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 shiur (class) on the true meaning of marriage, according to the Chassidic discourses of the Shem Mishmuel, Rabbi Hershel Reichman describes marriage as the solution to the human problem called death, as children are both a physical and spiritual continuation of their parents. A marriage is a re-enactment of Creation, and the primary vehicle for Chessed, which is the basic trait of G-d’s creation.
In this Torah shiur (class) on the nature of marriage based on the Torah thought of the Chassidic masters, Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains how the three levels of a Jewish Marriage – Kiddushin, Chuppah, and Yichud, correlate to the three levels of holiness and connection between Man and G-d. The essence of marriage is experiencing these levels of holiness.
In this Torah shiur (class) on the Torah view of marriage based on the philosophy of Chassidut, Rabbi Hershel Reichman describes marriage as a central theme in the Torah. The first story regarding people in the Torah is the narrative of Adam marrying Chava (Eve.) The first mitzva given Man in the Torah is the mitzva to bear children, “pru u’revu”. Chassidut explains that this world is characterized by a confrontation between physicality and spirituality. The fundamental purpose of humanity is to discover the ‘holy sparks’ of the Divine in the physical reality. Marriage is the central arena for achieving this goal.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller completes the sefer, with a description of the end of days and the fate of all segments of the Jewish people – tzadikkim, reshaim, maskilim, matzdikei harabim, etc.
In this Torah shiur on marriage and shidduchim, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller speaks about what the 15th day of Av represents. On this day, the heavenly attributes of Chochma and Binah combine, as do the middot of Tiferet and Malchut. This merging of forces represents the completion of the soul through marriage.
On Parshat Pinchas, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on some of the basic questions to get a sense of what the story of Pinchas is about.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller describes the Torah as the means in which all facets of life connect to Hashem. The Torah can even ‘enter the lion’s lair’ and redefine or conquer evil on its own turf.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller describes the vision that Daniel had about various future wars, and connects it to their historical and modern parallels.
On Parshat Pinchas, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on some of the basic questions to get a sense of what the story of Pinchas is about.
Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses the daily obligation to remember Yetziat Mitzrayim vs. the unique mitzva of Sipur Yetziat Mitzrayim on the Seder night.
In this Torah shiur (class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches the beginning of Klal 5 of Sefer Chofetz Chaim. The Chofetz Chaim discusses talking about someone’s character traits and weaknesses, such as wisdom, strength, and wealth. Specifically, Rabbi Ginsburg focuses on the trap of criticizing Rabbonim as not intelligent or diplomatic enough, and talks about how we must be careful to only speak positively about our leaders.
Mrs. Yehudit Weiss presents an overview of places which Rashi calls ‘mikrah mesoras’, where letters switch as a result of the rules of dikduk.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches the beginning of chapter 11. Rebbetzin Heller speaks of Hashem’s Providence in military and political events as being observable as they occur, and not only in retrospect.
In this shiur (Torah class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches Sefer Chofetz Chaim klal daled paragraph 12. In this shiur, Rabbi Ginsburg talks of the lengths one must go to to do teshuva for the sin of lashon hara.
Mrs. Yehudith Weiss explains the various pauses and stops found in the middle of pesukim, according to the laws of dikduk as found in Rashi’s commentary.
Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman reviews the Gemara’s discussion of the obligation to pray for someone in distress.
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.
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.
In 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.
In 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.
Rabbi Hanoch Teller reviews the narrative of the parsha, which describes the travels of the Jewish people throughout their 40 year sojourn in the desert.
In 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.
Rabbi 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.
In 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.
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
In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the underlying motives for Korach’s rebellion.
Rabbi 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.
Mrs. Chana Prero discusses the incident of Korach’s rebellion specifically G-d’s proving of the Leviites’ status.
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.
In 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.
