World of the Wicked
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On Parshat Bo, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the question of the wicked son mentioned at the Pesach Seder, which is alluded to in Parshat Bo.
Category: Chumash Shemot
Frog Fundamentals
Posted onOn Parshat Vaeira, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the plague of frogs. Mrs. Smiles examines why the plague started as just one frog and multiplied into many, and why Pharoah asked that the plague stop the next day instead of immediately.
Holy Ground
Posted onOn Parshat Shemot, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines Hashem’s command to Moshe not to come closer to the burning bush, and to remove his shoes, because the ground he is on is holy., asking the Ramban’s question of why was that ground holy, if the shechina was resting only on the burning bush?
Bountiful Blessings
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On Parshat Pekudei, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the bracha that Moshe blessed Klal Yisrael upon the completion of the mishkan.
Mirroring Majesty
Posted onOn Parshat Vayakhel, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the description of the kior, the sink, which was made of mirrors donated by the women.
Covenant II; Constant Challenge
Posted onOn Parshat Ki Tisa, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines how the sin of the golden calf transformed Jewish history, specifically in relation to the tablets.
Secret of the Spice
Posted onOn Parshat Tetzaveh, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the last perek in the parsha, which details the altar for the incense.
Creating Closeness
Posted onOn Parshat Terumah, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the midrash on the words ” take for me a portion,” which says that Hashem told the Jewish people that He sold them His Torah, and its as if He sold Himself with the Torah.
Brick Burden and Buoyancy
Posted onOn Parshat Mishpatim, Mrs. Shira Smiles explains the ‘sapphire brickwork’ under Hashem.
Altar Accentuation
Posted onOn Parshat Yitro, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the placement of the description of the altar, after the revelation at Sinai.
Glorifying the Glorified
Posted onOn Parshat Beshalach, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the pasuk in Shirat Hayam which says, “…This is my G-d and I will glorify Him…”
Midnight Mindfulness
Posted onOn Parshat Bo, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the plague of the first born; why it occurred at midnight, why is was carried out by Hashem Himself, and why the Jewish people had to do something in order to gain protection.
Existential Exodus Experience
Posted onOn Parshat Va’eira, Mrs. Shira Smiles asks why there is such an emphasis in the Torah and in our lives, on the experience of the Jews in Egypt.
The One Who Cursed
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Mrs. Chana Prero analyzes the topic of a person who “blessed G-d” and the relevant laws.
Integral Ingredients
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On Parshat Vayakhel and Pekudei, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the use of the term ‘chacham lev’, wise hearted, to describe the artisans involved with the mishkan. Mrs Smiles also speaks about the term “as Hashem commanded Moshe,” which repeats eighteen times throughout the parsha.
Moshe’s Tent
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes the incident of Moshe removing his tent from the camp of the Jewish People.
Holy for G-d
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero discusses the Tzitz and its function.
Beams of Unity
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero discusses the physical and symbolic components of the kerashim, beams, of the Mishkan.
The Gift of Self
Posted onOn Parshat Terumah, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the donations to the Mishkan that were given out of motivation. What does it say to us for our individual lives?
Two Angels
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero contrasts the two times G-d says He is sending an angel to lead the Jews both before and after the Sin of Golden Calf.
Sense of Servitude
Posted onOn Parshat Mishpatim, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the laws of the ‘eved ivri’, one who sells himself into slavery.
Altar Analysis
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes the first commandment after the Revelation at Sinai, Matan Torah.
Shalom of Shabbat
Posted onOn Parshat Yitro, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the idea of shalom and its connection to Shabbat.
Two Battles
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero teaches the classical commentaries in analyzing Amalek’s attack on the Jewish People.
Ultimate Healer
Posted onOn Parshat Beshalach, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the pasuk that says that if the Jewish people do what is just in Hashem’s Eyes, and observe the commandments, then all the diseases that Hashem placed upon Egypt, He will not bring upon the Jewish people.
Pyramidal Geometry
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes the Jews’ exit from Egypt.
Investing With Interest
Posted onOn Parshat Bo, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the connection between the blood or Korban Pesach, and the blood of a Brit Milah, and its tremendous relevance for our lives.
What Your Parents Never Saw
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes the use of G-d’s different names at the beginning of parsha.
The Greater Good
Posted onOn Parshat Va’eira, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the first passuk of the parsha, which contains Hashem’s rebuke to Moshe.
The Immortal Donkey?
Posted onMrs. Chana Prero analyzes Moshe’s actions after he leaves the burning bush.