The Mistakes of Er and Onan
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Analysis of the actions of Er and Onan, the sons of Yehuda, and their punishment.
Category: Chumash Bereishit
Mindful Middot
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On Parshat Vayetzei, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on Rashi’s medrash on the idea that Hashem has ‘”gathered in” Rachel’s shame.
Parshat Vayeira: Understanding Judgement
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In this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the spiritual underpinnings of Akeidat Yitzchak, the binding of Yitzchak. The events that lead up to that test provide insight in our present day understanding of life and its challenges.
Yehuda’s Marriage
Posted onExplains Yehuda’s marriage and the significance of the names of his sons.
Ultimate Benefit
Posted onOn Parshat Lech Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles delves into the deeper understanding of Avraham’s test of Lech Lecha.
Parshat Lech Lecha: The Mystery of Lot
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman discusses the character of Lot and his journey from Avraham’s prime student to a member of the wicked city of Sodom. Based on the teachings of the Shem MiShmuel, Rabbi Reichman explores the differences between Lot and Avraham and how it affected each one’s path.
Yehuda’s Descent from his Brothers
Posted onWe begin the story of Yehuda and Tamar by exploring why this episode is placed in the middle of the narrative of the sale of Yosef.
Lessons of Laughter
Posted onOn Parshat Vayeira, Mrs. Shira Smiles explores the theme of laughter which is connected to the birth of Yitzchak.
Parshat Noach
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Expanding the Essence
Posted onOn Parshat Noach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the puzzling Rashi at the beginning of the parsha that discusses whether Noach was in fact a tzadik or not.
Parshat Breishit: Yaysh V’Ayin: Being Something
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman explains the concept of Creation, in which G-d created the world from nothingness. Based on the Kedushas Levi, the Chassidic work of Reb Levi Yitzchak Miberdichev, this class explores fundamental concepts of G-d’s goal in creation,and man’s purpose in this world
Guidelines for Greatness
Posted onon Parshat Bereishit, Mrs. Shira Smiles takes a deeper look into the first Rashi in the Torah.
Lessons to Live By
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The final class on the Sale of Yosef, summarizing the lessons that can be gleaned from this poignant section of the Torah.
Measure for Measure
Posted onTalks about the brother’s explanation of Yosef’s absence to their father.Emphasizing how our actions have ramifications.
Symbolism of the Shoe
Posted onPresents a deeper view on why the brothers sold Yosef for a pair of shoes.
The Measure of Life
Posted onTalks about the sweet smelling spices that accompanied Yosef on his way down to Egypt. Emphasizing the lesson that everything Hashem does is clearly measured out.
The Blessing to Ephraim and Menashe
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes the brachot (blessings) that Yaakov Avinu bestowed on his grandsons Ephraim and Menashe.
The Bat Kol
Posted onDiscussing the Bat Kol (Heavenly voice), and what we can learn from our lives with each answer.
Bestowing Blessings
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On Parshat Vayechi, Mrs. Shira Smiles looks at what the concept of giving brachot is about, and more specifically, what the Friday night blessing for sons to be like Ephraim and Menashe is about.
False Accusations
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero explores why Yosef chose to falsely accuse and imprison his brother Binyamin. The class is based on the text of the verses of the Parsha along with the comments of Rashi. No previous knowledge of Hebrew or textual skills are required for the class.
Parshat Vayigash: Two Forms of Leadership
Posted onRabbi Hershel Reichman explores this week’s parsha, Parshat Vayigash, in which the confrontation between Yosef and Yehuda reveals two forms of leadership and service of G-d.
Parshat Vayechi: Final Blessings
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller explains the final blessings of Yaakov Avinu to his sons, the Twelve Tribes, and his two grandsons Menashe and Ephraim in Parshat Vayechi.
Parshat Vayigash: Confrontation of Kings
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller talks about the narrative of Parshat Vayigash. presents the confrontation between Yosef and Yehuda, and Yosef’s shocking revelation to his brothers.
Parshat Vayigash
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman expounds on the mystical source of Yosef’s unshakable faith.
Heavenly Messengers
Posted onDiscussing the angel who met Yosef on his way to his brothers, as a representation of all of us.
Parshat Miketz
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller learns Parshat Miketz.
Bewildering Encounters
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero explains the verses and comments of Rashi and others which describe the first encounter between Yosef and his brothers, twenty two years after he was sold into slavery. This class assumes no prior knowledge of Hebrew or experience with reading Biblical texts.
Divine Packaging
Posted onDiscussing how Hashem presents us with goodness, while it often is presented to us in ways we would not imagine.
Parshat Vayeishev
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller learns the basic storyline of Parshat Vayeishev.
Yehuda and Tamar
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero delves into the enigmatic topic of Yehuda and Tamar’s relationship. Why did their relationship need to develop in an extraordinary way, and was their behavior considered appropriate?