Using Non-Kosher Items For The Mishkan
Rabbeinu Bachya points out that of all the materials that were donated to the building of the Mishkan, we do not find the inclusion of meshi (silk).
A Questionable Siman
"The Gemara [B.M. 25a] questions whether coins arranged in such a fashion serve as a siman – indicating intentional arrangement – or not," explained Rabbi Dayan. "The question is whether they could have fallen unintentionally in this way. This question remains unresolved in the Gemara."
Q & A: Sabbath Shuttle? (Part VIII)
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.
A Tale Of Two Todds
I was pretty open [and naïve] about accepting dating suggestions. There was the Israeli that spoke little English with whom I could barely communicate, the brilliant scholar who I discovered was manic depressive, the frum hippie that was still more hippie than frum, and a slew of others – all interesting, but not for me.
Matters Of The Heart And Mind
The difference between the intellectual and emotional approach to performing a mitzvah is most noticeable when analyzing the different approaches to giving charity. A person can readily comprehend and accept the intellectual rationale behind giving charity to the poor.
Praying For Independence
Question: Do Jews pray for Jewish political independence?
Mending Broken Hearts
The young man could not go through with the marriage.
Parshas Ki Sisa: The Beauty Of Mesorah
Granted, Hashem miraculously gave Betzalel unimaginable wisdom, but shouldn’t life-experience count for something?
Jezebel
King Achav reports back to his wife, Queen Izevel, thoroughly dejected. It seems Eliyahu has defeated them and their idolatrous practices. The nation would no longer worship Baal and return once again to serving Hashem. This threatened Achav and Izevel's entire hold on their kingdom.
Ki Tisa: Moshe’s Benevolent Chutzpah
The Jewish people commit the worst sin possible - worshiping a false god.
Restoring Order and Maintaining Peace
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you fail. Such is life.
Broken Hearts
In biblical times the Jewish people never had a prison system.
Until When?
Outside the school, a person stood selling waterproof knapsacks. A sign above him read: "SALE! Only $100 for a knapsack! Limited time offer."
Mr. Wasser passed by and was intrigued by the knapsacks. He came over and asked the salesman about them.
For The Love Of Money
Klal Yisrael was living in the desert. They neither worked for a living nor had any use for money. All their needs were taken care of. They ate mon that was delivered to their tents daily. They drank water from the be’er, the rock that followed them in their journeys. Their clothes were washed by the Clouds of Glory, and their shoes never wore out. They didn’t need money and couldn’t use it. How could it become their downfall?
Under The Oak Tree (Daf Yomi Sukkah)
The equivalent of the “OU” kashrut certification in England is that of the London Beit Din. There is also a competing kashrut certification called Kedassia. Those who eat Kedassia do not eat Beit Din.
Daf Yomi
What Constitutes Schach?
‘Schach Boards’
(Sukkah 14a)
On Seeing God’s Back
One of the most extraordinary images in the Torah appears in this week's portion. Moshe requests of God: "Show me your glory." God responds that He cannot be seen by any human being. But, God tells Moshe, "Stand in the cleft of the rock” and "you will see My back, but My face must not be seen" (Exodus 33: 17-23). What does this mean?
Q & A: Sabbath Shuttle? (Part VII)
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.
Moshe 2.0
The Gemara says that Moshe lost his ability to pray and protest when he was ordered to descend. The Gemara uses the parable of the friend of the king to indicate that Moshe realized that Hashem provided him, despite his diminished status, with an opening and an opportunity to pray on their behalf to prevent their annihilation.
Who Can Shecht?
There are various requirements as to who can perform the shechitah. Optimally one should know the halachos involved and be a male over 13 years of age. If an individual is unfamiliar with the halachos of shechitah he should not shecht, as many problematic issues that he is unaware of can arise. He is also required to be an observant Jew.
An Unalterable Distinction
Question: In Havdalah, we note that Hashem separates day from night and Yisrael from the nations of the world. Are these two distinctions similar in nature?
Above And Beyond
Shimon’s early years were not easy ones. His mother struggled to support both of them. She never acquired the knowledge needed to help her son through school years filled with homework and tests.
Online Brainstorming Marathon for Future of the Jewish People
The Israeli government is inviting Jews from around the world to participate in a 72-hour online conversation next week to help formulate strategies for...
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