Judaism

Did you ever notice that the Ten Commandments only address one character trait? “Thou shall not be envious.” Isn’t that amazing?! The Ten Commandments...

The Vilna Gaon argues that man stopped resembling G-d in the generation of Adam’s grandson Enosh when idol worship began to develop.

My wife and I live in Israel now. This has been our lifelong dream. This is where we belong! This is where we want to be!

We see from the Talmud that ingratitude can be cause for harsh punishment.

It was one of the few weddings, maybe the only one I’ve been to, where people weren’t talking to each other or on their cell phones during the chupah.

The universe was created for the sake of the Torah and for the sake of the Jewish people – i.e., in order that we Jews study and observe the Torah.

“How can you know there’s no G-d? Can anyone possibly prove there’s no G-d? How can you prove that?” I wondered.

Of Rav Nissim Karlitz,(ZT"L) the Chazon Ish said “One day, the entire world will hear from him.” He was right.

Question: The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch states that a person should put on his right shoe first but tie his left shoe first. Why? Y. Malinsky

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Do young children belong in shul?

The Torah is telling us something very powerful. Never think of people as things. Never think of people as types: they are individuals. Never be content with creating systems: care also about relationships.

If we were to neglect or disregard such a gift, that would be a great insult and disrespect to whoever gave us the present. The greater the value, the greater the insult.

And we begin...

Shmini Atzeres offers a unique opportunity to attach ourselves to God and enjoy this special relationship.

If we have fallen short, does that mean we shouldn’t dance with the Torah? Of course not. What it does mean, however, is that when we hold onto the Torah, it should be with a renewed commitment to spend more time with it during the coming year.

To cross the infinite gulf separating us – as finite created beings – from the infinite Creator, we need to nullify our sense of self-importance.

The thunderous, urgently repeated “Ya’amod” precipitated a virtual kibbutz galuyos that made my heart skip a beat and my breath catch in my throat.

The Vilna Gaon (cited in Sefer Kol HaTor 1:7) states that one's entire body is involved in two mitzvos: the mitzvah of sukkah and the mitzvah to dwell in the Land of Israel. (the GR"A does not mention Mikvah). It turns out that the mitzvah of sukkah and the mitzvah of living in Eretz Yisrael are like sister mitzvos.

Spared Possible Punishments ‘Those Who Are New To The Ketores’ (Tamid 32b-33a)

Keriat haTorah, properly understood, is a performative act. It is a weekly recreation of the revelation at Mount Sinai. It is a covenant ratification ceremony like the one Moshe performed at Sinai:

“The whole world is learning that the gentiles can come celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles with the people of Israel,” said spokesman David Parsons of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.

A person only receives the amount of parnassah that was proclaimed for him in Heaven.

Chag Sameach

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The sukkah, like the chupah, is pure and simple. It is symbolic of a strong spiritual connection.

Question: My custom is not to don tefillin on Chol HaMoed. What should I do if I go to a shul that has the opposite custom? M. Jakobowitz

Guarding The Temple – Even Today ‘Kohanim Stationed in Three Places’ (Tamid 25b)

Irritation leading to growth...

To my shock, you see, after 21 years of living and working in the U.K., Rivkie, Yossi, and family announced that they were returning to live in the U.S.