Eternal Call
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On Parshat Lech Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the question of why Avraham Avinu was chosen as the father of our nation.
The Power of Viddui
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In this shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman analyzes the essay concerning viddui (confession) in Rav Soleveitchik’s sefer (book), Al Hateshuva. Viddui’s unique characteristics lie in its halachik significance and its requirement in the teshuva process.
Joy of Repentance
Posted onRabbi Michael Taubes explores the final moments of the Yom Kippur davening (prayers) and the joy that comes with true forgiveness.
Recognizing Reality: Summary of Megillat Kohelet
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Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller sums up the philosophical truths and principles of life that are presented by Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon) in Sefer Kohelet.
True Atonement
Posted onRabbi Michael Taubes examines how the bulk of the Yom Kippur davening (prayers) is comprised of Mussaf, in which the details of the Yom Kippur service are described.
Physical Transience vs. Spiritual Eternity
Posted onRebbetzin Tzipora Heller speaks about the transience of all physical goals and even our own bodies’ eventual demise. Only Yirat Hashem endures.
Solving the Complexities of Life
Posted onRebbetzin Tzipora Heller shows how complex people and situations can be remedied by using the mind, heart, and body in the right way.
A Woman’s Relationship to Torah
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Rebbetzin Heller discusses how women can connect to this mitzvah, and what women can experience on Simchat Torah.
Perek 9: The Fate of the Righteous and the Wicked
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller explores the difficulty in resolving the seeming similarity between the fate of the Tzaddik and Rasha.
Perek 8: Quality of Life
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller talks about how living a life of morality and awareness makes life better in this world, even though we often see Tzaddikim who suffer n this world.
Megillat Kohelet: Perek 7, Part 2
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller continues an anaylsis of Perek 7.
Birchat HaTorah
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In this shiur (class), Rabbi Ari Jacobson learns the Halachot (laws) pertaining to Birchat HaTorah (blessings of the Torah). while mainly learning from the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Rabbi Jacobson provides additional sources and explanations of this area.
Megillat Kohelet: Perek 7
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller explores Perek 7.
The Big Picture
Posted onRebbetzin Tzipora Heller continues teaching the fifth perek (chapter) of the megilla. Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon) speaks about seeing the big picture as one lives one life and finding proper focus in both material and spiritual areas.
Guard Your Words
Posted onOn Megillat Kohelet, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller reads and explains the fifth chapter of the Megilla. This chapter begins with admonishments not to speak disrespectfully of Hashem if one doesn’t understand His ways, and of the importance of keeping one’s word.
Justice and Brotherhood
Posted onOn Megillat Kohelet, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller teaches the fourth perek of the Megilla. In this perek, Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon) discusses the falsehood of this material world and its accompanying fantasies, the tikkun (fixing) of Gehinom (Hell), and the strength of togetherness and positive human relationships.
Parshat Ki Tavo: Submission to G-d
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In this Torah shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman expounds on the idea of bowing before G-d. This discussion is prompted by a difficult Midrash found in reference to this week’s parsha, Parshat Ki Tavo. Based on the Shem Mishmuel, this class provides a Chassidic interpretation of an essential act of prayer.
A Time for All Things
Posted onOn Megillat Kohelet, Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller discusses our relationship with time. Time is a backdrop for many of life’s challenges. If we respond to our current challenges with a realization that our response forms us, we will be able to maximize the opportunities we encounter.
Returning to G-d
Posted onRabbi Michael Taubes discusses the fundamental aspects of the Yom Kippur Davening (prayers), in particular Kol nidrei and viddui (confession).
Megillat Kohelet, Perek 1, Part 2
Posted onOn Megillat Kohelet, continuing the first perek (chapter) and the beginning of the second perek
Parshat Nitzavim: Steadfast Faith
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman delves into the meaning of the bris (covenant) that takes place between Hashem and the Jewish People, in this week’s parsha, Parshat Nitzavim. The Shem MiShmuel explains the underlying essence of the bris as the commitment to Hashem in all circumstances, both positive and negative.
Megillat Kohelet, Perek 1
Posted onOn Megillat Kohelet, Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller discusses the uniqueness of the five Megillot, and the specific theme of this Megilla. She begins learning the first perek (chapter) inside the text, analyzing the words of the pesukim and delving into their timely messages.
Returning to Our Essence
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur), Rabbi Hershel Reichman delves into Rabbi Soleveitchik’s essay on Kaparah (atonement) and Tahara (purification), in his classic work, Al HaTeshuva. The uniqeness of the teshuva process on Yom Kippur lies within the added dimension of Tahara, when one sincerely repents.
Crowning Our King
Posted onRabbi Michael Taubes discusses the Musaf prayer of Rosh HaShana, which contains essential themes of the holiday.
Ki Teitzei: The Power of Unity
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman expounds on this week’s parsha, Parshat Ki Teizei, based on the Shem MiShmuel, which explains the secret to the Jewish people’s success in war as a function of unity within us.
Shofar: A Call to Return
Posted onRabbi Taubes discusses the significance of the Shofar that is blown during the Rosh HaShanah davening. Rabbi Taubes also discusses the custom to eat the simanim, the signs of Rosh Hashana.
Reciting Amen
Posted onIn this shiur (class), Rabbi Ari Jacobson discusses the halachot (Jewish laws) of answering Amen upon hearing a bracha (blessing). Based on the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, this class provides a comprehensive yet basic understanding of the laws regarding brachot and answering Amen.
One Hundred Brachot
Posted onRabbi Jacobson discusses the halacha of completing one hundred brachot a day. Additionally, he explains the halacha of safek brachot l’hakel, what one should do when in doubt of making a bracha.
Turning Evil into Goodness
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) Rabbi Reichman discusses the idea of teshuva, where past misdeeds have the ability to actually become merits.
Parshat Shoftim: Shema Yisrael
Posted onThis week’s Parsha, Parshat Shoftim, discusses the Torah concept and details of war. Rashi writes that the merit of Shema Yisrael will protect Jewish soldiers. Rabbi Reichman explains this idea, based on the Shem MiShmuel, in terms of the connection between the mind and the heart of every Jew.