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 Chayei Sara, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the verse, “The life of Sarah was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years, these were the years of the life of Sarah,” in particular Rashi’s explanation which says that all of her years were equally good.
Mrs. Shira smiles gives us insight into Parshat Pinchas.
On Parshat Beshalach, Mrs, Shira Smiles discusses Moshe’s act of taking the bones of Yosef out of Egypt.
Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Vayikra.
On Parshat Toldot, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the deeper meaning of Yitzchak’s blindness.
On Parshat Va’eira, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the plague of hail and how Moshe had to go to a world above the heavens to bring down the miraculous seemingly paradoxical hailstones.
On Parshat Vayera Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the odyssey of Hagar and Yishmael in the desert.
On Parshat Bechukotai, Mrs. Shira Smiles gives us insight into the verse, “If you behave casually towards me then I too will behave casually towards you.” The class further discusses how a Jew must make spiritual pursuits the focal point of his life.
Oon Parshat Lech-Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Avraham’s legacy of faith.
On Parshat Mishpatim, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the verse, “You shall not taunt or oppress a stranger for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” The class examines the great weight placed in heaven on being sensitive to the feelings of others.
Mrs. Shira smiles gives us insight into Parshat Korach.
On Parshat Vayetzei, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the role of the maidservants, Bilha and Zilpa, and why they were not counted among the Imahot.
On Parshat Ki Tisa, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses how to bring the beauty and joy of Shabbat into the home.
Mrs. Shira smiles gives us insight into Parshat Chukas.
On Parshat Vayigash, Mrs Shira Smiles discusses the significance of the cedar wood that Yaakov brought down to Egypt which was later used to build the Mishkan in the desert.
Mrs. Shira smiles gives us insight into Parshat Shlach.
On Parshat Vayechi, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the meaning of the verse, “Baruch shem kavod malchuto l’olam v’aed,” which the children of Yaakov recited at his deathbed.
On Parshat Terumah, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses how just as the planks of the Mishkan needed to be set up in a specific order, our lives too must be structured and ordered to achieve perfection in Avodat Hashem.
Mrs. Shira smiles gives us insight into Parshat Bamidbar.
On Parshat Vayeshev, Mrs Shira Smiles discusses the connection between the pit that Yosef was thrown into and the holiday of Chanukah.
On Parshat Tezaveh, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the priestly garments and how clothes define a person’s function and mission.
Mrs. Shira smiles gives us insight into Parshat Balak.
on Parshat Vayishlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Timna, the concubine of Elifaz, and the lessons we can learn from her.
On Parshat Ki -Tavo, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses following in Hashem’s ways and how practicing the mitzvot facilitates an outpouring of blessing from above.
On Parshat Shemot, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the meaning behind Moshe hiding his face when Hashem spoke to him from the burning bush.
Mrs. Shira smiles gives us insight into Parshat Emor .
On Parshat Noach, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the covenant of the rainbow that Hashem made after the Great Flood.
On Parshat Nitzavim, Mrs. Shira Smiles addresses the question: If Hashem tells us that teshuva and Torah are so close, why does it seem so far away to us?
On Parshat Bo, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses man’s role on this world. While the results are up to Hashem, man is meant to toil to reach the tzurat ha’adam, the perfected human form Adam was before the sin.
On Parshat Behar, Mrs. Shira Smiles gives us insight into the Yovel (jubilee) year and the purpose of sounding the shofar on Yom Kippur of the fiftieth year.
