Judaism

Do We Create Our Own Enemies?

In Print Eliezer Meir Saidel

Let us assume for a moment that the Avot knew for certain what the repercussions of rejecting Timna would be and that they were faced with a dilemma. If they accept her as a convert, it would conflict with the halacha, because she had an agenda.

The Dual Dangers of Antisemitism

In Print Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss

It is clear that Yaakov felt that danger of assimilating his brother's ways was the more dangerous of the two possibilities.

It’s All In The Name

In Print Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser

In truth, Yaakov wanted to know the essence of the Satan, so that he could be better equipped to fight evil. He wanted to understand the Satan’s power that enabled him to ensnare people and bring them down.

Our Foundational Relationship

In Print Rabbi Reuven Taragin

It is not only our land and our money that belong to Hashem; everything was created by Him and thus belongs to Him. This is why we are prohibited from benefiting from the world before we recite berachot, which recognize Hashem as Creator (Ber. 35a).

The Mysterious Monotheism Of King Akhenaten

In Print Rabbi Simcha Feuerman

It seems that Rabbi Yitzchak may have approached the disagreement with Rabbi Abba as if it were an abstract halachic debate rather than a personal dispute.

The Three Steps For Building Eternity

In Print Rabbi Shmuel Reichman

Have you ever felt like everything worthwhile in life eventually fades? The energy of youth fades into old age, the excitement of beginnings fades into routine, and the inspiration of a new goal fades into habit. This pattern extends to almost all spheres of the human experience.

Recharged!

In Print Rabbi Dani Staum

The lesson is that living according to the mandates of G-d is not to confine and restrict, but to ensure that we live an elite connected life within the confines of biblical morality.

Is It Proper To Enjoy Holiday Lights And Light Shows This Time Of Year?

In Print Jewish Press Staff

While there may not be a direct prohibition against looking at holiday lights and enjoying them, I think it’s important for us to always keep in mind some of the history of our people and of this very long exile.

Parshas VaYishlach

In Print Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Rabbi Velvel Finkelstein, z”l

In Print Ita Schneider

Raffy explained to him how special the mitzvah is, and that this particular pair was donated as a merit for his uncle, who cared deeply for his fellow Jew.

Ring In The Sand

In Print Rabbi Meir Orlian

Among contemporary poskim, Hashavas Aveidah K’halacha (2:16c) writes that Shulchan Aruch maintains that the halacha applies even when there are identifying features, such as a ring, whereas Pischei Choshen (Aveidah 2:11) cites this halacha when there aren't identifying features, like the Rambam.

Daf Yomi

In Print Rabbi Yaakov Klass

A Shidduch Solution ‘Known In A Town For Thirty Days…’ (Bava Basra 167b)

Powerless Idols – Parshat Vayeitzei

Parsha Rav Yitzchak Korn

This is the story of Yoash, the father of Gidon.

Walking Into The Fire

In Print Slovie Jungreis Wolff

At that moment both Avraham and Yitzchak created a cosmic reality that had never existed before. They gave birth to the spiritual gene within Am Yisrael of mesiras nefesh. From that moment on we were given the fortitude to walk through fire, to resist those who wish to extinguish our light.

The Artscroll Siddur ‘According To The Customs Of Eretz Yisrael’

In Print Dr. Reuven Gafni

Artscroll-Mesorah is one of the largest publishing houses in the Jewish world, and despite its strongly conservative character, it enjoys increasing popularity – including in nationally minded Israeli communities.

Q & A: Children’s Toys On Shabbat

In Print Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: Are children’s toys or games considered muktzeh – prohibited for use on Shabbos? M. Goldman Via E-mail

Higher!

In Print Sivan Rahav-Meir

If Sandberg symbolizes what is happening now to our brethren in the Diaspora, we are on the right path. This phenomenon has already been given a name: The Jews of October 8, the Jews who woke up the day after.

Protecting Ourselves

In Print Rabbi Reuven Taragin

Rabbeinu Yonah (Avot 1:1) adds that siyagim are essential not just because they protect us from sin but also because their enactment expresses our commitment to and concern about avoiding sin.

Redeeming Relevance: Trail Flies and the Human Condition

Redeeming Relevance / Rabbi Francis Nataf Rabbi Francis Nataf

Ya’akov is the patriarch that reached the pinnacle of the early Biblical period by combining the strengths of both his father and grandfather and raising all thirteen of his children to follow in his footsteps.

The Birth Of The World’s Oldest Hate

In Print Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l

Pharaoh was a one-time enemy of the Jews, but Lavan exists, in one form or another, in age after age.

Camels And Cactus

In Print Rabbi Aaron I. Reichel

Because the Talmud pointed out that thorns are not necessarily destructive but may even be worth maintaining with human intervention, like pre-Industrial Revolution gas stations, we now have two additional reasons to be thankful on Thanksgiving and on every other day of the year – for the cacti and for the camels.

Mother Of Kings And Priests

In Print Avraham Levitt

Leah and Rachel are competitors for Yaakov’s affection, but their devotion and kindness to one another is unabated.

Surprise!

Parsha Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser

The lesson here is very clear. Everything in life is for the good; if not now, tomorrow, and if not tomorrow then the next day.

Finding Yourself By Winging It

In Print Rabbi Simcha Feuerman

I try to employ true understanding of Biblical Hebrew to decontaminate from subtle incorrect cultural attitudes and beliefs. These mindsets and worldviews are unconsciously incorporated as a result of powerful influences on thought that come from the implicit categorization and depictions in each language.