Project aims to bring meaning, understanding and joy to Tehillim.
(Courtesy of OU Women’s Initiative) The Orthodox Union’s Women’s Initiative’s Torat Imecha daily learning program is bringing a new focus to tehillim, as Nach Yomi launched daily shiurim on the sefer earlier this month.
Through Torat Imecha Nach Yomi, noted women educators deliver a daily shiur on the books of Nevi’im and Ketuvim at the pace of a chapter a day. The 10-15 minute audio shiurim are geared toward learners of all levels who want to participate in the two-year Nach Yomi study cycle. Different women educators deliver the daily shiurim, each focusing on a specific book, while an introductory video for each sefer is given by acclaimed international scholar Rabbanit Shani Taragin.
The “Go from Saying to Praying” learning initiative seeks to give women an opportunity to delve deeper into tehillim to give their prayers more personal meaning, understanding and joy. The five books of tehillim will be taught by Michal Horowitz, Deena Rabinovich, Aviva Orlian, Sara Malka Winter and Rivka Segal, respectively.
The program began on Feb. 3 as Torat Imecha concluded Sefer Nevi’im. Torat Imecha celebrated the conclusion of Nevi’im with siyum events that included tours in Israel, Zoom speakers and a Nach Shabbat.
“What an accomplishment to mark the conclusion of Sifrei Nevi’im and begin Ketuvim with a global community of women who value their learning and make the daily lessons part of their lives,” said Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman, director of the OU’s Women’s Initiative.
OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer is particularly proud of how the program has added to the momentum and interest in daily learning. “The OU’s Women’s Initiative continues to lead the way with its breadth of programming and ability to reach so many women worldwide. The Torat Imecha Nach Yomi program is at the center of women’s learning opportunities and has inspired a movement. We wish everyone participating in the Nach Yomi program a huge mazel tov on finishing Nevi’im and look forward to the start of Tehillim, and to even bigger and better things from the Women’s Initiative,” said Rabbi Hauer.
Though Sefer Tehillim has already begun, learners can begin at any time.
“Tehillim is an opportunity to connect with Hashem — whatever you’re going through,” noted Rebbetzin Shmidman. “Everything happening in your life — the major and the mundane — happened to David Hamelech. There’s a prayer for every situation, and a song for every salvation.”
Participants can download the Torat Imecha app, and the shiurim are available as podcasts on many major platforms. To learn more or sign up, visit www.ou.org/women/nach23.
