone who has earned it and is therefore constantly renewing their right to it on a daily basis. In that sense, it is an aspect of dibur.

28 - Bechukosai - Nature, People & Hashem: Three Sources of Responsibility by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe The brachos (blessings) in Parshas Bechukosai discuss three different areas of blessing: nature, interpersonal relationships, and the presence of Hashem among us. These three areas are the three realms that we deal with daily. Everything a person does is governed by one of these three reasons-because nature demands it, because of societal pressure, or in order to fulfill the will of Hashem. Nature and societal pressure alone would be too great to handle, but each one balances out the needs of the other. When a person focuses on the third realm, the yoke of Torah, Hashem will take care of the other two areas, and he will be free to focus on the most important work of all.

28 - Behar-Bechukosai - Oath of Sinai - Before and After by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

65 - Vayikra 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

66 - Vayikra 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

67 - Vayikra 3 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

68 - Tzav 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

69 - Tzav 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

70 - Tzav 3 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

70 - Vayikra 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

71 - Tzav 4 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

71 - Vayikra 3 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

72 - Tzav 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

72 - Tzav 5 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

73 - Shemini 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

73 - Tzav 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

74 - Shemini 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

74 - Tzav 3 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

75 - Tazria 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

75 - Tzav 4 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

75 - Vayikra by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

76 - Tazria 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

76 - Tzav 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

76 - Tzav 5 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

77 - Acharei Mos 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

77 - Emor 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

77 - Tzav 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

78 - Emor 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

79 - Emor 3 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

79 - Kedoshim 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

79 - Shemini 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

80 - Emor 4 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

80 - Kedoshim 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

80 - Shemini 3 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

81 - Behar 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

81 - Emor by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

81 - Tazria 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

82 - Behar 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

82 - Behar 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

82 - Tazria 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

83 - Bechukosai 1 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

83 - Behar 2 by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe