BS"D
Rabbi Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer
Last updated: 9 Shvat 5768, Feb. 3, 2009
Reuven
Meir Caplan has graciously compiled a repository of many of
the MP3 audios of the shiurim that I have given at Ohr Somayach in
Monsey. He has also included many of the shiurim I have given
elsewhere that are available on the web.
See
http://www.sumseqfiles.com/shiurim/:
Click here for many essays (even seforim and books!) and Divrei Torah – and also for a catalog of recorded shiurim.
For ongoing Torah dialogue, please visit my blog!
AishDas Lectures by Rabbi Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer
AishDas is
read from the Torah as two words. Aish,
the fire of a soul aflame, of Hislahavus,
striving for fulfillment, seeking its Creator. Das,
ritual, the precision of halachic law, understanding and grasping the
details of the mission for which Hashem chose
us. A single word, unique inTanach,
untranslatable. AishDas is
the synthesis of the flame and the law, a whole that is greater than
its parts.
To be aflame with AishDas means to constantly learn, grow and ascend. To be observant not merely out of habit or upbringing but to connect with word and deed on intellectual and emotional levels. To reach this level, Torah must be the totality of life.
AishDas aims to teach advanced levels of Torah, Avodah, and Gemillus Chassadim, and to develop deeper approaches to these basic principles, leading to Hislahavus, inner spiritual feeling.
AishDas was founded by Mr. Micha Berger, a computer programmer by profession, who is driven by a vision, and who resides in Passaic with his family. Rabbi Bechhofer is one of AishDas's charter members.
AishDas incorporates ideals developed by Dr. Nathan Birnbaum zt"l in founding the Ha'Olim movement eighty years ago. Dr. Birnbaum's premise was that outreach is insufficient - far more critical to a thriving Jewish society is "inreach" - holistic and programmatic growth and ascent within the observant community. Dr. Birnbaum advocated progress in three broad areas: Kedusha, Rachamim and Tiferes, roughly analogous to relations between Man and G-d, Man and his fellow Man, and the atmosphere and aura of Jewish life. Dr. Birnbaum, in essence, took RavYisroel Salanter zt"l's system of Mussar, that was primarily individual, and attempted to apply its principles to groups and to society as a whole.
Rabbi Bechhofer and other AishDas lecturers would like to acquaint you with the more profound and uplifting approach to Yahadus that we strive to encourage.
Please consider having Rabbi Bechhofer come to speak on AishDas and its activities, and/or one of the topics below. The list is excerpted from the Catalog of Torah Tapes by Rabbi Bechhofer. (Many of his lectures on Contemporary and Practical Halachic Issues, Emuna and Hashkafa, Nach b'Machashava and Daf Yomi in Talmud Yerushalmi -- the only English language Yerushalmi tapes in the world -- are available on tape for purchase or loan.)
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Emuna & Hashkafa: |
Contemporary & Practical Halachic Issues: |
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The Age of the Universe |
Eruvin in Metropolitan Areas |
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Evidence and Emunah |
The Definition of Death in Halacha |
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Does Reason Serve Faith or Faith Serve Reason |
Organ Transplants |
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Tradition, History & Belief |
Curtailing Treatment of the Terminally Ill |
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The Authenticity of the Torah |
Cholov Yisroel |
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Bechira Chofshis: How Free are We? |
Agunah Problems & Related Issues |
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Divine Providence |
Buying Meat in Non-Jewish Owned Stores |
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The Unity of G-d |
Banking in a Jewish Owned Bank |
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G-d's Incorporeality |
When & What Mechitza is Required by Halacha |
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Creation Ex Nihilo |
May Jews Return to Spain |
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Worshiping G-d -- Nothing Else |
Changing Neighborhoods |
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Prophecy |
Halachic Attitudes Towards Secular Studies |
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The Prophecy of Moshe Rabbeinu |
The Use of Microphones in Halacha |
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The Divine Origin of Torah |
Women in Jewish Communal Life |
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The Torah will not be Abrogated |
Gelatin |
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G-d's Omniscience |
Organized Labor & Strikes |
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Reward & Punishment |
Tzedaka & Ma'aser Kesafim |
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Moshiach: Are These Messianic Times? |
Glatt Kosher |
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Resurrection of the Dead |
Sheimos: What are They & How to Dispose of Them |
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These & Those are the Words of the Living G-d |
Headcovering for Women |
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Our Relationship with Previous Generations |
The Great International Dateline Controversy |
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The Impact of Kabbala on Machashava |
Bishul Akum |
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Sophisticated Chesed |
Teaching Torah to Non-Jews |
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Denominational Attitudes |
Yeshivot Hesder in Halacha |
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Sinners Within & Ahavas Yisroel |
AIDS |
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The Greater They Are, The Greater Their Fall |
Cheating on Your Taxes |
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Chronologies of the 2nd Beis HaMikdosh Period |
Kol Isha |
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Brazenness & Bashfulness |
Ashkenazic vs. Sepharadic Pronunciation |
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Exploring Chutzpa |
Suing Your Rabbi for Malpractice |
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What is True Yiras Shomayim |
Copyrights in Halacha |
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Tefilla & Avodas Hashem Workshops |
Autopsies & Biopsies |
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Truth & Falsehood |
Plastic Surgery & Diets |
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Malachim (Angels): What are They/What do they Do? |
Communal Unity |
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Bein Yisroel L'Amim: Judaism & Christianity |
Shabbos Cosmetics |
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What is Kedusha & How is it Achieved |
Cigarette Smoking in Halacha |
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Torah she'be'al Peh as the Focus |
May Women Wear Pants? |
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Analyzing Agadata |
Music in Halacha |
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Time & Times in Judaism |
Conversion |
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The Leviathan |
Laws of Waiting on Line & Priorities in a Waiting Room |
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Bitachon: Trust in G-d |
Teshuva & Kiruv |
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Para Aduma |
Magic & Magicians in Halacha |
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Kilayim & Sha'atnez |
Practical Hilchos Mezuza |
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Basar Ve'Chalav |
Abortion |
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Kisui HaDam |
Halachos of Shabbos Goyim |
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Pride & Humility |
Electric Lights in Halacha |
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Friendship |
Vegetarianism in Halacha |
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Simchas Chosson V'Kalla |
Shabbos Elevators |
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Ta'amei ha'Mitzvos |
Heter Iska |
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Zav & Zava |
Entering Churches & Mosques |
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Mikveh |
Rebuking Wrongdoers |
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Orlah |
Cooking for & on Shabbos & Yom Tov |
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Aleynu |
Entering the Temple Mount |
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Atah Kadosh |
Restoring Avodas HaKorbonos |
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Atah Bechartanu |
Techeles |
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Eating Jewishly |
Extradition |
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Frankfurt vs. Volozhin |
In Vitro Fertilization |
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G-d Diminished the Moon? |
Surrogate Motherhood |
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Acher: Elisha ben Avuya |
Dayanim & Batei Din in Modern Times |
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The Jewish Concept of Thanksgiving |
Semicha & Psak Halacha |
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Shiluach HaKen |
Corporal & Capitol Punishment in Our Times |
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Hallel |
Opening Other People's Mail |
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The Prophecy of Bilam |
Havdala |
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Chopping Down Fruit Trees |
The Use of Lie Detectors in Halacha |
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Of Donkeys & Cold |
Disturbing the Peace: Exhuming & Relocating Graves |
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Prophecy: Dreams |
From Soup to Nuts: Eating a Meal al pi Halacha |
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Sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim |
Behind Bars with Halacha: Imprisonment |
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Yomim Tovim |
Sale of Weapons by Israel to Foreign Countries |
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Yomim Noro'im |
Reversing Bal Tashchis: Recycling |
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Chana & Shmuel HaNavi |
Close Shaves with Halacha: Electric Razors |
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Shaul HaMelech |
Business Partnerships with a Goy |
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The Plishtim |
Partnerships with Mechalelei Shabbos |
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Existence |
May Jews Own Stock in Companies that deal in Treifos? |
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The Ba'alei Machashava on War |
Medicines/Medical Procedures on Shabbos/Yom Tov |
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Kochi v'Otzem Yadi |
Is a Promise Halachically Binding? |
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Courage & Cowardice |
What & Why Rabbinic Ordinances are Binding |
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Sanctity & Profanity |
Brokerage: Shadchanim & Real Estate Agents |
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Shimshon |
What's a Bracha & How Does it Work? |
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Dovid HaMelech |
Rise & Shine: Getting Up in with Halacha |
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Bar Kochba |
Wars & Armies |
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Gid HaNasheh |
May a Jew Become a Professional Football Player? |
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Netzach & Hod |
Oh No! You Have a She'eila & no Rabbi to Ask |
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Talmid Chochom |
Is Pasteurized Wine Mevushal? |
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Din: Judgement |
Fetal Reduction & Related Issues |
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Judaism & Freedom |
Stitches on Shabbos |
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The Name of G-d & the Night of the Seder |
Squeezing & Grinding on Shabbos |
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The Fifth Cup |
Redistributing the Wealth: Yissaschar-Zevulun |
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Kabbolas Shabbos |
Were the Chashmonaim Allowed to Assume Kingship? |
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Rabbi Chanina & Rabbi Yannai |
Chopping Pesukim |
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Shabbos: Six Tehillim & the Days of the Week |
Sunrise, Sunset: Halachic Times of Day |
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Mizmor L'Dovid |
Rising Before the Wise & Senior Citizens |
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Longevity & Immortality |
Lifnei Iver |
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Astrology |
Rib'is: Subscribing to Jewish Periodicals? |
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Male & Female |
The First Year of Marriage |
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Challa |
Halachos of Taking Challa from Dough |
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Tanya for Misnagdim |
The Mitzvah of Ma'akeh |
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Ma'avir Rishon Rishon |
Muktzeh |
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Beyond Seder |
Shabbos Clocks |
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Chumros: Is the Way to Heaven Paved with Them? |
Shabbos & Electricity |
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Judaism & Monarchy |
Halacha at 35,000 Feet:Airplane Travel Issues |
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Netzach Yisroel |
Child Abuse |
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Magen Dovid |
Happy Endings: Halachos of Haftaros |
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Half Hallel |
Constructive Justice? Bribing Public Officials |
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Yerushalayim |
Microwave Ovens: Shabbos & Kashrus |
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Malchus & Shechina |
Wills & Testaments: Issues & Resolutions |
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Havaya"h, Elokim, Tzevako"s, Adnu"s |
Office Parties: Yoreh De'ah Issues |
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Tzimtzum |
Social Gatherings: Moshav Leitzim |
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Beis HaMikdosh: A Neck |
A Change of Place: Shinui Makom in Berachos |
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288 Nitzotzos |
The Effects of Inflation on Halacha |
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The Eyes of G-d |
Kedushas Bais HaKenesses |
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Too Great a Test? |
Finders Keepers? Abandoned Objects in Public Places |
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Sorcery & Sin |
Kavod & Kerias Sefer Torah |
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Amalek & Tomorrow |
So What's New? Chodosh! |
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The Throne of Dovid and Shlomo |
Is there a Halachic Basis for Yom HaSho'ah? |
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Intellect |
Dishwashers: Kashrus, Shabbos & Yom Tov |
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Rosh and Crown |
Forcing a Husband to Give a Get |
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Tzedaka vs. Chesed |
Financial Assistance from non-Jews |
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Tanach vs. Chazal |
Da'as Torah in Halachic & Non-Halachic Areas |
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Transitions & Chana's Song |
Shabbos Babycare: Baby Wipes & Disposable Diapers |
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Kaf HaKela: The Catapult |
Reuven or Robert? English Names for Jewish People |
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Gehinnom & Reward |
Good Intentions: Kavana for the Beginning of Shma |
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Beards |
Animal Experimentation & Tza'ar Ba'alei Chaim |
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Keruvim |
Pop-Top Halacha: Opening Various Food Containers |
Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer
3 Zabriskie Terrace
Monsey, NY 10952
tel: 845.425.6820 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 845.425.6820 end_of_the_skype_highlighting cell: 845.216.1617
www.aishdas.org/rygb www.yerushalmionline.org
Maggid Shiur and Instructor
Yeshivas Ohr Somayach, Monsey, NY.
The Mesivta of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchok Elchonon (MTA), New York, NY.
Bais Yaakov d'Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch, Monsey, NY.
Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, Livingston, NJ.
Frumi Noble Night Kollel (HTC), Chicago-Skokie, IL.
Writer and Editor
Artscroll/Mesorah Publications, Brooklyn, NY.
The Taryag Legacy Foundation, Lakewood, NJ.
Various Journals and Periodicals, including The Jewish Observer, Jewish Action, Yeshurun, and HaMa'ayan.
Guest Maggid Shiur, Scholar in Residence, and Lecturer
Congregations and Communal Organizations in: Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Ontario, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin, Israel and England. (Details and references supplied upon request.).
Maggid Shiur Daf Yomi
Daf Yomi Bavli, and Daf Yomi Yerushalmi
Halachic Consultant
Community Eruv Projects
