Levite Leverage
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On Parshat Behaloscha, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the Levites inauguration to the service of the Mishkan.
Category: Chumash Bamidbar
Amalek – Attack and Awakening
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On Parshat Chukat, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the attack of Amalek on the Jews. Amalek symbolizes the yetzer horo whose purpose is to lead us to self destruction. Mrs. Smiles discusses how the Jews were awakened to teshuva and how we too can strengthen ourselves to fight against the evil inclination.
Flowering Focus
Posted onOn Parshat Korach, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the lessons learned from the episode of the blossoming of the staff of Aharon Hakohen, which was the ultimate proof of Aharon’s legitimacy as the chosen High Priest, Kohen Gadol.
Calev: Commanding Courage
Posted onOn Parshat Shlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about the courage of Calev ben Yefuneh in standing up to the meraglim, the spies, and to the whole Jewish people.
The Eyes of Yitro
Posted onOn Parshat Baha’alotcha, Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about the centrality of EretzYisrael, the Land of Israel, as one of the important themes of the parsha.
Final Act
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on Parshat Matot, Mrs. Shira Smiles responds to the tragic death of Leiby Kletzky hy”d.
Parshat: Matot Maasei: Love of the Land
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Parshat Mattot-Masei, teaches us the important lesson of true love of the land.
Point of Perpetuity
Posted onon Parshat Pinchas, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about Pinchas’ reward.
Renunciation of Reasoning and Ratzon
Posted onOn Parshat Chukat, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about our ability to submit ourselves to the will of G-d, and to appreciate the special gifts that we each have.
The Thread of Truth
Posted onon Parshat Korach, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about Korach’s claims against Moshe.
Higher Humility
Posted onOn Parshat Shelach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the medrash that Hashem made room for the spies to fail. Mrs. Smiles also speaks about Yehoshua’s name change.
Essence of Peace
Posted onParshat Pinchas, Pinchas’ reward of a “brit shalom”, a covenant of peace, teaches us what hating evil and loving good is really all about.
Favorable Blessing
Posted onOn Parshat Nasso, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about birchat Kohanim.
Qualifications of Leadership
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Rabbi David discusses this weeks Torah Parsha, Parshat Pinchas. In choosing Yehoshua as Moshe Rabbeinu’s successor, Hashem imparted a fundamental lesson in the qualifications of a Jewish leader.
Everyone Counts
Posted onOn Parshat Bamidbar, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the seeming contradiction in the way the count of the Jewish people is established. Mrs. Smiles speaks about the dichotomy of each person being part of a whole and at the same time, an individual.
Lesson in Gratitude
Posted onOur ancestors’ reaction to bread in the Land of Israel leaves us with a fundamental Torah lesson in gratitude. We learn how to have proper gratitude and thanks for all that G-d gives us.
Cities of Leviim
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Mrs. Chana Prero analyzes the dimensions of the Leviim’s cities and their fields.
Science of Speech
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On Parshiyot Matot and Masei, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the topic of vows.
Elevating the Elevated Offering
Posted onon Parshat Pinchas, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the korban hatamid, the sacrifice that was brought each morning and evening.
Strong Roots
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes Bilaam’s first blessing to the Jewish People.
Pilgrimage Power
Posted onOn Parshat Balak, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the use of the words “shalosh regalim,” when the donkey spoke to Bilam.
Serpents Scream
Posted onOn Parshat Chukat, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the incident with the serpents.
Reasons for Rebellion
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes the motivations of Korach and his congregation.
Well Grounded
Posted onOn Parshat Korach, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the punishment that Korach and his followers received.
Send for Yourself
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes the first words of the parsha and whether Moshe was guilty for the sin of the Spies.
Nearness of Name
Posted onOn Parsha Shelach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines Yehoshua’s name change from Hoshea and analyzes the root of the failure of the spies, giving us a greater understanding of the significance of names.
Yitro’s Visit
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes the conversation between Yitro and Moshe when Moshe urges Yitro to join the Jewish Nation on their journey to the Promised Land.
Triumphant Travels
Posted onOn Parsha Beha’alotcha, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the description of how the Jewish people camped in the desert, and on the topic of the ‘chatzotzrot’, the trumpets.
Shavuot Connection
Posted onOn Parshat Nasso, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the significance of this Parsha always being read on the Shabbat after Shavuot.
The Leviim’s Job
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero discusses the jobs of the Leviim in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and Beit Hamikdash (Temple).