Themes of Rosh HaShana
Posted onRabbi Taubes discusses the obligation for prayer. He points out that Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are specifically designated as days of prayer. However, these days are also deemed as days of joy.
Questions and Answers for Todays Jewish Women, Part 2
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In the second part of this series, Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller answers questions from Jewish women on topics such as relating to Hashem, focusing on family, the challenges of work, and home responsibilities. Rebbetzin Heller answers all questions with humor, sensitivity and clarity.
Questions and Answers for Today’s Jewish Women, Part 1
Posted onRebbetzin Tzipora Heller answers questions from Jewish women on topics such as relating to Hashem, focusing on family, the challenges of work, and home responsibilities. Questions range from how to relate to difficult relatives to how to include tefillah in one’s busy schedule. Rebbetzin Heller answers all questions with humor, sensitivity and clarity.
The Treatment of G-d’s Names
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Rabbi Jacobson continues discussing proper treatment of Hashem’s Names, both spoken and written. Particular emphasis is placed on brachot l’vatala and pages with Hashem’s name on it. Interesting facts include the writing of Hashem’s name in a foreign language, using Hashem’s name in a letter or other correspondence, correct means of disposing of papers with a form of Hashem’s name on them, how to handle published Sifrei Kodesh (holy books), and the difference between a bracha l’vatala (a brocha in vain) and a bracha she’eina tzricha (an unnecessary bracha).
Respecting G-d
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Rabbi Jacobson discusses the prohibition of using G-d’s name in vain in various different venues.
Shidduchim: How to Find Your Soul Mate
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In this class in honor of Tu B’Av, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller talks about Dating and Marriage. She discusses the concept of Bashert in Judaism, and relates the key principles for searching for ones soul mate. Rebbetzin Heller also talks about how to suggest shidduchim for others, and guidelines for whether one should reveal or hide compromising information.
Parshat Devarim: The Spiritual Wars of Israel
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In this class on the Chassidic thought on Parshat Devarim, Rabbi Hershel Reichman elaborates on the interpretations of the Shem Mishmuel to Parshat Devarim. In this shiur, Rabbi Reichman discusses why the appointment of judges is part of the story of the Meraglim, and explains that Jewish wars involve a spiritual war as well as a physical war. Rabbi Reichman expands the topic with an analysis of the two types of yetzer hara, and reveals how the method of defeating all yitzrei hara is commitment to truth.
Preparing Oneself for G-d
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Rabbi Jacobson goes through the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch regarding the preparation and environment for davening.
Rejoicing Upon the Downfall of the Wicked
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Antidote to Lashon Hara
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Mrs. Shira Smiles explores the proper mindsets that enable a person to have a greater sensitivity towards others.
Mishnayot Taanit, Perek 4
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Rabbi Hershel Reichman teaches the final chapter of Mishnayot Taanit, perek 4. The perek speaks about the times of Birchat Kohanim, special holidays of the Temple Era such as the holiday of completing the wood-chopping for the mizbe’ach, the fasts of Shiva Asar B’Tamuz and Tisha B’Av, and the holiday of the fifteenth of Av in memory of Jean Relevy, 68, of Jerusalem, who was killed by a brutal terrorist on Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5768, in the infamous Jerusalem Bulldozer Attack.
Mishnayot Taanit, Perek 3
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman learns the third chapter of Mishnayot Taanit, which discusses other fasts for national catastrophes and the story of Choni Hamaagel in memoryof Lili (Devora bat Hillel) Goren Friedman, a 54 year old teacher and mother who was killed during the Bulldozer Attack in Jerusalem on Rosh Chodesh Tamuz, 5768.
Covering One’s Head
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Rabbi Jacobson discusses the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch’s statement of the necessity of a man wearing a head covering at all times. Reviewing the issue from the times of the Gemara until the present day, Rabbi Jacobson provides a complete overview of the “yarmulka”.
Parshat Masei: Two Approaches to Evil
Posted onIn this week’s Parsha, Parshat Masei, Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the significance of the Torah’s listing of all of the places where the Jewish People camped during their 40 year sojourn in the desert. The stops in the Desert are symbols of confrontations with evil, either by fleeing from evil or by confronting it. Yosef Hatzadik’s test in Egypt can be seen as reflecting the two methods. In conclusion, Rabbi Reichman discusses living in Eretz Yisael and conquering the forces of evil.
Mishnayot Taanit, Perek 2
Posted onIn the second chapter of Mishnayot Taanit, our Rabbis teach us the prayers for rain during fast days in Israel, the rules for the Kohanim on duty in the Temple, and rules for Jewish people on the watch in the Temple. The Chapter also discusses minor holidays of the Second Temple Era. May the learning of this class be a zchut for a refuah shleima for Yehoshua ben Esther, who was seriously injured in the second Jerusalem bulldozer attack.
Mishnayot Taanit, Perek 1
Posted onIn the first chapter on Mishnayot Taanit, the Rabbis describe praying for rain in Israel, and the procedure for declaring public fasts and days of repentance during times of drought in memory of Batsheva bat Nechama Unterman, a 33 year old kindergarten teacher from Jerusalem, who was killed by an Arab terrorist on Rosh Chodesh Tamuz 5768, in the infamous Jerusalem Bulldozer Attack.
The Three Weeks: Continuous Crying
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In this Torah shiur (class), Mrs. Shira Smiles explores the underlying theme of the Three Weeks of Mourning between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B’av.
Parshat Matot: The Three Levels of the Jewish Soul
Posted onIn this class on Parshat Matos, Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains how one perfects every level of the Jewish soul. He then discusses how the Jewish holidays focus on the various aspects of the soul.
The Mitzvah of Rebuke
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Rabbi Shimon Isaacson develops the theme of Jewish Unity and collective responsibility with a discussion of the requirement to rebuke one’s fellow Jew when he transgresses a Torah law. Rabbi Isaacson speaks about both the Halachot and the Hashkafot, perspectives, that one should have, especially in a case where one knows that his rebuke will be ignored.
Parshat Matot: The Power of Speech
Posted onIn this class on Parshat Matot, Rabbi Hershel Reichman talks about the Shem Mishmuel’s discussion of the Torah law permitting personal vows and promises. These personal nedarim do not violate the commandment not to add any commandments to the Torah. The Shem Mishmuel develops this discussion into an exposition on the power of any words uttered by a Jew. Included in this shiur is a discourse on the two types of holiness, individual and communal, and the two types of Jewish leaders described by the Shem Mishmuel.
The Power of the Jewish Woman
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In her final shiur (Torah class), on Righteous Women in Tanach, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller reviews the characteristics of some special women, showing how today’s Jewish woman can reach for these levels as well. Included in this class are a discussion on how to bring people together in marriage, the importance of Jewish burial, and the distinct categories of the righteous women discussed in the course.
Parshat Pinchas: Leader of the Nation
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the week’s parsha in which the the qualifications a leader of the Jewish nation is explained. Rabbi Reichman explains these qualifications based on the Shem MiShmuel.
Righteous Women in the Era of the Prophets
Posted onRebbetzin Heller discusses the special qualities of King David’s wives Michal, Batsheva, and Avigail, the wise woman of Tekoa, the wife of the Navi Ovadia, and other women in the time of the Prophets.
In the Ways of Gentiles
Posted onRegarding dressing in the morning, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch states the prohibition of dressing in the ways of the Gentiles. Rabbi Jacobson expands on this concept with numerous examples to provide a complete picture of the prohibition of “bechukoseihem lo teilechu”. Included in this class is a discussion on Thanksgiving dinners and the special laws applying to left-handed people.
Parshat Balak: Bringing Spirituality into the Mundane
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the weekly Torah portion Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the hatred Balak and Bilaam had towards the Jewish People, based on the explanation of the Shem MiShmuel.
The Causes of Churban Habayit
Posted onRabbi Moshe N. Reichman discusses the causes for the Churban, as discussed in the Gemara, and how we can correct ourselves to bring the Geulah.
Unity and Individuality
Posted onRebbetzin Tzipporah Heller discusses why all Jews are connected with one another, and explains how individuality and Achdut are not conflicting values.
Ahavat Yisrael: What is One’s Obligation?
Posted onIs loving one’s fellow Jew an obligation from the Torah? Rabbi David explores this topic, tracing the mitzvot relating to Ahavat Yisrael starting from the pesukim in the Torah. He then discusses the comments of the Rambam and the Ktav V’Hakaballah on the application of these mitzvot, including examples of the levels of Ahavat Yisrael that were reached by great Jews like R’ Aryeh Levine.
Maintaining the Spiritual Spark
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Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the challenge of maintaining moments of inspiration, using them to fuel our constant spiritual journey.
Perek 5
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the final perek of the megilla. In this chapter, Yirmiyahu speaks of the helpless, weakened state of the Jewish people under the ravages of the Churban. He states that it is the destruction of the Temple, not the physical suffering of the Jews, that is the greatest source of sorrow. The megilla ends with a plea to Hashem to return His people to their former glory, for they have suffered enough.