Lectures and Shiurim by Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein

Video Lectures

Confusion, Crying, & Consolation

In this Tisha B'Av lecture, Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein explores the significance of tears, crying, and mourning, connecting these emotions to themes of exile and uncertainty in Jewish history. He begins by analyzing the Hebrew terms "דמע" (tears), "בכה" (crying), and "אבל" (mourning), uncovering their Biblical and rabbinic meanings related to confusion and uncertainty. Using historical examples, such as the disappearance of Chemosh, he highlights fears that Jewish tradition could face a similar fate, especially in light of modern challenges like secularism. The lecture concludes by addressing "נחמה" (consolation) and the hope of a clear future, as foretold by Isaiah’s "Nachamu Nachamu Ami."

Jewish Festal Names: Exploring their Origins and Significance -

In anticipation of the Jewish New Year, join us for an intriguing Zoom lecture as we delve into the fascinating world of Jewish festal names, derived from holidays and months on the Jewish calendar. In this lecture, we will uncover the rich history and cultural significance behind personal names that match the names of holidays -- like Yom Tov, Chaggai, Rosh, Paysach, Chanuka, Purim, Chodesh, Shabsai, Chodesh, Nissan, Sivan, Ziv, and Adar. Discover when and where these names were traditionally used, and unravel the stories and traditions associated with them. From Biblical origins to modern-day customs, this lecture will provide fascinating insights into a little-explored aspect of Jewish onomastics.

Filling His Flask and Feeling the Churban

In this emotional Tisha B'Av presentation, Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein explicates the first and last stanzas of Rabbi Amittai of Oria's poem Ezkarah Elohim (recited during the Selichos prayers). He starts by providing a brief overview of the Jews' fascinating history in Oria, Italy, tracing their lineage to the Jewish exiles brought there by the Roman Emperor Titus. Through highlighting several interesting anecdotes from Megillas Achimaatz about Rabbi Amittai's family, Rabbi Klein sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Rabbi Amittai's powerful words. In the opening lines of the poem, Rabbi Amittai passionately expresses his distress over the destruction of Jerusalem, raising implicit questions about why God has not yet redeemed the Jews -- even though they remain loyal to Him. Through Rabbi Klein's insightful analysis, we unveil hidden allusions in these poetic words, revealing that the piyut also serves as a reflection on one's spiritual state, and not just an elegy for the destroyed Holy City. Afterwards, Rabbi Klein unveils the profound meaning behind the poem's final stanza. These lines emphasize the empowering idea that genuine tears shed over the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple are an integral part of the redemptive process. According to Rabbi Amittai, God cherishes these tears, preserving them in His flask to invoke their merit at a later time. Rabbi Klein connects this to the Chasam Sofer's sharp insight about God holding on to the Jews' tears over the death of Aaron to aid them in the time of the future redemption. To conclude this heartfelt presentation, Rabbi Klein offers a soulful reading of the lyrics to Mordechai Ben David's 1998 song "Daddy Dear," allowing the emotions of the day to resonate within our hearts.

Theophoric Names in Judaism and Idolatry

In this lecture, Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein discusses the significance and meaning of theophoric names in Jewish and non-Jewish cultures. The term "theophoric" refers to names that contain references to God or gods. In Jewish culture, theophoric names often contain parts of the divine name YHVH or El, such as Yehoshua, Eliezer, and Yishmael. They can serve as a declaration of faith in God, a way of expressing thanks for the past, or a prayer for the future. With the onomastic paradigm of theophoric names in mind, this lecture explores the significance of Pharaoh Necho changing the name of Josiah's son Eliakim to Yehoyakim, and also works to reconciles the archeological records of Tiglath-Pileser with the Bible regarding the name of the King of Judah (Ahaz vs. Jehoahaz). The lecture then segues to the phenomenon of theophoric names found in non-Jewish idolatrous cultures, such as the Canaanites and the Babylonians. In doing so, the lecturer questions whether it is appropriate for a Jew to bear a given names that contains a theophoric reference to a pagan deity and harnesses various prooftexts from the Bible toward resolving that question.
This lecture was delivered in front of a live audience at the Gideon Hall in the Ramada Jerusalem Hotel for the 2023 PesachIsrael.com Program.

What's in a Name? The Idea of Names in Jewish Thought

In this lecture, Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein explores how Jewish Thought understands the notion of names (shemos) as something more than just a means to referring to a person or thing. We also sharpen our understanding of these ideas by seeing how the Bible uses these terms and by comparing the Hebrew word shem (שם) to its etymological cousins. Finally, we discuss how these concepts can illuminate the Divine mechanisms by which the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and what that means for us nowadays.

The Sacred Bond between Eretz HaKodesh and Lashon HaKodesh

Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein speaks at the 2020 Avraham Tzvi Wertenteil Memorial Lecture for the Beit Chatam – Center for Torah and Jewish Studies in Rechovot. After a brief introduction by Rabbi Shloime Wertenteil, Rabbi Klein begins his lecture that explains the connection between the Holy Land (Israel) and the Holy Language (Hebrew), using various Kabbalistic and mystical sources to understand the cosmic implications of that holy connection and what it means in practice.

The Three Names of PassoverIn this special Zoom lecture, Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein discusses the three names for the Holiday of Passover: Pesach, Chag HaMatzos, and Zman Cherusanu. He offers etymological and kabbalistic insights into those different terms and the interplay between them.

Reading the Archeology of the Holy Land- The Scripts of Ancient Hebrew

This guest lecture was delivered by Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein (of Beitar Illit) at Young Israel of Northridge in Los Angeles, California on July 5, 2017. It opens with an introduction by Rabbi Nachi Klein (no relation) and continues with a presentation about different scripts that are associated with the Hebrew language, archeological witnesses to those ancient scripts, and the traditional account of how the scripts changed.This lecture is based on Appendix A of Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein's book Lashon HaKodesh: History, Holiness, & Hebrew (Mosaica Press, 2015).

The Lure of Idolatry - 10 Ways Idolaters Justified their Practices

The Xperience Team (a Senior Enrichment Program for seniors 50+ in Ramat Bet Shemesh) hosts Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein, author of God versus Gods: Judaism in the Age of Idolatry. In this lecture, Rabbi Klein offers an introduction to Jewish Philosophy, focusing on the concept of freewill. Afterwards, he offers ten different approaches towards understanding the lure of idolatry and how the Yetzer HaRa for Avodah Zarah drove people to worship idols. Those ten approaches include six intellectual bases for Avodah Zarah, plus four psychological/emotional explanations. He then opens the floor to some very interesting questions about idol worship throughout history and in modern times.

Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer (Ch 42): Shvii Shel Pesach/Kriyas Yam Suf

As part of his series on Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein discusses the story of the Kriyas Yam Suf ("the Splitting of the Red Sea"), which is in Chapter 42.

Parashat Korach - Bread from Down Under

In this short video produced for the rabbis of the RCA, Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein shares some ideas related to the two Hebrew synonyms Eretz (ארץ) and Adamah (אדמה) that relate to Parashat Korach.

Bonyhad Hazkarah Mt Zion Jerusalem 2011 - Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein (Hebrew)

In this lecture, Rabbi Klein offers some personal reflections on his family's connection to the Hungarian town of Bonyhad and a scholarly discourse on the topic of nedarim (vows) gleaned from the great rabbinic luminaries of Bonyhad. For more about the Bonyhad Jewish community and the full event, see this webpage.

Bonyhad Shoah Hazkarah 5779 (2019): Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein (Hebrew)

In this lecture, Rabbi Klein offers a scholarly lecture concerning the proper way of spelling the name of th town Bonyhad in Hebrew based on various Halachic responsa penned by the the great Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, the Noda bi-Yehudah to the great rabbinic luminaries of Bonyhad. For more about the Bonyhad Jewish community or to access the full event, see this webpage.

Bonyhad Shoah Hazkarah 5780 (2020): Chaired by Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein

Rabbi Klein was honored to serve as chairman and host for the annual Bonyhad Shoah Hazkarah in 5780 (2020) which was the first international Hazkarah. This conference was done through Zoom and featured speakers from Jerusalem, Beitar Illit, Antwerp, and New York City honoring and remembering the destroyed Jewish community of the Hungarian town Bonyhad. For more about the Bonyhad Jewish community, see this webpage.

Bonyhad Shoah Hazkarah 5782 (2022): Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein (Hebrew)

In this brief remarks, Rabbi Klein excitedly talks about the new translation of his great-uncle Leslie Blau's book Bonyhad: A Destroyed Community into Hebrew as בונ'האד: הקהילה וחורבנה.

ParshaTalk - Vayishlach 5781

In this conversation with Rabbi Avi Grossman of ParshaTalk, Rabb Klein discusses various traditions related to Esau's wives.

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