Dozens of local residents and tourists gathered at the Miami Beach Kollel on New Year’s Day for a morning of outstanding shiurim sponsored by Agra D’Pirka. The event featured Rav Yaakov Gross, rosh kollel of Miami Beach Kollel, and Rav Ephraim Shapiro, rav of Congregation Shaaray Tefillah in North Miami Beach. The event was open to men and women.
Agra D’Pirka is a morning program for professionals, business owners, college students, retirees, and anyone else interested in serious Torah learning. It is held Monday through Thursday from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Agra D’Pirka programs are currently being held in Boro Park, Flatbush, Queens, Lakewood, and now Miami Beach. The South Florida program is held at the Miami Beach Kollel, 3767 Chase Avenue, just off 41st Street. The sessions offer highly captivating shiurim by outstanding maggidei shiur. Refreshments are available daily.
During the January 1 shiur, Rabbi Gross spoke on the topic of “Simcha Controversies,” focusing on many aspects of minhagim, both old and new.
Rabbi Shapiro, who lectures at Agra D’Pirka on a monthly basis, discussed “Signs of the Times.” He passionately addressed some of the important issues and offered suggestions on how to improve oneself, especially during these yemei Shovavim.
Looking at parshas Vayigash, Rabbi Shapiro explored the relationship between Yaakov and Yosef and pointed to several meaningful lessons. “We should never think we are in control,” Rabbi Shapiro said. “Hashem runs the world. There is nothing else to rely on.” His concluding remarks advised replacing sinah (hatred) and kinah (lament) with shalom (peace) and ahavah (love).
It was certainly a meaningful and inspiring way to spend the morning of a legal holiday in South Florida.