Four Stages of Exile
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In this shiur (Torah class) Rabbi Hershel Reichman delves into the stages of exile the Jewish People experienced in Egypt.
What Your Parents Never Saw
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Mrs. Chana Prero analyzes the use of G-d’s different names at the beginning of parsha.
Rav E.E. Dessler
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller talks about the life and accomplishment of Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, one of the foremost products of the Kelm Yeshiva.
The Greater Good
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On Parshat Va’eira, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the first passuk of the parsha, which contains Hashem’s rebuke to Moshe.
Tzidkiyahu: King in Captivity
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In this Torah class (shiur) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 38. Tzidkiyahu, the righteous king of the remnant of the Jews left in Yerushalyaim, is captive to the evil courtiers surrounding him. He secretly meets with Yirmiyahu and saves Yirmiyahu from death. Ultimately, Tzidkiyahu is captured and taken to Bavel, where his eyes are blinded and his children are killed in front of him. At this painful moment, Tzidkiyahu acknowledges that he deserved this punishment, and that all of the prophesies of doom had been fulfilled.
Kelm, Part 2
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller continues to explore the nature and accomplishments of the famed yeshiva of Kelm, known as the breeding ground of gedolim, Torah giants.
Perek 11
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Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches perakim 10 and 11, which deal with the prophesies of the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the devastation of the Jewish people.
The Ways of G-d
Posted onThe Immortal Donkey?
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes Moshe’s actions after he leaves the burning bush.
Perek 38: Yirmiyahu in the Pit
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches chapter 38. In this perek, the tension between Yirmiyahu, the noblemen, and Tzidkiyahu is apparent. The tension leads to the nobles throwing Yirmiyahu into a lime pit for his prophesies, and Tzidkiyahu removing him and meeting with him secretly.
Perek 37: Tzidkiyahu and Yehoyakim
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David compares two kings who ruled at the end of of the era of the first Beit Hamikdash, Tzidkiyahu and Yehoyakim. The Beis Halevi explains that Yehoyakim was a wicked king who lived in a generation of righteous people, while Tzidkiyahu was a righteous king who ruled in a wicked generation.
Perek 9: Changing a G-dly Decree
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches perek 9. This perek deals with the difference between a heavenly decree before and after it was finalized, and also shows that everything in this world comes from direct Divine planning and intervention, and not through the laws of cause and effect.
Fullfilling the Will of G-d
Posted onRabbi Michael Taubes continues learning Pirkei Avot, focusing on the teachings of Hillel.
Novardok and Kelm
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller speaks about one of Rav Yisrael Salanter’s primary disciples, Rav Simcha Zissel Ziv, the Alter of Kelm, and the famed yeshiva which he founded.
Ma’arichin B’Echad
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Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman explains the discussion in the Gemara that one should elongate and emphasize the last word of Kriat Shma, ‘Echad’.
Evil Eye
Posted onOn Parshat Vayechi, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the whole concept of the ayin hara (evil eye) and the idea that Yosef and his descendants are above the ayin hara.
Perek 8: Yerushalayim in Ruins
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller describes Yechezkel’s vision of the destruction of Yerushalayim and its causes, and shows how these prophesies are still relevant today.
Father’s Merit
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero discusses why the blessings to Yaakov invoke Hashem as G-d of Yitzchak and not as G-d of Avraham.
Kavana During Kriat Shema
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses the different views of at what point during Kriat Shema one must have kanava.
Dual Flames
Posted onOn Parshat Vayigash, Mrs. Shira Smiles explores the Midrash on the Passuk that says that Yaakov sent Yehuda ahead to Egypt. He was sent ahead to Egypt to make this havdala between the holiness of living a Torah life and the darkness of Egypt.
Perek 36: The Burnt Scroll
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explains the details and nuances of perek 36. In this perek, Yirmiyahu writes a scroll describing the future destruction of the kingdom of Yehuda. Instead of responding with teshuva, the king Yehoyakim burns the scroll, and the result is disastrous for his future.
False Prophesies
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller explains the nature of false prophets, and their destructive influence on the Jewish people.
Battling the Yetzer Hara
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In this Torah shiur (class), Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen continues studying Michtav Me’eliyahu. This class focuses on the constant struggle within every person between his soul and the Yetzer hara, the evil inclination.
Holy Hair
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller explains the pesukim describing Hashem’s command to Yechezkel to shave his hair as a sign of the impending destruction of Yerushalayim.
Understanding the Yetzer Hara
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen begins learning the introduction to Michtav Me’eliyahu. This mussar work, authored by Rav Eliyahu Dessler, covers a variety of topics relating to one’s character, relationships and faith. This class focuses on understanding the nature of the yetzer hara and our struggle in this world.
Yosef’s Dreams
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes Yosef’s dreams. (This class, based on classical Biblical commentaries, does not assume any prior knowledge of Hebrew or familiarity with textual study.)
Kriat Shma in Other Languages
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses the possibility of fulfilling the mitzva of Kriat Shma by reciting the Shma prayer in languages other than Hebrew.
Our Forefathers’ Blessings
Posted onChana Prero analyzes the six blessings G-d gives Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov.
Teachings of Hillel
Posted onRabbi Michael Taubes discusses the teachings from the great Jewish sage, Hillel.
The Rambam’s Shita on Mitzvot Tzrichot Kavana
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman presents an overview of the Rambam’s opinion abut whether a person must have intention to fulfill a mitzva in order to be yotzeh that mitzva.