Chana: The Unique Quality of Women’s Prayer
Posted onExploring the unique quality of women’s prayers by studying the words of Chana.
Category: Tanach
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.
Father and Son Set Out
Posted onThis class focuses on the topic of fulfilling a mitzvah completely which entails pure devotion,joy, and alacrity.
Serach Bas Asher: The Power of Women to Partner with Hashem
Posted onA look at the personality of Serach Bas Asher and how it illustrates the power of women to partner with Hashem in ensuring the continuity of the Jewish Nation.
The Land of Moriah
Posted onDiscovering the unique character of the city of Yerushalayim, Jerusalem.
Chulda: A Message of Hope
Posted onUnderstanding Chulda as one of the seven prophetesses in Tanach.
Lech Lecha
Posted onDiscussing the deeper meaning of the words Lech Lecha and their message for every person’s spiritual journey.
Leah: A Role Model For Us
Posted onLooking at the life of Leah Imeinu as a role model who bequeathed to us the ability to do Teshuva even though she never sinned.
Where was Sarah during the Akeida?
Posted onLooking at the manner of Hashem’s call to Avraham Avinu, and the response Avraham’s striking response of Hineni.
Reasons Behind Life’s Tests
Posted onFocusing on the nature of Heavenly tests. Mrs. Smiles compares the approaches of the mefarshim who discuss the purpose of a nisayon.
Rachel: Builder of the Jewish Nation
Posted onLearning from the life of Rachel Imeinu and teaching the art of being silent while speaking, and instilling in us the ability to achieve this seemingly unattainable goal.
Rivka: A Rose Among Thorns
Posted onViewing Rivka Imeinu as a foundation of the Jewish people.
Motivating Factors of the Akeida
Posted onTorah insights on the motivation behind the Akeida.
Perek 129: Troubled by Our Enemies
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Rabbi Avishai David teaches kapitel (chapter) 129, one of the perakim of Shir Hamaalot. This perek describes the travails, both physical and spiritual, brought on us by our enemies, and our ultimate salvation from them.
Perek 125: Jerusalem and the Nations of the World
Posted onRabbi Avishai David continues to explain some of the 15 Shir Hamaalot chapters which were sung on the steps leading to the Temple (Beit Hamikdash). In this perek, David Hamelech describes how the nations of the world vie with each other in order to control Yerushalayim during the times that the Jewish people is in exile.
Perek 27 and 28: Struggle for Truth
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David analyzes the dispute between Yirmiyahu and the the false prophet Channania ben Azor regarding the fate of the keilim (the holy vessels) of the Beit Hamikdash. This dispute is really an argument over the future of the Beit Hamikdash (Temple) and the presence of the Shechina among the Jewish people.
Perek 124: Salvation Within Exile
Posted onRabbi Avishai David explains some of the 15 Shir Hamaalot chapters which were sung on the steps leading to the Temple (Beit Hamikdash). This perek either refers to the Purim miracle, or to general galut. it describes the fierce hatred of our enemies, and the miraculous salvation we merit from Hashem.
Perek 28: The False Prophesy of Channania ben Azor
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David discusses Yirmiyahu’s nemesis Channania ben Azor, who he was and how he became a false prophet. Included in the class are the Rambam’s differentiation between a positive nevuah (prophesy) and a negative one.
Perek 23, Part 4: Torah Study: The Ultimate Goal
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David continues his study of perek 23, the famous Mizmor L’David sung every Shabbos. In this class, Rabbi David discusses why specifically this Psalm is sung at meals, the Psalm’s emphasis on Torah study as the focus and ideal of every Jew, and the combination of din (judgment) and rachamim (mercy) in Hashem’s relationship to us.
Perek 135: Hashem’s Imprint on History
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David compares and contrasts perakim 135 and 136, which focus on Hashem’s handiwork in Creation and History, as well as on His Role as Provider to the whole world
Perek 27: Accepting Bondage
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 27. In this perek, Yirmiyahu sends wooden yokes to many nations, warning them that Nevuchadnetzar will be conquering them, and Hashem wants them to accept Nevuchadnetzar’s rule. Rabbi David comments on the symbolism and significance of the wooden yokes, as well as the principle that all events in Jewish history are part of a master plan conceived by Hashem.
Perek 23, Part 3: Loving Rebuke
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David continues his analysis of Perek 23, the famous perek Mizmor ‘David’. In this class, Rabbi David discusses the structure of the perek, as well as the statements of complete trust in Hashem.
Perek 136: Pinnacle of Thanksgiving
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David explains Psalm 136 as the ultimate prayer of thanksgiving to Hashem. This unique perek lists many of the kindnesses Hashem does for the world, followed by the refrain ‘ki l’olam chasdo’, (for His Kindliness is Eternal).
Perek 26: Servant and Messenger
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David analyzes perek 26. In this perek, Yirmiyahu speaks of the role of the Navi as Hashem’s messenger and servant, and of the Beit Hamikdash as the center for guidance in worship of Hashem.
Perek 23, Part 2: Total Reliance on G-d
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David continues with his analysis of Perek 23. He discusses the issue of balancing bitachon (reliance on Hashem) with the obligation for hishtadlus (expending effort in order to achieve a goal). In this class, Rabbi David relates this tension to the disagreement between R’ Yishmael and R’ Shimon bar Yochai, and shows how this perek reflects the experience of the Jews in the midbar (desert).
Perek 104, Part 3
Posted onRabbi Avishai David summarizes the perek, compares and contrasts this perek with perek 103, and shows the harmonious interplay of the entire mizmor.
Perek 104, Part II
Posted onRabbi Avishai David compares Perek 104 with Perek 103, and points out the distinctions between them. Rabbi David analyzes the different components describing the process of creation, and points out how the idea of Ahavat Hashem is embedded in the mizmor.
Perakim 14 & 53, Part 2
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David continues his analysis of Perakim 14 and 53, two perakim in Tehillim that are almost identical, yet contain a number of distinctions.
Perek 25: Bavel: Evil Persecutor or G-dly Messenger?
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyhau, Rabbi Avishai David examines the question of whether the persecutors of the Jewish People should be punished for their actions, as they are actually agents of Hashem. In this class, Rabbi David also discusses Hashem’s anger when the Jews serve avoda zara (idolatry).
Tzefania, Perek 1
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Rabbi Hanoch Teller begins Perek 1 of Tzefania ‘inside’.
Perek 23, Part 1: Mizmor L’David
Posted onThis Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim by Rabbi Avishai David analyzes Psalm 23, known as ‘Mizmor l’David’. This mizmor is sung many times over Shabbat, and is famous for its themes of complete trust in Hashem’s goodness in every situation, and of the soul’s natural yearning for spirituality and connection with Hashem.