Elul Is Fast Approaching
What if you find it difficult to forgive someone? Let’s say for example, someone caused you to lose an exciting job opportunity, or perhaps they wrecked your chances at a good shidduch. How could you sincerely forgive someone who hurt you in such a terrible way?
Hashem Consoles The Ruins Of Tzion
When Israel is redeemed from exile, Ramchal explains, the Divine Presence (Shechina) that was exiled with us rises up to be reunited with her counterpart above the physical universe.
The Birth Of Torah SheBa’al Peh: Creating Light Within The Darkness (Part I)
It is clear that we now live in the second stage of history – one of darkness, distance, and seeming disconnect from Hashem. It is also clear that this was not always the case.
Even So!
The measure of greatness is not when one performs when he's at his best, but how much he is able to produce when his resistance is low and he's not feeling his best.
Flocking Together
Mynah birds are very good at adapting to new places and ousting the native bird populations. The crows and sparrows have all but disappeared since the mynah bird invasion of our neighborhood.
Toiling For Torah
The second chapter of Pirkei Avot ends with two related teachings from Rabbi Tarfon, both centering around procrastination and productivity.
The Damaging Wave – Who Is Liable?
He turned around and saw a huge wave heading quickly towards him. Before he knew it, the wave hit the beach and crashed against the shore, spreading up the sand sixty feet. It saturated the towel and unfurled it, sopping the phones with seawater.
Daf Yomi
Deliberate Humiliation
“Take Care of My Father”
(Gittin 75b)
Q & A: Kaddish Recited Properly (Part VII)
Question: In the many shuls that I've attended, I observe that there are people who recite the Kaddish silently. Is this correct? I’ve also seen Kaddish recited by some at a cemetery without a minyan. Is there any reason to sanction this?
Charles Rosen
Via Email
Idolatry and More (Idolatry) – Parshat Va’etchanan
Ironically, our elevated holiness leaves us vulnerable to Avoda Zara.
TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Vaetchanan: Memory Power
Memory is the cabinet of the imagination, the treasury of reason, the registry of conscience, and, the council chamber of thought. -Giambattista Basile
When Strange Things Happen
Because Hashem directs the world, things that happen to and around us are more than just coincidental.
The Yahrzeit Of The Rebbe’s Father
Already from a young age, his extraordinary talents were discovered.
VA’ETCHANAN: The Power of Why
If you want to change the world, start with why.
Parshat V’et’hanan: The Power of Tefillah
As characters participating in one of history’s most incredible chapters, we focus our efforts on the specific challenges facing our generation.
A Precious Gift
Rav Shach asks: Why did Moshe Rabbeinu wish to remain in the world like an animal or a bird? He answers that every living being has a specific mission in life through which the honor of Hashem is increased and spread.
When the Broken Path Still Leads Home
There are times in our lives when we feel distant from Hashem and when we question whether or not Hashem truly cares for us, loves us, or believes in us. It is specifically at these times that we refer to Hashem as Makom.
The Power Of Why
Only in Israel was G-d seen not just as a power but as the architect of society, the orchestrator of its music of justice and mercy, liberty and dignity.
Say Thank You Before Please
The purpose of performing even the most basic mitzvot is in order that they should not be forgotten when we return to Eretz Yisrael.
Seeing The Redemption
After the many stages of return from exile and rectification of our spiritual and intellectual state, which we will hopefully encounter in the coming weeks, the last step is to repair the physical body.
Shabbos Nachamu And The Quicksand Of Family Feuding
It seems that Hashem could have lived in harmony with us and could have looked away from our indiscretions towards Him. He simply could not bear to ‘stick around’ and watch when His children weren’t getting along one with another...
Unexpected Catch
In thanking Hashem for preparing the steps of man, we are essentially admitting and thanking G-d for running our lives according to His Master Plan.
Don’t Say Sinas Chinam
Today’s political left and right share certain policies, but they inhabit a milieu of pain and conflict which forms a very substantive basis for feelings of hatred.
Was Moshe a Success or a Failure?
How might Moshe looked back upon his life? Ironically, the man unsurpassed in so many ways may actually have seen himself as a failure. Yet that is certainly the impression one gets from reading through most of this book.
Is It Proper To Send Your Kids To Sleepaway Camp If They Receive Tuition...
One who accepts tzedakah should not spend money on things that are considered unnecessary luxuries. However, if the things one spends money on are considered normal expenditures in the society one lives in, then it is ok.
Between The Line Of The Torah
It is fascinating to consider that, though He looks at us always, He does not seem too often to intervene, He does not punish or reward us in obvious ways.
THE SHUL WITH THE WORST DECORUM IN THE WORLD
What else can we say but , B"H!