Majestic Maidservants
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On Parshat Vayetzei, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the role of the maidservants, Bilha and Zilpa, and why they were not counted among the Imahot.
Category: Chumash Bereishit
Blindness and Brachos
Posted onOn Parshat Toldot, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the deeper meaning of Yitzchak’s blindness.
Gauging Goodness
Posted onOn 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.
Trail Travails
Posted onOn Parshat Vayera Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the odyssey of Hagar and Yishmael in the desert.
Presence And Presents
Posted onOon Parshat Lech-Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Avraham’s legacy of faith.
Rainbow Rays
Posted onOn Parshat Noach, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the covenant of the rainbow that Hashem made after the Great Flood.
Inspired Internment
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On Parshat Vayechi, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Yosef’s oath to Yaakov to bury him in the land of Israel.
Royal Revelation
Posted onMrs. Shira smile discusses Parshat Vayigash and Yosef’s surprising revelation to his brothers.
Curious Cloak
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Sinew’s Significance
Posted onMrs. Shira Smile discusses the significance of Yaakov Avinu’s sinew being targeted during the struggle with the angel of Esav in Parshat Vayishlach.
Indelible Impression
Posted onOn 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.
Forgiveness and Fortitude
Posted onMrs. Shira Smile discusses forgiveness and fortitude from within Parshat Toldot.
Coming Into Completeness
Posted onOn Parshat Chayei Sara, Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about Avraham Avinu at the end of his life.
Seeing is Believing
Posted onon Parshat Vayeira, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the concept of Hashem Yireh, the name Avraham gave the site of Akeidat Yitzchak.
Parshat Lech Lecha
Posted onOn Parshat Lech Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Sarah’s relationship with Hagar and its ramifications for future generations.
Dove’s Directive
Posted onOn Parshat Noach, Mrs. Shira Smiles delves into the episode of the dove bringing Noach the olive branch and its symbolism for our lives.
Living Life
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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?
Monarch’s Mission
Posted onOn 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.
Soul Searching
Posted onOn 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.
Faithful Follower
Posted onOn Parshat Vayishlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the phrase “I have sojourned with Lavan…”
Truth or Lies?
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes Yaakov and Lavan’s conversation after Lavan fails to find his idols.
Careful Consideration
Posted onOn 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.
The Non-Wandering Jew
Posted onMrs. 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?
Tumultuous Trembling
Posted onOn 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.
Camel Commotion
Posted onOn Parshat Chayei Sarah, Mrs. Shira Smiles analyzes the psukim where Rivka Imeinu meets Yitzchak Avinu for the first time.
Singular Signature
Posted onOn 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”.
Vineyard Vignette
Posted onOn Parshat Noach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the pasuk which states that “Noach, the man of the earth, planted a vineyard.”
Tenacity, Truth
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On Parshat Vayechi, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the idea of brachot in general, Yaakov Avinu’s brachot to his sons, and specifically Yehuda’s bracha.
Inspired Introspection
Posted onOn Parshat Miketz, Mrs. Shira Smiles connects the episode of the brothers in Egypt with Yosef, with the topic of Chanukah.
Soul of the Sole
Posted onon Parshat Vayeishev, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on a medrash on the sale of Yosef, that says that the brothers used the money they received to buy shoes.