The Mitzvah of Sefiras HaOmer
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class),Rabbi Ari Jacobson presents an overview of the mitzva of Sefirat HaOmer. Rabbi Jacobson explains the meaning of the mitzva and presents an overview of its related halachot.
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.
In this shiur (Torah class),Rabbi Ari Jacobson presents an overview of the mitzva of Sefirat HaOmer. Rabbi Jacobson explains the meaning of the mitzva and presents an overview of its related halachot.
Rebbi Hershel Reichman discusses the holiday of Purim which involved a fight against Amalek, our evil enemy. The fight was not only physical but a spiritual war against Amalek within us. The outcome determined the extent of the Purim redemption.
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In this class Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Pesach and Lail HaSeder.
Rabbi Avishai David examines the mitzvah of Sefirat HaOmer, and discusses the two types of “zecher le’mikdash”.
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Rabbetzin Heller discusses Purim, the party of our connection with Hashem, and our willingness to get closer.
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach (Passover), Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about our focus and perspective for the days following the Seder night.
In this class, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses that we cannot get caught up only in the technical requirements of counting each night of the Omer and the customs of mourning during this time. Sefirat Haomer is a time for spiritual accounting in preparation for receiving the Torah, specifically in the areas of loving one’s fellow man and increasing our consciousness of G-d.
Shavuos Class
Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the holiday of Sukkot.
Rebbetzin Heller provides an overview and explanation of the Book of Esther.
In this Torah shiur (class) on the Selichot prayers recited before Rosh Hashana and during the Yamim Noraim, Rabbi Avishai David presents an overview of Selichot. Rabbi David discusses the content of the Selichot, their themes, and their purpose. He also discusses why Selichot are recited at night and not during the day
The last five Commandments all deal with man’s relationship to his fellow man. Yet a deeper look into these commandments reveals an outlook on the divinity found in every person and situation.
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In this shiur (Torah class) on Sefirat HaOmer, Mrs. Shira Smiles delves into the commentaries that speak about the death of Rabbi Avkiva’s students, thereby getting a sense of the depth and breadth of Torah.
Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the connection between Succot and the previous holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Mrs. Smiles also speaks about the idea that Succot is the time of our rejoicing.
Mrs. Shira Smiles addresses the question: What is Purim all about?
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller explains how the way we keep Shabbos is designed to ensure that it becomes a spiritually meaningful day.
Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about the mitzva to experience redemption during the holiday of Pesach.
In this class on Sefirat Haomer, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg discusses the dichotomy of sefirat haomer; on one hand, it is a time of joyous anticipation before Matan Torah, and on the other hand, it is a time of mourning for the deaths of the students of Rabbi Akiva. The class explains how it all fits together.
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Rebbetzin Heller discusses the concepts of honoring G-d and one’s parents.
In this class Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the month of Elul in the midst of summer