The Mystery of Death
Posted onIn Parshat Chukat, we learn about Parah Adumah. The chok of Parah Adumah is in essence the mystery of death, where on one hand there is a spiritual loss and yet G-d Himself is completely within the picture.
Videos
The Words of Rabbi Akiva
Posted onIn this Torah class Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen discusses the words of Rabbi Akiva in the book Avos D’Rabbi Nosson
Rosh Hashana: Dual Aspects of the Day
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Rosh Hashana, Rabbi Beinish Ginsburg discusses the aspects of simcha (joy), and din (judgment) that are intrinsic to the day. Rabbi Ginsburg also explains why Rosh Hashana an important predecessor to Aseret Yemai Teshuva and Yom Kippur.
Merciful Judgment
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on the prayer of ‘Unetaneh Tokef’, Rabbi Avishai David discusses three possible ways of understanding this powerful prayer. The theme of this prayer is the awesomeness of judgment, which evokes fear and terror, followed by the relief that is felt upon the declaration that we can turn judgment into mercy through Teshuva, Tefilla, and Tzedaka.
Shavuot: Glimpses of Redemption
Posted onMrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the upcoming holiday of Shavuot.
Women and Purim
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Purim, Rebbetzin Heller discusses women’s special connection to the depth of this holiday.
The Holiday Of Pesach
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In this class (shiur) Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller discusses the Holiday of Pesach.
Perek 23, Part 4: Torah Study: The Ultimate Goal
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David continues his study of perek 23, the famous Mizmor L’David sung every Shabbos. In this class, Rabbi David discusses why specifically this Psalm is sung at meals, the Psalm’s emphasis on Torah study as the focus and ideal of every Jew, and the combination of din (judgment) and rachamim (mercy) in Hashem’s relationship to us.
Obligation for Separation
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Rabbi Shimon Isaacson discusses the nature of the three day obligation of Havdala, and the laws of Havdala as applied to an ‘onen’.
Borer, Part 1
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In this interactive Torah shiur (class) on Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Simon Isaacson and Dr. Edo Lavi demonstrate the principles and practical applications of the Melacha of Borer, separating. The class uses real objects and examples from typical home life, such as stacks of books and bowls of fruit, in illustrating the halachot (laws).
A Non-Jew’s Shabbat Labor in the Case of Illness
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson explains the laws governing asking a non-Jew to perfom melacha (a task forbidden on Shabbat) on behalf of a Jew, in the case of illness which is not life- threatening.
Perek 28: The False Prophesy of Channania ben Azor
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In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David discusses Yirmiyahu’s nemesis Channania ben Azor, who he was and how he became a false prophet. Included in the class are the Rambam’s differentiation between a positive nevuah (prophesy) and a negative one.
Our Rise and Fall at Har Sinai
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Rabbi Avishai David describes the pure clarity in which the Jewish nation experienced Hashem during Matan Torah, and the unfortunate fall from this lofty level when the Jews departed from Sinai.
Perek 124: Salvation Within Exile
Posted onRabbi Avishai David explains some of the 15 Shir Hamaalot chapters which were sung on the steps leading to the Temple (Beit Hamikdash). This perek either refers to the Purim miracle, or to general galut. it describes the fierce hatred of our enemies, and the miraculous salvation we merit from Hashem.
Sons of Peace
Posted onParshat Korach, Korach’s sons believed their father’s intentions and became champions of peace as seen in Tehillim.
Prioritizing Torah, Avoda & Loving-Kindness
Posted onIn this Torah Shiur Rabbi Yitzchok Cohen analyzes the 3 pillars that sustain this world and how we ought to prioritize them effectively.
Bribe And Extortion
Posted onIn this Torah class Dayan Shlomo Cohen discussing Bribe and Extortion in Halacha
Wealth 4
Posted onIn this Torah class Dayan Shlomo Cohen continues discussing the subject of Wealth in the Torah
Three Essential Attributes of Being a Dayan
Posted onIn this class (shiur) Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen continues discussing The Sefer Avos D’Rabbi Nosson
The Beginning
Posted onTorah Leadership, Part 2
Posted onIn this Shavuot inspired class, Rabbi Hanoch Teller continues his discussion of the gadol, Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky.
Purim: Living the Secret
Posted onIn this shiur (Torah class) on Purim, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the concept of “nichnas yayin, yatza sod” – when the wine enters, the secret comes out. Mrs. Smiles elaborates on what this secret is.
Concealed Candle
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In this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira smiles discusses the Holiday Of Pesach.
Perek 23, Part 3: Loving Rebuke
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David continues his analysis of Perek 23, the famous perek Mizmor ‘David’. In this class, Rabbi David discusses the structure of the perek, as well as the statements of complete trust in Hashem.
Times for Havdala
Posted onRabbi Shimon Isaacson examines the latest time to make Havdala and the implications for an ‘onen’.
Perek 135: Hashem’s Imprint on History
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Tehillim, Rabbi Avishai David compares and contrasts perakim 135 and 136, which focus on Hashem’s handiwork in Creation and History, as well as on His Role as Provider to the whole world
Dosh/Sechita Demonstrations, Part 3
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In this Torah shiur (class) on the practical applications of Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson discusses more practical examples of the Melachot (prohibited activities) of Dosh (threshing), and Sechita (extracting). This class utilizes actual items such as sponges and baby wipes.
Non-Jewish Labor for a Mitzva
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on Hilchot Shabbat, Rabbi Shimon Isaacson discusses Amira l’akum, requesting that a non-Jew perform an act which is prohibited to Jews on Shabbat, in the case when the activity is necessary for the performance of a Mitzva.
Perek 27: Accepting Bondage
Posted onIn this Torah shiur (class) on Sefer Yirmiyahu, Rabbi Avishai David teaches perek 27. In this perek, Yirmiyahu sends wooden yokes to many nations, warning them that Nevuchadnetzar will be conquering them, and Hashem wants them to accept Nevuchadnetzar’s rule. Rabbi David comments on the symbolism and significance of the wooden yokes, as well as the principle that all events in Jewish history are part of a master plan conceived by Hashem.
Har Sinai as the Foundation of Prophesy
Posted onIn this Torah class (shiur) on the nature of prophesy, Rabbi Avishai David shows the importance of the revelation at Sinai in the prophesy of Moshe Rabbenu and all future prophesies.