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.
Shavuot: Regeneration & Rejoicing
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Shavuot, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the custom of decorating our homes and shuls with greenery on Shavuot.
Amalek: Eradicating Evil
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Parshat Zachor, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the mitzva to eradicate Amalek.
Hallel at the Seder
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson discusses the mitzva of reciting Hallel at the Seder.
The Businessman’s Approach To Rosh Hashana
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Dayan Shlomo Cohen discusses the business approach to Rosh Hashana.
Aspiring Acceptance
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira smiles discusses the holiday of Shavout.
Hidden Miracles in the Megilla
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on Purim, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg takes us a journey through the megilla, showing the myriad miracles buried in the seemingly mundane parts of the story of Purim.
Rosh Hashana – Recognizing Reality
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Rosh Hashana.
Hallel on Pesach, Part 2
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach, Rabbi Avishai David continues exploring the recitation of Hallel on Pesach.
Purim- Trees Treason
Posted onIn this class(shiur) Rebbetzin Shira Smiles discusses Purim.
Hallel on Pesach
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach, Rabbi Avishai David speaks about the mitzvah of reciting Hallel on Pesach.
Sovereignty and Sweetness
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Rosh Hashana, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the minhag of dipping challah and apples into honey, and what the significance is of the honey.
Ruth: Core of Chessed
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on the holiday of Shavuot, Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about the connection between Megillat Rut and Matan Torah.
Lots of Luck – Purim
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the Holiday of Purim.
Freedom from Self to Self
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines what Pesach is about, based on the way the Rabbis have described the name of the holiday.
Rosh Hashana: Our Turn
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on Rosh Hashana, Mrs. Shira Smiles raises some questions and answers to remind us of the basic ideas of the holiday.
Shavuot: Rectifying the Repose
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the holiday of Shavuot, Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about the message behind the minhag, custom, of staying up all night on Shavuot night, learning Torah.
Purim The Great Test Before The Great Redemption
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the great redemption of Purim.
The Seder: Exploring the Greatness of Our Sages
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach, Rabbi Beinsh Ginsburg explains the connections between the statements of the Sages of the Mishna, which make up much of the narrative of the Haggadah, and the written Torah. The Seder night is an opportunity to strengthen our emunah, belief, in the truth of the words of Chazal, our Sages. This is part of the mesorah, the spiritual heritage, which we pass along at the Seder.
Harbingers of Blessing: A Practical Guide to the Simanim of Rosh Hashana
Posted onIn this interactive Torah class (shiur) on the simanim of Rosh Hashana, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson discusses the concept of eating symbolic foods during the evening meal of Rosh Hashana.
Shavuot – Na’aseh V’Nishma
Posted onEsther’s Fate: The Day After Purim
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on the holiday of Purim, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller explains the important role Esther played after the salvation, when she remained in the palace, forced to stay married to Achashveirosh. Her sacrifice bears an important message to the Jews throughout the exile.
Bnei Brak Bounty
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the section of the Haggadah which tells about the Rabbis in Bnei Brak who spoke about the exodus from Egypt all night long.
Joy of Remembrance
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles discusses Zichronot, the verses in the Rosh Hashana davening which focus on our remembrance rising up before Hashem.
Shavuot: Torah Throughout Our Lives
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman explains three divrei Torah concerning Shavuot from the Shem MiShmuel.
Pesach
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Dayan Shlomo Cohen discusses the holiday of Pesach.
Rosh Hashana: Dual Aspects of the Day
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Rosh Hashana, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg discusses the aspects of simcha (joy), and din (judgment) that are intrinsic to the day. Rabbi Ginsburg also explains why Rosh Hashana an important predecessor to Aseret Yemai Teshuva and Yom Kippur.
Shavuot: Naaseh V’Nishma
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) in honor of Shavuot, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg discusses three possible ways to understand the words ‘Naaseh V’Nishma’, the declaration made by the Jewish People as they accepted the Torah. Rabbi Ginsburg explains how these words can help each individual prepare for their personal Kabbalat HaTorah on Shavuot.
Accentuating the Acceptance
Posted onIn this Torah shiur, class, Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about the main focus of Purim, accepting the Torah through joy.
The Holiday Of Pesach
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the Holiday of Pesach.




