Pesach: Transformation
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In this shiur (Torah class) on Pesach, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about some aspects of transformation that we can feel through the dynamic and spiritual aspects of the seder.
Category: Jewish calendar
The Jewish calendar is chock full of special days that have a unique influence on us and help us come closer to Hashem. The Torah calls the holidays, moadim, times of meeting with Hashem. This series of classes explores the transformative power of Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, the fast days, and other Jewish holidays around the year. Popular classes include insightful lectures on The Days of Awe which takes a comprehensive look at this emotionally charged period, particularly focusing on the Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur prayers, explaining their structure, logical sequence, meaning, and symbolism. Students also examine Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik’s important work on Jewish Thought, Al HaTeshuva, which discusses repentance and self-improvement as a means to growth and ascension in service of Hashem. In Jerusalem: Echoes of Lament, a range of Naaleh teachers explore such thought-provoking questions as what were the causes of this destruction? What should we do to return to our former glory as G-d’s Holy people? How can we deepen our appreciation of Jewish unity in order to rectify the sin of disunity that caused the destruction? Other topics include classes on Chanuka, Tu B’shevat, Purim, Pesach, Shavuot, Sefira, Lag B’aomer, and the Three Weeks.
Lessons from the Four Sons
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg learns lessons in chinuch and avodat Hashem from the questions and answers of the four sons of the Hagaddah. The class emphasizes the need to ask sincere questions throughout our lives.
Lessons from the Splitting of the Sea
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) about the last day of Pesach, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller explains how Kriat Yam Suf (the splitting of the sea and the drowning of the Egyptian army), was different from the miracles of Egypt, why this added salvation was necessary for the Jewish people, and what we can learn from it.
The Mitzvah of Eating Matzah
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach, Rabbi Avishai David surveys the halachic opinions of the Ibn Ezra, Rambam, the Vilna Gaon, the Chizkuni, and others, in regards to the Mitzvah of Eating Matza on the night of the Seder and for the rest of the holiday of Pesach. This class thoroughly covers the topic of eating Matzah from a halachic and hashkafic perspective.
Shevi’i Shel Pesach
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the spiritual significance of the last days of Pesach. Based on the Shem MiShmuel, Rabbi Reichman explains how the last days of Pesach represent a holiday celebrating the tzibur, nation of Israel as a whole.
Lag Ba’omer
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Lag Ba’omer, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the essence of Lag Ba’omer; why it occurs when it does, the death of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s students, and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai himself.
Days Of Awe
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In this class (shiur) Rebbetzin Heller discusses Rosh Hashana and the Holy days.
Chometz: Moving Beyond Self
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the holiday of Pesach, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller speaks about the meaning of chometz, the deeper role of the Halachot (laws) pertaining to it, and how one can internalize the lessons of removing chometz and move beyond ‘self’.
Dedicated in memory of Jacob and Laura Elbirt, by their daughter Paula Elbirt.
Clarity And Confusion
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the Holiday Of Shavout.
Path to Teshuva, Part I
Posted onIn this shiur (class) on Teshuva, Rabbi Hanoch Teller outlines the path to true repentance. Peppered with inspirational, poignant, and humorous stories, the theme of Teshuva is masterfully illustrated with real life examples.
Purim: The Power of Prayer
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Purim: Learning how to open the gates of heaven by examining the prayers of Mordechai, Esther and the Jewish Children
The Dual Symbolism of Matzah
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In this Torah shiur on the holiday of Pesach, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg discusses the dual symbolism of Matzah, and the themes of Galut and Geula at the Seder night.
Multi-Dimensional Teshuva
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Mrs. Shira Smiles explains the concept of Teshuva, Tefillah, and Tzedaka, and their ability to annul the evil decree.
Purim: Petition and Perspective
Posted onThe role of prayer in the Purim story, and its lessons for prioritizing prayer on Purim.
Pesach: Wine and Wheat Whispers
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach, Mrs. Shira Smiles asks a number of questions on the haggadah, to develop a proper mindset for the Seder night.
Personal Kabbalat HaTorah
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller speaks about the value of individual choices as they relate to the holiday of Shavuot, when the Jewish people exercised their Free Will by wholeheartedly accepting the Torah.
Purim: Esther’s Role
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg discusses Esther’s role in the megillah, and the seeming switch in her persona.
Yom Kippur The Avoda of the Cohen Gadol
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller discusses the Holy day of Yom Kippuer and the woek the Cohen Gadol does on that day
Echad Mi Yode’a
Posted onIn this class on Pesach, Rabbi Avishai David discusses the ideas behind the song of Echad Mi Yode’a, which is said at the end of the Seder.
Derech Eretz Kadma l’Torah
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefirat HaOmer, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg discusses some of the ideas of Sefirat HaOmer, and in particular Rabbi Akiva’s students.
Poors Portion
Posted onin this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira smiles discusses the Holiday of Purim
Bundling Mitzvot
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson speaks about the concept of not bundling mitzvot together, which comes up in a number of areas in the Seder.
Shavuot: Expanding Reality
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on Shavuot, Mrs. Shira Smiles points out that the Torah was supposed to be given on Friday, the fiftieth day of the omer, but was in fact given on Shabbat, the fifty-first. Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses some of the questions regarding this reality. Why did Moshe add an extra day of preparation at har sinai? If the world was waiting since creation for the acceptance of the Torah on Friday, how could Moshe push it off? If the Torah was given on the seventh day of Sivan, then why is the sixth day of Sivan referred to as the day we received the Torah?
Days of Awe
Posted onIn this class Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the importance of taking advantage of this special time of year
Vayehi B’Chatzi Halayla
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach, Rabbi Avishai David explores the piyut of Vayehi B’Chatzi Halayla, which is said at the end of the Pesach Seder.
Maftir Yonah
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Shimon Isaacson discusses the lessons of Sefer Yonah, which is read on Yom Kipur. Rabbi Isaacson delves into the many messages of the sefer, and how they relate to the essence of Yom Kippur.
Shavuot & Rut: Inner Dimension
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Shavuot, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the different names of the holiday, to get a better understanding of what our service on Shavuot is about. Additionally, Mrs. Smiles speaks about why we have the custom of reading Megillat Rut on Shavuot.
Purim: Pride and Prayer
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Purim, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the Gemara that asks where Haman, Mordechai, and Esther are hinted at in the Torah. Mrs. Shira Smiles also examines the mitzvah of Mishloach Manot.
Maftir Yona
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In this class (shiur) Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the depth of Maftir Yona which is read on Yom Kippur
Pesach Seder: Higher Order
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the Pesach Seder, Mrs. Shira Smiles how, on a festival that represents an erratic type of movement, we call the first night of Pesach Leil HaSeder, the night of order.