Kiddush and Chillul Hashem
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In this Mussar shmuz on being a mentch, Rabbi Hanoch Teller talks about what constitutes a Kiddush Hashem, sanctification of Hashem, and what identifies a chillul Hashem, desecrating Hashem’s Name.
Salt of the Earth
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On Parshat Vayeira, Mrs. Shira Smiles raises a number of questions on the pasuk that says that Lot’s wife looked behind, and became a pillar of salt.
Permissible Falsehood
Posted onIn this short Torah class (shiur) on relating to others, Rabbi Hanoch Teller talks about the rare instances when one is permitted to lie.
Speaking With Integrity
Posted onIn this short Torah class (shiur) on relating to other people, Rabbi Hanoch Teller talsk about the importance of honesty and integrity in one’s speech.
Accepting Criticism
Posted onIn this shirt Torah shiur on correct behavior when dealing with others, Rabbi Hanoch Teller advises one on how to react to others’ criticisms of us.
Appropriate Criticism
Posted onIn this Mussar talk on respectful human interaction, Rabbi Hanoch Teller talks about choosing when and when not to criticize others.
Benefits of Chessed
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In this Torah class on Sefer Ahavat Chessed, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches the opening chapter of the book. In this introduction, the Chofetz Chaim lists the unbelievable benefits and rewards for doing chessed.
Chessed: An Unchanging Obligation
Posted onIn this Torah shiur, (class) on Sefer Ahavat Chessed, Rav Beinish Ginsburg discusses Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik’s perspective on the Torah obligation to do chesed for others. Rav Soloveitchik’s approach is that while society’s mores for acceptable and positive behavior are always changing, the Torah’s standards never change.
Betwixt and Between
Posted onOn Parshat Lech Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on Lot, whose behavior was not ideal, yet contains lessons about our character development.
Parshat Noach: Strength of Our Community
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Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains how the Teiva, the Ark, represents the power of surrounding ourselves with our community. By doing so, we are protected from the various outside negative influences.
Heavenly vs. Earthly Kedusha
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In this short Torah class (shiur) on the Shemoneh Esrai, Rabbi Hershel Reichman describes the two kinds of kedusha which Man can access. There is a heavenly, inviolate kedusha which never changes, and kedusha which can be brought down to this world, or lost, through Man’s actions.
Torah’s Protection
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman explains how Torah protects us throughout our lives.
Parshat Noach: Seeking Refuge
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman discusses how one can find refuge from the overwhelming influence of the secular world.
Slippery Slope
Posted onOn Parshat Noach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the events that led up to the flood, to get a sense of how not to fall into the same level of depravity at the time of the flood.
Sarah’s Laughter
Posted onThe laughter of Sorah Imeinu when told about Yitzchak’s birth and her denial of it.
Introduction to Bracha of Kedusha
Posted onIn this short shiur (Torah class) on the Shemoneh Esrai, Rabbi Hershel Reichman introduces the third bracha of the Shemoneh Esrai, the bracha of Kedusha, Holiness.
Why Can’t I Just be a Good Person?
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In this Torah class on Sefer Ahavat Chesed, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg introduces the topic of doing chessed. He begins with a discussion of the haskama, the letter of approbation, which the Netziv wrote for Sefer Ahavat Chesed. In his haskama, the netziv writes about the two fold obligation to do chesed, as it is both the right thing to do, and its a mitzva. He explains that chesed is more than just ‘being a kind person’ according to the standards of general society, because Hashem has much higher standards of Chesed.
G-d as the Source of Life: Mechayeh Hamaitim
Posted onIn this short Torah shiur (class) on the Shemoneh Esrai, Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the second bracha of Shemoneh Esrai, which describes Hashem as the source of all life, and shows our absolute dependence on Him in every respect.
Forefather’s Merit: Magen Avraham
Posted onIn this short Torah class (shiur) on the Amida, Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the first bracha, the blessing of Magen Avraham. We are only able to approach Hashem in prayer because our forefather’s created prayer, and we follow in their footsteps as we approach G-d.
Shemirat Halashon, A Way of Life
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In this final Torah class on Sefer Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg reviews the laws of permitted venting, even if it includes derogatory or negative speech, and concludes with a description of the life-altering impact of keeping the laws of Shemirat Halashon.
Preparation for Amida, Part 3: Redeemer Throughout History
Posted onIn this short shiur (Torah class) on Shemoneh Esrai, Rabbi Hershel Reichman demonstrates the logical sequence of the brachot leading up to the silent, personal prayer of Shemoneh Esrai. This class explicates the bracha of Gaal Yisrael, which describes Hashem as the redeemer of Israel throughout history.
Chodesh Elul: Path to Teshuva
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In this Torah class (shiur) on the month of Elul, Mrs. Shoshie Nissenbaum explores the process of teshuva, including practical steps on acquiring a mindset of return. Mrs. Nissenbaum talks about the importance of our thoughts on Rosh Hashana, and how positive thinking will help us in the day of judgement.
Preparation for the Amida, Part 2: G-d’s Love of Israel
Posted onIn this short Torah class (shiur) on the Shemoneh Esrai prayer, Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains how the prayers before Shemoneh Esrai serve as a fitting preparation for the intimate tefilla of Shemone Esrai. This shiur focuses on the bracha of Ahava Rabba, which speaks of G-d’s love of Israel, as demonstrated by His gift of Torah.
Lashon Hara as a Warning
Posted onIn This Torah class on the laws of permitted speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg clarifies the difference between permitted negative speech in order to protect someone from immediate danger as opposed to a general warning.
Preparation for Shemoneh Esrai: G-d as Creator
Posted onIn this short Torah shiur on Tefilla, prayer, Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains how the prayers preceding the Shemoneh Esrai help to prepare one for an encounter with G-d. This class talks about the bracha before Shema, Yotzer Or, which praises Hashem as Creator of light and darkness, and the amazing creation of the sun.
Rebuke Before Report
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the laws of proper speech as codified by the Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg emphasizes the importance of tochacha, respectful rebuke, before one is permitted to report another’s wrongdoing.
True Prophecy
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Mrs. Chana Prero discusses the concept of prophecy, analyzing what exactly constitutes a prophet and what is the basis of believing in prophets.
The Seven Conditions of Lashon Hara L’Toelet
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg lists and explains the necessary conditions for relating lashon hara.
Thankfulness
Posted onIn this short shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the importance of gratitude and thankfulness towards G-d, and how we incorporate this concept into our daily prayers.
Avoiding Lashon Hara Speakers
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches klal 9, which talks about avoiding the company of lashon hara speakers.