The Pesach Seder and Matan Torah
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Pesach, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg discusses the connection between the Pesach seder and Matan Torah.
Videos
Why Destroy Our Sanctuary?
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In this Torah class (shiur) on the Three Weeks of mourning between the Seventeenth of Tammuz and the Ninth of Av, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller explains the causes for the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash.
Perek 98: Universal Kingship
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim (Psalms), Rabbi Avishai David explains the themes of chapter 98. In this perek, the hope for the universal kingship of Hashem is realized, as the nations of the world recognize His sovereignty.
The Bond of a Bris
Posted onRabbi Moshe Weinberger discusses how the intense connection between Am Yisrael and G-d is explained as symbolized through a bris. Rabbi Weinberger gleans insights regarding the true essence of a bris, from the Alter Rebbe’s essay, Atem Nitzavim.
The Three Weeks
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller discusses the mournful atmosphere of the Three Weeks, the causes for the destruction, and how we can attain redemption.
Holiday of Distance
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Tisha B’av, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about accessing the aveilut of the churban, when we are so distant from the reality of it. Mrs. Smiles also examines why the keruvim (the angelic figures above the aron) were facing eachother when the Beit Hamikdash was destroyed, when we know that keruvim faced each other when the Jewish People were doing Hashem’s will.
Distinction between Shabbat and Yom Tov
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Rabbi Shimon Isaacson begins his Hilchot Shabbat class by introducing the mitzvah of Kavod Shabbat- honoring the Sabbath.
Building Harmony in the Home
Posted onRabbi Beinish Ginsburg shares his secrets for building a happy and harmonious relationship with one’s spouse, based on the sichot mussar and other Torah sources.
Overview of Megillat Eicha
Posted onIn this class on the Three Weeks and Tisha B’Av, Rabbi Avishai David discusses the background, content, purpose, and structure of Megillat Eicha. Rabbi David discusses the Tannaic disagreement over whether the Megilla is written as a rebuke or as a lament, and if it was written before or after the actual destruction of Yerushalayim. Rabbi David then reviews the content of each perek of the Megilla, and contrasts Perek Bet, which focuses on the Beit Hamikdash, with Perek Daled, which speaks about the fate of Klal Yisrael. Rabbi David ends this overview with an examination of the hopeful element found throughout the Megilla.
From Apher to Pe’er
Posted onIn this guest lecture on Tisha B’av, Mrs. Shoshie Nissenbaum explains the secret of redemption hidden within the destruction of Tisha B’av.
Hallel Part 1: Perek 113
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David begins teaching the chapters which make up the prayer of Hallel. In this class, Rabbi David introduces various halachic aspects of Hallel, as well as discussing the content and emotions that accompany this song of thanksgiving.
Sukkot: Achieving Joy
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller speaks about how to attain real happiness in honor of the joyous festival of Sukkot.
Feeling the Churban
Posted onRebbetzin Heller speaks about the sad atmosphere of the Three Weeks, and how we can feel the reality of destruction and exile.
Surmounting Sinat Chinam
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the Three Weeks, Mrs. Shira Smiles examines the issue of sinat chinam, one of the things that led to the churban, and how we can begin to rectify the sinat chinam.
Introduction to Hilchot Muktza
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In this Torah class on the laws of Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson introduces the Rabbinic prohibition of Muktza. Rabbi Isaacson explains why Chazal, our Sages, instituted this gezeira (Rabbinic decree), and what its parameters are.
Non-Verbal Communication
Posted onRabbi Beinish Ginsburg presents the secrets of non-verbal communication.
Perek 19
Posted onThrough an analysis of Tehillim Perek 19, Rabbi David explores man’s struggle to emulate nature’s service of God.
Growing in Ruchniyus During the Three Weeks
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the three weeks, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg discusses a few different ideas relating to the time between the seventeenth of Tamuz, and the ninth of Av.
The Prohibition of Tying Knots
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In this short Torah shiur (class) on practical applications of the laws of Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson introduces the Melacha (prohibited action) of Koshair, tying permanent knots on Shabbat.
Why Cry?
Posted onRabbi Hanoch Teller talks about what we are mourning for on Tisha B’Av, and how to feel the tragedy of the Churban today.
The Three Weeks: Attaining Dveikut
Posted onIn this guest lecture, Rabbi Alexander Cohen of Shearim College of Jewish Studies for Women discusses the opportunity for gaining dveikut with Hashem during the Three Weeks.
Perek 10
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Rabbi Avishai David analyzes the position of the goyim and of Klal Yisrael regarding astrology,and explains the significance of ‘Tamim T’hiyeh Im Hashem Elokecha.’
Halachot of Tisha B’Av: A Window to the Essence of the Day
Posted onIn this shiur on Tisha B’av, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson demonstrates how the halachot of the day are designed to arouse one to awareness of our national tragedy and feelings of mourning for our loss.
Tisha B’Av – Short Idea with Big Impact
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles gives us a deeper understanding of Tisha B’Av, the day that we mourn the destruction of the two Batei Hamikdash, Holy Temples.
Truthful Prophecy: Perek 18
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David explicates the prophecies and events of chapter 18. In this class, Rabbi David discusses the process of testing a Navi (prophet), according to the Rambam (Maimonides), and talks about the distinction between a positive Nevua (prophesy) and a negative Nevua.
Mourning Over the Real Jerusalem
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on the Three Weeks, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg explains what the true mourning for Jerusalem should be, a yearning for the deep spirituality that was once intrinsic to the city, and is no longer there. True mourning for Jerusalem will help us merit its rebuilding.
Chodesh Av – Focus on Faith
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles explores the message of the month of Av.
Nevua: Cleaving to Our Creator
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In this Torah class (shiur) on the nature of Prophesy, Rabbi Avishai David introduces the concept of nevua, prophesy. Prophesy is a level of dveikut B’Hashem, connection to G-d, which is attained by a select group of individuals who have studied, worked to perfect themselves, and have trained under a master Navi. However, every Jew should strive to cleave to G-d as much as possible, with the ultimate goal of attaining Nevua.
The Three Weeks, A Recurring Pattern
Posted onIn this guest lecture by Rabbi Ilan Segal of Afikei Torah Seminary in Jerusalem, Rabbi Segal explores Bein Hamitzarim as part of a pattern of three week time periods which recur in Nissan and Tishrei. For more information about Afikei Torah, go to www.Afikeitorah.org.
Personal and Communal Mourning
Posted onIn analyzing our obligation of personal and communal mourning of the Churban (destruction of the Beit HaMikdash), Rabbi Avishai David gives us a legal and philosophical understanding of the Torah’s approach to mourning.