Model of Diversity
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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.
Proper Intentions When Making a Bracha
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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).
Positivity: The Key to Proper Speech
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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.
Nazir – Saint or Sinner?
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero discusses the nature of the Nazir, based on a thorough reading and explication of the basic commentaries.
Perek 131: Pride and Humbleness
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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.
Perek 31: Kibbutz Galuyot
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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.
Lashon Hara’s Affect on Torah Study
Posted onIn 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.
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
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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.
Parshat Bamidbar: The Strength of Torah
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In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the reasons of G-d counting the Jewish People in this week’s parsha.
Parshat Bamidbar
Posted onRabbi 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.
The Levites and the Firstborn
Posted onMrs. 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.
Load of a Lifetime
Posted onOn 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.
Perakim 70 and 71, Part 2: Faith Amid Judgment
Posted onIn 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.
Perek 31: Rachel’s Consolation
Posted onIn 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.
Correcting a Bracha
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses daf 12A, the halacha of one who began a bracha with the wrong intent and then corrects himself.
Remembering Miriam
Posted onIn 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.
Nevuchadnetzar and Belshatzar
Posted onRebbetzin 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.
Deepening the Relationship
Posted onOn parshiyot Behar and Bechukotai, Mrs. Shira Smiles points out that parshat Behar begins with the mitzvah of shemitah, and then discusses interpersonal relations specifically in the area of monetary help for individuals.
Blessings from G-d
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero delves into the blessings listed in this parsha.
The Aseret Hadibrot and Kriat Shma
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman analyzes the Gemara’s discussion as to why the practice of reading the Aseret Hadibrot during Kriat Shma was abolished.
Perakim 70 and 71, Part 1: Salvation and Thanks
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David analyzes the themes of chapters 70 and 71, focusing on both the distress felt at the beginning of the psalms, and the ultimate thanks and praise that characterize their end.
Perek 30: Geulah
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explicates perek 30 and its beautiful description of the future redemption of the Jewish people. Through many references in this chapter, Rabbi David shows the connection between the restoration of the Davidic Dynasty with the arrival of Mashiach, and the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash.
Focus on G-d
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In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen continues to study Shaar Avodas Elokim of the Sefer Chovot Halevavot. This class discusses the ways and opportunities man can focus on G-d.
Respecting Holiness
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Chofetz Chaim and Shmirat Halashon, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg explains how respect for a shul (synagogue) and a talmid chacham (learned person) can help a person to avoid speaking lashon hara.
The Mitzvah of Peah
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero discusses the mitzvah of Peah, leaving a corner of one’s filed unharvested, to benefit the poor. The mitzvah is mentioned in the previous parsha as well. Mrs. Prero explains the root of this mitzva, and analyzes its repetition in the Chumash.
Parshat Emor: The Four Kingdoms
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the four kingdoms that oppressed the Jewish People. Each kingdom had a specific negative characteristic which the Jewish People must fight against.
Parshat Emor
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller presents an overview of Parshat Emor, specifically highlighting some of the major mitzvot discusses in the parsha.
Perek 22, Part 3: The Gradual Break of Dawn
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David continues his analysis of the intriguing chapter 22, which refers to the travails of both Queen Esther and King David. The perek is also a parable for the the difficulties of galut and the nature of geula (redemption), and the dual reality of Hashem’s hiddenness and His guidance during difficult periods of history.
Perek 30: The Mikdash in its Glory and Destruction
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David analyzes chapter 30, a perek filled with references to the former majesty of the Beit Hamikdash, the horror of its destruction, and its future splendor. Rabbi David analyzes the structure of the perek, as well the beautiful prophesies contained within it.
Using One’s Self
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen continues with Shaar Avodas Elokim, from Sefer Chovot Halevavot. This class focuses on practical applications of using one’s self in actively serving G-d.