A Taste of Heaven
I can see how much I have and celebrate my plenty by bringing a small slice of heaven to others who have even less.
A Four-Pound Miracle
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...
Redeeming Relevance: The Mishkan’s Opportunity Cost
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!
Tefillah: A Meeting With Hashem – Together We Stand
What can we do to ensure that our precious tefillos reach their destination?
‘Tweets’ From The Kotzker
Long before social media posts and tweets, the Kotzker delivered messages in short, bite-size form. Here are just a few of his gems
The Auschwitz Protocols
A great story told by a master storyteller--better still--it's TRUE!
Not For A Million Dollars
What price would YOU place on performing a mitzva?
A Nod From Above
When the Nazis began their hunt of on October 1, Rosh Hashana night, most Jews were already hiding in fishing villages along the coast.
‘Go Ahead, Chop It Up’
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."
Q & A: Kaddish Elevates (Part V)
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
NYS Takes Another Step In The Wrong Direction
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 Great Treasure Of Time
The question is why this mitzvah at this time? Surely there are other commandments that seem more important and vital for Jewish survival.
Is Snow Muktza? Can You Tovel Keilim In It?
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.
Not So Strange
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 Proper…? – Is it appropriate for a Jew to own a (non-violent)...
Is it appropriate for a Jew to own a (non-violent) pet dog?
Appreciation: A High School Reunion
Who looked for wisdom? Who sat so quietly in class taking in every word that the rabbi was trying to teach us?
Listening for What We Don’t Know
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.
Parshat Mishpatim: We Are What We Do
What we spend time on says as much or more about what we truly value than what we might occasionally mention
The Wedding Boycott: Four Out Of Four (Part V)
When the Stern children wondered why marrying Jewish was so important, their parents struggled to answer.
Parshat Yitro
If there is a great Creator performing these awesome miracles then I, Yitro, must serve Him and devote my life to that service.
We Have No Idea…
The inspiration of 'Lost and Found'
I Want It Now!
Tu B'Shevat is a reminder once a year of the most important commodities: patience, continued labor, investment, devotion.
Daf Yomi
Genetically-Engineered Simanim
‘A Bird With One Siman’
(Chullin 62a)
Eating Fruit
The reason why Hashem gave us Eretz Yisrael, whose fruits were spectacular and enormous, is because He loves us more than the other nations.
Q & A: Kaddish Elevates (Part IV)
Question: When a son recites Kaddish for his parents, can they hear it? Also when he recites Kaddish, are the souls elevated to a higher place?
Ben Glassman
Can You Return A Stolen Object Anonymously?
I'm ashamed to admit," Dov said when he finally found himself before the rabbi, "but I stole money from someone and would now like to return the amount without having to face him. Is that possible?"
The Wheels Go Round
It seems, though, that The One Above recently ensured that I was compensated for the time I have spent picking up students over the years and taking them to school.
Parshat Yitro: Mount Sinai and the Birth of Freedom
With the revelation at Sinai, something unprecedented entered the human horizon...the politics of freedom was born