Covenant II; Constant Challenge
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On Parshat Ki Tisa, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines how the sin of the golden calf transformed Jewish history, specifically in relation to the tablets.
Series: Living the Parsha 5771
Final Act
Posted onon Parshat Matot, Mrs. Shira Smiles responds to the tragic death of Leiby Kletzky hy”d.
Betwixt and Between
Posted onOn Parshat Lech Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on Lot, whose behavior was not ideal, yet contains lessons about our character development.
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.
Everyone Counts
Posted onOn Parshat Bamidbar, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the seeming contradiction in the way the count of the Jewish people is established. Mrs. Smiles speaks about the dichotomy of each person being part of a whole and at the same time, an individual.
Inspired Introspection
Posted onOn Parshat Miketz, Mrs. Shira Smiles connects the episode of the brothers in Egypt with Yosef, with the topic of Chanukah.
Bountiful Blessings
Posted onOn Parshat Pekudei, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the bracha that Moshe blessed Klal Yisrael upon the completion of the mishkan.
Harmonizing Household Harmony
Posted onOn Parshat Vayetzei, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on Rashi’s medrash on the idea that Hashem has ‘”gathered in” Rachel’s shame.
Shabbat and Mikdash; Awareness and Awe
Posted onOn Parshat Behar, Mrs. Shira Smiles explores the juxtaposition between Shabbat and the Beit Hamikdash in the last pasuk of the parsha. Mrs. Smiles also explains how we can take what we learn about having awe of the temple, and relate it to how we behave in our study halls and synagogues.
Consequences of Complacency
Posted onOn Parshat Bechukotai, Mrs. Shira Smiles explores how Rashi explains that someone who observes the mitzvot but does not toil and exert effort in Torah can reach a level of not believing in G-d.
Slippery Slope
Posted onOn Parshat Noach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the events that led up to the flood, to get a sense of how not to fall into the same level of depravity at the time of the flood.
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.
Higher Humility
Posted onOn Parshat Shelach, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the medrash that Hashem made room for the spies to fail. Mrs. Smiles also speaks about Yehoshua’s name change.
Salt of the Earth
Posted onOn Parshat Vayeira, Mrs. Shira Smiles raises a number of questions on the pasuk that says that Lot’s wife looked behind, and became a pillar of salt.
Brick Burden and Buoyancy
Posted onOn Parshat Mishpatim, Mrs. Shira Smiles explains the ‘sapphire brickwork’ under Hashem.
The Thread of Truth
Posted onon Parshat Korach, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about Korach’s claims against Moshe.
Preferential Parenting
Posted onOn Parshat Toldot, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on the pasuk which states that Yitzchak loved Eisav for his hunting, and Rivka loved Yaakov. Mrs. Smiles examines the different approaches to this pasuk to gain insight into our avodat Hashem.
Altar Accentuation
Posted onOn Parshat Yitro, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the placement of the description of the altar, after the revelation at Sinai.
Point of Perpetuity
Posted onon Parshat Pinchas, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about Pinchas’ reward.
Efron Expression of Earthliness
Posted onOn Parshat Chayei Sarah, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines why the narrative of Avraham’s acquisition of the land for Mearat HaMachpela is so detailed. Additionally, Mrs. Smiles discusses why Ephron’s name is spelled without a ‘vav’ in the pasuk in which the transaction took place.
Renunciation of Reasoning and Ratzon
Posted onOn Parshat Chukat, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about our ability to submit ourselves to the will of G-d, and to appreciate the special gifts that we each have.
Soul of the Sole
Posted onon Parshat Vayeishev, Mrs. Shira Smiles focuses on a medrash on the sale of Yosef, that says that the brothers used the money they received to buy shoes.
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.
Judgment on Joviality
Posted onOn Parshat Ki Tavo, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses how the curses found in the parsha are an awakening before Rosh Hashana.
Jarring Jars
Posted onOn Parshat Vayishlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the Rashi that says that Yaakov was left alone because he had returned for some forgotten pitchers. Mrs. Smiles focuses on the question of what the connection is between Yaakov going back for his pitchers, and the attack from the angel.
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.
Symbiotic Song
Posted onOn Parshat Nitzavim and Vayelech, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the verse, “write this song for yourselves” and what song it’s referring to.
Tenacity, Truth
Posted onOn Parshat Vayechi, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the idea of brachot in general, Yaakov Avinu’s brachot to his sons, and specifically Yehuda’s bracha.
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.
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…”