Perek 4: Nevuchadnezzar’s Second Dream
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Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches the fourth perek of the sefer, which describes Nevuchadnetzar’s second dream, Daniel’s interpretation of it, and his subsequent advice to Nevuchadnetzar.
Author: Baila Greenblatt
Parshat Tazria-Metzora
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller presents an overview on Parshat Tazria-Metzorah.
Fire and Light
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Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller explains how Torah, symbolized by fire and light, is on one side of reality, while darkness, naturalism, and chachma chitzonit (external wisdom) form its counterpart.
More than Mold
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero gives an overview of the affliction of tzaraat, and its causes.
Chanania, Mishael, and Azaria
Posted onRebbetzin Tzipora Heller continues teaching perek 3, and describes the steadfast refusal of Chanania, Mishael, and Azaria to bow to Nebuhadnezar’s image. They understood that any kind of submission “dwarfs” Hashem in this world. The resulting miracle opened Nevuchandetzar’s eyes to the constant control that Hashem has over the world, and he recognized that the reason Hashem gave him so much power is to make the world aware of the honor due Hashem.
Fear and Humility
Posted onRebbetzin Tzipora Heller discusses the deeper implications of anava (humility) and yirah (fear of Hashem), and how Torah develops them.
The Treasure Within
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On Parshat Tazria-Metzora, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the tzaraat that effects the home.
Nevuchadnetzar’s Struggle Against G-d
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches the beginning of perek 3, in which Nevuchanetzar interprets his role in history to be one in which he can use his power against Hashem, and win. He attempts to play out this struggle against G-d through building a huge golden statue of himself, and insisting that all of his subjects bow to it.
The Significance of Four
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the significance of the Four Questions, based on the Shem Mishmuel explanation of the concept of number four.
Explication of Maggid
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero explains the section of Maggid, which contains the story of the slavery and oppression of the Jewish people, the ten plagues, the miraculous redemption, and the discussion of the obligations of the Seder night.
Korban Pesach
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman presents the Chassidic view of the Korban Pesach, the Pascal sacrifice. Rabbi Reichman explains how we can still incorporate the effects and lessons of the korban Pesach even when we no longer have a Temple.
Rashi’s Discussion of Nouns, Part 3
Posted onMrs. Yehudith Weiss continues her study of Biblical nouns, as addressed by Rashi in his commentary on the Torah. This class talks about nouns and their relationship to the words before and after them. This unique class, given in simple Hebrew, sheds light on the important but often neglected section of Rashi’s commentary – the grammatical Rashis.
The Four Cups: Levels of the Soul
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman explains the significance of the number four which prominently appears in the Seder. Specifically focusing in the four cups of wine, this class gives a Chassidic interpretation of the levels of the soul and how each cup represents a particular level.
Parshat Vayikra
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller points out some of the important themes of Sefer Vayikra in general and specifically Parshat Vayikra.
Moshe and Aharon’s Disagreement
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero explains a cryptic episode in Parshat Shemini, where it seems that the revered Moshe Rabbeinu and his holy brother Aharon the Kohen Gadol, have an intense disagreement. This class does not assume any prior knowledge of Hebrew or familiarity with Biblical texts.
Rashi’s Discussion of ‘Female’ Nouns
Posted onMrs. Yehudith Weiss continues her discussion of the topic of nouns as they are addressed in Rashi’s commentary. This class explains and cites examples of nouns that have ‘female’ conjugations. This unique class, given in simple Hebrew, sheds light on the important but often neglected section of Rashi’s commentary – the grammatical Rashis.
Birchot Kriat Shema: Birkat HaMitzvah?
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Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman analyzes the machloket rishonim (dispute between early commentaries) regarding Birchot Kriat Shma, the blessings preceding Kriat Shma, can be recited after the recitation of Kriat Shma.
Lowly Origins
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero discusses why the story of the redemption from Egypt begins with the lowly beginnings of the Jewish people as the children of idol-worshipers.
Matzah: The Essence of Faith
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the spiritual understanding of matzah. According to Chassidic thought, matzah represents ultimate faith in G-d, which was seen in the Jewish Nation’s redemption from Egypt.
The Heroism of Chanania, Mishael, and Azaria
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller describes Nevuchadnetzar’s demand that Chanania, Mishael, and Azaria bow to his image. Rebbetzin Heller analyzes the implications of this choice and the balance of Bitachon in a situation where salvation will necessitate a miracle.
Torah: The Garment of Hashem
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller explains how Torah is so to speak the ‘garment’ of Hashem. Based on the Sefer Maalot HaTorah, Rebbetzin Heller outlines the prerequisites for wearing Hashem’s garment of Torah; yirah (awareness of G-d), and anavah (humbleness).
Nevuchadnetzar’s Symbolic Image
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller learns the chapters describing the image Nevuchadnetzar saw in his prophetic dream, and Daniel’s role in interpreting it.
Parshat Vayakhel and Pekudei
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller gives a overview of Parshiot Vayakhel and Pekudei.
The Mitzvah of Sitting in a Sukkah
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman analyzes the discussion in the Gemara and the commentaries, regarding the mitzvah of dwelling in a sukkah. In this class, Rabbi Reichman differentiates between the chiyuv hamitzvah (the obligation to perform the mitzvah), and the kiyum hamitzvah (the fulfillment of the mitzvah).
History of the Haggadah
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero traces the development of the Hagaddah which is used at the Pesach Seder.
Conduit of Holiness
Posted onOn Parshat Vayakhel-Pekudei, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on Betzalel, a key figure in the mishkan experience.
The Spritual Characteristics of Chametz
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman explains the prohibition of chametz from a Chassidic perspective. The Shem MiShmuel presents the negative spiritual characteristics which chametz represents, and explains how one should work on eradicating those characteristics during the time of Pesach.
Parshat Ki Tisa
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller presents an overview of the Parsha.
The Cloud of Glory
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero discusses the cloud of glory that rested on the Mishkan, and analyzes the last verses in the Book of Shmot. This class delves into the commentaries in a clear and simple manner, and does not assume any prior knowledge of Hebrew.
Rashi’s Comments on Nouns in the Torah
Posted onMrs. Yehudit Weiss explains the qualities of a noun in the Torah, according to Rashi. This class, taught in basic Hebrew with some English, clarifies many important comments of Rashi which are often skipped or misunderstood.