Intelligence and Inheritance
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On parshiot Vayakhel and Pekudei, Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about the unique legacy which Betzalel endowed every Jew with, when he built the Mishkan, the Sanctuary.
Author: Baila Greenblatt
Pressed to Perfection
Posted onOn Parshat Tetzaveh, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the unique qualities of the olive oil used in the Mishkan and Beit Hamikdash, of the inner message that the olive oil contains for each of us, and how that message relates to the upcoming holiday of Purim.
Precious Poles
Posted onOn Parshat Truma, Mrs. Shira Smiles delves into the meaning of the badim, the poles used in the Mishkan.
Consciousness
Posted onOn Parshat Mishpatim, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the pasuk which says to serve Hashem, and He will bless the bread and water, and remove illness.
The Experience of Sinai
Posted onOn Parshat Yitro, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the passuk that says that the Jewish People stood under the mountain, and the gemara that explains that Hashem held the mountain over them, forcing them to accept the Torah.
The Meaning of Manna
Posted onOn Parshat Beshalach, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the experience of the manna, the food in the desert.
World of the Wicked
Posted onOn Parshat Bo, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the question of the wicked son mentioned at the Pesach Seder, which is alluded to in Parshat Bo.
Frog Fundamentals
Posted onOn Parshat Vaeira, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the plague of frogs. Mrs. Smiles examines why the plague started as just one frog and multiplied into many, and why Pharoah asked that the plague stop the next day instead of immediately.
Holy Ground
Posted onOn Parshat Shemot, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines Hashem’s command to Moshe not to come closer to the burning bush, and to remove his shoes, because the ground he is on is holy., asking the Ramban’s question of why was that ground holy, if the shechina was resting only on the burning bush?
Living Life
Posted onOn Parshat Vayechi, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the first passuk which states that Yaakov lived in Egypt for seventeen years, and that Yaakov lived for 147 years. Why was this passuk is necessary at all?
Monarch’s Mission
Posted onOn Parshat Vayigash, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the pasuk that says that Yaakov sent Yehuda ahead of him, to go to Yosef and to prepare in Goshen.
Soul Searching
Posted onOn Parshat Vayeishev, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the three pesukim describing Yosef being lost in Shchem and speaking to a man who directs him to Dotan.
Faithful Follower
Posted onOn Parshat Vayishlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the phrase “I have sojourned with Lavan…”
Truth or Lies?
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes Yaakov and Lavan’s conversation after Lavan fails to find his idols.
Careful Consideration
Posted onOn Parshat Vayetzei, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the dialogue between Rachel and Yaakov about Rachel’s childlessness, and how we can learn about life struggles that we go through.
The Non-Wandering Jew
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero addresses the questions of why does G-d command Yitzchak to remain in Israel and why does Yitzchak receive the blessings of Avraham?
Tumultuous Trembling
Posted onOn Parshat Toldot, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the passuk which states that Yitzchak trembled, and focuses on the medrash that says that this trembling was greater than Yitzchak’s trembling at Akeidat Yitzchak.
Camel Commotion
Posted onOn Parshat Chayei Sarah, Mrs. Shira Smiles analyzes the psukim where Rivka Imeinu meets Yitzchak Avinu for the first time.
Eating From a Table Outside a Sukkah
Posted onDimensions of a Sukkah
Posted onRabbi Reichman discusses the machloket between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai regarding the dimensions of the floor of the Succah which is found in Gemara Sukka Daf 3A. Using the Sefer Reshimot Shiurim of Rav Yosef Dov Halevi Soloveitchik, Rabbi Reichman presents the machloket according to explanations of Rav Soloveitchik.
Singular Signature
Posted onOn Parshat Lech Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the first blessing in the Shemonah Esrei, the blessing of the patriarchs, which is related to the promise that Hashem gives Avraham, that Avraham “shall be a blessing”.
Vineyard Vignette
Posted onOn Parshat Noach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the pasuk which states that “Noach, the man of the earth, planted a vineyard.”
A Too-Tall Sukkah
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman explains the opinion of Rabba about a sukkah which is too high – over 20 amot high. He also presents the exposition of Rav Yosef B. Soloveitchik on this statement.
A Partially Covered Sukkah
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman talks about the first Rashi on Daf 2A, which discusses the definition of sukkah as being s’chach, and talks about a sukkah in which there is inadequate shade from the s’chach, the roof.
Symbiotic Song
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On Parshat Nitzavim and Vayelech, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the verse, “write this song for yourselves” and what song it’s referring to.
Stolen Sukkah
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman begins teaching topics discussed in his Sefer Reshimos Shiurim on Masechet Succah.
Judgment on Joviality
Posted onOn Parshat Ki Tavo, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses how the curses found in the parsha are an awakening before Rosh Hashana.
Summary of Sefer Yechezkel
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Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller completes teaching Sefer Yechezkel, with a review of the main themes of the sefer. She connects the Merkava vision with the prophesies for the Jews and the nations of the world, culminating in the ultimate return of the jewish People to Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel) and the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash (Third Temple).
Perek 47: The Portions of Israel
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller speaks about the portions of Eretz Yisrael, and how they will be divided.
Final Act
Posted onon Parshat Matot, Mrs. Shira Smiles responds to the tragic death of Leiby Kletzky hy”d.