Very, Very Humble
Presumably, even the lowly of spirit according to Maimonides is not purposefully self-denigrating and contains a healthy sense of self-worth (contingent on an awareness of G-d, not one’s own accomplishments).
Stealing Time (Parshas Behaaloscha)
The seven stems of the Menorah symbolize the seven wisdoms of the world. They all emanate from the central wisdom of the divine Torah and they have purpose only when they too contribute to the Torah.
Torah Shorts: Parshat Behaalotcha: Food’s Spiritual Levels
Not eating meat is a decision, eating meat is an instinct. -Denis Leary
Facing The Menorah
These entities differ profoundly from one another, but they join together when they face the Menorah, the single individual divine source of all wisdom.
Moshe and the Missing Matriarch
One may then raise the question of why should Moshe have gotten married to begin with
The Jewish Soul
How could Hashem imply that the essence of every Jew is good (made of pure gold like the menorah) if there were sinners among them?
Tips For A Sweeter And More Productive Summer
Swimmers should be cautioned about the absolute need for proper supervision and the great danger of going solo to the pool. Also, remember that long exposures to the sun can be unhealthy. Use a sun blocker!
Do Away With The Middleman
On practical level, we must ask ourselves: Aren’t there halachot that are more serious than others? No legal or moral system can operate by treating everything with equal priority (see Tosafos Yom Tov on Avos 2:1).
Honest Plea
When it comes to parenting/teaching we don’t like to watch children make mistakes. We also don’t like having to take the time and energy to enforce the consequences of those mistakes.
Clothing: The Battle For True Beauty
When used properly, clothing mitigates the shame of our physical bodies and helps us express our higher, dignified selves in the world. When misused, clothing can hide our spiritual core, portraying ourselves as completely physical beings.
Helping My Brothers And Sisters
Let’s just say that I soon began covering the shortfall myself, and my group leader promptly stopped sending me the spreadsheets. And I countered by unearthing them anyway and continuing to fill the quota, most often without signing in.
Selling To A Third Party
Even if the property was initially intended for renting out, either partner can demand to dissolve the partnership through gode o agod – i.e., he offers the other partner the option to either buy (gode) or sell (agod) the respective half of the property (C.M. 171:8).
Daf Yomi
For Lack Of Funds
‘Merchants In Sura Are Not In [Biblical] Violation …’
(Bava Metzia 111a)
Sacrificing a Wagon – Parshat Naso
Why are the wagons referred to as a Korban?
Heroism In A Time Of War
Some research indicates that heroism during war or, maybe more specifically, the acknowledgement of a soldier’s heroism, might be beneficial to the soldier himself, as it is associated with lower levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms (Stein et al., 2020).
Q & A: We Don’t Proselytize
Question: Lately, various missionary groups have been very active in my neighborhood and other Jewish areas, anxious to convert our brethren to their way. Why don’t we, in turn, seek to convert them? This should be correct especially in light of the Yom Tov of Shavuot that we are celebrating when we read of the conversion of Ruth the Moabite, a woman of such exceeding piety that she proved to be the ancestress of King David and his dynasty, from which will sprout the ultimate king and redeemer, Melech HaMashiach.
Moshe Jakobovitz
Via email
Correcting The Survey
Some demographers, including Pew and other federations, have created a new line of questioning designed to analyze Chabad involvement. Instead of asking them what type of Jew they think they are, the surveys encourage participants to express their Jewish identity in more depth.
The Pursuit Of Peace
Why does the Torah spend so much time describing an event that could have been stated far more briefly by naming the princes and then simply telling us generically that each brought a silver dish, a silver basin and so on?
The Place of the Displaced, the Replaced, and the Misplaced
The Kohen is the one who will accompany these three alienated individuals and, by so doing, become their connection to the rest of society.
Torah Shorts: Parshat Naso: Secrets of the Priestly Blessing
Love is a portion of the soul itself, and it is of the same nature as the celestial breathing of the atmosphere of paradise. -Victor Hugo
Ari Fuld on Shavuot: On the Indigenous People of Israel and Why There is...
Ari talks about the holidays of Shavuot and Yom Kippur, the Shofar that connects the two holidays, and the indigenous people of the Land of Israel.
Why Do We Read Megillat Ruth?
The Reading of Megillat "Ruth" on Shavuot has its roots in Masechet Sofrim.
The Ten Commandments – More Relevant Than Ever
A Jewish student from MIT visiting Israel told me, after describing the hypocritical protests on behalf of Hamas that took place on her campus: What our world needs the most now is faith, vision, and a clear moral compass.
Eviction Notice
G-d had grand plans for the world. There would be nothing wasted. Even the wood itself would be a part of the fruit. That’s potentially true, but in reality there will be losses. Not every part of the process will yield fruit.
An Ideal Jewish Army On A Full Stage
Baruch Hashem, we are witnessing a revolution in this area. Though no soldier can match the Vilna Gaon’s or P’nei Yehoshua’s piety, we have thousands of IDF soldiers who are both deeply committed to halacha and Jewish values and are genuine talmidei chachamim.
If I Could Be Like…
If we had our way, we might indeed have the yeshiva students write about how iconic heroes have an immensely deep influence on politics, ethics, outlook, and everything in between. But the names of the heroes would be worlds – nay, universes – apart!
What Is The Deeper Purpose Of Shavuot?
Some may refer to the Torah as a history book; others may think of it as a book of law or a source of Jewish wisdom. While these are all true, they only scratch the surface of the Torah’s true nature.
Torah Study Is Not Like Calculus
When we think this Shavuot about the revelation at Sinai, let’s remember that the Torah was given surprisingly in the midst of billowing smoke and blackness.
Concern, Not Contempt
Even someone who openly performs wicked deeds should not be disparaged in totality.
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