The Torah Learning on this site is dedicated in memory of Rochel Leah bas R' Chaim Tzvi and R' Yisrael Menachem ben R' Binyamin.
In 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.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the impact of Torah on allowing one to achieve true connection with Hashem.
Rebbetzin 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.
Mrs. 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’.
Rabbi Hanoch Teller learns the narrative of Parshat Korach, with his inimitable humor and insight, beginning with the machloket (dispute) of Korach and his followers.
Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses daf 12b in Maseches Brachos, reviews the machlokes (disagreement) in the Gemara regarding the proper way to conclude the bracha ‘ata kadosh’ during Aseret Yemei Teshuva.
Mrs. Yehudit Weiss explains Rashi’s discussion of hat’ama, accentuation of words. All words in Hebrew are either Mil’el or Mil’ra. The accent of a given word may change depending on its conjugation and its place in a phrase, and the meaning of a word can change due to its accentuation as well.
Rabbi Hanoch Teller outlines and illuminates the narrative of Parshat Shelach, beginning with the episode of the Meraglim (the Spies sent to Eretz Yisrael from the desert).
In this Torah class (shiur) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David explains the various segments of perek 135. Hashem is praised as both the Creator of the world, and the One who intervenes in all world events. Through the names of Hashem in the chapter, we learn His of His interaction with us through Middat Hadin (justice). The greatness of klal Yisrael lies in our commitment to Hashem and His Torah even in times of hester panim (Hashem’s hiddenness).
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David discusses the Gemara Yuma 69, which juxtaposes the tefillot of Yirmiyahu in this perek, and Daniel, showing the ‘amitiut’, truthfulness, of their prayers, as opposed to ours. Despite our failings in this area, we must attempt to feel some of the awe of Heaven and the pain of the Shechina when we daven.
On Parshat Shlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the Haftorah, and discusses the topic of Teshuva.
In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Ari Jacobson discusses the prayers and preparation done before the Shemoneh Esrei, otherwise known as the Amida. The class, based on the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, includes the individual as well as the shaliach tzibur’s preparations.
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.
