Blog – Page 21 – Study Torah Online: Live and Interactive Torah Learning with Rabbi Eliyahu Shear

Derech Hashem – The Way of God – Using God’s Names (Part 3) – Lesson 10 of Section 3

The Ramchal teaches us that God wants us to connect with the spiritual worlds. We can do so by making use of His Names. The various Names produce a certain energy which draws down blessing into the world – and also allows us to connect with the spiritual worlds and spiritual beings literally. These are the concepts of Ruach HaKodesh (Divine Inspiration) and Nevuah (prophecy.)

Tanya – Lesson 11 – Bringing Intellect into the Fear and Love of God – Chapter 3 Part 4

Continuing with the theme of the ten soul powers, we learn about the importance of bringing Chochmah (wisdom) and Binah (understanding) into one’s being in order to arouse a fear – and then a love – of God.

Lessons in Talmud – Tractate Berachot – Lesson 5 – Daf 3a & 3b (Part 1) (Using Koren Talmud Bavli)

After having learned about how the Divine Presence cries over the destruction of the Temple and the dispersion of the Jewish people into the exile, we continue with a story somewhat related to this theme of destruction…

Lessons in Talmud – Tractate Berachot – Lesson 4 – Daf 2b and 3a (Part 1) (Using Koren Talmud Bavli)

The Gemara continues with a discussion about the time considered to be the correct one to recite the Keriat Shema in the evening. A number of opinions was already given in the previous Shiur. Our Gemara now wishes to establish which the earlier and later times are concerning the various opinions.

Derech Hashem – The Way of God – Using God’s Names (Part 2) – Lesson 9 of Section 3

God created the world to function in a certain way. At the same time, He also wants us to interact with creation and with Him. He therefore gives us Names that we may use in order to bring Shefa (abundance and and a flow of blessing downwards) into this world and into ourselves. We use these Names when we pray using a Siddur and through doing so, the spiritual force behind these words (Names) causes changes to occur.

Tanya – Lesson 10 – Bringing the Intellect into the Emotions – Chapter 3 Part 3

The Alter Rebbe continues to share with us the ten soul powers of the Godly soul. The theme concerns the three Mothers who give birth to the seven Doubles.

Lessons in Talmud – Tractate Berachot – Daf 2a/2b (Part 3) – Lesson 3 (Using the Koren Talmud Bavli)

Continuing our lessons in Talmud, studying Tractate Brachot (Blessings), we conclude Daf 2 Amud Aleph and move on to Amud Beit. We continue the discussion regarding the recitation of the Keriat Shema in the evening. Various opinions are given from various sages each expressing the time for reciting the Keriat Shema based upon particular events in people’s lives.

Lessons in Talmud: Tractate Berachot Lesson 2 Daf 2a Part 2

In our second lesson studying Tractate Berachot, we continue on our first page – Daf 2a. After a quick summary of the Mishnah as we discussed in our first lesson, we visit a great site online www.myzmanim.com to learn more about the different Halachic times of the day and how we can use a calendar like this to help us to fulfill the various Mitzvot (commandments) in good time!

Derech Hashem – Lesson 7 – Breaking Through Spiritual Barriers

In this lesson, we are continuing Part 3 of the Ramchal’s Derech Hashem. This section deals with the powers of the soul, Inspiration and more ethereal subjects. In Chapter 2, Paragraph 4, the Ramchal teaches us that G-d allows for some leeway in terms of breaking through spiritual barriers in order to connect with the world of the spirits. While boundaries exist, there are also openings that allow one access to these spiritual worlds and spiritual beings – for the purpose of growing and doing good in this world.

Tanya – Lesson 8 – The Soul’s 10 Soul Powers – Chapter 3 Part 1

We begin Chapter 3 on this Kisleiv 19 – Chag HaGeulah (Festival of the Redemption – of the Alter Rebbe [Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi] from prison.) We give a short description of the meaning behind the Rosh HaShanah of Chassidut. Then we give a quick summary of the first two chapters – helping us understand where we are at by the time we reach Chapter 3.