Introspection
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Mrs. Smiles discusses Parshat Balak.
Category: Chumash Bamidbar
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.
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.
Journeys of the Soul
Posted onParshat Mattot-Masei, Rebbetzin Heller teaches that Hashem’s intention in bringing us to new places is for us to tap into the spiritual potential of each place.
Priorities – Parshat Mattot-Masei
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses this week’s parsha, Parshat Mattot-Masei. In this shiur, she speaks about how the tribes of Reuven and Gad wanted to settle by the Jordan river for the sake of their children. G-d blessed them with lots of cattle and it was therefore through taking care of their cattle that they served G-d. But, we must not lose focus that our children take precedence over everything.
Finding Our Place in This World
Posted onRebbetzin Heller discusses how Yehoshua’s performance as one of the “spies” and his subsequent leadership of the Jewish People teaches us how to live our lives within the boundaries of this world.
The Choice of Every Individual
Posted onThe comparison, made by the Mishna, between Avraham and Bilaam teaches us a lifelong lesson in choosing to use our strengths in the right way.
Power of Prayer
Posted onParshat Chukat, the episode of Moshe and the “Mei Meriva” sheds light on the role of Moshe Rabbeinu as our leader and the lessons of prayer he imparted to us.
The Mystery of Death
Posted onIn Parshat Chukat, we learn about Parah Adumah. The chok of Parah Adumah is in essence the mystery of death, where on one hand there is a spiritual loss and yet G-d Himself is completely within the picture.
Sons of Peace
Posted onParshat Korach, Korach’s sons believed their father’s intentions and became champions of peace as seen in Tehillim.
Kedusha vs. Bechirah
Posted onRabbi Avishai David discusses the weekly parsha, Parshat Korach and how Korach’s problem was his misunderstanding of the significant distinction between kedusha and bechirah, holiness and choice.
Aliyah of the Soul
Posted onRabbi Hanoch teller discusses how the Torah’s description of the spies’ journey in the Land of Israel teaches us the essence of what it means to live in the Holy Land.
Kindling the Flames
Posted onParshat Beha’alotcha, Aharon HaKohen is designated with the task of kindling the flames of the menorah, teaching us an important lesson about our relationship with those around us.
Ultimate Eternity
Posted onRabbi Avishai David discusses this week’s Torah parsha, Parshat Beha’alotcha. From the exchange between Moshe Rabbeinu and his father in law, Yisro, we can learn a timely lesson of what is our ultimate goal in life.
Receptacle of Blessing
Posted onThe episode of the “sotah” in this week’s Torah parsha, Parshat Nasso, provides us with an essential insight into who is truly deserving of blessing.
The Sanctity of Family
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller discusses Parshat BaMidbar and explains that in the Torah the holiness of a Jewish family is emphasized in a concrete way.
Being Yourself
Posted onParshat Bamidbar presents the story of how the Jewish people received the Torah in the desert. There, we were removed from any outside societal influence. We learn from this how to define ourselves in today’s society.
Perspectives on the Holy Land
Posted onRabbi Avishai David discusses how the contrast between the story of the spies in Parshat Shelach, and the one found in the Haftorah, provides us with a proper lens focused on the Land of Israel.