Before Judging
The primary quality of anyone judging another is that the judge first know how to judge himself. If he cannot honestly examine his own behavior, how can he possibly judge someone else's?
Why I LOVE Sefaradi Selichot
my reply to those who seem to groan when they hear about the 40 days of Selichot, my answer is that I love them and look forward each year to reciting them
Parshat Shoftim: The Truth Isn’t Always Easy to Find
Our powers of self-justification mean money is as much a danger for us as for a judge. Given two options, we, like Rashi’s judges, will become sure, the claim which benefits us is also the truer claim. Like Rashi’s judges, we need to guard ourselves from slipping away from truth without realizing it.
From Montana to New Square: Breaking Out of My Bubble
What is true for getting out of our geographical bubble is equally if not more true for breaking through our religious bubble. We live under artificial labels and tend to limit our religious exposure to those who think, practice and observe just like us. When we pigeonhole ourselves we deprive ourselves from taking the best of what different Torah groups and cultures have to offer.
ABC’s of Elul
The last month of the Jewish calendar is actually the most important – serving as preparation for the High Holidays.
Four For Four: Part II – Out Of The Hot Tub And Into...
Here I am with everything. All of my facilities. Youth. Strength. Looks. Money. Degree of talent. Family. Health. And after all of that and more, I think I'm miserable? It can't be. Something's got to change.
The ‘Left’ And The ‘Right’ In Israel
On the opposite side of the spectrum you have the “left.” These are the people who essentially believe that Israel is a modern country that should not be guided by its ancient Torah and traditions.
On Not Being A Victim
Remarkably, despite the exiles and horrors of history, Jews did not see themselves as victims. This is the message Moses imparts throughout sefer Devarim: Never define yourself as a victim
Ariel And Hatzolah
The tremendous blessing of Hatzolah became even more clear when the paramedic rescue services showed up at the house forty-five minutes after Hatzolah had already left!
Daf Yomi
Danger Or Dilution?
'From That Allowed To Jews'
(Menachos 5a)
An Open Hand
Heshy's head was swirling with the many new requests. Is it better to give more charity or loans? How much should I lend? To whom? What risks should I take?
Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part XIII)
Question: How do we know there is an olam haba – a world to come?
L. Papirmeister
From Spiritual To Mundane And Back
In this week’s parshah, as Bnei Yisrael are about to enter Eretz Yisrael, the Torah commands us in the mitzvah of shechitah.
The pasuk says,...
Why Is There So Much Chutzpah Nowadays?
Chazal tell us that brazenness will increase during the pre-Messianic period. And yet, a pillar of Torah life is deference to the previous generation. So how do we reconcile the two points and explain the level of chutzpah among us?
A Sense Of Place
This week's portion, Re'ei, speaks of our need for a sense of place, how difficult it often is to find, and how we must protect others' sense of place. It also guides us in how to manage the experience of no place
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Re’eh: Spilling Blood and Spilling Water
In view of the seeming sanctity that the Torah imparts to blood, why would it tell us to spill animal blood indiscriminately?
Tefillah: A Meeting With Hashem – Bow Down
Really, we should be saying thank you non-stop, but obviously that would make it difficult to live a normal life.
Hearing to See
I wish all of us, parents and teachers, would listen to everything our children ask and say. I dream of our hearing them so well that we can begin to visualize and relate to them as who they can be when they fulfill all their potential.
Ice Cream Partners
If a time was set for the partnership – for example, until the end of August – you must stay until that time and then you may dissolve the partnership.
Q & A: The Hereafter – Olam Haba (Part XII)
Question: How do we know that there is an olam haba – a world to come?
L. Papirmeister
Daf Yomi
A Light Unto The Nations
‘The Sound Thereof Traveled From One End…To The Other”
(Zevachim 116a)
Ultimate Experience
Finding appropriate company for Shabbos was a challenge of its own. No longer a youngster, my mother did not enjoy coming to our homes and she did not appreciate large families with many children coming to hers.
The Message of the Poles
Our connection to the Torah is the only way we have survived this long and bitter galus.
Latest News Stories
Sponsored Post
Recommended Today
Something Random from the Week
