Daf 12B: Prayer in a Time of Disaster
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Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman reviews the Gemara’s discussion of the obligation to pray for someone in distress.
Lashon Hara L’Toelet, Part 2: Protecting Students and Children
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In this shiur (Torah class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg discusses when one is allowed to warn children and students to stay away from the influence of someone with bad midot (character traits), in order to protect them from negative influences.
Vigilance
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On Parshat Chukat, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the story of “mei meriva,” and presents three approaches of what went wrong, and the lessons we can take from it.
Lashon Hara L’Toeles: Staying Away From Bad Influences
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg begins a discussion of when one may speak lashon hara in order to warn others not to imitate bad behavior. If one sees another doing an aveira (transgressing a Torah law) on purpose multiple times, he may point it out to others in order to prevent them from copying this behavior. However, this may be done only if those hearing the lashon hara will not fully accept it, but rather view it as a cautionary warning. People who did not receive a Jewish education and therefore are unaware of Torah law may not be spoken about.
Correcting Others’ Wrongdoings
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches Sefer Chofetz Chaim klal daled, paragraphs 4-6. The Chofetz Chaim emphasizes that one is not allowed to tell others if he saw someone commit a transgression once, because the person may have done teshuva. Rather, he should approach the person and rebuke him himself. Rabbi Ginsburg discusses the proper way to give tochacha (rebuke), as constructive criticism, gently and respectfully.
Parshat Matos-Mas’ei
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller reviews the narrative of the parsha, which describes the travels of the Jewish people throughout their 40 year sojourn in the desert.
Being a Positive Person
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches Sefer Chofetz Chaim klal 4 paragraphs 1-3, which discuss speaking lashon hara about someone who transgresses Mitzvot bein Adam l’Makom, in matters between Man and G-d. Rabbi Ginsburg emphasizes the importance of noticing and focusing on positive behaviors when interacting with others.
Parshat Pinchas
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller presents an overview of the storyline of the parsha, including Pinchas’ great reward and the description of the holiday services in the Temple.
Tzara’at and Lashon Hara
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg explains the punishment of tzara’at (Biblical leprosy), and its connection to the sin of lashon hara.
Perek 135, Part 2: Jewish Destiny as a Path to G-d
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David explains the lessons of psalm 135. There are two ways to reach true emunah, belief in G-d, through Nature and through recognition of Hashem’s intervention in Jewish history. The latter way is the ideal approach, as it reflects our understanding of Hashem’s absolute control of the world
Parshat Korach: The Source of Korach’s Rebellion
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In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the underlying motives for Korach’s rebellion.
Parshat Balak
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller discusses the narrative of Parshat Balak, describing the failed efforts Bilam and Balak to curse the Jewish People, and the sin of Ba’al Pe’or.
Chosen by G-d
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero discusses the incident of Korach’s rebellion specifically G-d’s proving of the Leviites’ status.
Perek 32, Part III: Redemption of Chanamel’s Field
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In this shiur (Torah class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David completes his analysis of chapter 32. Rabbi David delves into the Torah law of redeeming one’s relatives inherited field, and ties in this episode with the parts of Megillat Rut and Parshat Behar that deal with this topic.
Purim Shpiels
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg analyzes Purim plays, and whether mocking someone good-naturedly is permissible according to the laws of shemiras halashon.
The Insurmountable Challenge of Greece
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Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches the prophesies of perek 10. In this chapter, Daniel receives predictions regarding the near-impossible nature of the galut of Greece. Daniel accepts this decree, and responds with silence and bitachon (trust in Hashem).
Mitzvot Lishma
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the laws of speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg begins klal 3 of Sefer Chofetz Chaim, which defines the distinction between mitzvot lishma and mitzvot done for other reasons.
Discussing a Drasha
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Shemirat Halashin (the laws of proper speech), Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg continues his explanation of klal bet of Sefer Chofetz Chaim, and applies it to common situations such as discussing a class, criticizing Rabbonim, and other scenarios.
Juggling Jealousy
Posted onOn Parshat Korach, Mrs. Shira Smiles analyzes Korach’s downfall, and how to balance positive jealousy.
Lashon Hara Between Colleagues
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the laws of proper speech as taught in Sefer Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches the second half of klal bet, which discusses lashon hara between colleagues, such as teachers talking about students at teachers meetings, etc.
Lashon Hara Said in the Presence of Three People
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Shemiras Halashon ( the laws of proper speech), Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches klal 2 of Sefer Chofetz Chaim, specifically focusing on the Rambam’s position regarding lashon hara (derogatory speech) spoken in public.
The Forms of Lashon Hara
Posted onIn this torah shiur (class) on Shemirat Halashon (the laws of proper speech), Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg finishes explaining klal 1 of Sefer Chofetz Chaim, with a discussion of the various forms of lashon hara – spoken, written, etc., and an explanation of their details.
Lashon Hara in the Workplace
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg completes his discussion of klal aleph. This class covers issues of lashon hara in the workplace, hinting at lashon hara, how to give someone tochacha (rebuke) for lashon hara, and when to ask a shaila (halachic question) regarding the laws of lashon hara.
Abbreviated Text
Posted onMrs. Yehudit Weiss explains Rashi’s overview of texts that are abbreviated, which he calls ‘mikra katzar’.
Parshat Chukat
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller reviews the storyline of the parsha including the red heifer and Moshe hitting the rock.
Words that Build
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on Sefer Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg begins teaching the body of the sefer, beginning with klal aleph. This class defines lashon hara and rechilus, and discusses which is worse. Rabbi Ginsburg also discusses a situation where a Rebbi or parent requests that someone tell them lashon hara, and how to respectfully avoid speaking improperly even under such circumstances.
True Dveykut
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Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the impact of Torah on allowing one to achieve true connection with Hashem.
The Battle with the Western Nations
Posted onRebbetzin Tzipora Heller teaches perek 9, which describes Daniel’s prophesy of a goat. Rebbetzin Heller explains how this prophesy corresponds to the challenges the Jewish people will need to face when they are subjugated by the nations of the West.
The Letter ‘Hei’
Posted onMrs. Yehudit Weiss surveys Rashi’s discussion of the Hebrew letter ‘Hai’ at the beginning of a word, and how it affects the word’s meaning. This class focuses on ‘Hai Hashe’eilah’, ‘Hai Hayedi’a’, and ‘Hai Hamegama’.
Parshat Korach
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller learns the narrative of Parshat Korach, with his inimitable humor and insight, beginning with the machloket (dispute) of Korach and his followers.