Judaism

‘What more can I do to motivate the entire Jewish people to clamor and cry out, and thus actually bring about the coming of Moshiach? All that has been done until now has been to no avail. For we are still in exile.’

Is there a requirement to recite “Hineni muchan u’mezuman” before Sefirat HaOmer, also, if one arrives late for Maariv, does one count sefirah first with the minyan or proceed immediately to Maariv? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY

Don't say the holiday is over and done, but that the holiday has given us something more.

Expiation demands a ritual. Yet Maimonides does not explain why Yom Kippur demanded a rite not used on other days when sin or guilt offerings were brought.

If someone can overcome and surpass their natural inclinations in their interactions with their fellow man, they will have less trouble observing the mitzvot בין אדם למקום.

The Segula is Israel's inner Divine light planted within the collective Hebrew soul and revealed in human history through the Jewish people.

This Sefiras HaOmer period can be a wonderful time for reflection and self-growth in preparation for Shavuos. We can even do this without knowing the Hebrew terms and Kabbalistic concepts.

What we learn only through the ears makes less impression upon our minds than what is presented to the trustworthy eye. -Horace

Dovid HaMelech was able to perceive the precariousness of routine and habitual activity that could tarnish the awesomeness, inspiration, and majesty of a special moment.

Our best defence is not abstract principle but specific memory

Rabbeinu Bechaye points out there that there are a few instances in Tanach where chodesh, the month, is synonymous with the new moon at the beginning of the month.

...the only pasuk in the Torah that has the same gematria as the two words Eretz Yisroel, is the verse, Hashem Ish milchomah, Hashem Shemo – G-d is the Master of war, Hashem is His Name.

Although there is no mention of any restrictions on listening to music during sefira in any of the early halachic codes, it has become a widespread custom8 to refrain from doing so.

"A Yid has hope. This Yarmulke gave me hope during the Holocaust.”

Yehoshua was one of Israel's greatest leaders because he represented the ideal expression of the Yosef force - one consciously rooted in, guided by and completely subordinate to the Hebrew mission.

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His mother was taken aback as she had never told anyone that she was Jewish and had never said anything about Jews or Judaism, especially since her husband, his family and the whole village population hated Jews.

Ever Vigilant ‘When Unworthy, One’s Number Of Years Is Reduced’ (Yevamos 50a)

If Pesach is immediately followed by Acharei Mot that focuses on Yom Kippur, there must be a good reason for it.

Even after the people left Mitzraim, the Jews continued to see the Egyptians as their owners and taskmasters. Only with the death of their masters at Yam Suf did the Jews feel completely redeemed and truly free.

When Yom Tov begins on Wednesday night (in Galus), the eruv tavshilin ceremony is performed on Wednesday and when Yom Tov begins on Thursday night it is performed on Thursday, in each case by the head of the household.

The Rebbe in our generation added that this is not only for students of Tomchei Temimim but for every Jew. Every Jew should participate in a Moshiach seudah.

Question: Is there a requirement to recite “Hineni muchan u’mezuman” before Sefirat HaOmer, also if one arrives late for Maariv does one count sefirah first with the minyan or proceed immediately to Maariv? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY

One is obligated to make a blessing on bad news, just as he makes a blessing on good tidings.

It would be enough if we were worthy of keeping all the Torah’s commandments according to the law, without going beyond it.

No one wants challenges and painful times, but amazingly, often after people have endured such situations, they will assert that now that it happened, they wouldn’t trade the experience.

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If the ten days from Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur are Days of Awe,I would posit that the days from Purim to Passover are Days of Love.

Where Frequency Matters ‘… We Forbid Haircutting and Laundering...’ (Yevamos 43b)

Leah just called to say that they would like to come for the Seder! Mrs. Brand told her husband. It seems that her in-laws are sick. Do we have enough matzah for them?