Parshas Eikev: One Step at a Time
A practical suggestion towards making a reality of the Mitzvos behind the meaning of the word “Eikev": Write down the two Mitzvos-going to a Beis Midrash, and going to Eretz Yisrael-on a piece of paper and hang it on the fridge. Each day, look at it and ask, “What have I done today in order to try and make these Mitzvos more of a reality?”
TORAH SHORTS: Guarding the Guardian: Parshat Ekev
Who will guard the guards themselves? -Juvenal
The Litmus Test Of Yiras Shamayim
In a very real way, davening is one of the final frontiers of Jewish life. Many learn a lot, engage in significant charity and have fine families, but their prayer is still very subpar.
Bonding With Hashem
It is difficult to understand why prayer not in fact a definitive mitzvah in the Torah.
Redeeming Relevance: When the Torah’s Answer to Good, Bad or Indifferent is Yes, Yes...
In other words, it is not our strength at all that gives us the victory, but the workings of God.
Not Forsaken
Hashem is our go'el, our redeemer. The congregation of Israel was banished from the marital home because she had betrayed her Divine husband, but He never severed from her and He has been waiting for her repentance so that she could return.
Does The Shema Command Us To Speak Hebrew?
It is interesting to note that the Shulchan Aruch in Orach Chaim (Chapter 307) rules that whereas it is not appropriate to read certain types of literature on Shabbos, if they are written in Hebrew, they may be read on Shabbos.
Eretz Yisrael: A Place Beyond Place: Parshas Eikev
"I want the very best." That's what we tell ourselves, isn't it? As human beings, we understand that there is a spectrum of quality...
What Did Omri Casspi Tell Me?
At some point, I stopped and said to myself: 'Wait a minute, what is going on with me?' I felt a sense of obligation and began thinking: I represent something, but I know nothing about what I represent.
Hidden Potential
I just learned that all the gold in the world is not equivalent to the magnificence of one word of Torah. How foolish I was to sell fifty percent of my Torah ... for his gold coins.
Torah Shorts: Parshat Vaetchanan: Written in Stone
Constitutions should consist only of general provisions; the reason is that they must necessarily be permanent, and that they cannot calculate for the possible change of things. -Alexander Hamilton
Double The Punishment, Double The Reward
The Esh Kodesh teaches that each of us has an aspect of the Divine in us when we make moral choices to act or refrain from acting in certain ways.
Jealousy’s A Hungry Heart
It is a matter of perspective - do you look at G-d or at yourself? To look primarily at oneself is to always want more, to covet.
Our Love of Hashem – In the Shema
The word meodecha in reality does not mean money. Rather, the word meod means ‘very much,’ as in the phrase tov me’od, it is very good. Thus, when we say that we are loving Hashem b’chol meodecha, we mean with all that is the very most dear to us.
Happy 110th Birthday
Apparently, she is the oldest woman in Israel. So we came to celebrate with her, with the aunt who always fascinated us with stories about the pioneers, the different waves of immigration, and the beginning of modern settlement in our land.
The Three Haftarot Of Rebuke – Part III: As I Sit In Darkness,...
It is sometimes difficult to understand, but when Hashem is “angry” at us or punishing us, He is acting out of love for us because He knows that we have to improve.
The Lion And The Fox
The second Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred, represented by the fox, which the sages saw emerging from the ruins. With the cunning and guile of a fox, the evil inclination instigates and stimulates baseless hatred, dissent, and strife.
Why Does Yirmiyahu Refer To Tisha B’Av As A Festival?
The Vilna Gaon told his disciples that Moshiach will come after the majority of the Jews in the Diaspora come to Israel. Thus, every Jew who makes aliyah hastens Moshiach’s coming, thereby transforming the fast of Tisha B’Av into a feast.
How Should We Listen?…
As if Our Life Depended on it
Kneeling For The Mother Of 12
When grandmother grew up and had children of her own, another chapter of self-sacrifice began.
TORAH SHORTS: Two-Time Sorcerous Loser: Parshat Matot-Masai
An error is the more dangerous in proportion to the degree of truth which it contains.-Henri Frederic Amiel
A Diary Of Life
Included in this list are the incidents that took place at some of these encampments where the people saw the Hand of Hashem take care of their every need and desire.
Watch Your Words
One can be held accountable for any words his lips utter, even when he makes a statement and says bli neder (that he has no intention of making a vow).
The Crown Of A Good Name
I think we would suggest that a person who lives righteously deserves to be honored. But Ben Zoma knows human psychology and he knows that just because we see a person behaving properly doesn’t mean that we will honor the person.
The Three Haftarot Of Rebuke (II) – The Message Of Yirmiyahu, The Vision Of...
It is a consolation to Yirmiyahu, although perhaps a small one, that he is also given many of the most explicit and moving visions of the ultimate redemption.
The Link Between Pinchas And Eliyahu Hanavi
Life works the way that education works, which is about moving up from level to level as one matures and becomes more intelligent.
RABBI Wagensberg: PARSHAS PINCHAS: “Life Begins at 50”
Have a Happy and HEALTHY Shabbos!
Taking Responsibility
Only someone out of his mind would disparage and spurn someone for no reason at all.
What I Learned At A ‘Defeat Party’
The road to any success is no less important than the success itself.
The Three Haftarot Of Rebuke (I)
For Everything There Is A Time And A Moment