Sacrifice and Prayer
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Rebbetzin Heller addresses the question: How do sacrificial offerings help us connect to G-d?
Themes of the Hagaddah
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In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Ari Jacobson discusses some of the major themes in the Hagadda. Rabbi Jacobson provides a general understanding as well as specific insights in the Hagaddah.
Seven Identities of the Yetzer Hara
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In this class on the Netivot Olam of the Maharal, Rebbetzin Heller explains the answer to the perplexing question: What does it mean that tzaddikim have the strongest Yetzer Hara?
The Pesach Experience
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In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen presents the Pesach experience. Rabbi Cohen animatedly explains how to truly experience Pesach on a spiritual level.
The Evian Conference
Posted onRabbi Teller discusses the first steps in the Holocaust: the Nuremberg Laws, Anschluss, and world reactions.
Pesach: Transformation
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on Pesach, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about some aspects of transformation that we can feel through the dynamic and spiritual aspects of the seder.
Germany Between the Wars
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller discusses the various factors that led the German people to support Hitler in prewar years.
Shema Yisrael, Declaration of Faith
Posted onIn this class on the Principles of Jewish Faith, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller explores the concepts of Hashem’s Unity and His constant Involvement in the Running of the World.
Lessons from the Four Sons
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg learns lessons in chinuch and avodat Hashem from the questions and answers of the four sons of the Hagaddah. The class emphasizes the need to ask sincere questions throughout our lives.
Chessed: The Mighty Weapon
Posted onRebbetzin Heller discusses two effective methods which the Maharal offers to combat the Yetzer Hara: Torah and Chessed.
Lessons from the Splitting of the Sea
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) about the last day of Pesach, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller explains how Kriat Yam Suf (the splitting of the sea and the drowning of the Egyptian army), was different from the miracles of Egypt, why this added salvation was necessary for the Jewish people, and what we can learn from it.
Hitler’s Rise to Power
Posted onRabbi Teller attempts to explain the glaring question of why the world ignored Hitler’s rhetoric.
Parshat Mattot-Masei
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Based on the verses in the Book of Numbers, it seems as if the tribes of Reuben and Gad placed more importance on their livestock than their children. Through an in-depth analysis and exploration of the text as well as various commentaries, we will understand the mistake these tribes made, their true intentions, as well as the tremendous lessons that may be derived from this narrative regarding priorities in life.
The Mitzvah of Eating Matzah
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach, Rabbi Avishai David surveys the halachic opinions of the Ibn Ezra, Rambam, the Vilna Gaon, the Chizkuni, and others, in regards to the Mitzvah of Eating Matza on the night of the Seder and for the rest of the holiday of Pesach. This class thoroughly covers the topic of eating Matzah from a halachic and hashkafic perspective.
Intro to the Holocaust Course
Posted onRabbi Teller discusses his course on the Holocaust as well as his teaching style.
Introspection
Posted onMrs. Smiles discusses Parshat Balak.
The Well of Miriam
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles provides a description of the personality and legacy of Miriam within the Torah, and the deeper meaning of her lifetime connection to water.
Purity of Motive
Posted onParshat Korach serves as a model for how we can behave properly and with the correct middos in life. This parsha also teaches us about the behavior of envy.
Beyond the Ego
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles explores and develops the perplexing episode of the spies’ journey to Israel and the Jews’ subsequent sin and punishment. Mrs. Smiles explains how this episode ultimately teaches important life lessons to each of us.
Personal En’light’enment
Posted onFrom the beginning to the end of this Torah parsha, Parshat Beha’alotcha, Mrs. Shira Smiles weaves the theme of character development and refinement as a basis for success in Torah.
Shevi’i Shel Pesach
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the spiritual significance of the last days of Pesach. Based on the Shem MiShmuel, Rabbi Reichman explains how the last days of Pesach represent a holiday celebrating the tzibur, nation of Israel as a whole.
Netiv Koach Heyetzer
Posted onRebbetzin Heller begins her analysis of Netiv Koach Hayetzer with a discussion of how to understand our inner enemy – the Yetzer Hara.
Fire, Water and Desert
Posted onThe fire, water, and desert that accompanied the Jews during their sojourn for forty years, symbolize deep lessons of devotion to G-d, passion for spirituality, and a willing to sacrifice oneself to fulfill G-d’s Will. We can incorporate these powerful lessons into our daily lives, to become more passionate, spiritually-focused people.
Unity of G-d
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class), Rebbetzin Heller begins her discussion of Principles of Faith by defining what faith truly is and how it demonstrates our belief in the unity of G-d.
The Fences Established by Iyov
Posted onIn this Torah class Rabbi yitzchak Cohen discusses The Fences Established by Iyov
Honest Gains
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles provides an inside look into Parshat Kedoshim.
Removing the Mask
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Vayakhel.
Tabernacle – Command or Compensation
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Terumah, the parsha for the week. The shiur discusses several opposing views concerning exactly when the sin of the golden calf occurred in relationship to the command and implementation of the building of the Tabernacle. The differences of opinion regarding the chronology of these events reveals an essential perspective on life: preparing ourselves to become a sanctuary for G-d.
The Living Torah
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses the weekly parsha, Parshat Yitro. The experience of receiving the Torah forces one to recognize that the only option one is faced with in this world is serving their Creator. Possession of the Torah, the guidebook that directs our life, similar to a manual for a sophisticated machine, is a tremendous source of joy.
Closing the Circle
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Beshalach. Mrs. Smiles delves into the essence of shira, and the importance of incorporating shira into our daily lives. In addition, she speaks about the attack of the Amalekites on the Jewish people, the character of Amalek, and how to spiritually battle this force.