Pesach Sheini
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach Sheini, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines how we can access the message of the day, and how it connects to the fifth week of Sefirat Ha’omer, the week of Hod.
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.
Lag BaOmer: Balancing the Individual and the Nation
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the spiritual characteristics of Lag BaOmer. Taken from the Shem MiShmuel, this class describes the lessons taught by Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and how one can incorporate those teachings in our present day lives.
Soul Food
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In this shiur (Torah class) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the “Al Chet” for items concerning food and drink, and focuses on the mindset one must develop through proper brachot, etiquette of eating, and netillat yadayim (washing of the hands).
Yom Kippur: Sin of Swindling
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Yom Kippur, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the prayer of Neilah, and in particular, the line that says that we should “refrain from the repressiveness of our hand.”
Yom Kippur: A Gift Of Clarity
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Rebbetzin Leah Kohn discusses the holy day of Yom Kippur.
How to Be a Modern-Day Maccabee
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In this Torah shiur (class) Rabbi Hanoch Teller talks about having true bravery in our day-to-day lives. Available online in streaming video. To purchase an mp3 download, go to www.ishiur .com.
Rectification of the Recalcitrant
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Rosh Hashana, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines what we are actually davening for in the prayers for Rosh Hashana.
Blowing the Shofar on Motzei Yom Kippur
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Yom Kippur, Rabbi Avishai David explores the origins of the tradition to blow the shofar on motzei Yom Kippur, bringing to light ideas about Yom Kippur and teshuva.
The Symbols of Pesach
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In this Torah shiur (class) on the holiday of Pesach, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson looks at some of the symbols used at the Seder, such as the matza, called lechem oni, and the charoset. Rabbi Isaacson also discusses the seeming interruption of Hallel for Shulchan Orech, the eating of the festive meal.
Themes of the Hagaddah
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Ari Jacobson discusses some of the major themes in the Hagadda. Rabbi Jacobson provides a general understanding as well as specific insights in the Hagaddah.
The Pesach Experience
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In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen presents the Pesach experience. Rabbi Cohen animatedly explains how to truly experience Pesach on a spiritual level.
Pesach: Transformation
Posted onIn 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.
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
Posted onIn 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.
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.
Clarity And Confusion
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the Holiday Of Shavout.
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.
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: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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