The Torah Learning on this site is dedicated in memory of Rochel Leah bas R' Chaim Tzvi and R' Yisrael Menachem ben R' Binyamin.
In this chinuch class on making Torah concepts real to children of all ages, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller guides parents on how to introduce children to the mindset of Elul and the themes of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur on three levels; early childhood, middle childhood, and teens.
Rabbi Hanoch Teller discusses the storyline of Parshat Ki Tavo.
The final class on the Haftora of Shabbat Shuva, discussing the centrality of Eretz Yisrael and the meaning of the verse ‘Hashem’s ways are straight’. The lesson for us is to take every circumstance in life and utilize it to better serve Hashem.
On the Haforah of Shabbat Shuva, Mrs. Shira Smiles explains the beautiful imagery in the perek, as illustrations of G-d’s eternal love for His people, Am Yisrael.
On the essence of teshuva, based on the Haftara of Shabbat Shuva, Mrs. Shira Smiles demonstrates the important role of tefilla (prayer) and Torah study in enabling a person to repent completely.
On the Haftarah of Shabbat Shuva from where we learn that teshuva/repentance is a dynamic process with Hashem, and that every Jew’s soul is intrinsically pure, which means that even sin does not become part of its essence. When embarking on the teshuva process, one should have an image of who they want to be, so that they have a goal to aspire to.
Rabbi Hanoch Teller relates the storyline of Parshat Va-etchanan, with selected insights and comments.
Rabbi Hanoch Teller relates the storyline of Parshat Devarim, with selected insights and comments.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller reviews the entire story of the book of Daniel, and applies its lessons to our individual lives.
In this Torah class (shiur) on the Chassidic outlook on marriage, Rabbi Hershel Reichman presents the marriage of Avraham and Sarah, the first Jewish marriage, as the prototype for all Jewish marriages. Avraham Avinu’s main trait was his intellect. Sarah’s main trait was strength of character. Thus, the wife primarily deals with the physical/emotional level, and the husband with the intellectual/Torah level.
In the shiur (Torah class) on the inner meanings of a Jewish marriage, according to the philosophy of Chassidut, Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the connection between the seven days of Creation and the seven days of celebration following a Jewish wedding, known as Sheva Brachot. The Shem Mishmuel explains that marriage completes the human being’s creation. The couple emerges from two individual identities to one collective identity.
In this Torah shiur (class) on the true meaning of marriage, according to the Chassidic discourses of the Shem Mishmuel, Rabbi Hershel Reichman describes marriage as the solution to the human problem called death, as children are both a physical and spiritual continuation of their parents. A marriage is a re-enactment of Creation, and the primary vehicle for Chessed, which is the basic trait of G-d’s creation.
In this Torah shiur (class) on the nature of marriage based on the Torah thought of the Chassidic masters, Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains how the three levels of a Jewish Marriage – Kiddushin, Chuppah, and Yichud, correlate to the three levels of holiness and connection between Man and G-d. The essence of marriage is experiencing these levels of holiness.
In this Torah shiur (class) on the Torah view of marriage based on the philosophy of Chassidut, Rabbi Hershel Reichman describes marriage as a central theme in the Torah. The first story regarding people in the Torah is the narrative of Adam marrying Chava (Eve.) The first mitzva given Man in the Torah is the mitzva to bear children, “pru u’revu”. Chassidut explains that this world is characterized by a confrontation between physicality and spirituality. The fundamental purpose of humanity is to discover the ‘holy sparks’ of the Divine in the physical reality. Marriage is the central arena for achieving this goal.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller completes the sefer, with a description of the end of days and the fate of all segments of the Jewish people – tzadikkim, reshaim, maskilim, matzdikei harabim, etc.
In this Torah shiur on marriage and shidduchim, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller speaks about what the 15th day of Av represents. On this day, the heavenly attributes of Chochma and Binah combine, as do the middot of Tiferet and Malchut. This merging of forces represents the completion of the soul through marriage.
On Parshat Pinchas, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on some of the basic questions to get a sense of what the story of Pinchas is about.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller describes the Torah as the means in which all facets of life connect to Hashem. The Torah can even ‘enter the lion’s lair’ and redefine or conquer evil on its own turf.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller describes the vision that Daniel had about various future wars, and connects it to their historical and modern parallels.
On Parshat Pinchas, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on some of the basic questions to get a sense of what the story of Pinchas is about.
Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses the daily obligation to remember Yetziat Mitzrayim vs. the unique mitzva of Sipur Yetziat Mitzrayim on the Seder night.
In this Torah shiur (class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches the beginning of Klal 5 of Sefer Chofetz Chaim. The Chofetz Chaim discusses talking about someone’s character traits and weaknesses, such as wisdom, strength, and wealth. Specifically, Rabbi Ginsburg focuses on the trap of criticizing Rabbonim as not intelligent or diplomatic enough, and talks about how we must be careful to only speak positively about our leaders.
Mrs. Yehudit Weiss presents an overview of places which Rashi calls ‘mikrah mesoras’, where letters switch as a result of the rules of dikduk.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches the beginning of chapter 11. Rebbetzin Heller speaks of Hashem’s Providence in military and political events as being observable as they occur, and not only in retrospect.
In this shiur (Torah class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches Sefer Chofetz Chaim klal daled paragraph 12. In this shiur, Rabbi Ginsburg talks of the lengths one must go to to do teshuva for the sin of lashon hara.
Mrs. Yehudith Weiss explains the various pauses and stops found in the middle of pesukim, according to the laws of dikduk as found in Rashi’s commentary.
Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman reviews the Gemara’s discussion of the obligation to pray for someone in distress.
In this shiur (Torah class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg discusses when one is allowed to warn children and students to stay away from the influence of someone with bad midot (character traits), in order to protect them from negative influences.
On 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.
In this shiur (Torah class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg begins a discussion of when one may speak lashon hara in order to warn others not to imitate bad behavior. If one sees another doing an aveira (transgressing a Torah law) on purpose multiple times, he may point it out to others in order to prevent them from copying this behavior. However, this may be done only if those hearing the lashon hara will not fully accept it, but rather view it as a cautionary warning. People who did not receive a Jewish education and therefore are unaware of Torah law may not be spoken about.
