In this class (shiur) on Parshat Chaya Sarah, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the lives of Sarah Imeinu and Esther Hamalka and Rabbi Akiva’s enigmatic comparison of these great women.

In this class (shiur) Rebbetzin Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Chayei Sara

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 Chayei Sara, Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about Avraham Avinu at the end of his life.

On Parshat Chayei Sarah, Mrs. Shira Smiles analyzes the psukim where Rivka Imeinu meets Yitzchak Avinu for the first time.

On Parshat Chayei Sarah, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines why the narrative of Avraham’s acquisition of the land for Mearat HaMachpela is so detailed. Additionally, Mrs. Smiles discusses why Ephron’s name is spelled without a ‘vav’ in the pasuk in which the transaction took place.

On Parshat Vayetzei, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on Rashi’s medrash on the idea that Hashem has ‘”gathered in” Rachel’s shame.

On Parshat Chayei Sarah, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on Eliezer’s search for a wife for Yitzchak, and why Hashem performed a miracle of shortening the journey for Eliezer.

Mrs. Shira Smiles gives an analysis of the extraordinary episode of the search for Yitzchak’s wife, and a discussion of the lessons gleaned from this story for our personal lives.

Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Chayei Sarah. In this parsha, the tenth and final test of Avraham Avinu takes place.