The Torah Learning on this site is dedicated in memory of Rochel Leah bas R' Chaim Tzvi and R' Yisrael Menachem ben R' Binyamin.
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.
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.
On 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.
On 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.
On 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.
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.
Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the significance of the Four Questions, based on the Shem Mishmuel explanation of the concept of number four.
Mrs. 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.
Rabbi 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.
Rabbi 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.
Mrs. 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.
Rabbi 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.
Mrs. Chana Prero traces the development of the Hagaddah which is used at the Pesach Seder.
Rabbi 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.
In this question and answer session, Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller addresses real issues and struggles sent in by Naaleh students all over the world. Issues such as how to relate to the war in Southern Israel, dealing with the loneliness of singlehood, strategies to deal with the ‘off the derech’ phenomenon, how to create the right atmosphere on Shabbat and many others, are related to with sensitivity, wisdom, and humor.
In this Torah shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman learns the halachik topic of candle lighting of the menorah right before Shabbat. Delivered in a classroom setting, this shiur provides a elemental understanding of the issue as well as relevant questions.
In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman provides a Chassidic outlook on the essence of the light of Chanuka. taken from the Bnei Yissaschar, a classic Chassidic work, this shiur enlightens and inspires the soul.
Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the halachik concept of mehadrin min mehadrin in relation to the Chanuka menorah.
Rabbi Hershel Reichman analyzes the differences between the lights of Chanuka and the lights of Shabbat.
Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about the inner and outer connections of Chanuka.
Rabbi Avishai David expounds on the various miracles of Chanuka, and on the anava (humbleness) of the Maccabees, which was the responsible for their victory.
Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the symbolism of putting the mezuza on the right, the channukiah on the left, and the person lighting the candles in the middle.
Rebbetzin Heller speaks about the Greek way of thinking, which is a fragmented outlook on the world, versus the Jewish unified perspective, and how this distinction relates to the miracles of the war and the lights.
Rabbi Avishai David discusses the background of Chanuka, the distinctions between Chanuka and Purim, Pirsumei Nisa, the Yesod of Chanuka, and the difference of order between the Rambam and the Shulchan Aruch, in memorial of the Mumbai victims.
Mrs. Shira Smiles reveals its essence and inner depth in memory of the Mumbai Victims.
Rabbi Michael Taubes explores the final moments of the Yom Kippur davening (prayers) and the joy that comes with true forgiveness.
Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller sums up the philosophical truths and principles of life that are presented by Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon) in Sefer Kohelet.
Rabbi Michael Taubes examines how the bulk of the Yom Kippur davening (prayers) is comprised of Mussaf, in which the details of the Yom Kippur service are described.
Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller speaks about the transience of all physical goals and even our own bodies’ eventual demise. Only Yirat Hashem endures.
Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller shows how complex people and situations can be remedied by using the mind, heart, and body in the right way.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller explores the difficulty in resolving the seeming similarity between the fate of the Tzaddik and Rasha.
