Ceding The Cedar
Posted onOn Parshat Vayigash, Mrs Shira Smiles discusses the significance of the cedar wood that Yaakov brought down to Egypt which was later used to build the Mishkan in the desert.
On Parshat Vayigash, Mrs Shira Smiles discusses the significance of the cedar wood that Yaakov brought down to Egypt which was later used to build the Mishkan in the desert.
On Parshat Vayeshev, Mrs Shira Smiles discusses the connection between the pit that Yosef was thrown into and the holiday of Chanukah.
on Parshat Vayishlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Timna, the concubine of Elifaz, and the lessons we can learn from her.
On Parshat Vayetzei, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the role of the maidservants, Bilha and Zilpa, and why they were not counted among the Imahot.
On Parshat Toldot, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the deeper meaning of Yitzchak’s blindness.
On Parshat Chayei Sara, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the verse, “The life of Sarah was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years, these were the years of the life of Sarah,” in particular Rashi’s explanation which says that all of her years were equally good.
On Parshat Vayera Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the odyssey of Hagar and Yishmael in the desert.
Oon Parshat Lech-Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Avraham’s legacy of faith.
On Parshat Noach, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the covenant of the rainbow that Hashem made after the Great Flood.
On Parshat Vayechi, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Yosef’s oath to Yaakov to bury him in the land of Israel.
Mrs. Shira smile discusses Parshat Vayigash and Yosef’s surprising revelation to his brothers.
Mrs. Shira Smile discusses the significance of Yaakov Avinu’s sinew being targeted during the struggle with the angel of Esav in Parshat Vayishlach.
On Parshat Vayeitzei, Mr. Shira Smiles examines the verse, “And Yaaakov departed from Be’er Sheva and went towards Charan,” and the impression a righteous person has on his surroundings.
Mrs. Shira Smile discusses forgiveness and fortitude from within Parshat Toldot.
On Parshat Chayei Sara, Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about Avraham Avinu at the end of his life.
on Parshat Vayeira, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the concept of Hashem Yireh, the name Avraham gave the site of Akeidat Yitzchak.
On Parshat Lech Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Sarah’s relationship with Hagar and its ramifications for future generations.
On Parshat Noach, Mrs. Shira Smiles delves into the episode of the dove bringing Noach the olive branch and its symbolism for our lives.
On Parshat Vayechi, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the first passuk which states that Yaakov lived in Egypt for seventeen years, and that Yaakov lived for 147 years. Why was this passuk is necessary at all?
On Parshat Vayigash, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the pasuk that says that Yaakov sent Yehuda ahead of him, to go to Yosef and to prepare in Goshen.
On Parshat Vayeishev, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the three pesukim describing Yosef being lost in Shchem and speaking to a man who directs him to Dotan.
On Parshat Vayishlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the phrase “I have sojourned with Lavan…”
Mrs. Chana Prero analyzes Yaakov and Lavan’s conversation after Lavan fails to find his idols.
On Parshat Vayetzei, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the dialogue between Rachel and Yaakov about Rachel’s childlessness, and how we can learn about life struggles that we go through.
Mrs. Chana Prero addresses the questions of why does G-d command Yitzchak to remain in Israel and why does Yitzchak receive the blessings of Avraham?
On Parshat Toldot, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the passuk which states that Yitzchak trembled, and focuses on the medrash that says that this trembling was greater than Yitzchak’s trembling at Akeidat Yitzchak.
On Parshat Chayei Sarah, Mrs. Shira Smiles analyzes the psukim where Rivka Imeinu meets Yitzchak Avinu for the first time.
On Parshat Lech Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the first blessing in the Shemonah Esrei, the blessing of the patriarchs, which is related to the promise that Hashem gives Avraham, that Avraham “shall be a blessing”.
On Parshat Noach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the pasuk which states that “Noach, the man of the earth, planted a vineyard.”