Perek 12: Rebellion and Retribution
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Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller relates the causes for people’s rebellion against Hashem, the ramifications of such rebellion, and why tzaddikim (righteous people) get punished when they did not sin.
Being a Giver
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In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen begins teaching Michtav Me’Eliyahu, Kuntress HaChessed, in which the midda (character trait) of kindness is discussed. In this segment, Rabbi Cohen expounds on the concept of being a giver and how one should strive to emulate G-d’s giving.
Pyramidal Geometry
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Mrs. Chana Prero analyzes the Jews’ exit from Egypt.
Building Parent-Child Relationships
Posted onIn this chinuch shiur (class) on bringing depth to our children’s appreciation for Torah, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller addresses the balance between building a trusting relationship with one’s teen-aged children while still asserting the need for kibud av v’aim, and submission to parental authority.
Beginning the Amidah
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In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Ari Jacobson continues with detailing the halachot concerning the beginning of Shemoneh Esrai.
Investing With Interest
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On Parshat Bo, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the connection between the blood or Korban Pesach, and the blood of a Brit Milah, and its tremendous relevance for our lives.
Perek 39: The Destruction of Jerusalem
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 39, which describes the conquest of Jerusalem and the exile of Tzidkiyahu and the Jewish people. Ironically, Yirmiyahu is protected by Nevuchadnetzar, while those powerful Jews who thought they would persevere are exiled.
Perek 12: Exile – Roots of Redemption
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches perek 12, which describes the exile of the Shechina, the Divine Presence, from Yerushalayim, and shows how the calamity of exile is also the beginning of the path to redemption.
Interrupting Talmud Torah to Recite Kriat Shma
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Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman explains the Gemara’s argumant over whether one can interrupt his Torah study in order to recite Kriat Shma.
Daf 13B: Falling Asleep in the Middle of Krias Shma
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman reviews the Gemara’s discussion of a case where one falls asleep in the middle of reciting the Shma prayer.
Four Stages of Exile
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In this shiur (Torah class) Rabbi Hershel Reichman delves into the stages of exile the Jewish People experienced in Egypt.
What Your Parents Never Saw
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes the use of G-d’s different names at the beginning of parsha.
Rav E.E. Dessler
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller talks about the life and accomplishment of Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler, one of the foremost products of the Kelm Yeshiva.
The Greater Good
Posted onOn Parshat Va’eira, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the first passuk of the parsha, which contains Hashem’s rebuke to Moshe.
Tzidkiyahu: King in Captivity
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 38. Tzidkiyahu, the righteous king of the remnant of the Jews left in Yerushalyaim, is captive to the evil courtiers surrounding him. He secretly meets with Yirmiyahu and saves Yirmiyahu from death. Ultimately, Tzidkiyahu is captured and taken to Bavel, where his eyes are blinded and his children are killed in front of him. At this painful moment, Tzidkiyahu acknowledges that he deserved this punishment, and that all of the prophesies of doom had been fulfilled.
Kelm, Part 2
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller continues to explore the nature and accomplishments of the famed yeshiva of Kelm, known as the breeding ground of gedolim, Torah giants.
Perek 11
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches perakim 10 and 11, which deal with the prophesies of the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the devastation of the Jewish people.
The Ways of G-d
Posted onThe Immortal Donkey?
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes Moshe’s actions after he leaves the burning bush.
Perek 38: Yirmiyahu in the Pit
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches chapter 38. In this perek, the tension between Yirmiyahu, the noblemen, and Tzidkiyahu is apparent. The tension leads to the nobles throwing Yirmiyahu into a lime pit for his prophesies, and Tzidkiyahu removing him and meeting with him secretly.
Perek 37: Tzidkiyahu and Yehoyakim
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David compares two kings who ruled at the end of of the era of the first Beit Hamikdash, Tzidkiyahu and Yehoyakim. The Beis Halevi explains that Yehoyakim was a wicked king who lived in a generation of righteous people, while Tzidkiyahu was a righteous king who ruled in a wicked generation.
Perek 9: Changing a G-dly Decree
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches perek 9. This perek deals with the difference between a heavenly decree before and after it was finalized, and also shows that everything in this world comes from direct Divine planning and intervention, and not through the laws of cause and effect.
Fullfilling the Will of G-d
Posted onRabbi Michael Taubes continues learning Pirkei Avot, focusing on the teachings of Hillel.
Novardok and Kelm
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller speaks about one of Rav Yisrael Salanter’s primary disciples, Rav Simcha Zissel Ziv, the Alter of Kelm, and the famed yeshiva which he founded.
Ma’arichin B’Echad
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman explains the discussion in the Gemara that one should elongate and emphasize the last word of Kriat Shma, ‘Echad’.
Evil Eye
Posted onOn Parshat Vayechi, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the whole concept of the ayin hara (evil eye) and the idea that Yosef and his descendants are above the ayin hara.
Perek 8: Yerushalayim in Ruins
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller describes Yechezkel’s vision of the destruction of Yerushalayim and its causes, and shows how these prophesies are still relevant today.
Father’s Merit
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero discusses why the blessings to Yaakov invoke Hashem as G-d of Yitzchak and not as G-d of Avraham.
Kavana During Kriat Shema
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses the different views of at what point during Kriat Shema one must have kanava.
Dual Flames
Posted onOn Parshat Vayigash, Mrs. Shira Smiles explores the Midrash on the Passuk that says that Yaakov sent Yehuda ahead to Egypt. He was sent ahead to Egypt to make this havdala between the holiness of living a Torah life and the darkness of Egypt.