Advice From Rav Hirsch and Rabbanit Mizrahi
Advice for this stressful time: Rav Shlomo Wolbe said that we should pray at the start of the day over crises that we know will come.
Q & A: Why Does Hallel Come Before Keriat HaTorah? (Part I)
On those days that we recite Hallel, why do we do so before Keriat HaTorah? Shouldn’t the Torah reading come first based on the rule that whenever two matters face us, we do the more frequent one first (tadir v’she’eino tadir, tadir kodem)?
Menachem
The Moment In Time That Defines Us
When looking back into our history we often find examples of people being in the right time and place, and making history that gave meaning and purpose to their entire existence.
It’s All A Matter Of Will
All three individuals can do what was previously thought unachievable because their will and resolve unearth hidden strengths.
Va’eira: The Divine Revelation To Humanity
The ten plagues were part of a deliberate process to educate not only Egypt and Israel but also humanity.
Devotion In Prayer: Central To Yiddishkeit
Although I don't know you... I have heard about you that the spirit of G-d shines in you.
Marshes, Marshes, Marshes
Rabbi Pappenheim writes that “achu” refers to the brotherhood between the different animals that join up in fertile land to feast on its produce.
Overcoming Setbacks
Leadership, even of the very highest order, is often marked by failure.
What True Leaders Do
As a young man, raised with royal treatment in Pharaoh’s palace, Moshe Rabbeinu didn’t allow himself to relax in splendor. Rather, he went out to his suffering brethren and shared in their fate.
Pharaoh’s Confirmation Bias
Pharaoh’s refusal to believe in the miraculous power of G-d is evident even before the plagues begin.
Parshas Va’era
Shabbos Times
Is It Proper…? Should a parent encourage a child who wants to join the...
Should a parent encourage a child who wants to join the U.S. Army?
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Va’Eira: A Quantitative Approach to Free Will
This story is actually a brilliant depiction of the interplay between divine providence and free will. Without taking away our ability to “surprise Him,” God – when needed – doesn’t hesitate to steer us in the direction He wants.
Galus America
For the past number of decades there has been much religious tolerance and Jews have been able to serve their religion without fear, for the most part.
The Healer
As the number of infected and deceased leaped up dramatically at the summer's end – together with a commensurate increase of protests, strikes and Covid-deniers – our government decreed the Tishrei lockdown.
Daf Yomi
Are We There Yet?
“I Don’t Work on Yom Tov [Sheni]”
(Pesachim 52a)
From Moshe To Moshe
Moshe (which means "drawn out”) was drawn out of the water and he in turn drew the people out of the depths of slavery and ignorance into a life of freedom and Torah.
When You Lose Envelopes Full Of Money
It's good you trust me, said Yosef. Otherwise you could claim the envelopes had less money in them and refuse to pay the full amount.
Sh’mot: The Revolutionary Lawgiver
Did Moshe attempt to create a new Hebrew nation that would replace the children of Israel and be born free from the psychological degradation of slavery?
The Crown Of A Good Name
What can be greater than the crown of Torah? After all, we’re taught, “Talmud Torah kneged kulam – The study of Torah is equal to all else.”
Do You Really Fear G-d?
If a diamond is exposed to the heat of a flame for 30-45 seconds and then dropped in icy water, it won’t react to the extreme temperature change.
Q & A: Hot Water Thanks To A Shabbos Clock (Conclusion)
Question: Is one permitted to use an electric hot water urn controlled by a Shabbos clock to boil water on Shabbat?
Yisrael W.
Women As Leaders
Wherever leadership depends on personal qualities and not on office or title, there is no distinction between women and men.
The Aim Of Chassidus: Heartfelt Prayer
It is known among all the world’s religions that it is impossible for all members of a religion to be equally careful in observing the religion absolutely with all one’s heart and soul in all details.
Hard Work And Hard Hearts
Rabbi Hirsch notes that because kuf can be interchanged with gimmel, “kashah” is also related to “gishah”/“gashash” (approaching, impacting). Most people only consider solid objects substantial enough to approach or cause an impact.
Is It Proper…? In retrospect, which group of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto were...
In retrospect, which group of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto were correct – those who favored fighting the Nazis or those who opposed doing so?
Changes
These families live daily, even every moment, with the thought of what can, and might, happen to them as a result of their presence in such hostile areas.
Power of Prayer
We all know of the challenges of having a minyan these days, let alone a mourner’s minyan. But my husband has managed daily to keep the mitzvah of saying Kaddish
Owning Up to Our Role in Our Troubles
A cautionary tale