Yosef and Yavan
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Chanuka, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the idea that within the galut of Yavan, there was rectification of the sale of Yosef.
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.
Chanuka – Pieces Of Peace
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira smiles gives insight into Chanuka.
The Holy Day Of Shabbos
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In this class (shiur) Rabbi Hershel Riechman discusses the Holy Day Of Shabbos.
The Judgment Of Rosh Hashana
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Rebbetzin Leah Kohn discusses what is the judgment of Rosh Hashana focused on.
The Students Of Rabbi Akiva
Posted onRebbetzin Leah Kohn discusses the Students Of Rabbi Akiva.
The Power Of The Month Of Iyar
Posted onRebbetzin Leah Kohn discusses The Power Of The Month Of Iyar.
Pesach
Posted onRebbetzin Leah Kohn discusses the Holiday of Pesach.
The Connection Between The Month Of Adar And Nissan
Posted onRebbetzin Leah Kohn discusses the Connection between the Month Of Adar and Nissan.
Simcha
Posted onRebbetzin Leah Kohn discusses Happiness in the month of Adar.
The Power Of The Month Of Adar
Posted onRebbetzin Leah Kohn the Month Of Adar.
The Power of The Month of Kislev
Posted onRebbetzin Leah Kohn gives insight into the month of Kislev as it relates to the month of Chanuka, as well as the power of the Tribe of Binyamin.
The Attitude of Gratitude
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Mrs. Dina Schoonmaker gives insight into Chanuka and gratitude
Sefira: Setting the Stage
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefirat HaOmer, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the statement of the Sfas Emes that the entire year is spiritually dependent on these days.
Chodesh Elul: Path to Teshuva
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In this Torah class (shiur) on the month of Elul, Mrs. Shoshie Nissenbaum explores the process of teshuva, including practical steps on acquiring a mindset of return. Mrs. Nissenbaum talks about the importance of our thoughts on Rosh Hashana, and how positive thinking will help us in the day of judgement.
Teaching Children the Beauty of Chanuka
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on chinuch, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller guides parents and educators on how to make Chanukah meaningful for our children, with age-appropriate stories and discussions which will deepen their appreciation for this holiday.
Yehuda’s Descent from his Brothers
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In this Torah class (shiur) on the story of Yehuda and Tamar, Mrs. Shira Smiles begins the topic by exploring why this episode is placed in the middle of the narrative of the sale of Yosef
Elul, Rosh Hashana, and Yom Kippur for Children
Posted onIn this chinuch class on making Torah concepts real to children of all ages, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller guides parents on how to introduce children to the mindset of Elul and the themes of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur on three levels; early childhood, middle childhood, and teens.
Hashem’s Ways are Straight
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The final class on the Haftora of Shabbat Shuva, discussing the centrality of Eretz Yisrael and the meaning of the verse ‘Hashem’s ways are straight’. The lesson for us is to take every circumstance in life and utilize it to better serve Hashem.
Images of Hashem’s Love for His People
Posted onOn the Haforah of Shabbat Shuva, Mrs. Shira Smiles explains the beautiful imagery in the perek, as illustrations of G-d’s eternal love for His people, Am Yisrael.
Torah and Tefilla: Components of Teshuva
Posted onOn the essence of teshuva, based on the Haftara of Shabbat Shuva, Mrs. Shira Smiles demonstrates the important role of tefilla (prayer) and Torah study in enabling a person to repent completely.
The Intrinsic Purity of Every Jew
Posted onOn the Haftarah of Shabbat Shuva from where we learn that teshuva/repentance is a dynamic process with Hashem, and that every Jew’s soul is intrinsically pure, which means that even sin does not become part of its essence. When embarking on the teshuva process, one should have an image of who they want to be, so that they have a goal to aspire to.
Tu B’Av and the Essence of Marriage
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In this Torah shiur on marriage and shidduchim, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller speaks about what the 15th day of Av represents. On this day, the heavenly attributes of Chochma and Binah combine, as do the middot of Tiferet and Malchut. This merging of forces represents the completion of the soul through marriage.
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.
Explication of Maggid
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero explains the section of Maggid, which contains the story of the slavery and oppression of the Jewish people, the ten plagues, the miraculous redemption, and the discussion of the obligations of the Seder night.
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.
Lowly Origins
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero discusses why the story of the redemption from Egypt begins with the lowly beginnings of the Jewish people as the children of idol-worshipers.
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.
History of the Haggadah
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero traces the development of the Hagaddah which is used at the Pesach Seder.
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.