The Holiness of the Lights
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In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Michael Taubes explains the halachik holiness of the menorah lights during Chanuka.
Author: naaleh_dev
Chanuka: Affectionate Light
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on Chanuka, Mrs. Shira Smiles raises a number of questions about the holiday. Firstly, why is the miracle of the oil the main focus, instead of the miraculous military victory? Secondly, what is the significance of ‘zot Chanuka’, the last day of Chanuka.
Appreciating Miracles: Maoz Tzur, Part 2
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Chanuka, Rabbi Avishai David continues his explication of Maoz Tzur, the hymn sung after candle lighting on Chanuka. Part of the obligation to publicize the miracles of Chanuka (pirsumei nisa) is to verbally praise Hashem for them. Maoz Tzur incorporates praise for the miracle of the oil, as well as for the victory on battle, and also discusses the hardships and salvation experienced by the Jewish nation throughout history.
Maoz Tzur, Part 1
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Chanuka, Rabbi Avishai David explicates the beautiful poem sung by Jewish families throughout the world after candle lighting, known as Maoz Tzur. Rabbi David discusses the historical background of the liturgical poem, how it became customary to recite it during Chanuka, its roots in Tanach, as well as its structure and its themes of galut (exile) and geula (redemption).
The Preciousness of Chanuka
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Chanuka, Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman delves into the deeper meaning behind the mitzvah to light the menorah.
Questions And Answers for Today’s Jewish Woman, Part 48
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In this class (shiur) Rebbetszin Tziporah Heller answers questions sent to her from woman all around the world
Lech Lecha: The Mysterious March
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In this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Lech – Lecha
Galvanizing Gratitude
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Noach of year 5778
Continuous Compassion: Parshat Ki Tavo
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In this class (shiur) on Parshat Ki Tavo, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses viduy maasrot, the confession prayer said after setting aside tithes.
Refinement Redemption: Parshat Ki Teitzei
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Ki Teizei, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the mitzvah of shiluach haken, sending away the mother bird.
Copyright
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In this class (shiur) Dayan Shlomo Cohen discusses the Isuue Of Copyright in Halacha
Copyright And Midat Sdom
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Dayan Shlomo Cohen the topic Of Copyrighting And Midat Sdom
The Cycle of Life
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In this class (shiur) Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller starts a new series on the Cycle Of Life
Pondering Perpetuity: Parshat Pinchas
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Pinchas
Perfectly Pure: Parshat Balak
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Balak Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the intrinsic purity of every Jew. Although we may sometimes sin, our inner core remains unsullied and connected to Hashem.
Desert Dessert: Parshat Chukat
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Chukat, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses what it means to make oneself a desert and how we can understand that Torah is a gift.
Countering the Cunningness: Parshat Korach
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Korach Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Ohn Ben Peles, his wise wife, and tactics we can learn from the story of Korach to counter the yetzer hara.
Sanctified And Safeguarded: Parshat Shlach
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Shlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the significance behind the letter yud that Moshe added to Yehoshua’s name.
Complaint And Contentment: Parshat Behaalotcha
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Behaaloscha, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the sin of kivrot hataava. Why were the people described as becoming “as complainers” instead of simply being complainers? Who initiated the complaints, the erev rav or the elders? Why were they punished so quickly?
Understanding Uniqueness: Parshat Bamidbar
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Bamidbar, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the distinct flags and the specific placement within the encampment of each of the tribes and how it relates to every Jew’s unique strengths and mission on this world.
Collateral Confirmed: Parshat Behar – Bechukotai
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Behar – Behukotai, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the verse, “I will remember My covenant with Jacob and also My covenant with Isaac and also My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land… The Land will be bereft of them… because they were revolted by My ordinances… But despite all this, while they are in the land of their enemies, I will not… have rejected them to obliterate them… I am Hashem.” She notes the unusual spelling of Yaakov with a vav maleh and contrasts it with the spelling of Eliyahu missing the final vav.
Galvanizing Greatness: Parshat Emor
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Emor, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the role of the kohen gadol and the definition of greatness.
Nation’s Nemesis: Acharei Mot, Kedoshim
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on the Parshiyot Of Acharei-Mot and Kedoshim, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the verse, “Speak to Bnei Yisroel and say to them, ‘I am Hashem your God. Do not perform the practices of the land of Egypt in which you dwelled; do not perform the practices of the land of Canaan to which I bring you, and do not follow their traditions. Carry out My laws and safeguards…”
Mrs. Smiles addresses the following questions: If Egypt and Canaan were so terrible, why did Hashem put Bnei Yisrael there to begin with? What practices did Hashem want them to avoid? The major ones, idol worship and promiscuity were already covered in other verses and commandments. Are these different practices Hashem wanted them to avoid?
Parshat Yitro: Riveting Reminders
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Yitro and the message contained in the names Moshe gave his sons, Gershom and Eliezer.
Silencing the Supplicant: Parshat Beshalach
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Beshalach, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the dynamics of prayer and why Hashem silenced the Jews’ supplication at the Yam Suf.
Darkness Deciphered: Parshat Bo
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Bo, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the plague of darkness.
Why was this plague necessary? What purpose did it serve? What was the nature of this darkness that made it different from our standard definition of darkness as the absence of light?
Careful Consideration: Parshat Va’eira
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Parshat Va’eira, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the seventh plague and why some Egyptians disregarded the warning to save their livestock by bringing them in.
Names Of Nobility: Parshat Shemot
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Pinchas
Directed Dispersion: Parshat Vayechi
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Vayechi, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the dispersion of the tribes of Shimon and Levi.
Chariots Consideration: Parshat Vayigash
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Vayigash, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the wagons Yosef sent back to Yaakov and the message of the eglah arufah.