Hashem’s House As An Address For Prayer
The notion of a Temple, as either a temporary dwelling or as a permanent building at a specific site, is inherently difficult to understand. How can Hashem, the paradigm of perfect sanctity, coexist with our mundane, flawed universe? Infinity with the finite?
Book Money
Nachum was doing a research project on the Rambam for one of his courses. He borrowed a number of sefarim from his yeshiva's library for a month while writing the paper. When he completed the assignment, he gathered the sefarim together to return them to the library, but noticed that one sefer was missing.
Birthday Parties (Yoma 86a)
If karet is premature death at the hand of God, until what age can it strike and at what age can one celebrate emerging from the danger zone?
Daf Yomi
All For The Boss
‘Praiseworthy Is One Whose…Sins Are Covered’
(Yoma 86b)
Q & A: Sabbath Shuttle? (Part V)
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.
The Mercy Of Hashem
It should come as no surprise that the people offered their donations to the Mishkan with zeal and enthusiasm.
Thank you, Agudat Efrat
There is not even a shadow of doubt that without Agudat Efrat’s help, this child would not have been born.
Accidental Mitzvos
Although a mitzvah may not require kavanah, it may nevertheless require lishmah.
Jerusalem’s Unique Character and Holiness
Maimonides believes that even after the Roman conquest of Israel the land retained its holiness.
Can We Ever Trust Again?
With every word he spoke, I became more and more anxious.
The Home We Build Together
So long as every crisis was dealt with by Moses and miracles, the Israelite default response was complaint.
Shema Yisrael
Question: What is the message behind the most famous statement of Jewish faith: “Shema Yisrael”?
Shabbos Mevorchim Adar I
On this Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim, we bentch Shabbos Mevorchim Adar Rishon, Rosh Chodesh falling on Friday and Shabbos (January 31 and February 1). Mishenichnas Adar Marbin B’Simcha – with the beginning of Adar rejoicing is increased… by virtue of an extra Adar, our jubilation is extended this year.
Parshat Mishpatim
G-d, accordingly, is encouraging Moshe to not just focus on reaching the top of the spiritual mountain but remaining there as well, thus fully capitalizing on his gains.
Who’s To Judge?
Once a person receives it, he becomes personally attached to the one who gave it to him - so attached that now he will view that person's position as his own... and a person does not see his own faults!
Mishpatim: Female Servitude… Wait, What?
Worse, a female child, being sold by her parents!
Prayer and Action: the Integral Connection
One can serve with his or her hands or feet, but how does one serve with one's heart?
Our Creator’s Infinite Love
In Parshas Mishpatim, the Torah delineates various prohibitions and punishments. With regard to stealing, we see something unusual.
Daf Yomi
Point Of Ingestion
“The Size of an Egg to Satisfy…”
(Yoma 79b)
Q & A: Sabbath Shuttle? (Part IV)
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.
Loan Conversion
Jonathan needed some extra cash, about $30,000 for his business. He applied to a number of banks for a loan, but they were being tight on issuing him credit and were also asking for more interest than he wanted to pay.
The Perfect Representative
The two sons of Aaron, Nadav and Avihu, who, according to some commentators, ventured past the outer altar in a state of intoxication, paid for it with their lives.
A Quiet Kaddish
Question: Is it okay to recite Kaddish silently?
A Kidney For A Stranger
Kidney transplants from a living donor are infinitely preferable over a transplant from a dead person. The chances of it being rejected by the body are much lower, the life expectancy of the newly transplanted kidney is twice as high, and the recipient’s life and diet can return to normal much faster.