The Torah Learning on this site is dedicated in memory of Rochel Leah bas R' Chaim Tzvi and R' Yisrael Menachem ben R' Binyamin.
This series of classes on Tanach delves into the deeper meaning hidden within the holy texts of the Torah, Prophets, and Scriptures applying its timeless messages to life. Courses focus on the structure and beauty of the texts, the historical background, and the spiritual impact that the timeless words of Tanach have on our lives today. Explore the precision and pathos contained in Tehilim, study the prophecies of Yirmiyahu, Yechezkel, Daniel, and Trei Asar analyzing pivotal concepts such as sin, retribution, repentance, forgiveness, and redemption, and analyze the struggles and the eternal lessons contained within the timeless words of the Megillot.
In this shiur (Torah class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches chapter 47, which describes the destruction of the Pelishti nation. Rabbi David discusses the origins of the Philistine nation, and explains why they deserved destruction.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David expounds on Yirmiyahu”s prophesy of desctruction for Egypt. Just as they were arrogant and boastful at the time of Yetziat Mitrayim, the redemption from Egypt, and they were destroyed, Hashem will destroy this arrogant nation again.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David illustrates more of the conditions needed in order to receive nevua. One condition is being in Eretz Yisrael. Another is being deemed worthy. Some holy people may study to be a navi for years, but if they do not have a certain genetic predisposition, they will not merit speaking with Hashem through the medium of Nevua.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explains the process of becoming a Navi, using the Rambam and other sources, and shows how this affected Baruch ben Neria’s failed quest to become a Navi.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David expounds upon the short chapter 45, which contains the prophesy of destruction which Yirmiyahu told his student Baruch ben Neria.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches the famous parable of two wayward wives, Oholiva and Ohola, and their subsequent downfall. This parable is adapted by the Kalir in the Kinnot of Tisha B’av. The rebellion of Ohola and Oholiva are a parable for the assimilation of the two kingdoms of Israel, that of the Ten tribes and that of The Kingdom of Judea
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller talks about the deeds which spiraled out of control, causing destruction and defeat of the Jewish people.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches the terrible prophesy of the siege of Jerusalem, and the terrible slaughter which accompanied its fall.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches perek 20, which relates how the elders attempted to disengage from Hashem and Hashem’s response in which he narrates the cause and affect of the covenant.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller explains the two parables presented by Yechezkel in chapter 19. The parables speak of two lions who misuse their abilities and of a vine that could have been fertile but is no longer. Both meshalim (parables) refer to the end of the independent monarchy in the Land of Israel, and the reality of exile.
Rebbetin Tziporah Heller teaches chapter 18, in which Yechezkel shows the way to move beyond the sins of one’s past and develop a new level of self-definition.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David discusses perek 44.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches perek 17, which relates Hashem’s promise that he will send the two eagles of destruction, Bavel and Mitzrayim, to reduce the Jews’ status to one of a downtrodden nation, ‘Am Shfela’. Eventually Mashiach will come and return us back to our original selves.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller completes chapter 16, which describes the unfaithful behavior of the Jewish people to Hashem.
Rebbtzin Tziporah Heller teaches chapter 16, which portrays a detailed parable of a rejected newborn, abandoned in the field. Hashem recognizes the beauty of the Jewish people even in their infancy, and raises them up to be his chosen children. Unfortunately, the Jewish ‘maiden’ stumbles and abandons Hashem.
In this Torah class on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches chapter 43, which describes the escape of the remaining community of Judea to Egypt, after the slaying of Gedalia ben Achikam. Yirmiyahu warns them not to take this step, and prophesies the ultimate subjugation of Mitzrayim to Nevuchadnetzar king of Bavel.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller continues Perek 15, speaking about why we turned away from Hashem and attached ourselves to strange forces.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches Perek 42, and examines the Malbim’s understanding of the perek.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches Perek 15, which speaks about what makes people follow the false prophets.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the dangers of bad leadership, as described by the prophet Yechezkel. The harm of false leaders is so great that even people who are great enough to maintain their level despite the opposition of society, such as Daniel, Noach, and Iyov, can’t rescue anyone but themselves from destruction.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 41, which describes the tragic end of Jewish settlement of Eretz Yisrael after the churban. This happens because of the wicked murder of Gedalyahu ben Achikam.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches chapter 13, in which Yechezkel describes the damage done by false prophets, and those who offer false mystic escapes to sin and punishment.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David discusses the moving episode of Yirmiyahu’s choice after the Churban. Nevuchadnetzar offers Yirmiyahu the option of staying in the destroyed city of Jerusalem with a small remnant of the Jewish popluation, or going down to Babylon with the majority of the Jewish people. Yirmiyahu chooses to stay in Eretz Yisrael, so that Hashem will accompany His children in galut. Rabbi David ends with a discussion of the nature of ‘Shechinta b’Galuta”, Hashem in Exile.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller relates the causes for people’s rebellion against Hashem, the ramifications of such rebellion, and why tzaddikim (righteous people) get punished when they did not sin.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 39, which describes the conquest of Jerusalem and the exile of Tzidkiyahu and the Jewish people. Ironically, Yirmiyahu is protected by Nevuchadnetzar, while those powerful Jews who thought they would persevere are exiled.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches perek 12, which describes the exile of the Shechina, the Divine Presence, from Yerushalayim, and shows how the calamity of exile is also the beginning of the path to redemption.
In this Torah class (shiur) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 38. Tzidkiyahu, the righteous king of the remnant of the Jews left in Yerushalyaim, is captive to the evil courtiers surrounding him. He secretly meets with Yirmiyahu and saves Yirmiyahu from death. Ultimately, Tzidkiyahu is captured and taken to Bavel, where his eyes are blinded and his children are killed in front of him. At this painful moment, Tzidkiyahu acknowledges that he deserved this punishment, and that all of the prophesies of doom had been fulfilled.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches perakim 10 and 11, which deal with the prophesies of the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the devastation of the Jewish people.
In this shiur (Torah class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches chapter 38. In this perek, the tension between Yirmiyahu, the noblemen, and Tzidkiyahu is apparent. The tension leads to the nobles throwing Yirmiyahu into a lime pit for his prophesies, and Tzidkiyahu removing him and meeting with him secretly.
In this Torah class (shiur) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David compares two kings who ruled at the end of of the era of the first Beit Hamikdash, Tzidkiyahu and Yehoyakim. The Beis Halevi explains that Yehoyakim was a wicked king who lived in a generation of righteous people, while Tzidkiyahu was a righteous king who ruled in a wicked generation.
