Exalted Entourage
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses the holiday of Sukkot.
Videos
Perek 6 Part 1: A Poignant Cry
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 6, the heatfelt cry to Hashem during one’s hour of need.
Being Yourself
Posted onParshat Bamidbar presents the story of how the Jewish people received the Torah in the desert. There, we were removed from any outside societal influence. We learn from this how to define ourselves in today’s society.
Community Kiddush
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In this shiur on Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson discusses the laws of Kiddush B’Makom Seudah, and whether one can fulfill the obligation of Kiddush with whiskey.
Shechitah Part 3
Posted onIn this Torah class Dayan Shlomo Chen continues discussing the subject of Shechitah
Obligation for Praise
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David continues his explanation of Hallel, with an overview of perakim 116 and 117. In these perakim, both Jews and non-Jews are exhorted to praise Hashem, each for different reasons.
Sewing Science: Tofer/Korei’a Demonstrations part 3
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In this Torah shiur (class) on the practical applications of Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson discusses more practical examples of the Melacha (prohibited activity) of Korei’a (tearing), the flip-side of the Melacha of Tofer (sewing). This class utilizes actual items that one may want to tear on Shabbat for a constructive purpose, and discusses permitted and prohibited methods of doing so.
Muktza, Part 9: Unwanted Items
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson presents an overview of the halachot regarding items that are usually discarded, such as garbage, bones, egg shells, etc.
Yirmiyahu’s Prayer: Perakim 14 and 15
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In this class on the 14th and 15th chapters of Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David discusses how Yirmiyahu could have davened to Hashem after he was told not to daven anymore. Rabbi David also talks about Hashem’s dismal warning that He is disgusted with Klal Yisrael, and how even this negative prophesy is not absolute, as the Covenant between Hashem and the Jewish People can never be undone. Going on to the 15th chapter of Yirmiyahu, Rabbi David discusses the four punishments mentioned in the perek, and expounds upon the characteristics and outlook of Yirmiyahu Hanavi, who had the difficult job of prophesizing doom and destruction to his brothers.
Perek 23: The Ideal King
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yrmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explains the juxtaposition of perek 22, which bemoans the lack of justice during the reigns of many of the later kings of Judea, with Perek 23, which describes the perfect justice that will prevail during the reign of Moshiach. Rabbi David includes the Rambam’s discussion of the ideal Jewish king, and compares similarities between this chapter and chapter 16 in Sefer Yirmiyahu.
Varying Levels of Prophesy
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In this shiur (Torah class) on Prophesy, Rabbi Avishai David explains the Rambam’s declaration that there are many levels of nevua. Rabbi David discusses the differences between Neviim, the Prophetic books, and Ketuvim, the Scriptures, according to the early commentators (Rishonim) Radak, Abarbanel, and Meiri, as well as the approach of Rav Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk.
Kindness
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Selichot: Keys to Forgiveness, Part II
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In this Torah shiur (class) on the Selichot prayers, Rabbi Avishai David explicates the Selichot, specifically the themes of repentance and forgiveness. One of the main themes of the Selichos is that our neshama is incorruptable, and we must use this opportunity to return the part of ourselves that remains pure despite our sins.
Mishnayot Pesachim, Perek Nine
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) Rabbi Reichman discusses the ninth perek of Mishnayot Pesachim as a zchut for a complete and speedy recovery for Naftali ben Gila, Shimon Yechiel ben Tirtza, and Nadav ben Hadassa, who were critically wounded in the attack in Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav, Rosh Chodesh Adar bet 5768
Dimensions of Sefirat HaOmer
Posted onIn this class, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses that we cannot get caught up only in the technical requirements of counting each night of the Omer and the customs of mourning during this time. Sefirat Haomer is a time for spiritual accounting in preparation for receiving the Torah, specifically in the areas of loving one’s fellow man and increasing our consciousness of G-d.
Shavuos Propitious Prayer
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Shavuos Class
Perek 137
Posted onRabbi Avishai David discusses Tehillim Perek 137, and presents a vivid description of the Churban and our yearning for Yerushalayim.
Perek 96
Posted onExplains how perek 96 is a continuation and intensification of the previous perek, Tehillim 95. This shiur also focuses on the unique role of the number seven which appears in this chapter.
Perakim 14 & 15: Menashe’s Legacy
Posted onIn his class on Sefer Yirmiyahu, chapters 14 and 15, Rabbi Avishai David discusses the importance of prayer as a means to receiving adequate rain. He then discusses Rambam’s description of the function of a Navi. Going on to chapter 15, Rabbi David speaks about the concepts of reward and punishment, and deals with the question of how one can be punished for another’s sins. The Navi ends this chapter on a positive note and Rabbi David focuses on the Malbim’s question of how a Navi receives of prophecy of destruction, while he must be in a joyous state of mind to receive prophecy.
The Heritage of the Kings of David
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David reveals the function of the kings of the House of David, as seen through the Torah and the Navi. Rabbi David examines the reign of various Kings of Judea, showing how they negated the principles of Mishpat and Tzedakka that they were supposed to uphold.
Prophetic Actions
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on Nevua, Prophesy, Rabbi Avishai David presents various views of the commentators on whether actions taken together with a prophesy were literally performed, or were prophetic visions. Rabbi David describes the opposing opinions of Ramban and the Rambam, and the Abarbanel’s compromise position.
Selichot: Keys to Forgiveness, Part I
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the Selichot prayers recited before Rosh Hashana and during the Yamim Noraim, Rabbi Avishai David presents an overview of Selichot. Rabbi David discusses the content of the Selichot, their themes, and their purpose. He also discusses why Selichot are recited at night and not during the day
The Path Of God
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Rabbi Hershel Reichman continues to teach Jewish Parenting.
Sefirat HaOmer: Striking a Balance
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on Sefirat HaOmer, Mrs. Shira Smiles delves into the commentaries that speak about the death of Rabbi Avkiva’s students, thereby getting a sense of the depth and breadth of Torah.
Mishnayot Brachot Perek Eight
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In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman learns the eighth perek (chapter) of Mishnayot Brachot in memory and in the zechut of Naomi Sherr HY”D, who was killed in Mumbai, India.
Perek 126
Posted onIn his discussion Tehillim Perek 126, Rabbi Avishai David presents an exploration of Am Yisrael’s descent into Galus and their subsequent redemption
Mishnayot Pesachim, Perek Eight
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the eighth perek of Mishnayot Pesachim in memory of Neria ben Yitzchak Cohen, who lost his life during the terror attack on Yeshivat Merkaz Harav.
The Essence of Purim
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles addresses the question: What is Purim all about?
Between Man and Man
Posted onThe last five Commandments all deal with man’s relationship to his fellow man. Yet a deeper look into these commandments reveals an outlook on the divinity found in every person and situation.
The Seder: Lessons Learned from Lavan
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In this Torah shiur (class) about Passover (Pesach), Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about the Maggid section of the Hagaddah, specifically the section which speaks about Lavan and his role in the history of the Jewish people.