Images of Hashem’s Love for His People
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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.
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.
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.
Questions and Answers for Today’s Jewish Woman, Part 13
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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.
Shabbat and Chanuka Lighting
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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.
The Hidden Light of Chanuka
Posted onIn 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.
Mehadrin Min HaMehadrin
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the halachik concept of mehadrin min mehadrin in relation to the Chanuka menorah.
Halachik Analysis of Lighting Candles
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman analyzes the differences between the lights of Chanuka and the lights of Shabbat.
Chanuka: Inner and Outer Connection
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles talks about the inner and outer connections of Chanuka.
Chanuka: Humble Warriors
Posted onRabbi Avishai David expounds on the various miracles of Chanuka, and on the anava (humbleness) of the Maccabees, which was the responsible for their victory.
Chanuka: Expansion of I
Posted onMrs. 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.
Greek Fragmentation and Jewish Unity
Posted onRebbetzin 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.
Chanukah: Essence of the Joy
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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.
Chanukah: Revealing the Essence
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles reveals its essence and inner depth in memory of the Mumbai Victims.
Joy of Repentance
Posted onRabbi Michael Taubes explores the final moments of the Yom Kippur davening (prayers) and the joy that comes with true forgiveness.
Recognizing Reality: Summary of Megillat Kohelet
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Rebbetzin Tzipora Heller sums up the philosophical truths and principles of life that are presented by Shlomo Hamelech (King Solomon) in Sefer Kohelet.
True Atonement
Posted onRabbi 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.
Physical Transience vs. Spiritual Eternity
Posted onRebbetzin Tzipora Heller speaks about the transience of all physical goals and even our own bodies’ eventual demise. Only Yirat Hashem endures.
Solving the Complexities of Life
Posted onRebbetzin Tzipora Heller shows how complex people and situations can be remedied by using the mind, heart, and body in the right way.
Perek 9: The Fate of the Righteous and the Wicked
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller explores the difficulty in resolving the seeming similarity between the fate of the Tzaddik and Rasha.
Perek 8: Quality of Life
Posted onRebbetzin Tziporah Heller talks about how living a life of morality and awareness makes life better in this world, even though we often see Tzaddikim who suffer n this world.