The Letter ‘Hei’
Posted onMrs. Yehudit Weiss surveys Rashi’s discussion of the Hebrew letter ‘Hai’ at the beginning of a word, and how it affects the word’s meaning. This class focuses on ‘Hai Hashe’eilah’, ‘Hai Hayedi’a’, and ‘Hai Hamegama’.
Parshat Korach
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller learns the narrative of Parshat Korach, with his inimitable humor and insight, beginning with the machloket (dispute) of Korach and his followers.
Daf 12b: The Nature of the Bracha Hamelech Hakadosh
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Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman discusses daf 12b in Maseches Brachos, reviews the machlokes (disagreement) in the Gemara regarding the proper way to conclude the bracha ‘ata kadosh’ during Aseret Yemei Teshuva.
Dikduk Rashis Explaining Accentuation
Posted onMrs. Yehudit Weiss explains Rashi’s discussion of hat’ama, accentuation of words. All words in Hebrew are either Mil’el or Mil’ra. The accent of a given word may change depending on its conjugation and its place in a phrase, and the meaning of a word can change due to its accentuation as well.
Parshat Shlach: Dual Relationships with G-d
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Parshat Shelach
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller outlines and illuminates the narrative of Parshat Shelach, beginning with the episode of the Meraglim (the Spies sent to Eretz Yisrael from the desert).
Psalm 135, Part 1: Creator and Master
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In this Torah class (shiur) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David explains the various segments of perek 135. Hashem is praised as both the Creator of the world, and the One who intervenes in all world events. Through the names of Hashem in the chapter, we learn His of His interaction with us through Middat Hadin (justice). The greatness of klal Yisrael lies in our commitment to Hashem and His Torah even in times of hester panim (Hashem’s hiddenness).
Perek 32: Real Prayer
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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.
Rachav – Redefined Role
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On Parshat Shlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the Haftorah, and discusses the topic of Teshuva.
Preparing for the Amida
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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.
Chapter 7: The Defeat of Evil
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Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches chapter 8, which describes the third vision of Daniel. This vision also relates to the kingdoms who will dominate the Jewish People in exile, but here they are compared to domesticated animals. This comparison shows that the wars that they will fight against the Jewish People will be focused and directed. Rebbetzin Heller also explains why the times for redemption are written so vaguely.
Parshat Shlach
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero speaks about Moshe’s prayer to Hashem and his request that Hashem not punish the Jewish people.
Perek 90, Part 2: Fear and Love
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Tehilim, Rabbi Avishai David continues his analysis of Psalm 90. Rabbi David notes the dialectic of fear and love in our relationship with Hashem, which is prominent in this chapter, and compares it to the themes of Unetaneh Toekf and Neila, important prayers of the High Holy Days.
Perek 32: Contradictory Prophesies
Posted onIn 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.
Comprehending the Complaints
Posted onOn Parshat Beha’alotcha, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the complaints of the dor hamidbar.
Parshat Beha’alotcha
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller reviews the basic storyline of the Parsha, along with selected insights into various sections.
Perek 90, Part 1: The Eternity of Hashem
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David explains the structure and themes of Psalm 90. This chapter, similar in theme to the prayer of U’netaneh Tokef on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, contrasts the eternal nature of Hashem and His Torah with the transience of Man’s existence. The perek ends with a plea for Divine assistance in repentance, and a life of blessing and fulfillment.
Chapter 7: The Defeat of Evil
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller reviews perek 7, which discusses Daniels prophesy of different animals, each representing a different kingdom that will dominate the world and subjugate the Jewish people. Rebbetzin Heller analyzes their ultimate defeat, and Hashem’s compassion leading to the destruction of all evil, and concludes with a discussion of the date of Mashiach’s arrival.
Parshat Naso: Three Types of Evil
Posted onIn 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.
Parshat Nasso
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller reviews the basic storyline of the Parsha, along with selected insights into various sections.
Perek 31, Part 3
Posted onIn 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.
Safek Brachot L’hakel
Posted onContinuing daf 12A, Rabbi Moshe Nechemia Reichman continues his discussion dealing with uncertainties in making proper brachot, and the ruling of safeik brachot l’hakel (leniencies in regards to doubts in the halachot of brachot).
Moshe Rabbenu and the Complainers
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero discusses the episode of the Jews’ complaints about the Manna, and Moshe Rabbenu’s reaction to it.
Model of Diversity
Posted onOn Parshat Naso, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the repetitive nature of the description of the gifts that the nesi’im brought to the mishkan, and about the blessings that Yaakov Avinu gave his children.
Proper Intentions When Making a Bracha
Posted onRabbi Moshe N. Reichman reviews the sugya (unit) on Daf 12A, which discusses a situation in which a person is holding a cup of wine, misidentifies it as beer, and begins to make the wrong bracha, but then switches to the correct bracha before he finishes (Pasach b’dishichra v’siyem bid’chama).
Positivity: The Key to Proper Speech
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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.
Nazir – Saint or Sinner?
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero discusses the nature of the Nazir, based on a thorough reading and explication of the basic commentaries.
Perek 131: Pride and Humbleness
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David explains various aspects of Psalm 131. This perek focuses on the evolution from ga’avah (pride) to anava (humbleness), and its relevance to the life of David Hamelech.
Perek 31: Kibbutz Galuyot
Posted onIn 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.
Lashon Hara’s Affect on Torah Study
Posted onIn 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.