Jewish Unity

Ahavat Yisrael: What is One’s Obligation?

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This video is class 2 of 5 in the series Collective Soul: Perspectives on Jewish Unity.

Is loving one’s fellow Jew an obligation from the Torah? Rabbi David explores this topic, tracing the mitzvot relating to Ahavat Yisrael starting from the pesukim in the Torah. He then discusses the comments of the Rambam and the Ktav V’Hakaballah on the application of these mitzvot, including examples of the levels of Ahavat Yisrael that were reached by great Jews like R’ Aryeh Levine.

Eicha

Perek 5

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This video is class 4 of 5 in the series Megilat Eicha.

Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the final perek of the megilla. In this chapter, Yirmiyahu speaks of the helpless, weakened state of the Jewish people under the ravages of the Churban. He states that it is the destruction of the Temple, not the physical suffering of the Jews, that is the greatest source of sorrow. The megilla ends with a plea to Hashem to return His people to their former glory, for they have suffered enough.

Eicha

Perek 4

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This video is class 3 of 5 in the series Megilat Eicha.

Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller talks of the terrible hunger that existed in the time of the Churban, and of the supernatural strength of the enemy, bent on destroying the Jewish People. The perek ends on a positive note, stating that the suffering of the Jewish Nation will soon end, while her enemies will receive retribution for their wickedness.

Eicha

Perek 1: The Bereft Widow

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This video is class 1 of 5 in the series Megilat Eicha.

Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller begins her class on Eicha, the Book of Lamentations, with a verse-by-verse explanation of Perek Alef. Included in the shiur are a description of the Megilla’s nature and purpose, a depiction of the failures that led to the Churban, and a discussion of how we can feel the Churban today.

Women in Tanach

The Song of Devorah

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This video is class 10 of 13 in the series In the Merit of Righteous Women.

In this Torah class on the prophetic Song of Devorah, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller explains the basic meaning and deeper messages of Devorah’s song, which was sung after the miraculous victory of the small Jewish army over the mighty chariot’s of Sisrah. Rebebtzin Heller then discusses the various types of battles people must fight, and how one can emarge victorious.