Judaism

The Face Of Holiness ‘Inscribed on the Tzitz HaZahav’ (Sukkah 5a)

"I've got to run," Yossi said to his friends. He turned to Nachman, who lived a few doors away from him. "Someone asked me to watch his backpack, with a laptop inside," he said. "Can you please take it home? I'll pick it up in the evening."

When the Rambam wished to give an example of how a non-kohen could light the menorah, why did he have to say that a kohen took the menorah outside of the Kodesh?

The Gemara mentions that the grape clusters refer to Moshe and Aharon, the paradigm of what a Jew can be.

Question: The Talmud (Berachot 33b) notes that it is improper to implore G-d: “Just as You have shown mercy upon a bird’s nest [with the mitzvah of shiluach ha’kan], so, too, may you have mercy and compassion on us.” Why is this prayer improper?

When we are on the move in life, exiled from place to place, we turn to God, our Partner, for the protection of His cloud. When we are given the luxury of settling down, God turns to us, His partner, for the protection of our walls.

The exact details of that nocturnal levayah have long since faded from my memory. However, one poignant story shook me to the core of my being – and remains with me still.

Even the judiciary has its limits, based on the principles set forth at Sinai by the Almighty.

In Judaism, monarchy had little or no religious function.

Hearing that someone has been divorced nowadays doesn't have the same connotations it used to.

Winston Churchill repeated a grade during elementary school. He twice failed the exam to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. He later wrote, “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to the convictions of honor and good sense. Never, Never, Never, Never give up!”

The mishkan represents the 'face' of God.

The notion of a Temple, as either a temporary dwelling or as a permanent building at a specific site, is inherently difficult to understand. How can Hashem, the paradigm of perfect sanctity, coexist with our mundane, flawed universe? Infinity with the finite?

Nachum was doing a research project on the Rambam for one of his courses. He borrowed a number of sefarim from his yeshiva's library for a month while writing the paper. When he completed the assignment, he gathered the sefarim together to return them to the library, but noticed that one sefer was missing.

If karet is premature death at the hand of God, until what age can it strike and at what age can one celebrate emerging from the danger zone?

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All For The Boss ‘Praiseworthy Is One Whose…Sins Are Covered’ (Yoma 86b)

Question: Is it permitted on the Sabbath or holidays to take a shuttle to synagogue? The neighborhood shuttle runs from 9-5 daily, is driven by a gentile, has a designated stop schedule, and is free of charge.

It should come as no surprise that the people offered their donations to the Mishkan with zeal and enthusiasm.

There is not even a shadow of doubt that without Agudat Efrat’s help, this child would not have been born.

Although a mitzvah may not require kavanah, it may nevertheless require lishmah.

Maimonides believes that even after the Roman conquest of Israel the land retained its holiness.

With every word he spoke, I became more and more anxious.

So long as every crisis was dealt with by Moses and miracles, the Israelite default response was complaint.

Question: What is the message behind the most famous statement of Jewish faith: “Shema Yisrael”?

On this Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim, we bentch Shabbos Mevorchim Adar Rishon, Rosh Chodesh falling on Friday and Shabbos (January 31 and February 1). Mishenichnas Adar Marbin B’Simcha – with the beginning of Adar rejoicing is increased… by virtue of an extra Adar, our jubilation is extended this year.

G-d, accordingly, is encouraging Moshe to not just focus on reaching the top of the spiritual mountain but remaining there as well, thus fully capitalizing on his gains.

Once a person receives it, he becomes personally attached to the one who gave it to him - so attached that now he will view that person's position as his own... and a person does not see his own faults!

Worse, a female child, being sold by her parents!

One can serve with his or her hands or feet, but how does one serve with one's heart?