Category: Jewish calendar
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.
Lottery of Life
Posted onWhy is the holiday of Purim named after Haman’s Lottery? Mrs. Shira Smiles describes the mindset of Haman and Amalek, who ascribe all events to mere chance, as opposed to the Jewish mindset of seeing the Divine plan in every event.
Haggadah
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Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller continues with a review of the Haggadah.
The Makings of Mashiach
Posted onRebbetzin Heller discusses the last chapter in the Book of Ruth, which describes the unique process in which the Mashiach is brought into this world and its relevance for our own personal redemption.
Cycle of Teshuva
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses how Succot is a continuation of the holidays that precede it, and how they are connected.
Days of Judgement Unlike Any Others – Part 2
Posted onWhy does Yom Kippur, the Day of Forgiveness, come after the Day of Judgment? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
Chodesh Iyar: Love from a Distance
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the unique spiritual characteristics of the month of Iyar. As the month in between Pesach and Shavuot, Iyar represents a more distant relationship with G-d. Yet, despite this distance, Rabbi Reichman explains the strong connection that bonds the Jewish people with the Almighty.
The Gan Eden Experience
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the holiday of Purim and how the day is a unique once-a-year opportunity where Hashem opens his vaults for our prayers to ascend unhindered.
Egypt
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In this class (shiur) Rebbetzin Leah Kohn discusses the Jews in Egypt.
Midnight Meeting
Posted onRebbetzin Heller discusses Ruth’s mysterious midnight visit to Boaz in his fields and unravels the depth of this seemingly inexplicable episode.
The Joy of Succot
Posted onRabbi Beinish Ginsburg outlines four reasons that we celebrate the holiday of Succot in the month of Tishrei, and explains how they relate to the Simcha (joy) of the holiday.
Elul: Recognizing the Relationship
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In this shiur (Torah class), which focuses on the month of Elul, Mrs. Shira Smiles explores the mood of the month, and examines the seeming ‘trickery’ of being on our best behavior during the month of Elul, when the judgment is approaching.
Elul: The Shofar’s Wake Up Call
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the month of Elul, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg connects the message of the blowing of the shofar, which is done every day of the month, to the essence of the month of Elul.
Relating To The Churban
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In this class (Shiur) Rebbetzin Tzipora Helps us get a deeper understanding of the churban and how it relates to our lives
Building Ourselves Building Our Nation
Posted onIn this class (Shiur) Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses how on this day of mourning we have to create unity
Breaking Barriers
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the 3 weeks.
Adar: Sanctity of Shekalim
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses the month of Adar.
Introverted Inquirer
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles continues to discuss the Holiday Of Pesach.
Encounter in the Field
Posted onRebbetzin Heller discusses Boaz’s unique understanding of Ruth’s greatness.
Sukkot: Service of the Heart
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman explains true joy of Sukkot, which emanates from serving G-d with one’s full heart.
Between the Sieges
Posted onIn this Torah class Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the time Between the Sieges
The Essence & Rectification of the 3 Weeks
Posted onIn this class Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the The Essence & Rectification of the 3 Weeks
Elul: Month of Relationships
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class), Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses that during the month of Elul, the month of building our relationship with G-d, we must focus on negating our will before G-d`s Will, and strengthening the deep bond that connects us to Him.
The Seder and Matan Torah, Part 2
Posted onIn this Pesach shiur, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg continues to point out various hints and connections to Matan Torah found in the Haggadah.
Desiring And Delving
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on the period of Bein Hamitzarim, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the aveilut for the churban and how it is not a lament for the past but a way of bringing us to the reality of the geulah within us.
The Three Weeks
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the 3 Weeks.
When To Be Smart And When To Be Right
Posted onIn this class Dayan Shlomo Cohen discusses When to be smart and when to be right.
Why Cry?
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller talks about what we are mourning for on Tisha B’Av, and how to feel the tragedy of the Churban today.
The Three Weeks: Attaining Dveikut
Posted onIn this guest lecture, Rabbi Alexander Cohen of Shearim College of Jewish Studies for Women discusses the opportunity for gaining dveikut with Hashem during the Three Weeks.
Halachot of Tisha B’Av: A Window to the Essence of the Day
Posted onIn this shiur on Tisha B’av, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson demonstrates how the halachot of the day are designed to arouse one to awareness of our national tragedy and feelings of mourning for our loss.