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.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller addresses questions and struggles shared with her by our female members. This shiur (class) touches on many topics, including women’s education, personal conflicts in keeping the halachot of tzniut, getting ready for Shabbos, bitachon and doing chessed outside the home.
Rabbi Taubes discusses the obligation for prayer. He points out that Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are specifically designated as days of prayer. However, these days are also deemed as days of joy.
In this Torah shiur (class), Mrs. Shira Smiles explores the underlying theme of the Three Weeks of Mourning between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B’av.
Rabbi Moshe N. Reichman discusses the causes for the Churban, as discussed in the Gemara, and how we can correct ourselves to bring the Geulah.
The Shem MiShmuel explains the significance of Lag BaOmer and it’s practical relevance for our lives.
In this Torah shiur (class), Rabbi Shimon Isaacson examines whether Sefirat Haomer is a Torah law or a Rabbinic law, and the halacha regarding one who misses a day of counting.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller finishes her discussion of Megillat Esther, and reviews the four mitzvot of Purim.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller speaks about ‘hester panim’, hashgacha, and the effect of Tzadikim on their generation.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller explains how Esther became the epitome of Midat Malchut (characteristic of kingship), and why she needed preparation for this role.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller speaks about the nature of doing Teshuva by looking at the methods used by Esther and Mordechai.
In perek 3, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller examines Hashem’s Hashgacha, the purpose of Amalek, and the spiritual forces at battle.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller examines Perek 2, with an introduction to Mordechai and Esther, and a deepening of our understanding of the galut, exile, and the specific roles of Haman and Mordechai.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller describes Megillat Esther as a means of understanding our relationship to everything the Persian exile represents, and Hashem’s plan in exposing us to it.
Redemption from slavery in Egypt freed us from purposeless work to embrace a life of purpose with the Torah. Achieving happiness is a battle of self control. Rabbi Teller discusses how reducing expectations, and feeling gratitude for what we have, will lead us to realize true appreciation, and this will put us on the road to living a life full of happiness. That is real liberation. Available online in streaming video. To purchase mp3 downloads of Rabbi Teller’s classes, go to www.ishiur.com.
Mrs. Shira Smiles talks about the fast day of the Tenth of Tevet, as well as the parsha for this week, Parshat Vayechi.
In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen expounds upon the idea that understanding the obligation of beautifying the mitzvah of Chanuka helps us understand the miracles that took place in the time of Chanuka.
In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman talks about how Parshat Mikeitz – which is read during Chanukah – is uniquely connected to the themes of the Chanukah holiday.
Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller extrapolates on the following idea by the Sfas Emes: waging war against each of the four types of concealment makes us more aware of Hashem’s presence in every facet of ourselves, others, and all the tribes of Israel.
Rabbi Hershel Reichman delves into the Shem MiShmuel’s explanation of the significance of the conflict between Greece and the Jews and discusses this conflict as a battle between the Greek and Jewish intellects.
In this shiur (Torah class), Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the Torah insights of the Sfas Emes for the fourth, fifth, and sixth nights of Chanuka, dealing with moving beyond everything that is ‘Greek’.
In this shiur (Torah class), Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller shares the Torah insights of the Sfas Emes, as he discusses the theme of each night of Chanuka. This class, the first in a three-part series, discusses the first three nights of Chanuka.
The Nations rejected the Torah, while the Jewish People said “Na’aseh V’nishma.” Exploring the secret of those who say “Hineini!”
Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses that G-d commands us in the Torah to count 50 days from Pesach until Shavuot. There is intense preparation for this holiday, for everything spiritual is determined that day
In this class, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses a great Torah lesson to be learned from the story of Rabbi Akiva’s students, who were illustrious scholars and who perished during Sefirat HaOmer.
The time of Sefirat HaOmer is a time of working on oneself. Mrs. Shira Smiles describes the particular character traits we must attain in order to make our acceptance of the Torah on Shavuot a lasting one.
Rebbetzin Leah Kohn discusses the Holiday of Shavous.
Rebbetzin Shira Smiles discusses the Holiday of Shavous.
Mrs. Shira Smiles Discusses Shavuot.
Rebbetzin Leah Kohn discusses Sfirat Haomer.
In this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses why the holiday of Shavuot is called Atzeret.
