Posted on: September 23rd, 2016

Each mitzvah and each holiday is a guide and a map

Posted on: September 22nd, 2016

The visitor does not hand over his basket of First Fruits; he first shares it with the Temple representative. This is not a ceremony of give and take but of sharing.

Posted on: September 22nd, 2016

Studies show that not only do athletes who use them improve, but so do many other people whose activities require peak performance.

Posted on: September 22nd, 2016

It seems from the Vilna Gaon and the Ra’avan that shomei’a k’oneh would not work for reciting the parshah of bikurim. But why not?

Posted on: September 22nd, 2016

Ki Tavo is so difficult to read; how could Hashem be so cruel to us? Join us as we grapple with the incredibly difficult curses of this week's parsha

Posted on: September 21st, 2016

Many commentators sense a significance to the placement of the bikkurim declaration, at the beginning of this week’s pasha, right after the injunction to destroy Amalek. What is the connection?

Posted on: September 16th, 2016

Just as Noach established and created a certain merit for himself when being saved, so too Bnei Yisrael need to do the same in order to be redeemed.

Posted on: September 15th, 2016

So if on the previous Rosh Hashanah, Shimon had a decree of a year of life, then there is nothing Reuven or any other force in existence could do to change that.

Posted on: September 15th, 2016

Since each month is aligned with a particular shevet and constellation, we can inform ourselves of the qualities of the month through them.

Posted on: September 15th, 2016

Once I learned to treat every person I meet as more than chance and as an opportunity, I was able to expand my collection of superheroes.

Posted on: September 15th, 2016

The Torah explicitly says that a husband may divorce his wife if he so pleases. How can Rabbenu Gershom forbid this practice when the Torah seemingly permits it?

Posted on: September 15th, 2016

Though related to the 10 commandments, what is the larger message that this list of laws in parsha Ki Teitzei is coming to teach us?

Posted on: September 14th, 2016

Battling Amalek presents an important warning to any Jewish military leader that there is a need to maintain a basic respect for what it means to be human, even when dealing with mortal enemies.

Posted on: September 8th, 2016

If the entire book of Deuteronomy is supposed to be Moshe's rousing speech before the nation enters Israel, how can we understand the mundane text of Parshat Shoftim?

Posted on: September 8th, 2016

When I first encountered this explanation, I took issue with it. For even if a shul’s courtyard does not possess kedushah, planting in it could still be prohibited.

Posted on: September 8th, 2016

If we succeed in developing a strong sense of justice in our homes and communities, perhaps our prayer for God to restore justice will be justly heard and accepted.

Posted on: September 8th, 2016

At the same time, a king is expected to remain humble. The Torah isn’t afraid the great honor accorded to him will bring him to arrogance.

Posted on: September 2nd, 2016

Sure, we are much better than the atheist who only sees the truth when it may be too late to start living a life of faith.

Posted on: September 2nd, 2016

A person who gives charity dolefully or begrudgingly demonstrates that his faith is somewhat wanting and he has not fully fulfilled the mitzvah of giving charity.

Posted on: September 1st, 2016

The Dovev Meisharim (chelek 1, 18:3) quotes the Divrei Chaim who says that writing all four letters of the name simultaneously is considered writing the name out of order.