Parshas Toldos

Posted on: October 30th, 2013

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Two Sides Of The Same Coin

Posted on: October 30th, 2013

Chaim (not his real name) was walking down the street, feeling very discouraged. It seemed that lately, the news was filled with stories depicting the disparities, distrust and dislike between the different streams of Jews living in Israel. Much of it revolved around the different religious affiliations or non-affiliations that people adhered to. There were times when Chaim felt the situation was hopeless, with no way to bring people together as a cohesive group – despite their differences.

A Life-Saving Mitzvah

Posted on: October 30th, 2013

With Sukkos well behind us, we are back to our normal workday mode, our post- holiday routine. The sukkah, our temporary dwelling for eight days, has been dismantled and we have returned to our comfortable, permanent homes. Likewise, our Daled Minim have been discarded, having served their purpose. We’re done with those mitzvos (at least for this season).

Fruit At The End Of A Meal

Posted on: October 24th, 2013

Question: Is it necessary to recite a berachah before eating fruit at the end of a meal? I’ve seen different people do different things.

Taxi Standstill

Posted on: October 24th, 2013

At 5:00 sharp Zvi headed out of the office to the street. He raised his hand and hailed the next available cab. He provided the cabbie his address and was surprised to find that the cab driver was a religious Jew.

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Middos: Central To All Avodas Hashem

Posted on: October 24th, 2013

The Torah tells us Eliezer’s system: “And it will be that the maiden to whom I will say, ‘Please give me to drink,’ and she will answer, ‘Please drink, and I will give your camels to drink as well.’ She will be the one You have proven to be the wife for Yitzchak” (Bereishis 24:14).

Why Do We Daven?

Posted on: October 24th, 2013

Rabi Yosi ben Rabi Chanina says that the avos where misaken the tefillos. The Gemara quotes a braisa that supports this view and cites pesukim from which we derive that Avraham was mesaken Shacharis, Yitzchak was mesaken Minchah, and Yaakov was mesaken Ma’ariv. Rabi Yehoshua ben Levi disagrees, saying that tefillah was instituted to correspond to the korbanos.

Daf Yomi

Posted on: October 24th, 2013

Pristine Exemplar ‘Let Him Fill His Mouth With Water’ (Shekalim 9a)

Parshas Chayyei Sarah

Posted on: October 24th, 2013

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Q & A: They Live In The Land (Part III)

Posted on: October 24th, 2013

Question: I was recently discussing the sorry state of religion in Eretz Yisrael with some friends, noting that unfortunately a majority of the population consists of non-observant Jews. I expressed my view that this fact explains why Moshiach has not yet come. I avidly read your column and am anxious to learn your view of this matter. No Name Please (Via E-Mail)

Dashed Expectations And Single Daughters

Posted on: October 24th, 2013

I’m also a rebbetzin but as yet I do not have married children; it’s an experience I’m looking forward to and the reason I am writing to you now.

Beginning The Journey

Posted on: October 24th, 2013

The purchase of the Cave of Machpelah is evidently a highly significant event because it is recorded in great detail.

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An Explosion Of Serendipity

Posted on: October 23rd, 2013

Every Sukkos, at the end of a fun action-packed day at the park, we would gather our happy, albeit exhausted, children and prepare for the long ride home. Needless to say, the first item on the list was a visit to the restrooms. This became our yearly routine and the kids would comply without protest, often before being reminded.

Parshas Vayera: Under The Tree

Posted on: October 18th, 2013

The great scholar and ethicist, Rav Yisroel Lipkin of Salant zt”l, was once in the home of an assimilated Jew in Vienna. The man’s daughter was an accomplished pianist.

An Act That Echoes Through Time

Posted on: October 17th, 2013

Avraham Avinu was commanded with a supreme test, and one of the greatest challenges ever presented to man: “Take your son, your only son, the son that you love…”

Q & A: They Live In the Land (Part II)

Posted on: October 17th, 2013

Question: I was recently discussing the sorry state of religion in Eretz Yisrael with some friends, noting that unfortunately a majority of the population consists of non-observant Jews. I expressed my view that this fact explains why Moshiach has not yet come. I avidly read your column and am anxious to learn your view of this matter. No Name Please (Via E-Mail)

Daf Yomi

Posted on: October 17th, 2013

In Our Days ‘We Do Not Seize A Surety From Minor Children’ (Shekalim 3b)

How Important Are Ethics?

Posted on: October 17th, 2013

Question: In our daily prayers we state that Talmud Torah – the teaching of Torah – is equivalent to all the other mitzvot. What, however, comes under the category of “teaching Torah”? Does someone who teaches students how to behave ethically come under the category of a teacher of Torah?

Worthwhile Wear And Tear

Posted on: October 17th, 2013

Last week Am Yisrael suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Maran HaRav Ovadia Yosef, zt"l. The greatest tribute we can give to such an outstanding talmid chacham is to repeat and share his Torah. The following article is based on a responsa of his in Yabia Omer (vol. II, C.M. #7). May this learning be l'iluy nishmaso.

Seder Night And Back Seat Drivers (Part II)

Posted on: October 17th, 2013

Continuing with our examination of Pesachim as per the Daf Yomi cycle, the Seder commences with Kiddush recited over the first cup of wine. Whereas Kiddush may be recited before nightfall on Shabbat, it must be recited after nightfall on Seder night. Unlike Shabbat and Yom Tov, on Seder night there is a requirement that each participant drink from his own cup.