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 shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the spiritual underpinnings of Akeidat Yitzchak, the binding of Yitzchak. The events that lead up to that test provide insight in our present day understanding of life and its challenges.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 33. This perek contains within it elements of both destruction and rebuilding, and emphasizes the everlasting covenant that Hashem keeps with the Davidic dynasty and with the Kohanim and Leviim, which will ultimately herald the era of Mashiach. The many words used to describe Creation in this perek convey the message that the world was created for our sake, yet everything depends on our observance of Torah and Mitzvot.
In this Torah shiur (class) on chinuch habanim, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller guides parents on how to teach children to be careful with their speech, specifically being sensitive about the halachot (laws) of Onaat Devarim, hurtful speech.
In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the character of Lot and his journey from Avraham’s prime student to a member of the wicked city of Sodom. Based on the teachings of the Shem MiShmuel, Rabbi Reichman explores the differences between Lot and Avraham and how it affected each one’s path.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu Perek 32, Rabbi Avishai David continues to explore the philosophical meaning of Hashgachat Hashem, as it is described in pasuk 19 of this perek. The class includes the writings of the Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim, the Ramchal, and the Sefer Hachinuch, in explaining Divine Supervision of the world.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Perek 32, Rabbi Avishai David explains pasuk 19 in depth. This verse talks about G-d’s constant supervision of mankind, and His Divine Intervention in the world as a reaction to our deeds. Rabbi David uses pasuk 19 as a basis for an exploration of the topic of Hashgacha, Divine Providence.
In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the concept of Creation, in which G-d created the world from nothingness. Based on the Kedushas Levi, the Chassidic work of Reb Levi Yitzchak Miberdichev, this class explores fundamental concepts of G-d’s goal in creation,and man’s purpose in this world
In this chinuch (Torah education) class, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches parents how to create an inspiring and uplifting atmosphere in their homes every Shabbat.
In this shiur (Torah class) Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the Chassidic understanding of the essence of Sukkot. Based on the Shem MiShmuel, Rabbi Reichman delves into explaining how one can best serve G-d with both mind and soul.
In this chinuch shiur (Torah education class), Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller describes how parents and educators can enrich and deepen their children’s appreciation and experience of the holidays of Yom Kippur, Succot and Simchat Torah.
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.
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.
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.
In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the underlying motives for Korach’s rebellion.
In this shiur (Torah class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David completes his analysis of chapter 32. Rabbi David delves into the Torah law of redeeming one’s relatives inherited field, and ties in this episode with the parts of Megillat Rut and Parshat Behar that deal with this topic.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David discusses the Gemara Yuma 69, which juxtaposes the tefillot of Yirmiyahu in this perek, and Daniel, showing the ‘amitiut’, truthfulness, of their prayers, as opposed to ours. Despite our failings in this area, we must attempt to feel some of the awe of Heaven and the pain of the Shechina when we daven.
In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Ari Jacobson discusses the prayers and preparation done before the Shemoneh Esrei, otherwise known as the Amida. The class, based on the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, includes the individual as well as the shaliach tzibur’s preparations.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explicates chapter 32. This chapter contains contradictory prophesies, on the one hand predictions of the impending destruction of the kingdom of Yehuda, and on the other hand the command to Yirmiyahu to go redeem his relative’s field, paying for its full value, with documents and witnesses. Yirmiyahu follows Hashem’s command though it seems to contradict reality, and then asks Hashem for an explanation. Hashem explains that though there will be a terrible exile, the Jews will return to Eretz Yizrael and once again property will be bought and sold here. This class includes a vort by Rabbi Soloveitchik comparing Yirmiyahu’s dilemma to that of Avraham Avinu before the Akeida, as well as an explanation of Hashem’s 13 Attributes of Mercy, which appear in this perek in truncated form.
In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses three types of tumah which causes a person to leave the three camps of Israel. These types of tumah represent three types of yetzer hara which affects individuals. Rabbi Reichman, based on the Shem Mishmuel, discusses how one can fight these internal evils.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David completes his analysis of chapter 31, with a discussion of the remarkable sacrifice of Rachel Imeinu and her subsequent reward, and the different exiles that the Jewish people experienced, according to the explanations of the Malbim, Rav Yisrael Salanter, Rav Shalom Shwadron, and Rav Chaim Soloveitchik.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Chofetz Chaim and the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg completes the introduction of the Chofetz Chaim to his work, and summarizes the main points to take out from this important chapter.
In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explicates the prophesies of Jeremiah predicting the suffering of the Jewish people in exile, their repentance, and their ultimate return to the land of Israel. The class includes a discussion of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s explanation of Yerida l’tzorech aliyah (a spiritual fall that results in ultimate spiritual transcendence), and the Netziv’s essay on antisemitism and the role of the Torah in the in-gathering of exiles.
In this shiur (Torah class) on the laws of shmirat halashon, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg continues a description of the mitzvot affected by lashon hara. This class focuses on mitzvot 12 and 13 in the introduction to Sefer Chafetz Chaim, which relate to Torah Study and its relationship with lashon hara.
In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the reasons of G-d counting the Jewish People in this week’s parsha.
