What Really Constitutes ‘Compassion’? (Pt. II)

Posted on: January 16th, 2013

How do we teach our children, and more importantly ourselves, the art of kindness and compassion? How do we become better people? Is there a university that teaches us kindness, sensitivity or consideration for one another?

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Parshat Bo: Creation of Self

Posted on: January 15th, 2013

Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Rebbetzin Shira Smiles.

Pidyon Shevuyim

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

The following letter was sent in response to Pidyon Shevuyim: Redeeming The Agunah, a column by Cheryl Kupfer (12-21 On Our Own):

Why Are We Losing Our Children? (Part I)

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

We all yearn to feel that we are part of something special. We all seek respect and acceptance for simply being who we are.

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My Loss Or Yours

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

Dan and Shai were standing in the train station. They had just finished a shopping spree and each carried a bag, which they put down next to them. "I got a gift for my parent's anniversary," said Shai. "It cost quite a lot, but it's a very special occasion."

Daf Yomi

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

A Murky Dispute ‘Water Does Not Affect Its Status’ (Shabbos 100a)

Parshas Va’era

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

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Do You Have To Hear Yourself Daven?

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

After each of the makkos, Moshe Rabbeinu had to daven to Hashem to stop the makkah. After the makkah of frogs, the pasuk says “…vayitzak Moshe el Hashem al devar hatzefardi’im asher sam l’pharoh – and Moshe cried out to Hashem regarding the frogs that he inflicted on Pharaoh” (Shemos 8:8). This is the only makkah in which we find that the Torah uses the word “vayitzak [cried out]” in reference to how Moshe davened to Hashem. By the other makkos, the Torah uses the word “vayetar.” The Sifsei Chachamim asks the question that he says was bothering many people. He asks why the Torah changes its wording by the makkah of the frogs to the word “vayitzak.”

Q & A: The Sandak (Part X)

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

Question: I was at a brit where the father and grandfather of the boy argued over who should be sandak. The grandfather had served as sandak once before, but he persisted and, as they say, “might makes right.” I am curious as to your view on this matter. M. Renkin (Via E-Mail)

Hats At Meals

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

Question: Must one wear a hat during Shabbat meals?

Being Like Hashem

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

After months of rebellion, Pharaoh finally admitted he was wrong. The Dos Zakainim explains that the plague of barad moved Pharaoh more than any other. And it was because of one factor.

Bathing, Washing And Swimming On Shabbat

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

One may not bathe in, wash or shower with water heated on Shabbat. Whether one may perform these activities with water heated before Shabbat is debated by Rav, who maintains that one may wash one’s entire body, limb by limb, in such water, and Shmuel, who maintains one may only wash one’s face, hands and feet in such water.

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Mi Casa Es Su Casa

Posted on: January 9th, 2013

We were literally in “seventh” heaven. The Sabbatical year in Eretz Yisrael was almost too good to be true. My husband was enjoying a rare break from his hectic schedule of teaching and administrating and was thrilled to be able to instead sit on the other side of the desk, quenching his perpetual thirst for knowledge. The entire family felt blessed to have so much heretofore unheard of quality time with Abba, while living in the Promised Land and participating in frequent exciting family activities and touring opportunities with the program. We unanimously agreed that our proverbial cup had indeed runneth over.

Science, Nature And Revelation

Posted on: January 9th, 2013

Throughout all Egypt the dust turned into lice. But when the magicians tried to produce lice by their secret arts, they could not. The lice attacked men and animals alike. The magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of G-d.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not listen.

What Really Constitutes ‘Compassion’?

Posted on: January 9th, 2013

I’ve received numerous e-mails in response to my recent columns on the Sandy Hook massacre, gun control, and the violence and immorality in our society. Here is one of those e-mails, followed by my response.

Shabbos Mevorchim Shevat

Posted on: January 4th, 2013

This coming Shabbos we bentch Rosh Chodesh Shevat, which falls on Shabbos Kodesh (January 12). The highlight of this month is of course Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of the trees. As the mind conjures up images of spring, I can spot nary a sign of spring from my vantage point here in the northeastern part of the U.S.

Parshat Shemot

Posted on: January 4th, 2013

General George Marshall became the U.S. Army’s Chief of Staff in 1939. With a keen understanding that the United States would eventually be drawn into the war that had just erupted in Europe, he set out to rebuild and modernize the army. This was no easy task. Besides the normal difficulties inherent in such an undertaking, Marshall had to do it against the wishes of many influential isolationists. Even President Roosevelt was reluctant to upset the country’s isolationists for fear that battling them would undermine his New Deal.

Shabbos – A Day With Hashem: Getting Ready For Shabbos … With Zest!

Posted on: January 4th, 2013

It is a short winter Friday, the house is upside down and it is almost Shabbos. Your kids are lying around or playing and are not interested in helping. So you put on Rav Yom Tov Ehrlich’s famous Yiddish song “Shabbos Kodesh, Shabbos Kodesh.” Soon the invigorating melody fills the room and things start moving. “The tanaaim – the amoraim – everyone is getting ready for Shabbos Kodesh – Shabbos!” His vivid description based on the Gemara in Shabbos (119a) of the holy rabbis of the Talmud each preparing for Shabbos, is enough to motivate even the laziest child to get up and start helping. (Okay, okay – it only works once in a while!)

Kesubah Corrections

Posted on: January 4th, 2013

Rabbi Dayan received a phone call from his nephew, Rabbi Federman, who had recently taken his first position as a pulpit rabbi. "Sholom aleichem," Rabbi Dayan greeted him. "How is the new Rav managing?"

Your Middos Are Killing You

Posted on: January 4th, 2013

Yosef, his brothers, and their entire generation had passed on. A new era was beginning in Mitzrayim, and with it came a new attitude. When the Jews had first entered the land they were received as celebrated guests. After all, they were brothers of the great Yosef who had saved the nation. That sense of appreciation was now gone. No longer were the Jews respected and revered, no longer were they welcome. They had become a thorn in the side of the Mitzrim.