One of the most well-known verses in sefer Mishlei (the Biblical book of Proverbs) occurs in the very first chapter. Verse 1:8 famously tells us
שְׁמַ֣ע בְּ֭נִי מוּסַ֣ר אָבִ֑יךָ וְאַל־תִּ֝טֹּ֗שׁ תּוֹרַ֥ת אִמֶּֽךָ׃
Listen, my son, to the musar of your father and do not neglect the Torah of your mother.
The Metzudas Dovid explains that “the Torah of your mother” means “the Torah that your mother taught you.” But what’s so special about the Torah one learns from his mother? As the ibn Ezra clarifies, “a wise woman teaches her son the straight path.”
In this spirit, we are excited to announce the launch of Torat Imecha, a new Nach Yomi program from the OU Women’s Initiative in cooperation with OU Torah. As per the verse in Mishlei from which the program derives its name, this is Torah taught by women but it’s not specifically Torah for women. Torat Imecha is for everyone who wants to participate in studying Nach daily along with many others throughout klal Yisroel. Maybe it’s your first time approaching Nach Yomi; maybe you’ve previously complete the cycle with the OU’s Shoshana Grossman Nach Yomi program and are looking for something new. Man, woman, Nach novice or returning student, Torat Imecha is for you!
The first sefer in Nach, Yehoshua (Joshua), is being taught by Mrs. Michal Horowitz, a popular and acclaimed lecturer with whom many of you are already familiar from such programs as the OU’s Torah New York and Torah LA. Many other noteworthy women are already lined up for subsequent books of Nach. Plus, the internationally-acclaimed Rabbanit Shani Taragin will IY”H be providing an introductory shiur for each sefer of Nach.
Torat Imecha is dedicated by Eta Brandman Klaristenfeld in memory of her aunt Malka Nussbaum, Malka Esther Bat Tzvi Yoseph. Shiurim will be available on the OU Torah and by using the OU Torah app for iOS and Android. Additionally, the Women’s Division is planning lots of other resources – including some exclusive content – that can be accessed by those who register to stay connected.
Torat Imecha begins with the new Nach Yomi cycle on Thursday, January 9, 2020. In the meantime, check out this introductory shiur by Women’s Initiative director Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman, sign up to receive the OU’s daily Nach Yomi email (which will include a link to each day’s Torat Imecha shiur), and download the new Nach Yomi calendar and other resources! We hope you will join us in the groundbreaking endeavor!