Old Fights – Are They Water Under The Bridge?
The Shalah says the world’s water was never fully connected at creation, because in potential they would ultimately be separated, while Maharal says they had a natural draw to be connected to each other.
Why Can’t God Get More Involved?
The experience of the generation that came out of Egypt shows us that the clarity we think we so much want from God would actually hurt us more than it would help us.
The Prayer For The Welfare Of The State Of Israel
Throughout Jewish history, Jewish communities have composed texts on behalf of everyone from the King of Spain to the King of England to Napoleon. Depending on how kind the ruler was to the Jews, sometimes the prayer took an ironic turn, asking for protection from the King!
Survival
Hashem revealed to Chabakuk the foundation of creation that keeps a person strong in any situation. It is our primary exercise and endeavor in the service of Hashem.
A Verse For Your Name (Part II)
One who has more than one name should recite a verse that corresponds to both names. Others, however, are not particular to do so and suffice with a verse corresponding to one name.
Living With Emunah When The Light Fades (Part II)
As human beings, we uniquely possess free will. We can know for a fact that something is wrong, and yet choose to do it anyway.
A Timeless People
When I reflect on that amazing trip, our visit to Abayei and Rava was unquestionably the greatest highlight of all. Although at the time it didn’t seem so significant, when thinking back to it, it was an extremely emotional moment.
Is It Proper For The Average Person To Learn Kabbalah?
Learning Kabbalah before one is proficient in the basic knowledge of Torah is like learning calculus before one knows basic arithmetic.
‘Armed’ In The Dark
Unlike the Egyptians, who couldn’t see and couldn’t move, for Am Yisrael there was light in their places of dwelling (Shemot 10:23).
Refrigerators For Sale
And you can’t find a technician in your neighborhood to repair your fridge? Reb Moshe asked. Try to get someone else to come down.
I tried! the man protested. I called a few, but no one was available. Look, he said, I need my refrigerator for Shabbos, or my food will go bad. Please! I’ll pay you double!
Are Heirs Responsible To Pay Deceased’s Debt?
When someone is niftar and leaves debts or liabilities, what is the halachic liability of the heirs or next of kin to cover them from various assets of the estate – real estate, movable items, forthcoming loans, bank accounts, life insurance proceeds, etc.?
Daf Yomi
Unkosher Tefillin From A Kosher Animal!
‘Shechita Does Not Permit the Meat’
(Bava Kamma 76b)
Don’t Assume – Parshat Vaera
Hashem doesn't operate according to human presupposition.
Wasn’t Moshe a Prophet?
Moshe’s complaint to God is that even though he would have the best human understanding of the Divine will, he had difficulty bringing it down to regular people.
Q & A: World Reaction To October 7 Is No Surprise
Question: How has it been that in such a world where we are but a very small minority, and after so many generations though the world keeps changing, yet the Jew remains and is the same constant whipping boy? What is the miracle of our survival?
Gedalia Estra
Via Email
The Alter Rebbe, The Baal Hatanya (Part II)
A man of lesser stature as a Talmudist could not have undertaken such a mission, for the opposition included some of the most illustrious scholars of the time.
A Lot Of Happiness
Happiness is a natural result of living life the way it should be – of being the people we ought to be, following the road map provided by Torah and halacha. It cannot be a destination but is instead a result of the journey of an inspired life process.
The Two Faces Of G-d
We should try, to the best of our human ability, to grasp the essence of Hashem and emulate it.
Va’eira: The Divine Revelation To Humanity
The ten plagues were part of a deliberate process to educate not only Egypt and Israel but also humanity.
Using The Secular Calendar
While one may not intend to imbue the secular calendar with any religious significance, the prohibition of Do not follow their statutes (Vayikra 18:3) includes mimicking gentile customs or practices that have no explicit reason, as they may have originated among idolaters (see Rema, Yoreh De’ah 178:1, citing the Maharik).
You Can Lead The Horse To Water, But You Cannot Make Him Say Tashlich
Rabbi Akiva said: For what reason did the Torah say that a thief who slaughtered or sold a stolen animal pays the fourfold or fivefold payment? It is because he has become entrenched in sin by slaughtering or selling the animal he stole.
How Did We Get To This Place?
I hear my mother’s voice, in the final years of her life, that she sees her childhood visions haunting her. The world is on fire and we are sleeping, she would insist over and over again.
The Birth Of History
The aspect of G-d that appears in the days of Moses and the Israelites is radically different, and it’s only because we are so used to the story that we find it hard to see how radical it was.
Beginning Of Redemption
Certainly, Hashem has the power, if He wills it, to bring about redemption in a sudden fashion, as He did in Mitzrayim. However, if after our many centuries of exile we are still not worthy of redemption in our own merit, there are natural processes at work in the universe that will bring it about inevitably.
Torah Shorts: Parshat Vaera: Know Thy Name
The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names. - Chinese Proverb
Sun and Moon
Team Work
The first two plagues should have convinced Pharaoh that these were the work of G-d, not the work of magic.
A Thirty-Minute Discussion
One should be galvanized and inspired to plead to the Omnipotent Hashem to be saved from any challenge in any situation. One should never despair of begging for kindness and compassion from the All Merciful.
Revitalizing Our Prayers (Part Twenty-One)
We say, Shema koleinu Hashem Elokeinu – Listen to our voices, Hashem our G-d. The name Hashem denotes the attribute of rachamim, mercy, while the name Elokeinu is the attribute of din, strict justice.
A Verse for Your Name (Part I)
It is explained that each child was taught his specific verse because it began and ended with the first and last letters of his Hebrew name.
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