The Torah Learning on this site is dedicated in memory of Rochel Leah bas R' Chaim Tzvi and R' Yisrael Menachem ben R' Binyamin.
In 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.
Rabbi Shimon Isaacson begins his Hilchot Shabbat class by introducing the mitzvah of Kavod Shabbat- honoring the Sabbath.
Rabbi 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.
In 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.
In this guest lecture on Tisha B’av, Mrs. Shoshie Nissenbaum explains the secret of redemption hidden within the destruction of Tisha B’av.
In 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.
Rabbi Hanoch Teller speaks about how to attain real happiness in honor of the joyous festival of Sukkot.
Rebbetzin Heller speaks about the sad atmosphere of the Three Weeks, and how we can feel the reality of destruction and exile.
In 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.
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.
Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg presents the secrets of non-verbal communication.
Through an analysis of Tehillim Perek 19, Rabbi David explores man’s struggle to emulate nature’s service of God.
In 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.
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.
Rabbi Hanoch Teller talks about what we are mourning for on Tisha B’Av, and how to feel the tragedy of the Churban today.
In 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.
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.’
In 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.
Mrs. 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.
In 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.
In 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.
Mrs. Shira Smiles explores the message of the month of Av.
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.
In 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.
In 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.
In this class (shiur) Rabbi Reichman starts a new series on Parenting. Rabbi Reichman explains that Jewish Parenting is defined as v’shinantam l’vanecha, teaching Torah to children and students.
In this guest lecture in honor of the Three Weeks, Rabbi Ilan Segal of Afikei Torah Seminary of Jerusalem completes his overview of the period of mourning between the 17th day of Tammuz and Tisha B’av. For more information about Afikei Torah, go to www.Afikeitorah.org.
Following last week’s class, Rabbi Avishai David delves into the philosophical perspectives on mourning and consolation.
In this shiur (class), Rabbi Hershel Reichman learns Mishnayot Brachot, Perek Alef in memory of the victims of the Mumbai tragedy.
In this shiur (Torah class) Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the Shabbat before Tisha B’Av, known as Shabbat Chazon, and expounds on the nature of Shabbat Chazon and how it characterizes what the three weeks is about.
