Title: Torah Tapestries: Bereshis
Author: Shira Smiles
Publisher: Feldheim
The winner of a Milken award for education, a popular fixture in Los Angeles and Darchei Binah seminary instructor who resides in the Israeli city of Ramat Bet Shemesh, globetrotting Shira Smiles has lent her learning to the public’s reading pleasure.
A compendium of Smiles’s classroom lessons and the gilyonot she shares with attendees of her Shabbat shiurim, Torah Tapestries: Bereshis is an educational opportunity for students of many ages.
Page three’s explanation of why Adam Kadmon and Kayin were sent eastward by disappointed HaKadosh Baruch Hu is a fascinating insight into the imagery and meaning of light, of the sun and of human culpability for evil. Hebrew is not a simple language; it spills over with subtle and not-so-subtle meaning.
Olam Chesed Yiboneh lessons on pages 145-148 are so endearing that many a wife and husband, let alone marriage therapists, will certainly cherish them. By the time you finish pages 184-195, you’ll probably head to the phone or e-mail to share the expert insights about maturity and righteous olam asiya behavior that you’ll have just gained.
Page 190’s lesson on emunah packs a punch to pick up a soul many levels. The lessons there and throughout the book are clearly explained for readers of various learning abilities.
Insights and quotes from Torah figures over time are woven seamlessly into the fabric of Torah Tapestries: Bereshis. The 208-page hardcover will be on sale in the U.S. after the holidays. Israelis have been focusing on every word of the book since its Elul 5770 release. Buy it as soon as you can. Your soul will be better off for it.
Yocheved Golani is the author of the e-book “It’s MY Crisis! And I’ll Cry If I Need To: EMPOWER Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.”