Perek 25: The Fate of the Nations
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Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches chapter 25. This perek talks about the future destinies of Edom, Amon, Moav, and Plishtim.
Videos
Parshat Toldot: The Potential of Eisav
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Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains why Yitzchak wanted to give Eisav the blessings.
Preferential Parenting
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On Parshat Toldot, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the pasuk which states that Yitzchak loved Eisav for his hunting, and Rivka loved Yaakov. Mrs. Smiles examines the different approaches to this pasuk to gain insight into our avodat Hashem.
Perek 24: The Siege of Jerusalem
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches chapter 24, which describes the siege of Jerusalem and the life of Yechezkel as a symbol for the fate of the Jewish people.
Yaakov’s Journey
Posted onOn Perek 29 and 30 of Sefer Breishit, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on Yaakov’s journey to and arrival in Charan. Mrs. Smiles speaks about Yaakov’s clarity of ratzon Hashem upon his leaving, and his awareness that Hashem is still with him upon his arrival in Charan.
Efron Expression of Earthliness
Posted onOn Parshat Chayei Sarah, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines why the narrative of Avraham’s acquisition of the land for Mearat HaMachpela is so detailed. Additionally, Mrs. Smiles discusses why Ephron’s name is spelled without a ‘vav’ in the pasuk in which the transaction took place.
Respect for All
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In this short Torah class on relating to other people, Rabbi Hanoch Teller explains why every human being is deserving of respect.
Fear of Heaven, Part 2
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In this short shiur (Torah class) on relating to others, Rabbi Hanoch Teller concludes his discussion of Fear of Heaven as it relates to relationships.
Fear of Heaven, Part 1
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In this short Torah class (shiur) on human relationships, Rabbi Hanoch Teller explains why fear of G-d is necessary for true morality.
Unchanging Morality
Posted onIn this short Torah class on relating to others, Rabbi Hanoch Teller explains that G-d is the basis for all morality, and why this clarifies our interpretation of right and wrong.
Reliable Emissaries
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller shows how every Torah- abiding Jew can bring honor and respect to Hashem through their actions.
Ambassadors of G-d
Posted onIn this short Torah class on the guidelines to proper interaction with others, Rabbi Hanoch Teller explains that at every moment, every religious Jew is an ambassador of all Jews and for Torah Judaism. This knowledge must affect our behavior at all times.
Kiddush and Chillul Hashem
Posted onIn this Mussar shmuz on being a mentch, Rabbi Hanoch Teller talks about what constitutes a Kiddush Hashem, sanctification of Hashem, and what identifies a chillul Hashem, desecrating Hashem’s Name.
Salt of the Earth
Posted onOn Parshat Vayeira, Mrs. Shira Smiles raises a number of questions on the pasuk that says that Lot’s wife looked behind, and became a pillar of salt.
Permissible Falsehood
Posted onIn this short Torah class (shiur) on relating to others, Rabbi Hanoch Teller talks about the rare instances when one is permitted to lie.
Speaking With Integrity
Posted onIn this short Torah class (shiur) on relating to other people, Rabbi Hanoch Teller talsk about the importance of honesty and integrity in one’s speech.
Accepting Criticism
Posted onIn this shirt Torah shiur on correct behavior when dealing with others, Rabbi Hanoch Teller advises one on how to react to others’ criticisms of us.
Appropriate Criticism
Posted onIn this Mussar talk on respectful human interaction, Rabbi Hanoch Teller talks about choosing when and when not to criticize others.
Benefits of Chessed
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In this Torah class on Sefer Ahavat Chessed, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches the opening chapter of the book. In this introduction, the Chofetz Chaim lists the unbelievable benefits and rewards for doing chessed.
Chessed: An Unchanging Obligation
Posted onIn this Torah shiur, (class) on Sefer Ahavat Chessed, Rav Beinish Ginsburg discusses Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik’s perspective on the Torah obligation to do chesed for others. Rav Soloveitchik’s approach is that while society’s mores for acceptable and positive behavior are always changing, the Torah’s standards never change.
Betwixt and Between
Posted onOn Parshat Lech Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on Lot, whose behavior was not ideal, yet contains lessons about our character development.
Parshat Noach: Strength of Our Community
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman explains how the Teiva, the Ark, represents the power of surrounding ourselves with our community. By doing so, we are protected from the various outside negative influences.
Heavenly vs. Earthly Kedusha
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In this short Torah class (shiur) on the Shemoneh Esrai, Rabbi Hershel Reichman describes the two kinds of kedusha which Man can access. There is a heavenly, inviolate kedusha which never changes, and kedusha which can be brought down to this world, or lost, through Man’s actions.
Torah’s Protection
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman explains how Torah protects us throughout our lives.
Parshat Noach: Seeking Refuge
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman discusses how one can find refuge from the overwhelming influence of the secular world.
Slippery Slope
Posted onOn Parshat Noach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the events that led up to the flood, to get a sense of how not to fall into the same level of depravity at the time of the flood.
Sarah’s Laughter
Posted onThe laughter of Sorah Imeinu when told about Yitzchak’s birth and her denial of it.
Introduction to Bracha of Kedusha
Posted onIn this short shiur (Torah class) on the Shemoneh Esrai, Rabbi Hershel Reichman introduces the third bracha of the Shemoneh Esrai, the bracha of Kedusha, Holiness.
Why Can’t I Just be a Good Person?
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In this Torah class on Sefer Ahavat Chesed, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg introduces the topic of doing chessed. He begins with a discussion of the haskama, the letter of approbation, which the Netziv wrote for Sefer Ahavat Chesed. In his haskama, the netziv writes about the two fold obligation to do chesed, as it is both the right thing to do, and its a mitzva. He explains that chesed is more than just ‘being a kind person’ according to the standards of general society, because Hashem has much higher standards of Chesed.
G-d as the Source of Life: Mechayeh Hamaitim
Posted onIn this short Torah shiur (class) on the Shemoneh Esrai, Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the second bracha of Shemoneh Esrai, which describes Hashem as the source of all life, and shows our absolute dependence on Him in every respect.