Blossoming Bough
Posted onAn explication of the episode of Aharon Hakohen’s staff blossoming with almond blossoms overnight after the failed rebellion of Korach.
Author: Rebbetzin Shira Smiles
Towering Tree
Posted onRebbetzin Smiles explores one of the questions that Moshe Rabbenu asked the Meraglim, the spies, about the Land of Israel: Does it have trees? What is the deeper message behind this question? What does it mean for our daily life?
Continuous Commitment
Posted onWhy is Aharon the Kohen Gadol praised when he did not deviate from the exact instructions for lighting the menorah daily?
Geneological Greatness
Posted onThe uniqueness of Jewish lineage, ‘Yichus’.
Mountain Momentum
Posted onWhat do the Sages mean when they state that the Torah was given ‘by force’, as Hashem held Mt. Sinai over the Jewish nation and provided a seeming ultimatum on accepting the Torah? An in-depth journey into this topic.
Upright Utopia
Posted onUnderstanding the bracha which Hashem promises the Jewish people regarding the times of Moshiach, which states ‘I will lead you upright’, v’olich etchem komemiyut’.
Interest Intrigue
Posted onAn exploration of the prohibition against charging interest, and its ramifications for our inner lives.
Steadfast Sanctification
Posted onExploring the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem, sanctifying Hashem’s Name.
Loving Likeness
Posted onExploring the mitzva of loving our fellow Jews, V’Ahavta L’rai’acha Kamocha.
The Gift of Life
Posted onIn this Torah class Rebbetzin Shira Smiles discusses Eliyahu Hanavi and the gift of life
The Glory of Hashem
Posted onIn this Torah class Rebbetzin Shira Smiles discusses Eliyahu Hanavi showing the world the glory of Hashem
Eliyahu and Har Carmel
Posted onIn this Torah class Rebbetzin Shira Smiles discusses Eliyahu Hanavi and the events on Har Carmel
The Miracle of Life
Posted onIn this Torah class Rebbetzin Shirs Smiles continues discussing the Miracle of Life
Eliyahu Brings Life Back
Posted onIn this Torah class Rebbetzin Shira Smiles discusses how Eliyahu Hanavi pleads to bring life back and the extraordinary miracle of resurrection
Egel Expiation
Posted onThe Mishkan as repentance, teshuva, for the sin of the Golden Calf, chet Ha’gel.
Prettifications Purified
Posted onAn exploration of the women in the desert who were rewarded for their eagerness to contribute to the Mishkan in contrast to their refusal to participate or contribute to the Golden Calf, and their reward for their choices.
Gracious Gift
Posted onUnderstanding the comparison of the gift of Torah to a Kalla, a bride.
Elaborate Entering and Exiting
Posted onA discussion of the bells sewn on the bottom of the clothing of the Kohen Gadol, and their purpose in heralding his arrival and departure at the Beis Hamikdash.
Golden Growth
Posted onThe Aron Hakodesh in the Mishkan as an allegorical paradigm for the character of a Talmid Chacham, and every Jew dedicated to perfecting his or her character.
Awareness, Acceptance, Attachment
Posted onThe key to accepting the Torah.
Legitimizing Lies
Posted onAn exploration of the prohibition to bear false witness.
The Blessing of Flour and oil
Posted onIn this Torah class Rebbetzin Shira Smiles discusses Eliyahu Hanavi and the Gift of flour and oil he gave
Shulamit
Posted onIn this Torah class Rebbetzin Tzipora Smiles discuses Eliyahu Hanavi and Shulamit
The Power Of Love
Posted onIn this Torah class Rebbetzin Shira Smiles discusses the Power of Love
Dough: Double and Delectable
Posted onAn exploration of the gift of mann in the desert, and the double portion which fell on Fridays.
Firstborn Focus
Posted onDiscussion of plague of the firstborn
Hailing Humility
Posted onWe explore the messages that can be learned from the plague of hail, makas barad.
Righteous Reward
Posted onAn exploration of the self-sacrifice of the midwives Shifra and Puah in Egypt, and the reward that they merited for their actions.
Core Connection
Posted onAn overview of Yaakov’s bracha and rebuke to Reuven regarding his midda of ‘pachaz kamayim’.
Yaakov and Yisrael
Posted onThe passuk which describes the vision which Yaakov had on his down to Egypt switches from Yisrael to Yaakov. In this class, we explore the significance of the shift from Yisrael to Yaakov, and what each name represents.