Mindset, Movement, and Modeling
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On Parshat Bo, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses man’s role on this world. While the results are up to Hashem, man is meant to toil to reach the tzurat ha’adam, the perfected human form Adam was before the sin.
Category: Chumash Shemot
Hail to the Hail
Posted onOn Parshat Va’eira, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the plague of hail and how Moshe had to go to a world above the heavens to bring down the miraculous seemingly paradoxical hailstones.
Cryptic Concealment
Posted onOn Parshat Shemot, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the meaning behind Moshe hiding his face when Hashem spoke to him from the burning bush.
Panoramic Perspectives
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On Parshat Ki Tisa, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Moshe’s request to Hashem, “Show me now Your glory.” The class examines the nature of divine acts and man’s true purpose on this world.
Northern Nexus
Posted onOn Parshat Teruma, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the significance of the Shulchan that was positioned near the northern wall of the Tabernacle.
Liabilities and Love
Posted onon Parshat Mishpatim, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses how studying the laws of damages leads to kindness and perfection of character.
Emuna Explored
Posted onOn Parshat Yisro, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the first commandment, “Onochi Hashem Elokecha,” and the different facets of emunah.
Decisive Dance
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on Parshat Beshalach, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the nature of Miriam’s song at the splitting of the Red Sea.
Benevolent Blossoming
Posted onOn Parshat Bo, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses how Torah and the world parallel each other, specifically as it relates to the exodus of Egypt which occurred in the spring time.
Existential Equality and Equanimity
Posted onOn Parshat Vaeira, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the equality and humility of Moshe and Aharon.
Redeemer’s Reluctance
Posted onon Parshat Shemot Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Moshe’s reluctance to take on the role of redeeming the Jews from Egypt.
Intelligence and Inheritance
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On parshiot Vayakhel and Pekudei, Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about the unique legacy which Betzalel endowed every Jew with, when he built the Mishkan, the Sanctuary.
Pressed to Perfection
Posted onOn Parshat Tetzaveh, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the unique qualities of the olive oil used in the Mishkan and Beit Hamikdash, of the inner message that the olive oil contains for each of us, and how that message relates to the upcoming holiday of Purim.
Precious Poles
Posted onOn Parshat Truma, Mrs. Shira Smiles delves into the meaning of the badim, the poles used in the Mishkan.
Consciousness
Posted onOn Parshat Mishpatim, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the pasuk which says to serve Hashem, and He will bless the bread and water, and remove illness.
The Experience of Sinai
Posted onOn Parshat Yitro, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the passuk that says that the Jewish People stood under the mountain, and the gemara that explains that Hashem held the mountain over them, forcing them to accept the Torah.
The Meaning of Manna
Posted onOn Parshat Beshalach, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the experience of the manna, the food in the desert.
World of the Wicked
Posted onOn Parshat Bo, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the question of the wicked son mentioned at the Pesach Seder, which is alluded to in Parshat Bo.
Frog Fundamentals
Posted onOn Parshat Vaeira, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the plague of frogs. Mrs. Smiles examines why the plague started as just one frog and multiplied into many, and why Pharoah asked that the plague stop the next day instead of immediately.
Holy Ground
Posted onOn Parshat Shemot, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines Hashem’s command to Moshe not to come closer to the burning bush, and to remove his shoes, because the ground he is on is holy., asking the Ramban’s question of why was that ground holy, if the shechina was resting only on the burning bush?
Bountiful Blessings
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On Parshat Pekudei, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the bracha that Moshe blessed Klal Yisrael upon the completion of the mishkan.
Mirroring Majesty
Posted onOn Parshat Vayakhel, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the description of the kior, the sink, which was made of mirrors donated by the women.
Covenant II; Constant Challenge
Posted onOn Parshat Ki Tisa, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines how the sin of the golden calf transformed Jewish history, specifically in relation to the tablets.
Secret of the Spice
Posted onOn Parshat Tetzaveh, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the last perek in the parsha, which details the altar for the incense.
Creating Closeness
Posted onOn Parshat Terumah, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the midrash on the words ” take for me a portion,” which says that Hashem told the Jewish people that He sold them His Torah, and its as if He sold Himself with the Torah.
Brick Burden and Buoyancy
Posted onOn Parshat Mishpatim, Mrs. Shira Smiles explains the ‘sapphire brickwork’ under Hashem.
Altar Accentuation
Posted onOn Parshat Yitro, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the placement of the description of the altar, after the revelation at Sinai.
Glorifying the Glorified
Posted onOn Parshat Beshalach, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the pasuk in Shirat Hayam which says, “…This is my G-d and I will glorify Him…”
Midnight Mindfulness
Posted onOn Parshat Bo, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the plague of the first born; why it occurred at midnight, why is was carried out by Hashem Himself, and why the Jewish people had to do something in order to gain protection.
Existential Exodus Experience
Posted onOn Parshat Va’eira, Mrs. Shira Smiles asks why there is such an emphasis in the Torah and in our lives, on the experience of the Jews in Egypt.