The Torah Learning on this site is dedicated in memory of Rochel Leah bas R' Chaim Tzvi and R' Yisrael Menachem ben R' Binyamin.
On Parshat Teruma, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the question of why the Torah says “take for me a portion,” when technically it should state to give a portion, and discusses the five main ingredients of what tzedaka is about.
On Parshat Shlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the Haftorah, and discusses the topic of Teshuva.
On Parshat Bo, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the pasuk which states that “against the children of Israel, no dog shall wet its tongue.”
On Parshat Mishpatim, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the concept of certain laws which are specific to the judges, to ensure a judgment of truth.
On Parshat Korach, Mrs. Shira Smiles analyzes Korach’s downfall, and how to balance positive jealousy.
On Parshat Beshalach, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the concept of saying the shirat hayam, the song of the splitting of the sea, every day in our davening.
On Parsha Vayeishev, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on one pasuk, to uncover some of the most fundamental aspects of the way Hashem interacts with us.
On Parshat Chukat, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the story of “mei meriva,” and presents three approaches of what went wrong, and the lessons we can take from it.
On Parshat Tetzaveh, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses why the names of the tribes appear two times on the Kohen Gadol’s garments, and examines the connection between the different stones, and the tribes that were engraved on them.
On Parshat Pinchas, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on some of the basic questions to get a sense of what the story of Pinchas is about.
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.
On Parshat Vayakhel-Pekudei, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on Betzalel, a key figure in the mishkan experience.
On Parshat Pinchas, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on some of the basic questions to get a sense of what the story of Pinchas is about.
On Parshat Toldot, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the concept of prayer.
On Parshat Tazria-Metzora, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the tzaraat that effects the home.
In Parshat Vayera, Avraham exemplifies the model of Hachnasat Orchim, hospitality. Mrs. Shira Smiles examines what was unique about these acts of hachnasat orchim, and why, in their merit, Avraham was blessed with a son.
On Parshat Acharei Mot and Kedoshim, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about how we are to understand and define what keduasha is.
On Parshat Noach, Mrs. Smiles explores who Noach really was, and for what merit Noach was saved, offering a goal of what to aspire to so that one can be saved from the deluge that surrounds a person in today’s world.
On parshiyot Behar and Bechukotai, Mrs. Shira Smiles points out that parshat Behar begins with the mitzvah of shemitah, and then discusses interpersonal relations specifically in the area of monetary help for individuals.
On Parshat Lech Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the question of why Avraham Avinu was chosen as the father of our nation.
On Parsha Bamidbar, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the pasuk that describes the job of El’azar in preparing the mishkan to be carried through the desert, and what one can learn from this in preparation for Shavuot.
On Parshat Vayechi, Mrs. Shira Smiles looks at what the concept of giving brachot is about, and more specifically, what the Friday night blessing for sons to be like Ephraim and Menashe is about.
On Parshat Veyeitzei, Mrs. Shira Smiles explains the significance of Yaakov’s interaction with the shepherds at the well.
On Parshat Naso, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the repetitive nature of the description of the gifts that the nesi’im brought to the mishkan, and about the blessings that Yaakov Avinu gave his children.
On Parshat Shemot, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the incident of the burning bush.
On Parshat Vayishlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles concentrates on the struggle between Yaakov and the angel, and explains how the struggle represents the quintessential struggle between good and evil.
On Parshat Beha’alotcha, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the complaints of the dor hamidbar.
On Parshat Va’eira, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the plague of ‘barad’ (hail).
On Parshat Yitro, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the tenth of the Ten Commandments, ‘lo tachmod’, do not covet, and compares it with a later mention in Parshat Va’etchanan which states ‘to tit’aveh’, do not desire.
