Perfectly Pure: Parshat Balak
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In this class (shiur) on Parshat Balak Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the intrinsic purity of every Jew. Although we may sometimes sin, our inner core remains unsullied and connected to Hashem.
Series: Living the Parsha 5777
Surrendering The Spoils: Parshat Lech Lecha
Posted onIn this Torah shiur on Parshat Lech Lecha, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the intriguing episode of Avraham refusing to accept any of the spoils he gained in the war he joined in order to save his nephew Lot.
Silencing the Supplicant: Parshat Beshalach
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Beshalach, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the dynamics of prayer and why Hashem silenced the Jews’ supplication at the Yam Suf.
Continuous Compassion: Parshat Ki Tavo
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Ki Tavo, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses viduy maasrot, the confession prayer said after setting aside tithes.
Sleepy Sermon: Parshat Chaya Sarah
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Chaya Sarah, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the lives of Sarah Imeinu and Esther Hamalka and Rabbi Akiva’s enigmatic comparison of these great women.
Parshat Yitro: Riveting Reminders
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Yitro and the message contained in the names Moshe gave his sons, Gershom and Eliezer.
Manifest Mockery Parshat Toldos
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Toldos
Nation’s Nemesis: Acharei Mot, Kedoshim
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on the Parshiyot Of Acharei-Mot and Kedoshim, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the verse, “Speak to Bnei Yisroel and say to them, ‘I am Hashem your God. Do not perform the practices of the land of Egypt in which you dwelled; do not perform the practices of the land of Canaan to which I bring you, and do not follow their traditions. Carry out My laws and safeguards…”
Mrs. Smiles addresses the following questions: If Egypt and Canaan were so terrible, why did Hashem put Bnei Yisrael there to begin with? What practices did Hashem want them to avoid? The major ones, idol worship and promiscuity were already covered in other verses and commandments. Are these different practices Hashem wanted them to avoid?
Long Lasting Luz: Parshat Vayeitzei
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Vayeitzei, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the place where
Yaakov stopped off to pray on his way to Charan. The Torah enigmatically relates that the original name of this place was Luz. What is the significance of this detail, and what is the symbolism in the name?
Galvanizing Greatness: Parshat Emor
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Emor, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the role of the kohen gadol and the definition of greatness.
Healed Hip: Parshat Vayishlach
Posted onIn this class Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Vayishlach
Collateral Confirmed: Parshat Behar – Bechukotai
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Behar – Behukotai, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the verse, “I will remember My covenant with Jacob and also My covenant with Isaac and also My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land… The Land will be bereft of them… because they were revolted by My ordinances… But despite all this, while they are in the land of their enemies, I will not… have rejected them to obliterate them… I am Hashem.” She notes the unusual spelling of Yaakov with a vav maleh and contrasts it with the spelling of Eliyahu missing the final vav.
Image Of Inspiration: Parshat Vayeishev
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Vayeishev, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the test of Yosef with Potifar’s wife and what Yosef actually saw when he saw the image of his father.
Understanding Uniqueness: Parshat Bamidbar
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Bamidbar, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the distinct flags and the specific placement within the encampment of each of the tribes and how it relates to every Jew’s unique strengths and mission on this world.
Complaint And Contentment: Parshat Behaalotcha
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Behaaloscha, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the sin of kivrot hataava. Why were the people described as becoming “as complainers” instead of simply being complainers? Who initiated the complaints, the erev rav or the elders? Why were they punished so quickly?
Directed Dispersion: Parshat Vayechi
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Vayechi, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the dispersion of the tribes of Shimon and Levi.
Sanctified And Safeguarded: Parshat Shlach
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Shlach, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the significance behind the letter yud that Moshe added to Yehoshua’s name.
Names Of Nobility: Parshat Shemot
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Pinchas
Countering the Cunningness: Parshat Korach
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Korach Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Ohn Ben Peles, his wise wife, and tactics we can learn from the story of Korach to counter the yetzer hara.
Lions Lesson: Parshat Noah
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Noach, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the incident of Noach and the lion and the significance of doing acts of chesed.
Careful Consideration: Parshat Va’eira
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Parshat Va’eira, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the seventh plague and why some Egyptians disregarded the warning to save their livestock by bringing them in.
Desert Dessert: Parshat Chukat
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Chukat, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses what it means to make oneself a desert and how we can understand that Torah is a gift.
Zechus Of Zoar Parshat Vayeira
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Darkness Deciphered: Parshat Bo
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Bo, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the plague of darkness.
Why was this plague necessary? What purpose did it serve? What was the nature of this darkness that made it different from our standard definition of darkness as the absence of light?
Chariots Consideration: Parshat Vayigash
Posted onIn this class (shiur) on Parshat Vayigash, Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses the wagons Yosef sent back to Yaakov and the message of the eglah arufah.