Outside, Looking In – Parshat Eikev
Who has not been in an uncomfortable situation where everyone seems to know everyone else except for you?
The Rebbe’s Father’s Yahrzeit (Part II)
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and Rebbetzin Chana endured those heartbreaking days with exceptional strength and fortitude.
Q & A: Kaddish Recited Properly (Part VIII)
Question: In the many shuls that I've attended I observe that there are people who recite the Kaddish silently. Is this correct? I’ve also seen Kaddish recited by some at a cemetery without a minyan is there any reason to sanction this?
Charles Rosen
Via email
Who We Turn To And Rely Upon
Though we occasionally face difficult situations, we should be optimistic about our future.
Ending Gracefully: Birkat HaMazon
The first to fulfill the mitzvah of Birkat HaMazon, according to our Sages, was Avraham Avinu.
Parshat Ekev – Difficult Mitzvot
When facing our enemies, it's often necessary to don a ruthlessness seemingly at odds with our inner nature. The 'hands of Esav' can sometimes be utilized to achieve the goals of 'Yaakov's voice.'
The Spirituality Of Listening
It is through the word – speaking and listening – that we can have an intimate relationship with G-d as our parent, our partner, our sovereign, the One who loves us and whom we love.
Heavenly Protection
The Talmud asks: The people of the city were righteous – why were they punished? Rav Yosef says it was because they did not mourn the destruction of the Temple. In the Talmud Yerushalmi (Taanis 4:5), Rav Yose adds that the people lit lights, indicating unseemly festivities.
Elul Is Fast Approaching
What if you find it difficult to forgive someone? Let’s say for example, someone caused you to lose an exciting job opportunity, or perhaps they wrecked your chances at a good shidduch. How could you sincerely forgive someone who hurt you in such a terrible way?
Hashem Consoles The Ruins Of Tzion
When Israel is redeemed from exile, Ramchal explains, the Divine Presence (Shechina) that was exiled with us rises up to be reunited with her counterpart above the physical universe.
The Birth Of Torah SheBa’al Peh: Creating Light Within The Darkness (Part I)
It is clear that we now live in the second stage of history – one of darkness, distance, and seeming disconnect from Hashem. It is also clear that this was not always the case.
Even So!
The measure of greatness is not when one performs when he's at his best, but how much he is able to produce when his resistance is low and he's not feeling his best.
Flocking Together
Mynah birds are very good at adapting to new places and ousting the native bird populations. The crows and sparrows have all but disappeared since the mynah bird invasion of our neighborhood.
Toiling For Torah
The second chapter of Pirkei Avot ends with two related teachings from Rabbi Tarfon, both centering around procrastination and productivity.
The Damaging Wave – Who Is Liable?
He turned around and saw a huge wave heading quickly towards him. Before he knew it, the wave hit the beach and crashed against the shore, spreading up the sand sixty feet. It saturated the towel and unfurled it, sopping the phones with seawater.
Daf Yomi
Deliberate Humiliation
“Take Care of My Father”
(Gittin 75b)
Q & A: Kaddish Recited Properly (Part VII)
Question: In the many shuls that I've attended, I observe that there are people who recite the Kaddish silently. Is this correct? I’ve also seen Kaddish recited by some at a cemetery without a minyan. Is there any reason to sanction this?
Charles Rosen
Via Email
Idolatry and More (Idolatry) – Parshat Va’etchanan
Ironically, our elevated holiness leaves us vulnerable to Avoda Zara.
TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Vaetchanan: Memory Power
Memory is the cabinet of the imagination, the treasury of reason, the registry of conscience, and, the council chamber of thought. -Giambattista Basile
When Strange Things Happen
Because Hashem directs the world, things that happen to and around us are more than just coincidental.
The Yahrzeit Of The Rebbe’s Father
Already from a young age, his extraordinary talents were discovered.
VA’ETCHANAN: The Power of Why
If you want to change the world, start with why.
Parshat V’et’hanan: The Power of Tefillah
As characters participating in one of history’s most incredible chapters, we focus our efforts on the specific challenges facing our generation.
A Precious Gift
Rav Shach asks: Why did Moshe Rabbeinu wish to remain in the world like an animal or a bird? He answers that every living being has a specific mission in life through which the honor of Hashem is increased and spread.
When the Broken Path Still Leads Home
There are times in our lives when we feel distant from Hashem and when we question whether or not Hashem truly cares for us, loves us, or believes in us. It is specifically at these times that we refer to Hashem as Makom.
The Power Of Why
Only in Israel was G-d seen not just as a power but as the architect of society, the orchestrator of its music of justice and mercy, liberty and dignity.
Say Thank You Before Please
The purpose of performing even the most basic mitzvot is in order that they should not be forgotten when we return to Eretz Yisrael.
Seeing The Redemption
After the many stages of return from exile and rectification of our spiritual and intellectual state, which we will hopefully encounter in the coming weeks, the last step is to repair the physical body.
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