Jewish Leadership Academy
Developing tomorrow's Jewish leaders.
Shiurim
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Beha’alotcha 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
“...a jam-packed parisha marking a major point of transition in the development of the Jewish people...”
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Vayetze 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Yaakov flees for his life, builds his family and business, and begins to experience considerable success - all while he is dreaming of angels...
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Vayikra 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
We start a new book filled with details of the sacrifical service to learn how we should come closer to God
- Parsha on a Pod: Questions on Eikev 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Moshe shifts to focus on the land of Israel
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Vayeshev
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Yosef transforms from a young, disruptive kid, into a like-able, and trustworthy employee while experiencing a few significant hiccups a long the way
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Vayigash 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Yosef reveals his true identity, his dreams come true, and we learn of a major turning point in Jewish history
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Tzav 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
More sacrifices and the priests are inducted
- An introduction to Rabbeinu Nissim of Gerona
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Rabbeinu Nissim was born in modern day Spain, and makes a huge impact not only on Barcelona Jewry but on world Jewry of the time. Before we learn his teachings, we examine his background, training, and lifestory.
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Matot-Masei 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
The final parshiyot of Sefer Bamidbar
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Pinchas 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
A parsha that ties a lot of loose ends, as we begin to conclude the Israelite's journey through he desert.
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Korach 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
A dramatic and challenging Parsha that raises massive questions about Jewish leadership and succession
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Vayechi 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Both Yaakov and Yosef's lives come a conclusion - Vayechi captures their last messages, and breaths - leaving us to reflect on their insight into the destiny of the Jewish people
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Vayishlach 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Yaakov becomes Yisrael. This parsha is all about Yaakov's transformation from a timid, and passive character, to one of the Forefathers, who shapes history.
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Vaeira 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Lions, tigers and bears oh my! A Torah portion filled with drama, and Moshe's growth into his new leadership position
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Vayakhel/Pekudei 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
The Mishkan gets built
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Mishpatim 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
The Torah sets up a structure for civil society and raises for us big questions about the values that define our society.
- Parsha on a Pod: Question on Vaetchanan 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Vaetchanan in 7 Parts | A question on each aliya
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Shelach 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Scouting the land, despairing over the future and plotting a way fwd...
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Bo 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
The last three plagues - a promise 400+ years in the making - the Israelites finally go free..
- Vayera 5781: Summary and insights
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Avraham & Sarah host special guests that bring good tidings, their tidings are not so good for Sedom. Lot is saved. Avraham makes peace with Avimelech, and finds himself in a bind.
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Toldot 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Yitzchak and Rivka find their voices, try to find a space to live, and look to find their future.
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Beshalach 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
A sea splits and a people struggle with their first moment free of their oppressive history
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Bamidbar 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
The beginning of the fourth book - filled with numbers
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Chayei Sara 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Sarah passes and Avraham negotiates for a gravesight. Eleizer seeks out a wife for Yitzchok (66 verse narrative!) and returns succesfully. Avrham remarries, dies as does Yishmael.
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Ki Tissa 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
The half sheqel is collected - the Kiyyor is built - and the people worship an idol... no shortage of drama in this week's Torah portion
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Behar & Bechukotai 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
The end of Vayikra offers us insight into some of the foundations of Jewish society including the Shmitta/Yovel cycle and the perils of not following the Mitzvot
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Shemot 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
We meet Moshe, Moshe meets God, and begins his fight for Jewish freedom
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Miketz 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Yosef becomes the leader of the civilized world, and tries to bring his younger, beloved brother to his side.
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Balak 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Balak is a wonderful story - that includes a talking animal, it raises massive theological questions, and is the only parsha that offers us a perspective on how the rest of the world perceived the Israelites.
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Nasso 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
The gifts of the Princes of Israel dominates this Parsha but the other features should not be overlooked including the Mitzvah of Nazir and others.
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Yitro 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Moshe's Father in law changes the structure of Jewish society - and the most significant event in the history of humanity change the mission of the world, and more!
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Chukat 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
An introduction to mortality and the Torah's response to living a meaningful, finite life
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Terumah 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Instructions are given to Moshe for the creation of sanctifified space
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Tetzaveh 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
An intro to consecrating the Priests of Israel
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Acharei Mot - Kedoshim 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Jam packed with laws and some of the most famous verses in the whole Torah. Well worth a listen.
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Shemini 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Aharon brings sacrifices as the High Priest, loses his two sons and we are taught the laws of Kashrut
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Tazria/Metzroah 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
What to do when: A woman has a child A person has tzaraat A peice of clothing or home has tzaraat and more!
- Parsha on a Pod: A review of Emor 5781
Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer
Priests sanctity, the festivals and blasphemers - all covered in this week's parsha