Dec 31, 2017

Raize Guttman 12-31-17 (13 Tivet 5778)

Parsha Vayeira - Chapter 19 – Verses 1 - 3

Lot is now sitting and waiting for guests at the gates of Sodom. This verse has a lot of similarities and differences in the way that Avraham sat and waited for guests. We learn how much influence Avraham had on his nephew Lot by displaying Zerizus (alacrity) for doing a mitzvah. Ultimately Hashem witnessed his strong desire to do the mitzvah of Hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests) and the depth of his action is exactly what saved Lot's life.



Dec 25, 2017

Raize Guttman 12-24-17 (6 Tivet 5778)

Parsha Vayeira - Chapter 18 – Verses 28 - 33

Avraham continues to plead & beg with Hashem to save the city of Sodom and 4 surrounding cities. We learn a great lesson from these verses that it is such a great chesed to allow a person to talk.

Dec 17, 2017

Raize Guttman 12-17-17 (29 Kislev 5778)

Chanukah Special

"Ashreinu mah tov chelkeinu u'mah nayim goraleinu umah yafah yerushateinu…"
"How fortunate we are , how fortunate is our portion."


Dec 10, 2017

Raize Guttman 12-10-17 (25 Kislev 5778)

Chanukah Shiur

On Chanukah Hashem reveals himself with such clarity. We had an open miracle of Hashem's greatness both in the victory over the Greeks, but most importantly with the sole tiny flask of holy oil that lasted for 8 days. An open victory of spirituality over physicality - the pure over the impure. Our lesson today is yes, we are involved with physical things, but only as they relate to our service to Hashem. We should have such clarity with the miracle of Chanukah that our relationship with Hashem is all that is important.

May we all have a freilich Chanukah!




Dec 3, 2017

Raize Guttman 12-03-17 (15 Kislev 5778)

Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit - Chapter 18 - Verses 24-27

Avraham comes to bargain with Hashem & plead for the people of Sodom so that they should not be destroyed along with the 4 neighboring cities. In doing so he reflects true humility.

Avraham utters his famous response after speaking to Hashem, "I am but dust & ashes." Avraham's only purpose in life is to bring Kavod Shamayim into the world. That is why he is praying for Sodom. He knows that each and every person has a nashama inside. Today they maybe missing the point, but maybe tomorrow they will get it. Avraham does not feel like he is doing anything great by doing this, he understands it is his duty & obligation.

Humility does not mean putting yourself down or thinking you are less. Being humble means all have and all am is because of Hashem and for Hashem.

BS”D may we all learn what truly being humble is from Avraham Avinu!

Nov 26, 2017

Raize Guttman 11-26-17 (8 Kislev 5778)

Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit - Chapter 18 - Verses 20-23

From these verses we learn the tremendous lesson that we should never judge anyone. We should go down to their level no matter how they seem in our eyes. Despite the fact that Hashem saw the people of Sodom and their outrageous behavior, he said, I am going to "go down" - I am going to go deeper to see if there is some merit.

From Verse 22 we learn that the preparation to pray is to know who you are standing before. We are praying directly before Hashem and we are standing right before him.

In the next verses we will learn the great efforts Avraham put in tefilah for the people of Sodom before Hashem decides to destroy them. No matter how wicked he thought they were, he did not let any of his personal feelings get involved. He loved people and he believed in the goodness of every person.

Nov 22, 2017

Raize Guttman 11-19-17 (1 Kislev 5778)

Rosh Chodesh Kislev.
Kislev means emunah – faith, trust in Hashem.

Please note: audio will not be posted for this shiur, as it contains information that is private in nature.

Nov 12, 2017

Raize Guttman 11-12-17 (23 Cheshvan 5778)

Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit - Chapter 18 - Verse 17-19

In performing acts of chesed, Avraham Avinu demonstrated by example how we are to behave in the world, how loving-kindness is to imbue our actions and behavior each day of our lives. These acts of kindness were not performed by Avraham just when the need “revealed itself.” Rather, Avraham’s actions teach us that a true ba’al chesed actively seeks out for the opportunity to perform acts of loving-kindness.

In the verses we discuss today Hashem gives Avraham a greater opportunity to go even farther in the depth of his kindness, as he reveals his decision to destroy Sodom. This gives Avraham the opportunity to daven for them. In that we see Avraham's rachmonos/rachmanut, (mercy/compassion). It shows us he is not just doing a chesed but, thinking about the feelings of the other person. A rachmoni is someone who has mercy.

This is a prelude for Avraham's mission statement which is in Verse 19. Hashem says, Avraham and I are in sync & intimately connected. Avraham knows me, knows my will & what I want, so he is the perfect person to carry on my mission and teach it to his children and their future generations will merit receiving the Torah.

Nov 6, 2017

Raize Guttman 11-05-17 (16 Cheshvan 5778)

Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit - Chapter 18 - Verse 16

We are learning about the 3 angels that came to the tent to visit Avraham and Sarah. Each one has a specific mission.




Oct 29, 2017

Raize Guttman 10-29-17 (9 Cheshvan 5778)

Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit - Chapter 18 - Verses 14 - 15.

Sarah did not know she laughed inside.

Knowing who you really are and what unique gifts Hashem gave you is our purpose in life. Very often people do not see themselves. They don’t begin to understand what they are doing. Sometimes the reason is fear.

There are 2 ways to find out who you really are. One way is to pay attention to the outer messages happening in your life. Listen to what the world is saying to you and find the kernel of truth from them so you can learn from them. The other way is to pay attention to the inner messages. Look inside yourself. You can't build on your great talents and abilities that Hashem gave you if you really don’t know who you are.

Oct 22, 2017

Raize Guttman 10-22-17 (2 Cheshvan 5778)

Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit - Chapter 18 - Verses 11 - 13
Rosh Chodesh Hashem Loves Me Stories.

Info TBD

Oct 15, 2017

Raize Guttman 10-15-17 (25 Tishrei 5778)

Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit - Chapter 18 - Verse 10

As Sarah listens at the doorway of the tent, the angels are outside telling Avraham that she will conceive & have a baby. This is such a powerful verse and we have the opportunity to learn so many lessons from it.

When one does acts of chesed it is a prelude for greatness. Sarah & Avraham hurried to do for others and so they merited greatness because of it. We see more examples of others in Torah who merited greatness directly from their ability to be kind to others - Rivka, Yosef, Moshe.

It is mentioned in this verse that the tent is behind Avraham. This comes to teach us that he always positioned himself so that Sarah could hear him & benefit from his teachings. In the commentary the binyan av is that this is how Sarah became great. Because she was always open to listening, she was always learning from Avraham, and so she was always growing.

The importance of a Sh'miat Ha'ozen (the listening ear) as a tool for growth is reinforced in Mishlei - Chapter 15 – Verse 31. "The ear that listens to rebuke of life shall lodge among the wise." If you listen, you will grow. We never want to stop growing because growth means getting closer and more connected to Hashem.



Info TBD

Oct 1, 2017

Raize Guttman 10-01-17 (11 Tishrei 5778)

In our shiur today Raize speaks about Sukkot. The chag is known as Siman Simchasenu. It is a time to rejoice, time to appreciate what we have and not what we don’t have – how futile and temporary this world is – concentrate on what is important in life. Family – spirituality – joy – closeness to Hashem.

The way to connect to Sukkot:

* Appreciation – the only reason the Jewish people received this holiday was because they did not complain in the desert with the clouds of glory. They complained about the water and mana, but not the clouds of glory.
The lesson: Appreciate what you have.

* Growth / Spirituality – On Sukkot we leave our permanent dwelling and move into a temporary dwelling to reinforce that life is not about things and stuff. Life in this world is about connecting with Hashem and understanding that connecting to spirituality is the only thing that can truly make us happy.

* Giving - Achdus – True unity involves thinking about others & being there for each other. It is what it is all about. On Sukkot we go out of our own self-focus and our behaviors of just wanting things to be my way - so we are then able to see and be there for others. Sukkot is a time to say it is not about me, it is about me thinking about other people. It is not about me, it is about YOU!

Sep 24, 2017

Raize Guttman 09-24-17 (4 Tishrei 5778)

Today is Tzom Gedaliah (Fast of Gedaliah). It is one of the 4 Fast days that remind us that Jerusalem and the Beis Hamikdash were destroyed.

The period we are in now is Aseret Yemei Teshuva (the 10 days of repentance).

Today Raize talks about 6 ways to do Teshuva (6 ways to reconnect to Hashem).

1) A person has to know his self worth
2) Taking on a small kabalah (resolution)- a small action that will lead you in the right
direction to self improvement.
3) Connecting our ruach (spirit) to Hashem's spirit - This is called amera naima (a
pleasant statement). Connecting to the beauty, the upliftance, the geshmak
(deliciousness)of Torah & Mitzvot.
4) Return that which has been stolen.
5) Connect to the The Yud Gimmel midos of Hashem - The 13 attributes of GD.
6) Do the 4 steps of Teshuva
* Charata – Regret
* Aziva - Leaving the sin
* Kabalah – making a resolution not to do it again.
* Vidduy – verbal confession

Sep 17, 2017

Raize Guttman 09-17-17 (26 Elul 5777)

We continue our discussion of Rosh Hashanah - the birthday of man. The day we make Hashem King.

Rosh Hashanah is known by 3 different names:
* Rosh Hashanah – the head of the year - New beginning, fresh start.
* Yom Teruah – The Day of Sounding - blowing (the Shofar). This is the actual name that the
holiday is called in the Torah. Blowing the shofar is the mitzvah of the day. It is more
important than any other custom or mitzvah on that day.
* Yom Hadin – The day of judgment – the day we get judged.

10 reasons why we blow the shofar compiled by Rav Saadia Gaon (click image below):


Raize gives over a truly profound, yet simple mashal called Pushing Against The Rock.
The nimshal is we have to exercise the faith that moves mountains, but we have to remember it is only Hashem that moves the mountain.

Sep 14, 2017

Raize Guttman 09-10-17 (19 Elul 5777)

We are in the middle of Elul, with Rosh Hashanah shortly approaching. In preparing for this shiur, Raize tried to find a topic that we have not discussed previously during time of year. She focused on teachings of Rav Shimshon Pincus zt'l.

We should ask ourselves "what is our goal in Elul"?  We have a motivation.  We want to change. The goal therefore is to take out the habits from our actions.  We are so used to doing things a certain way that we don’t even realize what we are doing.  We are doing good, but the habit is robbing us of what we are doing.

Saying "na'aseh v'nishma" is a segulah at this time.

Sep 3, 2017

Raize Guttman 09-03-17 (12 Elul 5777)

The month of Elul.

The avodah (job) of Elul is "ani le dodi ve dodi li" (I am for my beloved and beloved is for me). During this time we should ask ourselves what can we do to develop our relationship with Hashem? The way to show love in a relationship is by giving, but in our relationship with Hashem, he gives us everything, so technically we can't give him anything. The way we cultivate a relationship with Hashem is by taking. But not just by taking, but and by taking & thanking! By being grateful you give him nachas and pleasure.

We spoke in a prior shiur about the 5 languages of love between people.
Four out of the five apply to our relationship with Hashem.
1) Acts of Service - every time you perform a mitzvah you are showing Hashem your love.
2) Spending quality time - when you pray from a siddur with kavanah (intention), or just sit down and pour your heart out to Hashem - and say you are the only one who can help me. That is quality time with Hashem.
3) Compliments - Saying words of affirmation to Hashem - your name should be praised forever!
4) Giving gifts - greatest gift we can give to Hashem is appreciating what he gives to us.
We need to stop complaining & start appreciating!

Aug 27, 2017

Alisa Taub 08-27-17 (5 Elul 5777)

Alisa gives over 16 Practical ways to help us connect with Hashem.

1) Hakarat Hatov - Hashem’s goodness. (suggestions 1-5)
2) Hashgacha Pratis – everything is from Hashem. (suggestions 6-11)
3) Connection to the mitzvot. (suggestions 12- 16)



Ways To Connect With Hashem one sheet (click on image below):

Aug 20, 2017

Raize Guttman 08-20-17 (28 Av 5777)

We continue with Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit Chapter 18 - Verses 8 - 9 and the discussion of tzniut.

Last week, we defined tzniut as appreciating your inner self. It is not just a dress code – it is not just something on the outside. It is a deeper concept. It is probably the most important concept for a woman. Today we discuss how tziniut plays out in all different areas of life and what it really means.

Woman have all the benefits of being created from man, but also has a very special message from the way she was created by Hashem. She is the only creation mentioned in the Torah that says Hashem vayeven (Hashem built). To build comes from the word contemplate. Hashem thought deeply about how he should create her. She was created from a hidden place from a rib deep inside man bc it was tzanua (modest). A woman is supposed to be a modest person. and the message in all of our behaviors is how are we supposed to measure and understand what is considered modest behavior and what is considered immodest behavior. Raize sums it up by saying modesty really means living with Hashem, living for Hashem. The opposite of modesty is living for other people.

For more info, go to Gila Manolson's site: http://gilamanolson.com

Tuesday is Rosh Chodesh Elul.
We give over some Hashem Loves Me Stories.

Aug 13, 2017

Raize Guttman 08-13-17 (21 Av 5777)

Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit Chapter 18 - Verses 8 - 9

In Verse 8, the Angels made it appear as if they were eating. From here, we learn that people should not change from the custom of the place.

In Verse 9, The Angels ask Avraham where is Sarah? They ask in order to endear him to her. From this we learn, that no matter how old the couple, or how long they are together, it is important to endear each other. Avraham then answers the Angels "Sarah is in the Ohel". From this answer, we learn that the most special compliment one can say about a woman is she is tzniut (modest). Raize explains tzniut on a deeper level and why it is the highest compliment. Underlying all of the applications of the principle of tzniut is the notion that the soul resides within the body.
For more info, go to Gila Manolson's site:  http://gilamanolson.com

Aug 6, 2017

Raize Guttman 08-06-17 (14 Av 5777)

Shiva de Nechemta - the seven weeks of comfort stretch from Tisha B'Av until Rosh Hashanah. During this time on every Shabbas we lain a Haftorah that is meant comfort to us. In this past weeks Haftorah for Parsha Va'etchanan (Isaiah Chapter 40). Hashem is comforting us by saying, "You are my nation, and I love you not matter what, even though you sinned and were punished." And in the parsha we say the Shema. One of the most important verses in a Jews lexicon! We need to live the words in our hearts and on our lips. With our entire self.

We also discuss Parsha Vayeira - Beresheit Chapter 18 - Verse 7. As Avraham runs hurriedly to get a calf to feed his guests, we continue to learn about the mitzvah of Hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests).

Aug 1, 2017

Raize Guttman 07-31-17 (7 Av 5777)

Tisha B'Av shiur. As the 3 weeks move on toward Tisha B'Av, our mourning should intensify. We should be doing our own personal cheshbon hanefesh (accounting of ourselves).

Raize Guttman 07-23-17 (29 Tammuz 5777)

Tisha B'Av shiur - We are in the middle of the 3 weeks. The saddest period of the year for the Jewish people. Raize briefly discusses the Halachos for the 9 days and then discusses the prayer about the rebuilding of Jerusalem that we say every day in the Shemoneh Esrei. Now is the time to say it with extra kavanah(intension).



This shiur is dedicated in memory of Manny Dubinsky, Manis ben Tzvi Hirsch.

Jul 16, 2017

Raize Guttman 07-16-17 (22 Tammuz 5777)

Shiur about Bein Ha Metzarim, which means between the narrow straits. It is the confining Three Weeks time period that we are in right now between 17 Tammuz until 9 Av. They are designated as a time of mourning over the destruction of the 2 Holy Temples and the resultant galut (physical exile & spiritual displacement) in which we still find ourselves. It is a scary time as during these 3 weeks many calamities have occurred on a personal level, on a collective level to the Jewish people. We need to strengthen ourselves to come closer to Hashem. We do this through mourning. We do this through tears. Raize gives over many suggestions how to make this time & the tears we shed as meaningful as possible.

Jul 9, 2017

Raize Guttman 07-09-17 (15 Tammuz 5777)

Parshat Vayeira - Beresheit Chapter 18 - Verses 5 - 7.
In verse 5 Avraham is saying to his guests Avraham is saying I will bring you some bread and I will nourish your hearts & then after I take care of your needs then you can go on your way, but now you are mine. Serving is an honor for Avraham.
In verses 6 & 7 we see Avraham at what he does best. He is showing us the midos of Zrizus (alacrity/zealousness).

Jul 2, 2017

Raize Guttman 07-02-17 (8 Tammuz 5777)

Parshat Vayeira - Beresheit Chapter 18 - Verse 4. We learn from this verse how everything we do makes a difference. Not just what we do but how we do it.

Raize Guttman 06-25-17 (1 Tammuz 5777)

Parshat Vayeira - Beresheit Chapter 18 - Verse 3. Avraham pleads with his guests not to pass by, but to stay. The only thing he wanted to do was serve them. What upholds the world is built on chesed (kindness) and doing for others. Teaching people about Hashem and inviting guests is what Avraham did best. .....Also today is Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, so we speak about some Hashem Loves Me stories.

Alisa Taub 06-18-17 (24 Sivan 5777)

Raize's sister Alisa Taub gives over a shiur on Loshon Hara (evil speech).

Jun 11, 2017

Raize Guttman 06-11-17 (17 Sivan 5777)

Start of Parshat Vayeira - Genesis Chapter 18 - Verses 1 & 2. Hashem comes to visit Avraham Avinu after his bris. Avraham is sitting outside his tent. From this we learn about bikkur holim (visiting the sick) & the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests). In order to do true chesed, and therefore emulate Hashem, there has to be 2 steps. One, a bitul ha yesh (self nullification) & two, you must truly see the other person's needs.

Jun 5, 2017

Raize Guttman 06-04-17 (10 Sivan 5777)

Siyum / Completion of Parshat Lech Lecha Genesis Chapter 17 - Verses 23 - 27.

May 29, 2017

Raize Guttman 05-28-17 (3 Sivan 5777)

Shavuot Shiur Shavuot is the Yom Ha Din / day of judgement for spirituality.

May 21, 2017

Raize Guttman 05-21-17 (25 Iyar 5777)

As our Sefirat HaOmer (counting of the Omer) continues leading up to Shavuot, we discuss in depth the middos of Yesod (foundation).

May 18, 2017

Raize Guttman 05-14-17 (18 Iyar 5777)

Lag B'Omer shiur

Raize Guttman 05-07-17 (11 Iyar 5777)

Parshat Lech Lecha - Chapter 17 - Verses 17 - 22.
Hashem tells Abraham his covenant will be with Yitzak - son of Sarah. Not with Ishmael - son of Hagar. Through Yitzak we learn about the power of laughter.

Raize Guttman 04-30-17 (04 Iyar 5777)

Parshat Lech Lecha - Chapter 17 - Verses 15 - 16. Sarai's name is changed to Sarah. Raize also speaks about 5 ideas that Rebbitzin Tzipora Heller has for affecting a change when a person is in a difficult situation.

Apr 23, 2017

Raize Guttman 04-23-17 (27 Nisan 5777)

Parsha Lech Lecha - Chapter 17 - Verses 2 - 14. We started this Chapter a while before Pesach (on 2/19/17). Hashem is commanding Avram to have a bris milah. We are continuing now with Verse 2.

Apr 13, 2017

Raize Guttman 04-16-17 (20 Nisan 5777)

No Class due to Chol Hamoed

Raize Guttman 04-09-17 (13 Nisan 5777)

Pesach shiur - discussion about the foundation of Pesach & the 15 Steps of the Seder.

Apr 3, 2017

Raize Guttman 04-02-17 (6 Nisan 5777)

"Pesach Stress Reducing Class" Raize discusses the halachos of Passover. What does it mean to get rid of chametz – what are the halachos and what are the stringencies? We are all probably doing more than the Halacha requires. We also speak about why Pesach is such a special day and what it means for us as Jews.

Mar 26, 2017

Raize Guttman 03-26-17 (28 Adar 5777)

Pesach shiur - Difference between Chometz and Matzoh.

Mar 19, 2017

Raize Guttman 03-19-17 (21 Adar 5777)

Pesach shiur. Pesach is time that we spend 7 days thanking Hashem for taking us out of bondage so that we could become a great nation. The Rabbeinu Yonah writes in Shaarei Teshuva that when a person goes through difficulty and misfortune, he should accept it in a positive way. If he does that then he strengthens himself spiritually. When that misfortune is taken away from him, he should not only thank Hashem that he was cured, but he should also thank Hashem for the pain he endured. He should trust that the difficulty was given to him with love in order for him to grow and the actual darkness was the cause of the light that came. This why on Pesach when we read the Haggadah, it starts at the beginning when things were not so good. The Jews were in spiritual decline & suffering. Only after we speak about all we went through do we speak about the miracles Hashem created, because they have to be seen as one unit. Hashem put us in Mitzrayim and had us go through all of this slavery and torture – in order to create an Am Yisrael . In order to create the Great Nation of Israel from the foundation – from scratch. Our meaning and purpose in life is to serve Hashem. We needed to do this in our identity, with our resources and through our purpose in life.

Raize Guttman 03-12-17 (14 Adar 5777)

No class due to observance of Purim

Mar 5, 2017

Raize Guttman 03-05-17 (7 Adar 5777)

A week from today is Purim, which is said to be the most special day of the year. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year, but there are those that say that it does not come close to Purim. Why? Yom Kippur is a day that is completely between man and Hashem. But Purim goes even beyond that. It is not only a day that we reach a tremendously high level between man and Hashem, but we also reach a tremendously high level between man and man, and man and himself. It is the day that encompasses every aspect of the greatness of a human being. Today Raize speaks about the essence of Purim & how one can achieve the goal of Purim. It is also important to mention that today is 7 Adar. It is a very holy day, as it is the birthday and yahrtzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu - as well as the birthday of our esteemed teacher Raize.

Feb 26, 2017

Raize Guttman 02-26-17 (29 Shevat 5777)

Rosh Chodesh Adar - As we enter into Adar the happiest month of the year, Raize and all the GEM Sisters share Hashem Loves Me stories.

Feb 20, 2017

Raize Guttman 02-19-17 (23 Shevat 5777)

Parsha Lech Lecha - Chapter 17 - Verse 1 - In Chapter 17 Avram receives his 8th trial; the trial of bris milah (circumcision). In this Verse Hashem tells Avram 3 things; I am the Gd that is Shadai,( אֲנִי אֵל שַׁדַּי ), Walk before me, and be perfect.

Feb 12, 2017

Raize Guttman 02-12-17 (16 Shevat 5777)

Parsha Lech Lecha - Chapter 16, Verses 11 - 16 The Torah describes Ishmael, the forefather of all the Arab countries. Hagar names the well where the Angel (the one who appeared to me & saw me) as a monument to Hashem. In Verse 15, Avram names Ishmael on his own, so we learn that the name of every child by every parent is done with Ruach HaKodesh (divine inspiration).

Feb 8, 2017

Raize Guttman 02-05-17 (9 Shevat 5777)

Tu B'Shevat Shiur - Rosh HaShanah L'Ilanot – New Year for the Trees - Tu B’Shevat is a time for Jews to focus on “the Tree” — the Tree of Torah and the Tree of our own spiritual growth, and our potential for growth. As we enjoy the fruits of the trees and wish for a good year for trees, we wish you all a good year for growth in Torah (keep on studying and listening to GEM TeleTorah!)

Jan 29, 2017

Raize Guttman 01-29-17 (2 Shevat 5777)

Parshat Lech Lecha Chapter 16 - Verses 9 - 11 The Angel(s) come to Hagar and give her 4 messages which are appropriate to us all. 1) Think! What are you doing? Where are you coming from and where are you going? 2) It’s okay if it’s hard, good things come hard. You will grow from this. 3) Think positive! You will see that good things will come from this. 4) Hashem hears you, loves you, & cares about you. Nothing is random, there is a Gd running the show. Happy Rosh Chodesh Shevat! Listen for some inspiring Hashem Loves Me stories.

Jan 22, 2017

Raize Guttman 01-22-17 (24 Tevet 5777)

Parshat Lech Lecha Chapter 16 - Verse 6 - 9 Now we follow Hagar fleeing into the desert. She's had it! She can’t take it anymore & no longer wants to be in Sarai’s house! A little angel meets her at a spring and asks Hagar 2 very important questions - Where are you coming from? AND Where are you going? From this we all learn the great importance of these 2 question for all of us in our lives. B'ezrat Hashem, by contemplating these 2 questions on every decision big or small we will be able to always make the proper choices.

Jan 16, 2017

Raize Guttman 01-15-17 (17 Tevet 5777)

Parshat Lech Lecha - Chapter 16 – Verses 3 - 6 Sarai gives Hagar (her maidservant) to Avram so that he could have children through her. Later Sarai regrets it when Hagar behaves in a very haughty manner. She goes to Avram and speaks her mind. Avram replies Sarai should do to Hagar what she thinks is the right thing in her eyes. This is a very difficult verse to understand. Can it be that Sarai was so cruel and then tortured her handmaid? Listen to the shiur and find some amazing insights Raize proposes to solve this question.

Jan 13, 2017

Raize Guttman 01-08-17 (10 Tevet 5777)

Fast of the 10th of Tevet - Asara B’Teves - עשרה בטבת - The fast commemorates the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylonia. Like other "minor fasts", Asara B'Tevet begins at dawn (first light) and ends at nightfall (full dark).

Jan 5, 2017

Raize Guttman 01-01-17 (3 Tevet 5777)

Raize Guttman 12-25-16 (25 Kislev 5777)

Chanukah Class A very special and inspirational shiur. Avigdor & Shlomo Guttman delight us with some singing. What is most important lesson about Chanukah? Spirituality! Chanukah is the holiday of spirituality. On 25th of Kislev all those years ago we won the war against physicality with the tiny pure flask of oil which lasted for 8 days. The neshama will shine far past the body in any situation. Our job is to connect to the light of Chanukah, which are the sparks of Hashem created at the beginning of time. Look at the candles – stare at them - You will be infused with spirituality! They are always dancing & jumping. This is our lesson to be happy connect to the hidden holy light that Hashem hide away.

Raize Guttman 12-18-16 (18 Kislev 5777)

Parshat Lech Lecha - Chapter 16 - Verse 2

Raize Guttman 12-12-16 (12 Kislev 5777)

Parshat Lech Lecha - Chapter 16 - Verse 1

Raize Guttman 12-04-16 (4 Kislev 5777)

Parshat Lech Lecha - Chapter 15 - Verses 15 - 21

Raize Guttman 11-27-16 (26 Cheshvan 5777)

Parshat Lech Lecha - Chapter 15 - Verses 12 - 14