The Three Weeks, Tisha B'av

Holiday of Distance

Posted on
This video is class of 41 in the series Jerusalem, Echoes of Lament: Tisha B'Av and the Three Weeks.

In this Torah shiur (class) on Tisha B’av, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about accessing the aveilut of the churban, when we are so distant from the reality of it. Mrs. Smiles also examines why the keruvim (the angelic figures above the aron) were facing eachother when the Beit Hamikdash was destroyed, when we know that keruvim faced each other when the Jewish People were doing Hashem’s will.

The Three Weeks, Tisha B'av

Overview of Megillat Eicha

Posted on
This video is class of 41 in the series Jerusalem, Echoes of Lament: Tisha B'Av and the Three Weeks.

In this class on the Three Weeks and Tisha B’Av, Rabbi Avishai David discusses the background, content, purpose, and structure of Megillat Eicha. Rabbi David discusses the Tannaic disagreement over whether the Megilla is written as a rebuke or as a lament, and if it was written before or after the actual destruction of Yerushalayim. Rabbi David then reviews the content of each perek of the Megilla, and contrasts Perek Bet, which focuses on the Beit Hamikdash, with Perek Daled, which speaks about the fate of Klal Yisrael. Rabbi David ends this overview with an examination of the hopeful element found throughout the Megilla.

Tanach

Hallel Part 1: Perek 113

Posted on
This video is class of 18 in the series Tehillim VII.

In this shiur (Torah class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David begins teaching the chapters which make up the prayer of Hallel. In this class, Rabbi David introduces various halachic aspects of Hallel, as well as discussing the content and emotions that accompany this song of thanksgiving.

Elul, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur

Elul: Island of Refuge

Posted on

In this shiur (Torah class), Mrs. Shira Smiles examines three different acronyms used to describe the month of Elul. In this class, Mrs. Smiles focuses on the verse, “Ina Le’yado, V’Samti Lecha”. Mrs. Smiles explains how Elul is the place we run to when we realize how inadequate our service of Hashem has become. Through ELul, Hahem fills the vacuum created by our failings, and helps us to rise to our true potential.