The Torah Learning on this site is dedicated in memory of Rochel Leah bas R' Chaim Tzvi and R' Yisrael Menachem ben R' Binyamin.
The Jewish calendar is chock full of special days that have a unique influence on us and help us come closer to Hashem. The Torah calls the holidays, moadim, times of meeting with Hashem. This series of classes explores the transformative power of Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, the fast days, and other Jewish holidays around the year. Popular classes include insightful lectures on The Days of Awe which takes a comprehensive look at this emotionally charged period, particularly focusing on the Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur prayers, explaining their structure, logical sequence, meaning, and symbolism. Students also examine Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik’s important work on Jewish Thought, Al HaTeshuva, which discusses repentance and self-improvement as a means to growth and ascension in service of Hashem. In Jerusalem: Echoes of Lament, a range of Naaleh teachers explore such thought-provoking questions as what were the causes of this destruction? What should we do to return to our former glory as G-d’s Holy people? How can we deepen our appreciation of Jewish unity in order to rectify the sin of disunity that caused the destruction? Other topics include classes on Chanuka, Tu B’shevat, Purim, Pesach, Shavuot, Sefira, Lag B’aomer, and the Three Weeks.
Rabbi Avishai David discusses the background of Chanuka, the distinctions between Chanuka and Purim, Pirsumei Nisa, the Yesod of Chanuka, and the difference of order between the Rambam and the Shulchan Aruch, in memorial of the Mumbai victims.
Mrs. Shira Smiles reveals its essence and inner depth in memory of the Mumbai Victims.
Rabbi Michael Taubes explores the final moments of the Yom Kippur davening (prayers) and the joy that comes with true forgiveness.
Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller sums up the philosophical truths and principles of life that are presented by Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon) in Sefer Kohelet.
Rabbi Michael Taubes examines how the bulk of the Yom Kippur davening (prayers) is comprised of Mussaf, in which the details of the Yom Kippur service are described.
Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller speaks about the transience of all physical goals and even our own bodies’ eventual demise. Only Yirat Hashem endures.
Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller shows how complex people and situations can be remedied by using the mind, heart, and body in the right way.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller explores the difficulty in resolving the seeming similarity between the fate of the Tzaddik and Rasha.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller talks about how living a life of morality and awareness makes life better in this world, even though we often see Tzaddikim who suffer n this world.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller continues an anaylsis of Perek 7.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller explores Perek 7.
Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller continues teaching the fifth perek (chapter) of the megilla. Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon) speaks about seeing the big picture as one lives one life and finding proper focus in both material and spiritual areas.
On Megillat Kohelet, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller reads and explains the fifth chapter of the Megilla. This chapter begins with admonishments not to speak disrespectfully of Hashem if one doesn’t understand His ways, and of the importance of keeping one’s word.
On Megillat Kohelet, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches the fourth perek of the Megilla. In this perek, Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon) discusses the falsehood of this material world and its accompanying fantasies, the tikkun (fixing) of Gehinom (Hell), and the strength of togetherness and positive human relationships.
On Megillat Kohelet, Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller discusses our relationship with time. Time is a backdrop for many of life’s challenges. If we respond to our current challenges with a realization that our response forms us, we will be able to maximize the opportunities we encounter.
Rabbi Michael Taubes discusses the fundamental aspects of the Yom Kippur Davening (prayers), in particular Kol nidrei and viddui (confession).
On Megillat Kohelet, continuing the first perek (chapter) and the beginning of the second perek
On Megillat Kohelet, Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller discusses the uniqueness of the five Megillot, and the specific theme of this Megilla. She begins learning the first perek (chapter) inside the text, analyzing the words of the pesukim and delving into their timely messages.
Rabbi Michael Taubes discusses the Musaf prayer of Rosh HaShana, which contains essential themes of the holiday.
Rabbi Taubes discusses the significance of the Shofar that is blown during the Rosh HaShanah davening. Rabbi Taubes also discusses the custom to eat the simanim, the signs of Rosh Hashana.
In this question and answer session by Rebbetzin Heller, Jewish women throughout the world reach out with their daily challenges. Rebbetzin Heller addresses each question with sensitivity, wisdom, and humor. Some of the question included in this class are how to feel ready for judgement without attending shul on Rosh Hashana, how to cope with children who are struggling with their Judaism, and how one should deal with the attraction of secular novels and music.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller addresses questions and struggles shared with her by our female members. This shiur (class) touches on many topics, including women’s education, personal conflicts in keeping the halachot of tzniut, getting ready for Shabbos, bitachon and doing chessed outside the home.
Rabbi 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.
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.
Rabbi Moshe N. Reichman discusses the causes for the Churban, as discussed in the Gemara, and how we can correct ourselves to bring the Geulah.
The Shem MiShmuel explains the significance of Lag BaOmer and it’s practical relevance for our lives.
In this Torah shiur (class), Rabbi Shimon Isaacson examines whether Sefirat Haomer is a Torah law or a Rabbinic law, and the halacha regarding one who misses a day of counting.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller finishes her discussion of Megillat Esther, and reviews the four mitzvot of Purim.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller speaks about ‘hester panim’, hashgacha, and the effect of Tzadikim on their generation.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller explains how Esther became the epitome of Midat Malchut (characteristic of kingship), and why she needed preparation for this role.
