Conduit of Holiness
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On Parshat Vayakhel-Pekudei, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on Betzalel, a key figure in the mishkan experience.
Series: Living the Parsha 5769
The Grand Scheme
Posted onOn Parshat Pinchas, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on some of the basic questions to get a sense of what the story of Pinchas is about.
Potent Prayer
Posted onOn Parshat Toldot, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the concept of prayer.
The Treasure Within
Posted onOn Parshat Tazria-Metzora, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the tzaraat that effects the home.
Height of Hospitality
Posted onIn 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.
Living Kedusha
Posted onOn Parshat Acharei Mot and Kedoshim, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about how we are to understand and define what keduasha is.
Wonderful Words
Posted onOn 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.
Deepening the Relationship
Posted onOn 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.
Eternal Call
Posted onOn Parshat Lech Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the question of why Avraham Avinu was chosen as the father of our nation.
Load of a Lifetime
Posted onOn 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.
Bestowing Blessings
Posted onOn 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.
Well Well Well
Posted onOn Parshat Veyeitzei, Mrs. Shira Smiles explains the significance of Yaakov’s interaction with the shepherds at the well.
Model of Diversity
Posted onOn 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.
Fabulous Flame
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On Parshat Shemot, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the incident of the burning bush.
Struggle for Simcha
Posted onOn 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.
Comprehending the Complaints
Posted onOn Parshat Beha’alotcha, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the complaints of the dor hamidbar.
Awe of the Abode
Posted onOn Parshat Va’eira, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the plague of ‘barad’ (hail).
A Give and Take Relationship
Posted onOn 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.
Rachav – Redefined Role
Posted onOn Parshat Shlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the Haftorah, and discusses the topic of Teshuva.
Hark to the Bark
Posted onOn Parshat Bo, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the pasuk which states that “against the children of Israel, no dog shall wet its tongue.”
The Whole Truth
Posted onOn Parshat Mishpatim, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the concept of certain laws which are specific to the judges, to ensure a judgment of truth.
Juggling Jealousy
Posted onOn Parshat Korach, Mrs. Shira Smiles analyzes Korach’s downfall, and how to balance positive jealousy.
Noteworthy Notes
Posted onOn 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.
Acquiring Serenity
Posted onOn Parsha Vayeishev, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on one pasuk, to uncover some of the most fundamental aspects of the way Hashem interacts with us.
Vigilance
Posted onOn 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.
The Silent Pair
Posted onOn 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.
Pieces of Peace
Posted onOn Parshat Pinchas, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on some of the basic questions to get a sense of what the story of Pinchas is about.
The Divine Path
Posted onOn 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.
Desiring the Desired
Posted onOn 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.