Torah and Tefilla: Components of Teshuva
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On the essence of teshuva, based on the Haftara of Shabbat Shuva, Mrs. Shira Smiles demonstrates the important role of tefilla (prayer) and Torah study in enabling a person to repent completely.
The Intrinsic Purity of Every Jew
Posted onOn the Haftarah of Shabbat Shuva from where we learn that teshuva/repentance is a dynamic process with Hashem, and that every Jew’s soul is intrinsically pure, which means that even sin does not become part of its essence. When embarking on the teshuva process, one should have an image of who they want to be, so that they have a goal to aspire to.
Parshat Va’etchanan
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller relates the storyline of Parshat Va-etchanan, with selected insights and comments.
Parshat Devarim
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller relates the storyline of Parshat Devarim, with selected insights and comments.
Lessons for our Lives
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Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller reviews the entire story of the book of Daniel, and applies its lessons to our individual lives.
The First Jewish Marriage
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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.
Completing Creation
Posted onIn 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.
Marriage: The Eternal Structure
Posted onIn 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.
Marriage: Echoes of our Bond with Hashem
Posted onIn 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.
Spiritual Elevation of Physical Reality
Posted onIn 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.
The End of Days
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller completes the sefer, with a description of the end of days and the fate of all segments of the Jewish people – tzadikkim, reshaim, maskilim, matzdikei harabim, etc.
Tu B’Av and the Essence of Marriage
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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.
The Grand Scheme
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On Parshat Pinchas, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on some of the basic questions to get a sense of what the story of Pinchas is about.
Torah Connecting the World to Hashem
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Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller describes the Torah as the means in which all facets of life connect to Hashem. The Torah can even ‘enter the lion’s lair’ and redefine or conquer evil on its own turf.
A Window into History
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller describes the vision that Daniel had about various future wars, and connects it to their historical and modern parallels.
Pieces of Peace
Posted onOn Parshat Pinchas, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on some of the basic questions to get a sense of what the story of Pinchas is about.
Remembering Yetziat Mitzrayim
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Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses the daily obligation to remember Yetziat Mitzrayim vs. the unique mitzva of Sipur Yetziat Mitzrayim on the Seder night.
Bein Adam L’Chavero
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In this Torah shiur (class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches the beginning of Klal 5 of Sefer Chofetz Chaim. The Chofetz Chaim discusses talking about someone’s character traits and weaknesses, such as wisdom, strength, and wealth. Specifically, Rabbi Ginsburg focuses on the trap of criticizing Rabbonim as not intelligent or diplomatic enough, and talks about how we must be careful to only speak positively about our leaders.
Switching Letters
Posted onMrs. Yehudit Weiss presents an overview of places which Rashi calls ‘mikrah mesoras’, where letters switch as a result of the rules of dikduk.
Perek 11: Hashem’s Providence
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches the beginning of chapter 11. Rebbetzin Heller speaks of Hashem’s Providence in military and political events as being observable as they occur, and not only in retrospect.
Repenting for Lashon Hara
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches Sefer Chofetz Chaim klal daled paragraph 12. In this shiur, Rabbi Ginsburg talks of the lengths one must go to to do teshuva for the sin of lashon hara.
Breaks in Pesukim
Posted onMrs. Yehudith Weiss explains the various pauses and stops found in the middle of pesukim, according to the laws of dikduk as found in Rashi’s commentary.
Daf 12B: Prayer in a Time of Disaster
Posted onRabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman reviews the Gemara’s discussion of the obligation to pray for someone in distress.
Lashon Hara L’Toelet, Part 2: Protecting Students and Children
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg discusses when one is allowed to warn children and students to stay away from the influence of someone with bad midot (character traits), in order to protect them from negative influences.
Vigilance
Posted onOn Parshat Chukat, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the story of “mei meriva,” and presents three approaches of what went wrong, and the lessons we can take from it.
Lashon Hara L’Toeles: Staying Away From Bad Influences
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg begins a discussion of when one may speak lashon hara in order to warn others not to imitate bad behavior. If one sees another doing an aveira (transgressing a Torah law) on purpose multiple times, he may point it out to others in order to prevent them from copying this behavior. However, this may be done only if those hearing the lashon hara will not fully accept it, but rather view it as a cautionary warning. People who did not receive a Jewish education and therefore are unaware of Torah law may not be spoken about.
Correcting Others’ Wrongdoings
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches Sefer Chofetz Chaim klal daled, paragraphs 4-6. The Chofetz Chaim emphasizes that one is not allowed to tell others if he saw someone commit a transgression once, because the person may have done teshuva. Rather, he should approach the person and rebuke him himself. Rabbi Ginsburg discusses the proper way to give tochacha (rebuke), as constructive criticism, gently and respectfully.
Parshat Matos-Mas’ei
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller reviews the narrative of the parsha, which describes the travels of the Jewish people throughout their 40 year sojourn in the desert.
Being a Positive Person
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the laws of proper speech, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg teaches Sefer Chofetz Chaim klal 4 paragraphs 1-3, which discuss speaking lashon hara about someone who transgresses Mitzvot bein Adam l’Makom, in matters between Man and G-d. Rabbi Ginsburg emphasizes the importance of noticing and focusing on positive behaviors when interacting with others.
Parshat Pinchas
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller presents an overview of the storyline of the parsha, including Pinchas’ great reward and the description of the holiday services in the Temple.