Judaism

Our move to Lavon (where we are the ONLY observant family on the yishuv) was accomplished with the help and support of Ayelet HaShachar, an organization that – among many worthy activities – helps religious families move into secular areas, with the aim of bringing people together and lessening the social barriers between religious and secular people. We were joined by Israel's Chief Rabbi, Rav Lau, shlita.

The Urim ve-Tumim, introduced in this week's parsha, remind us Hashem never meant the Jewish people to make their way in the world based only on traditions of what we were once told.

To avoid misery, read the 6-steps to misery--and completely side-step these landmines

Chazal tell us that the pursuit of money teaches us how we should pursue mitzvos. Money familiarize us with the burning passion we ought to develop for mitzvos--and mitzvos have even greater intrinsic value.

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Question: When a son says Kaddish for his parents, can they hear it? Also when he says it, are their souls elevated to a higher place? Ben Glassman

A person cannot rent out a property that is not his!

Kosher 'Oxymoron' 'The Divine Law Permits It' (Chullin 75)

We all said our goodbyes and exchanged lots of hugs and best wishes before heading to bed the night before her flight, just in case we would not wake up in time to see her off. Better too many hugs than too few…

Moshe Rabbenu wanted to build the vessels for the Mishkan before the actual Mishkan. Betzallel countered, that the derech haolam – way of the world – is to first build a house and then build the furniture.

The very concept of making a home in finite space for an infinite presence seems a contradiction in terms. The answer, still astonishing in its profundity, is contained at the beginning of this week’s parsha: “They shall make a Sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell in them [betokham]” (Exodus 25:8).

I can see how much I have and celebrate my plenty by bringing a small slice of heaven to others who have even less.

Leah couldn’t wait to hear what the Rabbi had said. Deep down in her heart she wanted so much to hear and believe that everything was going to be all right...

For most of us, sacred spaces help us to focus, whereas we would otherwise not focus at all. Hence they are worth the opportunity cost they create. But we are well advised to keep that cost in mind. The fact that we are able to focus on God in the synagogue does not mean we should forget God outside!

What can we do to ensure that our precious tefillos reach their destination?

Long before social media posts and tweets, the Kotzker delivered messages in short, bite-size form. Here are just a few of his gems

A great story told by a master storyteller--better still--it's TRUE!

What price would YOU place on performing a mitzva?

When the Nazis began their hunt of on October 1, Rosh Hashana night, most Jews were already hiding in fishing villages along the coast.

Later that evening, Mr. Klein thought he might want to give his old dining room set to someone and quickly called Mr. Gross. "Please don't ruin the set," he said. "I might give it to someone."

Question: When a son recites Kaddish for his parents, can they hear it? Also, are their souls elevated to a higher place as a result? Ben Glassman

At a time when our society is becoming more immoral by the week, it is important for us to strengthen our morality, and specifically in the area of appreciating life.

The question is why this mitzvah at this time? Surely there are other commandments that seem more important and vital for Jewish survival.

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Most poskim disagree with Rav Moshe, including R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. He argues that one may touch, move, and even play with snow on Shabbos.

Whichever way we look at it, there is something striking about this almost endlessly iterated concern for the stranger – together with the historical reminder that “you yourselves were slaves in Egypt.” It is as if, in this series of laws, we are nearing the core of the mystery of Jewish existence itself. What is the Torah implying?

Is it appropriate for a Jew to own a (non-violent) pet dog?

Who looked for wisdom? Who sat so quietly in class taking in every word that the rabbi was trying to teach us?

Absolute truth is dangerous in the hands of people who do not realize how much they do not know. Just as I cringe when someone declares that he knows the reason for the Holocaust, I shudder when people authoritatively declare people they don't know to be heretics and sinners. Knowing that I don't know opens the door to listening and learning, an opportunity to discover more about God, people, and me.

What we spend time on says as much or more about what we truly value than what we might occasionally mention