Bells and Pomegranates
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Mrs. Smiles explores the symbolism of the coat of the Kohen Gadol, which was edged with bells and pomegranates.
Category: Chumash Shemot
Parshat Ki Tisa: Mind and Heart Connection
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Aharon’s Vision
Posted onIn this Parsha, the famous Chet Ha-egel, Sin of the Golden Calf, was committed. Mrs. Smiles discusses Aaron’s role in this event, and talks about the power of Teshuva.
Priestly Clothing, Stitches for Life
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses the special garments of the Kohanim, the priests.
Inner Sanctuary
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles delves into Parshat Terumah. Parshat Terumah discusses the buliding of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. The task of building a Sanctuary for Hashem (G-d) is applicable to every Jew, who is charged with building a Sanctuary for G-d in is heart.
Parshat Yitro: Leaving Refidim, Coming to Sinai
Posted onIn his discussion on this week’s parsha, Parshat Yitro, Rabbi Hershel Reichman examines the Jewish people’s lack of self-confidence at Refidim, as well as their method of overcoming the depressed feelings by thinking of the bright future.
Totality of Torah
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles talks about Parshat Yitro. Parshat Yitro describes Matan Torah, the giving of the Torah to the Jewish Nation at Sinai. This class discusses Torah’s purpose and application to every aspect of our lives. Specifically, it focuses on the Ten Commandments and their application.
Parshat Beshalach: Emancipation of the Mind and of the Heart
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman discusses this parsha, Parshat Beshalach.
Living Faith
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Beshalach. The song of the Jews as they crossed the Yam Suf (Red Sea) and witnessed the final destruction of the Egyptian empire, was an expression of faith and joy.
Parshat Beshalach: Spiritual Emancipation
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman discusses this weeks Torah portion, Parshat Beshalach.
Life’s Illusions
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Bo. As the Jews left Egypt, they received gold, silver, and many valuables from the Egyptians. Mrs. Smiles explores this episode and its significance,and discusses the proper perspective to material possesions.
Creating Sensitivities
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Va-eira. The story of the Jews’ enslavement in Egypt can be seen through the lense of developing proper middot (character traits), especially that of hakarak hatov (gratitude).
Parshat Vaeira: Understanding the Will of G-d
Posted onIn his discussion on this week’s parsha, Parshat Vaeira, Rabbi Reichman uses the interpretation of the Shem MiShmuel to explain a puzzling Midrash (Oral Torah explanation) regarding Moshe’s role in our redemption from slavery in Egypt.
Parshat Vaeira: Sole Reliance
Posted onIn his discussion on this week’s parsha, Parshat Vaeira, Rabbi Hershel Reichman talks about how the Torah describes the increasing hardship of the slavery in Egypt in order to increase the Jewish People’s loyalty to G-d and their leader Moshe Rabbeinu.
Parshat Shemot: Three Signs of Moshe Rabbeinu
Posted onIn his discussion on this week’s parsha, Parshat Shemot, Rabbi Hershel Reichman presents a perplexing conversation in the Torah that takes place between G-d and Moshe Rabbeinu, by the burning bush. Rabbi Reichman uses the interpretation of the Shem Mishmuel to delve into the deeper meaning of the exchange.
Path to Redemption
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles talks about the theme of redemption.
Parshat Shemot: Purpose of Exile
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman discusses this weeks parsha. Parshat Shemot presents the original exile of the Jewish People in Egypt and its precedence and purpose in our existence as a nation.
Removing the Mask
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Vayakhel.
Tabernacle – Command or Compensation
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Terumah, the parsha for the week. The shiur discusses several opposing views concerning exactly when the sin of the golden calf occurred in relationship to the command and implementation of the building of the Tabernacle. The differences of opinion regarding the chronology of these events reveals an essential perspective on life: preparing ourselves to become a sanctuary for G-d.
The Living Torah
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses the weekly parsha, Parshat Yitro. The experience of receiving the Torah forces one to recognize that the only option one is faced with in this world is serving their Creator. Possession of the Torah, the guidebook that directs our life, similar to a manual for a sophisticated machine, is a tremendous source of joy.
Closing the Circle
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Beshalach. Mrs. Smiles delves into the essence of shira, and the importance of incorporating shira into our daily lives. In addition, she speaks about the attack of the Amalekites on the Jewish people, the character of Amalek, and how to spiritually battle this force.
Creation of Self
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Bo. The commandment to sanctify every Jewish month is the first commandment the Jewish nation received following their redemption from Egypt. By exploring this directive, we will discover the crucial aspect of living in a state of constant rejuvenation.
The Inner Inn Experience
Posted onShira Smiles discusses the weekly parsha, Parshat Shemot, and the intriguing episode of Moshe and Tziporah at the Inn on the way to Egypt.
Parshat Emor – The Power of Speech
Posted onRabbi Avishai David discusses the Torah outlook on speech: Our speech has the ability to bring us closer to Hashem.
Parshat Tetzaveh: Paths to G-d
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller provides a short dvar Torah on Parshat Tetzaveh.
Parshat Terumah: The Mishkan Within Us
Posted onRebbetzin Heller provides a short thought on the weekly Torah parsha, Parshat Terumah.
Parshat Bo: Hardening Pharoh’s Heart
Posted onIn discussing this week’s parsha, Parshat Bo, Rabbi Reichman uses the commentary of the Shem Mishmuel to explain the puzzling traditional interpretation that G-d took away Pharoh’s free will.