Foundations of Halacha Source Sheets

View the Source Sheets for most of our past shiurim in PDF format; download MP3 recordings of our latest shiurim.

Please note: These sheets and recordings are posted to enhance the study of these topics. For practical Halachic applications, please consult Rabbi Blumberg or your local Orthodox rabbi.

Current Series - Practical Applications of Muktzah

Back to List of Classes

Series 1 - Staying Parve

• Foundations of Halacha 1.1 - Staying Parve Part I - Transfer of Taste

• Foundations of Halacha 1.2 - Staying Parve Part II � Cooking Parve

• Foundations of Halacha 1.3 Cooking Parve Part II

• Foundations of Halacha 1.5 Waiting After �Parve�

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 2 - On and Around the Shabbos Stove

• Foundations of Halacha 2.1 - On and Around the Shabbos Stove - The Underlying Melachos

• Foundations of Halacha 2.2 - Kli Rishon and Sheini

• Foundations of Halacha 2.3 - Leaving Food Before Shabbos

• Foundations of Halacha 2.4 - Transferring Food on Shabbos

• Foundations of Halacha 2.5 - Shabbos in the Modern Kitchen - Page 1

• Foundations of Halacha 2.6 - Application to Modern Appliances - Page 1

• Foundations of Halacha 2.6 - Application to Modern Appliances - Page 2

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 3 - All Mixed Up - The Shabbos Salad

• Foundations of Halacha 3.1 - The Prohibition of Borer

• Foundations of Halacha 3.2 - Practical Applications of Borer

• Foundations of Halacha 3.3 - The Prohibition of Tochein

• Foundations of Halacha 3.4 - Practical Applications of Tochein - Modern-Day Responsa

• Foundations of Halacha 3.4 - Practical Applications of Tochein - The Halachic Process

• Foundations of Halacha 3.5 - The Prohibition of Losh - Mixing

• Foundations of Halacha 3.6 - Practical Applications of Losh

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Mini-Series 4 - Kashering

• Foundations of Halacha 4.1 - The Sources for Kashering

Series 5 - Does Anyone Have the Halachic Time?

• Foundations of Halacha 5.1 - Setting up the Halachic Day - Alos Hashachar

• Foundations of Halacha 5.2 - Sunrise Times

• Foundations of Halacha 5.3 - Tzeis Hakochavim according to Rabbeinu Tam and the Geonim

• Foundations of Halacha 5.4 - The Morning Mitzvos

• Foundations of Halacha 5.5 - The Evening Mitzvos

• Plag Hamincha according to the Gra and the Magen Avraham

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 6 - The Shabbos Yard

• Foundations of Halacha 6.1 - The Shabbos Yard - Grass and Trees

• Foundations of Halacha 6.2 - Flowers, Rocks and Earth

• Foundations of Halacha 6.3 - The Shabbos Yard - Play Ball!

• Foundations of Halacha 6.4 - Play Ball! Part 2

• Foundations of Halacha 6.6 - Don't Forget the Lotion!

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 7 - When Health is an Issue

• Foundations of Halacha 7.1 - Balancing Halacha and Health

• Foundations of Halacha 7.2 - To Eat or not to Eat - Part I

• Foundations of Halacha 7.3 -To Eat or not to Eat - Part 2 - The Amounts

• Foundations of Halacha 7.4 - Hilchot Shabbat - How Sick is Sick?

• Foundations of Halacha 7.5 - Hilchot Shabbat - Preventive Medicine

• Foundations of Halacha 7.6 - Kashrut of Medicines

• Foundations of Halacha 7.7 - Pregnant and Nursing Women; Summary of Series

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 8 - Old Seforim Never Die - Proper Disposal of Shaimot

• Foundations of Halacha 8.1 The Sanctity of Religious Articles

• Foundations of Halacha 8.2 - Shul Articles

• Foundations of Halacha 8.3 - Shul Furniture and Holy Books

• Foundations of Halacha 8.4 - Disposing of Chanukah Lights

• Foundations of Halacha 8.5 - Torah Scrolls and Other Holy Books

• Foundations of Halacha 8.6 - Modern Day Responsa - Printed Sefarim

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 9 - "I Get Around" - The Halachot of Going from Place to Place

• Foundations of Halacha 9.1 - Kiddush - The Concept of Makom Seudah

• Foundations of Halacha 9.2 - The Requirement of Having a Seudah

• Foundations of Halacha 9.3 Brachot - Going from Place to Place

• Foundations of Halacha 9.4 - Brachot - Halachic Ramifications

• Foundations of Halacha 9.5 - Where Do I Light the Shabbat Candles?

• Foundations of Halacha 9.6 - Eating out Friday Night

• Foundations of Halacha 9.7 - Electric Lights as Shabbat Candles

• Foundations of Halacha 9.8 � Tefilah while Traveling

• Foundations of Halacha 9.95 Traveling between Time Zones

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 10 - "Libi Bamizrach" - What Every Diaspora Jew Should Know about Hilchot Eretz Yisrael

• Foundations of Halacha 10.1 - The Special Halachot of Israeli Produce

• Foundations of Halacha 10.2 � Terumah and Maaser Nowadays

• Foundations of Halacha 10.3 - When do the Obligations Take Effect?

• Foundations of Halacha 10.4 - Produce Subject to Terumot and Maasrot.

• Foundations of Halacha 10.5 - Terumot and Maasrot - The Requisite Amounts

• Foundations of Halacha 10.6 - The Process of Taking Off Terumot and Maasrot

• Foundations of Halacha 10.7 - Shemita - What's it to Us?

• Foundations of Halacha 10.8 - On the Market - Selling Shemita Fruit

• Foundations of Halacha 10.9 - On the Market - Selling Through Beit Din

• Foundations of Halacha 10.10 - Calculating the Shemita Cycle

• Foundations of Halacha 10.11 - Shemita and Yovel Nowadays

• Foundations of Halacha 10.12 - The Other Side of Shemita - The Need for a Pruzbul

• Foundations of Halacha 10.13 - The Pruzbul - How it Works

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 11 - What About Yom Tov?

• 11.1 - Which Melachot are Permitted?

• 11.2 - The Permitted Melachot and their Exceptions

• 11.3 - To Build a Fire

• 11.4 - Muktzah on Yom Tov

• 11.5 - Planning Ahead - Preparing for after Yom Tov

• 11.6 - Eruv Tavshilin - How it Works

• 11.7 - Sorting it Out - Borer on Yom Tov

• 11.8 - The Two Day Yom Tov - In Israel and Abroad

• 11.9 - The Two Day Yom Tov - Modern-day Responsa

• 11.10 - The Two Day Yom Tov - Modern-day Responsa - Part 2

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 12 - Let Them Eat Cake - The Definition of Bread and Its Halachic Ramifications

• 12.1 - The Grains that Make Bread

• 12.2 - Pas Habaah B'kisnin - The Non-Bread

• 12.3 - Pas Haba'ah B'kisnin - How Much is Too Much (Additive)?

• 12.4 - The Halachic Definition of Bread - Practical Applications.

• 12.5 - Pretzels and Matzah - Modern-Day Responsa

• 12.6 - The Mitzvah of Challah

• 12.7 - The Mitzvah of Challah - What is Considered Bread?

Source Sheets and MP3 Recordings!

• 12.8- The Mitzvah of Challah - What about Cake?

• 12.9- The Definition of Bread - What Qualifies as Matzah?

• 12.10 - Egg Matzah and Summary of Series

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 13 - To Give and How to Give - The Obligation of Tzedakah

• 13.1 - The Obligation of Tzedakah

• 13.2 - The Guideline of Maaser

• 13.4 - Which Charities Have Priority?

• 13.5 - Is It Tzedakah if I Have to Give It Anyway

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 14 � Foundations of Faith - Maimonides' Introduction to the Talmud

• 14.1 - The Transmission from Sinai

• 14.2 �The Power of the Prophets

• 14.3 �The Transmission of Halacha to the Generations

• 14.4 - Categories of Halachot in the Talmud

• 14.6 - Secondary Sources of Halacha Brought in the Talmud

• 14.7 - Purpose of Aggadah in the Talmud

• 14.8 - Post-Talmudic Works

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 15 - "Playing Around" - The Halachot of Toys and Games on Shabbat

• 15.1 - Toys that Make Noise Source Sheet MP3 Recording

• 15.2 - Construction Toys Source Sheet MP3 Recording (1.47 MB)

• 15.3 - Toys and Games Involving Writing Source Sheet MP3 Recording (3.79 MB)

• 15.4 - Playing Ball on Shabbat Source Sheet MP3 Recording (8.53 MB)

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 16 - Bundle Up! - Understanding the Laws of Shatnez

• 16.1 - The Definition of "Wearing" Source Sheet MP3 Recording (6.62 MB)

• 16.2 - What Constitutes Shatnez? Source Sheet

• 16.3 - When it is a Mitzvah to Wear Shatnez Source Sheet MP3 Recording (7.17 MB)

• 16.4 - Practical Do's and Dont's of Shatnez - with Guest Rabbi Zvi Solomon of the Boston Shatnez Lab (5.39 MB)

Series 17 - "Fire and Water" - Understanding the Laws of Kashering and Toveling

• 17.1 - Kashering and Toveling - The Biblical Commandment Source Sheet MP3 Recording (4.95 MB)

• 17.2 - To Dip or Not To Dip Source Sheet - With Supplemental Sources MP3 Recording (5.56 MB)

• 17.3 - "In Hot Water" - The Principles of Haagalah Source Sheet MP3 Recording (8.22 MB)

• 17.4 - All Fired Up - Understanding Libun Source Sheet

• 17.5 - Making a Splash - Using Iruy Source Sheet

• 17.6 - What to Kasher and How to Kasher It Source Sheet MP3 Recording (6.51 MB)

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 18 - "Sacred Sentries" - The Mitzvah of Mezuzah

• 18.1 - Who is Obligated in Mezuzah? Source Sheet MP3 Recording (5.73 MB)

• 18.2 - Do You Call that Living? - Which Houses Require a Mezuzah Source Sheet MP3 Recording (7.15 MB)

• 18.4 - Doors, Halls and Walls Source Sheet MP3 Recording (5.57 MB)

• 18.5 - The Dimensions of Doorways Source Sheet MP3 Recording (8.71 MB)

• 18.6 - Staying on the Right Side [of the Door] Source Sheet

• 18.7 - Hitting the Right Spot for a Mezuzah Source Sheet

• 18.8 - Moving In - The Definition of Residency Source Sheet

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 19 - Home Alone - The Laws of Yichud

• 19.1 - The Source of the Prohibition of Yichud Source Sheet MP3 Recording (7.07 MB)

• 19.2 - Behind Closed Doors - Defining a Situation of Yichud Source Sheet MP3 Recording (6.85 MB)

• 19.3 - Three's Company - The Exceptions to Yichud Source Sheet MP3 Recording (4.91 MB)

• 19.4 - Chaperones, Young and Old Source Sheet MP3 Recording (5.46 MB)

• Yichud Flowchart

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 20 - "Saying the Sheim" - The Sanctity of Hashem's Name

• 20.1 - Which Names are Considered Holy? Source Sheet MP3 Recording (5.37 MB)

• 20.2 - What is Considered "In Vain"? Source Sheet MP3 Recording (5.62 MB)

• 20.3 - Treating the Name with Holiness - Source Sheet MP3 Recording (5.29 MB)

Series 21 - Count your Blessings - Some Unique Brachot

• 21.1 - Shehechiyanu on New Items Source Sheet MP3 Recording (8.07 MB)

• 21.2 - Birkat Hagomel Source Sheet MP3 Recording (7.92 MB)

• 21.3 - Flash of Inspiration - Brachot on Natural Events Source Sheet MP3 Recording (6.72 MB)

• 21.4 - Tefilat Haderech - Source Sheet MP3 Recording (9.05 MB)

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 22 - "Some Assembly Required" - Construction on Shabbat

• 22.1 - Construction on Shabbat - The Underlying Principles Source Sheet

• 22.2 - Home Repair on Shabbat Source Sheet

• 22.3 - Repair of Utensils Source Sheet

• 22.4 - Tents and Awnings Source Sheet

Series 23 - Weekly Readings - Laws of Kriat haTorah

• 23.1 - Making Up for Missed Readings Source Sheet MP3 Recording (8.09 MB)

• 23.2 - The Order and Priority of Aliyot Source Sheet MP3 Recording (6.92 MB)

• 23.3 - Errors in the Kriah and in the Sefer Torah Source Sheet MP3 Recording (6.18 MB)

• 23.4 - Maftir and the Haftarah Source Sheet MP3 Recording (7.34 MB)

Back to Top Back to List of Classes

Series 24 - Practical Applications of Muktzah

• 24.1 - Dealing with Snow and Ice Source Sheet MP3 Recording (5.23 MB)

• 24.2 - Modern Equipment Source Sheet MP3 Recording - Part 1 (6.79 MB) MP3 Recording - Part 2 (3.29 MB)