Elevating the Elevated Offering
Posted on
on Parshat Pinchas, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the korban hatamid, the sacrifice that was brought each morning and evening.
Series: Living the Parsha 5770
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.
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.
Lessons of Laughter
Posted onOn Parshat Vayeira, Mrs. Shira Smiles explores the theme of laughter which is connected to the birth of Yitzchak.
Ultimate Benefit
Posted onOn Parshat Lech Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles delves into the deeper understanding of Avraham’s test of Lech Lecha.
Mindful Middot
Posted onOn Parshat Vayetzei, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on Rashi’s medrash on the idea that Hashem has ‘”gathered in” Rachel’s shame.
Emerging Worlds
Posted onOn Parshat Toldot, Mrs. Shira Smiles explores the different worldviews and dynamics of Yaakov and Esav, to gain an appreciation of why their brachot were given as they were.
Secretive Signs
Posted onOn Parshat Vayetzei, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the episode of Rachel sharing Yaakov’s and her secret signs with Leah.
Kever Rachel
Posted onOn Parshat Vayishlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the concept of Kever Rachel, and why Rachel is buried “baderech,” on the way.
Dual Flames
Posted onOn Parshat Vayigash, Mrs. Shira Smiles explores the Midrash on the Passuk that says that Yaakov sent Yehuda ahead to Egypt. He was sent ahead to Egypt to make this havdala between the holiness of living a Torah life and the darkness of Egypt.
Evil Eye
Posted onOn Parshat Vayechi, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the whole concept of the ayin hara (evil eye) and the idea that Yosef and his descendants are above the ayin hara.
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.
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.
Pilgrimage Power
Posted onOn Parshat Balak, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the use of the words “shalosh regalim,” when the donkey spoke to Bilam.
Shalom of Shabbat
Posted onOn Parshat Yitro, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the idea of shalom and its connection to Shabbat.
Sense of Servitude
Posted onOn Parshat Mishpatim, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the laws of the ‘eved ivri’, one who sells himself into slavery.
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?
Integral Ingredients
Posted onOn 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.
Profound Purity
Posted onOn Parshiyot Tazria and Metzora, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on one of the aspects of the purification process for tzara’at.
Respecting the Respected
Posted onOn Parshiyot Acharei Mot and Kedoshim, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the pasuk that speaks about rising in the presence of an elderly person and honoring a sage.
Rewarding Reward
Posted onOn Parshiyot Behar and Bechukotai, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the blessings and curses contained in Bechukotai, which is relevant to our preparation for Shavuot.
Triumphant Travels
Posted onOn Parsha Beha’alotcha, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the description of how the Jewish people camped in the desert, and on the topic of the ‘chatzotzrot’, the trumpets.
Nearness of Name
Posted onOn Parsha Shelach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines Yehoshua’s name change from Hoshea and analyzes the root of the failure of the spies, giving us a greater understanding of the significance of names.
Well Grounded
Posted onOn Parshat Korach, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the punishment that Korach and his followers received.
Serpents Scream
Posted onOn Parshat Chukat, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the incident with the serpents.
Guidelines for Greatness
Posted onon Parshat Bereishit, Mrs. Shira Smiles takes a deeper look into the first Rashi in the Torah.