Parshat Korach: The Source of Korach’s Rebellion
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In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the underlying motives for Korach’s rebellion.
Category: Chasidut
This series of classes on Chassidut, takes us on a journey through various essays and Chassidic discourses by a range of Chassidic Masters, such as the Shem Mishmuel, the Nesivos Shalom, the Ba’ale HaTanya, the Rebbe Rashab, and others. 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. This series explores the deep spiritual and esoteric teachings of the great Chassidic giants, revealing both philosophical concepts and practical insight on the Parsha, the Jewish holidays, the unity of the Jewish people, and the unique beauty inherent in a Jewish marriage.
Parshat Shlach: Dual Relationships with G-d
Posted onParshat 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 Bamidbar: The Strength of Torah
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the reasons of G-d counting the Jewish People in this week’s parsha.
Parshat Emor: The Four Kingdoms
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the four kingdoms that oppressed the Jewish People. Each kingdom had a specific negative characteristic which the Jewish People must fight against.
Parshat Tzav: Inner Service of G-d
Posted onParshat Tzav relays the importance of the inner spiritual service of G-d.
The Significance of Four
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the significance of the Four Questions, based on the Shem Mishmuel explanation of the concept of number four.
Korban Pesach
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman presents the Chassidic view of the Korban Pesach, the Pascal sacrifice. Rabbi Reichman explains how we can still incorporate the effects and lessons of the korban Pesach even when we no longer have a Temple.
The Four Cups: Levels of the Soul
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman explains the significance of the number four which prominently appears in the Seder. Specifically focusing in the four cups of wine, this class gives a Chassidic interpretation of the levels of the soul and how each cup represents a particular level.
Matzah: The Essence of Faith
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the spiritual understanding of matzah. According to Chassidic thought, matzah represents ultimate faith in G-d, which was seen in the Jewish Nation’s redemption from Egypt.
Parshat Vayakhel: The Secret of One
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses how this week’s Torah reading involves the prohibition of work on Shabbat. Through a unique understanding of the sin of the Golden Calf, the Shem Mishmuel understands the essence of Shabbat.
The Spritual Characteristics of Chametz
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman explains the prohibition of chametz from a Chassidic perspective. The Shem MiShmuel presents the negative spiritual characteristics which chametz represents, and explains how one should work on eradicating those characteristics during the time of Pesach.
Ki Tisa: Reaching for Holiness
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), by Rabbi Hershel Reichman, the sin of the Golden Calf is explained from a Chassidic point of view.
Parshat Tetzaveh: Losing the Self
Posted onIn discussing Parshat Tetzave, Rabbi Reichman analyzes the making of the Menorah in the Mishkan and provides insight into our ultimate relationship with G-d.
Parshat Tetzaveh: Spiritual Clothing
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on Parshat Tetzaveh, Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the clothing of the Kohen Gadol. The Shem MiShmuel explains the significance of these unique garments.
Parshat Ki Tisa: Bound to Our Creator
Posted onParshat Ki Tisa contains a puzzling passage referring to the Tefillin of G-d. The Shem Mishmuel explains this allegory in terms of the Jewish people’s complete connection to their Creator.
Parshat Teruma: The Mishkan
Posted onIn his shiur on Parshat Teruma, Rabbi Reichman discusses the concept of the Mishkan as the physical representative of our connection to the One Above.
Parshat Shekalim: Safeguarding Our Holiness
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the meaning of the half shekel and what it represents.
Parshat Mishpatim: The Seventh Point
Posted onIn discussing this weeks`s parsha, Parshat Mishpatim, Rabbi Reichman relays the laws of a Jewish servant and provides a critical perspective on our relationship with G-d and the Torah.
Parshat Mishpatim: G-d’s Emblem of Truth
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class), Rabbi Reichman discusses this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Mishpatim, in accordance with the interpretation of the Shem MiShmuel.
Parshat Yitro: Torah and Shabbat
Posted onIn his discussion on this week’s parsha, Parshat Yitro, Rabbi Hershel Reichman addresses the question of why the Torah was given on Shabbat.
Parshat Yitro: The Origin of Yitro’s Soul
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the significance of various names of Yitro, Moshe Rabbeinu’s father in law. The names of Yitro teach us important elements of his spiritual makeup which affected Moshe and the entire Jewish People.
Parshat Shekalim: Love and Fear
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman talks about the position of Parshat Shekalim in the Jewish Calender and provides insight into the dual nature of our relationship with G-d.
Parshat Bo: Freedom from Slave Mentality
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on this week’s parsha, Parshat Bo, Rabbi Reichman uses the interpretation of the Shem Mishmuel to expound on both our physical and spiritual freedom from Egypt.
Parshat Shemot: Fundamentals of Hashem’s Chessed
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on Parshat Shemot, Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the fundamental question of whether the Jewish people deserved to be redeemed, or if it was an act of Divine Kindness.
Parshat Vayigash: Two Forms of Leadership
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman explores this week’s parsha, Parshat Vayigash, in which the confrontation between Yosef and Yehuda reveals two forms of leadership and service of G-d.
Parshat Vayigash
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman expounds on the mystical source of Yosef’s unshakable faith.
Parshat Vayeishev: Gathering the Sparks
Posted onIn his class on this week’s parsha, Parshat Vayeishev, Rabbi Hershel Reichman explores Yaakov’s mission, which became the mission of the entire Jewish People: to gather the hidden sparks of holiness found in all corners of the world.
Parshat Vayishlach
Posted onIn this shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the function of the angels in heaven as well as the Jewish people’s mission in this world. Stemming from an explanation of Yaakov’s encounter with Eisav, this class presents a fundamental view of life’s purpose.
Parshat Vayeitzei: Surviving Darkness
Posted onIn this shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the Medrash which says that the angels of Yakov’s dream represent the four kingdoms which will subjugate the Jewish people. Based on the Shem MiShmuel’s understanding of this medrash, Rabbi Reichman explains how Yaakov Avinu paved the way for our survival in the trying times of exile.