The Torah Learning on this site is dedicated in memory of Rochel Leah bas R' Chaim Tzvi and R' Yisrael Menachem ben R' Binyamin.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches chapter 8, which describes the third vision of Daniel. This vision also relates to the kingdoms who will dominate the Jewish People in exile, but here they are compared to domesticated animals. This comparison shows that the wars that they will fight against the Jewish People will be focused and directed. Rebbetzin Heller also explains why the times for redemption are written so vaguely.
Mrs. Chana Prero speaks about Moshe’s prayer to Hashem and his request that Hashem not punish the Jewish people.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Tehilim, Rabbi Avishai David continues his analysis of Psalm 90. Rabbi David notes the dialectic of fear and love in our relationship with Hashem, which is prominent in this chapter, and compares it to the themes of Unetaneh Toekf and Neila, important prayers of the High Holy Days.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explicates chapter 32. This chapter contains contradictory prophesies, on the one hand predictions of the impending destruction of the kingdom of Yehuda, and on the other hand the command to Yirmiyahu to go redeem his relative’s field, paying for its full value, with documents and witnesses. Yirmiyahu follows Hashem’s command though it seems to contradict reality, and then asks Hashem for an explanation. Hashem explains that though there will be a terrible exile, the Jews will return to Eretz Yizrael and once again property will be bought and sold here. This class includes a vort by Rabbi Soloveitchik comparing Yirmiyahu’s dilemma to that of Avraham Avinu before the Akeida, as well as an explanation of Hashem’s 13 Attributes of Mercy, which appear in this perek in truncated form.
On Parshat Beha’alotcha, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the complaints of the dor hamidbar.
Rabbi Hanoch Teller reviews the basic storyline of the Parsha, along with selected insights into various sections.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David explains the structure and themes of Psalm 90. This chapter, similar in theme to the prayer of U’netaneh Tokef on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, contrasts the eternal nature of Hashem and His Torah with the transience of Man’s existence. The perek ends with a plea for Divine assistance in repentance, and a life of blessing and fulfillment.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller reviews perek 7, which discusses Daniels prophesy of different animals, each representing a different kingdom that will dominate the world and subjugate the Jewish people. Rebbetzin Heller analyzes their ultimate defeat, and Hashem’s compassion leading to the destruction of all evil, and concludes with a discussion of the date of Mashiach’s arrival.
In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses three types of tumah which causes a person to leave the three camps of Israel. These types of tumah represent three types of yetzer hara which affects individuals. Rabbi Reichman, based on the Shem Mishmuel, discusses how one can fight these internal evils.
Rabbi Hanoch Teller reviews the basic storyline of the Parsha, along with selected insights into various sections.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David completes his analysis of chapter 31, with a discussion of the remarkable sacrifice of Rachel Imeinu and her subsequent reward, and the different exiles that the Jewish people experienced, according to the explanations of the Malbim, Rav Yisrael Salanter, Rav Shalom Shwadron, and Rav Chaim Soloveitchik.
Continuing daf 12A, Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman continues his discussion dealing with uncertainties in making proper brachot, and the ruling of safeik brachot l’hakel (leniencies in regards to doubts in the halachot of brachot).
Mrs. Chana Prero discusses the episode of the Jews’ complaints about the Manna, and Moshe Rabbenu’s reaction to it.
On Parshat Naso, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the repetitive nature of the description of the gifts that the nesi’im brought to the mishkan, and about the blessings that Yaakov Avinu gave his children.
Rabbi Moshe N. Reichman reviews the sugya (unit) on Daf 12A, which discusses a situation in which a person is holding a cup of wine, misidentifies it as beer, and begins to make the wrong bracha, but then switches to the correct bracha before he finishes (Pasach b’dishichra v’siyem bid’chama).
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Chofetz Chaim and the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg completes the introduction of the Chofetz Chaim to his work, and summarizes the main points to take out from this important chapter.
Mrs. Chana Prero discusses the nature of the Nazir, based on a thorough reading and explication of the basic commentaries.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David explains various aspects of Psalm 131. This perek focuses on the evolution from ga’avah (pride) to anava (humbleness), and its relevance to the life of David Hamelech.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explicates the prophesies of Jeremiah predicting the suffering of the Jewish people in exile, their repentance, and their ultimate return to the land of Israel. The class includes a discussion of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s explanation of Yerida l’tzorech aliyah (a spiritual fall that results in ultimate spiritual transcendence), and the Netziv’s essay on antisemitism and the role of the Torah in the in-gathering of exiles.
In this shiur (Torah class) on the laws of shmirat halashon, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg continues a description of the mitzvot affected by lashon hara. This class focuses on mitzvot 12 and 13 in the introduction to Sefer Chafetz Chaim, which relate to Torah Study and its relationship with lashon hara.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller finishes the story of Daniel in the lions’ den, emphasizing that his faith was the cause of the miracle. She then continues to the second half of Sefer Daniel, which is a prophesy for future exiles and the ultimate redemption.
In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the reasons of G-d counting the Jewish People in this week’s parsha.
Rabbi Hanoch Teller explicates the storyline of Parshat Bamidbar, including the counting of the Jewish people, the encampments, and the tasks of the Levites in carrying the Mishkan.
Mrs. Chana Prero discusses the tasks of the Levites in the Mishkan and in the Temple, and explains the connection between the Bechorim, the firstborns, and the Levi’im.
On Parsha Bamidbar, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the pasuk that describes the job of El’azar in preparing the mishkan to be carried through the desert, and what one can learn from this in preparation for Shavuot.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David continues explicating psalms 70 and 71, which describe the judgment and concealment of G-d’s Presence amidst our enemies’ attacks, and King David’s unwavering faith during troubled times.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explains the beautiful prophecies of return and rebuilding found in chapter 31. In this chapter, Rachel Imenu pleads with Hashem to allow her children to return to the land of Israel, in the merit of her self-sacrifice when Leah married Yaakov. Rachel is promised that her children will return to Eretz Yisrael, and the prophesy of a renewed covenant between Hashem and the Jewish people, with the Jews once more re-established in the holy land follows.
Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses daf 12A, the halacha of one who began a bracha with the wrong intent and then corrects himself.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Chofetz Chaim and Shmirat Halashon, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg speaks about the mitzvah to remember what happend to Miriam when she spoke lashon hara about her brother Moshe Rabbenu. He goes on to discuss the mitzvah to honor kohanim and to fear Hashem, both of which can be transgressed when one speaks lashon hara. The class includes a beautiful story about Rav Shach zatzal and Rav Yaakov Kaminetzky zatzal.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller finishes chapter 4 and continues on to chapter 5, with the stories of the end of Nevuchadnetzar’s reign, the abrupt fall of Belshatzar, and the beginning of the story of Daniel in the lion’s den.
