Judaism

One may reach the level of realizing they know nothing, but only in a particular area and on a given level. There is still the next level, and this has not even been touched. The person does not know enough about the next level to even realize their ignorance.

Throughout the Tanach some of the most intense encounters between the prophets and G-d are represented as courtroom dramas.

What makes Shabbos a root mitzvah, why is its punishment so severe, and why do we see it as the measuring stick for all of Torah observance? What is the secret of Shabbos?

Initially feeling very overwhelmed is normal for a caretaker. It is, after all, often a 24/7 obligation, often with no light at the end of the tunnel.

It is for this reason that the halachos of mourning are relaxed somewhat after chatzos, the time of day when the Holy of Holies was burning to the ground. It signifies, to some extent, a mo’ed, because the Shechinah was freed to be with us in exile all these many years.

When someone is subjected to the same experience day and after day, no matter how awe-inspiring, terrifying or intriguing it is, eventually it becomes trite and loses its intrigue. Eventually it becomes nothing more than background noise.

The key question is whether they can be done in a different, more modest context. It would seem to me that nowadays the scenario of "no other route" is very uncommon. Myriad options are open to us, and we must avail ourselves of them.

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Hashem yearns to come home. Hashem yearns to see all His children united and coming to pray in His house right here in Jerusalem.

Chava’s sin, born of frustration at her husband’s lack of diligence, was thinking she could create life without involving Adam or even Hashem.

A “small-world connection” to be sure but this knowledge is not the surprise that Hashem yisborach had awaiting me.

Forever After? ‘Obligated for Challah and Not Terumah’ (Kesubos 25a)

Once you gave notice that you are terminating the rental early, argued Mr. Tanenbaum, you gave up whatever rights you have in the apartment. I disagree, said Mr. Mandel. Until we return the property to you, we retain the usage rights!

Question: Where I live, I see Chabad Shluchim offering Jewish passerby the opportunity to put on tefillin; is this of any value if they are otherwise non-observant? Additionally, is doing so in a street – a public thoroughfare proper – kavod for the tefillin? Menachem Via email

Torah coupled with good deeds is the ideal form of life.

The Rebbe also explains that every Shabbos is a me’ein of L’osid Lavo – a reflection of the time of Moshiach, when it will be Yom shekulo Shabbos, a continuous and perpetual Shabbos.

The special connection between the six days of the week and Shabbat goes both ways. Shabbat, too, is influenced by the content of our week.

A person must constantly be happy and serve Hashem happily.

While Israel was obligated to drive the British from our soil, the Torah's approach to the "Palestinian" question might actually be more complicated.

When we offer fervent heartfelt prayers to Hashem lamenting our estrangement and beseech Him for our redemption, we will inspire Hashem to redeem us speedily.

On April 11, 1944, a young Anne Frank wrote in her diary: Who has made us Jews different from all other people? Who has allowed...

“I have learned much from my teachers and even more from my friends, but from my students I have learned most of all” (Taanit 7a). 

The Jewish People were indeed on the loftiest of levels — a state that we can hardly imagine. They had just witnessed earth-shattering miracles and received the Torah from Hashem Himself on Har Sinai.

In every phenomenon the beginning remains always the most notable moment. -Thomas Carlyle

All social institutions in a free society depend on trust, and trust means honoring our promises, doing what we say we will do.

Shlomo also said, I praised the dead who had already died (Kohelet 4:2). Because there is no understanding among the living.

Let’s look with this eye at the backdrop of the scene for Kabbolos HaTorah. What was the background when Hashem gave the Torah to the Bnei Yisrael at Har Sinai?

All these mitzvot are in order that the poor people of your town be able to eat. I see it as doing a ‘reset’ once in seven years, he says.

During my late teen years, on one occasion I went with a few friends to a theme park on Chol HaMoed and brought a knapsack full of stuffed animals from my house. Once we entered the park, I took them out and walked around holding them.

One of the appellations given to Jericho in the Bible is Ir HaTmarim, “the City of Dates.”