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 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.
Rebbetzin 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.
On 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.
On 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.
In this short Torah class on relating to other people, Rabbi Hanoch Teller explains why every human being is deserving of respect.
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.
In this short Torah class (shiur) on human relationships, Rabbi Hanoch Teller explains why fear of G-d is necessary for true morality.
In 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.
Rabbi Hanoch Teller shows how every Torah- abiding Jew can bring honor and respect to Hashem through their actions.
In 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.
In 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.
On 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.
In this short Torah class (shiur) on relating to others, Rabbi Hanoch Teller talks about the rare instances when one is permitted to lie.
In 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.
In 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.
In this Mussar talk on respectful human interaction, Rabbi Hanoch Teller talks about choosing when and when not to criticize others.
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.
In 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.
On Parshat Lech Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on Lot, whose behavior was not ideal, yet contains lessons about our character development.
Rabbi 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.
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.
Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains how Torah protects us throughout our lives.
Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses how one can find refuge from the overwhelming influence of the secular world.
On 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.
The laughter of Sorah Imeinu when told about Yitzchak’s birth and her denial of it.
In 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.
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.
In 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.
In this short Torah class (shiur) on the Amida, Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the first bracha, the blessing of Magen Avraham. We are only able to approach Hashem in prayer because our forefather’s created prayer, and we follow in their footsteps as we approach G-d.
In this final Torah class on Sefer Chofetz Chaim, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg reviews the laws of permitted venting, even if it includes derogatory or negative speech, and concludes with a description of the life-altering impact of keeping the laws of Shemirat Halashon.
