Judaism

Soldier Learns the Entire Tanach in 100 Days

Sivan Rahav-Meir Sivan Rahav-Meir

He related that when he was called up for reserve duty, he tried to think of something that would be spiritually fulfilling, and decided that whenever he’d have some spare time, he’d study Tanach with the commentary of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz.

Daf Yomi

In Print Rabbi Yaakov Klass

A Dog’s Life ‘Raising Dogs Is Like Raising Pigs’ (Bava Kamma 83a)

Painting Yourself into a Corner – Parshat Bo

Parsha Rav Yitzchak Korn

Which was painted in blood first, mezuzot (sides of the door frame), or top of the doorpost?

Q & A: Tu B’Shevat: The Hidden And The Revealed

Ask the Rabbi Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: Tu B’Shevat is soon upon us. I am intrigued by the fact that Tu B’Shevat, also known as the New Year for Trees, is in the middle of the month and not at the beginning of a month as all the other New Years. Even the gentiles begin their New Year at the start of a month. Do you have an explanation for this? Pesach Bernstein Via Email

Alter Rebbe, Baal Hatanya (Part III)

In Print Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman

During the war between France and Russia, Rabbi Schneur Zalman espoused the Russian cause, and through the cooperation of his followers proved of great service to the Russian High Command.

Revitalizing Our Prayers (Part Twenty-Two)

Parsha Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss

As we are asking Hashem to favor our prayers, we must know that after we do a mitzvah it is a special time of favor to ask Hashem for something.

Tu B’Shvat In Challenging Times: Confidence About The Future Rooted In Appreciation Of The...

In Print Rabbi Reuven Taragin

Tree planting in the modern state of Israel also embodies and expresses our appreciation of our return to Eretz Yisrael.

Bo: Israel’s Internal Transformation

The Hebrew Identity Rav Yehuda Hakohen

What were the necessary steps for Israel to develop a national consciousness ahead of leaving Egypt?

Torah Shorts: Parshat Bo: How Shepherds Destroyed the Sheep god

Parsha Rabbi Ben-Tzion Spitz

A civilization is destroyed only when its gods are destroyed. -E. M. Cioran

Mercy And Judgment

Parsha Avraham Levitt

Once the corruption has been removed from the Land and the exiles have been gathered, unified in the service of Hashem and freed from foreign occupation, then Yerushalayim and the other holy places can be rebuilt as they were in ancient times.

The March Of Folly

In Print Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l

That is the context in which we should read the story of Pharaoh and his advisers. This is one of the first recorded instances of the march of folly. How does it happen?

Old Fights – Are They Water Under The Bridge?

In Print Rabbi Simcha Feuerman

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?

Redeeming Relevance / Rabbi Francis Nataf Rabbi Francis Nataf

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

In Print Rabbi Shimshon HaKohen Nadel

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

In Print Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser

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)

In Print Rabbi Ari Enkin

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)

In Print Rabbi Shmuel Reichman

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

In Print Rabbi Dani Staum

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?

In Print Jewish Press Staff

Learning Kabbalah before one is proficient in the basic knowledge of Torah is like learning calculus before one knows basic arithmetic.

Parshas Bo

In Print Rabbi Yaakov Klass

‘Armed’ In The Dark

In Print Eliezer Meir Saidel

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

In Print T. Gestetner

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?

In Print Rabbi Meir Orlian

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

In Print Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Unkosher Tefillin From A Kosher Animal! ‘Shechita Does Not Permit the Meat’ (Bava Kamma 76b)

Don’t Assume – Parshat Vaera

Parsha Rav Yitzchak Korn

Hashem doesn't operate according to human presupposition.

Wasn’t Moshe a Prophet?

Redeeming Relevance / Rabbi Francis Nataf Rabbi Francis Nataf

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

In Print Rabbi Yaakov Klass

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)

In Print Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman

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

In Print Rabbi Reuven Taragin

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.