What Is Darkness?

Posted on: January 2nd, 2014

There is a question as to whether darkness is its literal meaning, or if it is simply the absence of light. The fact that light overcomes darkness is not an indication that darkness is merely a lack of light.

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Presents On Shabbat

Posted on: January 2nd, 2014

Question: Is it halachically permissible to give presents to a chatan or bar mitzvah boy on Shabbat?

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Mitzvah Shopping (Yoma 33a and 57a)

Posted on: January 2nd, 2014

He must be a very important person to get such an important mitzvah, I heard them say, as Mr. Loewenstein, the local assemblyman, stepped up to recite the Torah blessing before the reading of the Ten Commandments. And Mr. Kleppish was too embarrassed to tell his wife that he only got third galilah on Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Chanukah. Meanwhile, in the neighborhood shtiebel, Maftir was sold for $500 and petichah for $20.

Just One Voice

Posted on: January 2nd, 2014

When our ancestor Yosef found himself alone and abandoned in Egypt, the image of his father that kept him anchored.

Education: the Key to Success

Posted on: January 2nd, 2014

Moses did not speak about today or tomorrow. He spoke about the distant future.

Shabbos Mevorchim Shevat

Posted on: December 27th, 2013

The month of Shevat, according to the Sefer Yetzirah, is associated with the letter tzaddik. A Tzaddik is, literally, a righteous person, one who eats to live, to have the energy to serve the Ribono shel Olam – versus the gluttonous, insatiable kind that live to eat, to satisfy their corporeal cravings.

Parshat Vaeira

Posted on: December 27th, 2013

Moshe's name would forever remind him of the kindness that Pharaoh's daughter did for him by taking him out of the Nile, and serve as a lodestar to him as he interacts with his people.

Overcoming Setbacks

Posted on: December 27th, 2013

We sense the pressure Moses is under.

Responding to the Yahrzeit Columns

Posted on: December 27th, 2013

Reader response to my two-part column on yahrzeit was overwhelming.

The Multidimensional Four Cups Of Wine

Posted on: December 26th, 2013

In this week’s parshah (Shemos 6:6) Hashem tells Moshe to tell the Bnei Yisrael the four leshonos of geulah: v’hotzeisi, v’hitzalti, v’ga’alti, and v’lakachti. The Mishnah in Pesachim 99b says that a poor man should be given four cups of wine, even from money that is allotted for tzedakah. Rashi there quotes a Yerushalmi in Pesachim that cites Rabbi Yochanan’s opinion that the four cups of wine that we are commanded to drink at the Pesach Seder correspond to the four leshonos of geulah as mentioned above.

Breakfast And Happiness (Part III)

Posted on: December 26th, 2013

“I never said I have nothing to complain about,” she intoned with an expression that belied her age. “I just don’t see the wisdom of protesting. I am fine and I am being adequately nourished.” And with that she went back to her cereal.

Family Ties

Posted on: December 26th, 2013

Not long after my mother died, I was sitting on campus talking with a friend and mentioned that it had been a long time since I had seen a frog. I used to love going out into the garden with my mother and our St. Bernard dog in the autumn evenings and see the frogs come out. I have a thing about frogs – probably from reading too many fairy tales.

Trees In Shul

Posted on: December 26th, 2013

Question: Is it proper to decorate a shul with trees?

The Measure Of The Man

Posted on: December 26th, 2013

Before each person is born, he is predestined for certain abilities and talents, a particular level of intelligence, and an exact disposition and temperament. At the end of his days, he will be compared to what he could have become. How far did he grow? How much did he accomplish with the tools given to him? This system is subjective. How much of his potential did he fulfill?

Q & A: Shabbat Shuttle? (Part I)

Posted on: December 26th, 2013

Question: Is it permitted on the Sabbath or holidays to take a shuttle to synagogue? The neighborhood shuttle runs from 9-5 daily, is driven by a gentile, has a designated stop schedule, and is free of charge.

Parshas Va’era

Posted on: December 26th, 2013

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Daf Yomi

Posted on: December 26th, 2013

A Line Of Demarcation ‘…Until He Came… Between The Two Curtains…’ (Yoma 51b)

Purchasing Agent

Posted on: December 26th, 2013

"Yossi is getting married in three weeks," Moshe said to Yehudah. "He mentioned that if a few friends wanted to chip in, he would be happy to get a washing machine as a gift. Are you interested?"

Shabbat, Shabbat Shabbaton

Posted on: December 26th, 2013

If they would invent a Mah Nishtanah for Shabbat/Yom Kippur, it would go like this: “Why is this Friday night different from all others? On all other Friday nights we enjoy a festive Shabbat meal. Tonight? No dinner!” The question is a good one. According to many opinions, it is a Torah obligation to celebrate Shabbat with three festive meals and it is a Torah violation to fast on Shabbat. Why then, do we not postpone Yom Kippur to Sunday like we do with all other fasts

Child Raising

Posted on: December 20th, 2013

Imagine Amram and Yocheved, the parents of Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon Hakohen. We know who they were, but what do we know of their child-raising techniques? What was the central pillar of their home that helped foster these two spiritual giants?