The Importance And Meaning Of Jewish Names
All things are equal, we should certainly pick for our children purely Jewish names. Even the surnames should be distinctly Jewish.
Triumph Over Pharaoh And The Spiritual Levi
Apparently, it was not only Moshe but the entire tribe of Levi who were, astoundingly, not subject to Pharaoh’s persecution. Why was that?
Tread Carefully
When someone makes an unsubstantiated argument, it is impossible to counter it with a logical explanation. That would imply that the two opinions are of equal value.
Knowing G-d As He Metes Out Punishment
Our true salvation and our joy doesn’t come from the downfall of the wicked.
Parshas Va’eira: Which One Will You Feed?
We each get to choose who we will become. Let us be inspired to straighten the bent path
Sh’mot: The Revolutionary Lawgiver
After despairing of a slave revolt, did Moshe seek to create a new nation in Midian to replace Israel?
And After This Our Exile
The Sefardim and Ashkenazim read different portions for the haftara this week. These portions seemingly have little to do with each other or with the parsha.
Divine Compassion
Our Sages tell us that all prayers make a strong impression in the Heavens and are answered. It is possible, however, that one may need to wait for the answer or may not understand the response.
Liel
Ever since the funeral, thousands of people began to perform wonderful deeds in her memory – from distributing Shabbat candles and challahs throughout New York City to holding large havdalah gatherings for passersby in Jewish neighborhoods.
Mishnah Yomis – A Rare and Valuable Opportunity
Learning of mishnayos is one of the greatest protections one can do against the possible future punishments of Gehinom.
Parshas Shemos: The True Meaning of Greatness
As Einstein famously said, "if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing it's foolish". We cannot compare ourselves to someone else, as we are completely different people.
Vayehi: Demystifying The Tribes Of Israel
What are the individual contributions of each Hebrew tribe to Israel's national collective?
The Way Of All The World
What is the way of all the world? Naturally, we live and then, after a while, we die, leaving this world behind.
The Goal Of Olam Haba (Part II) – Actualizing The Afterlife
When the wicked Bilaam asked a request for himself, he said, “May my soul die the death of the righteous and may my Afterlife be like theirs.” Even the wicked Bilaam knew the reality of the Afterlife.
TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Vayechi: Jewish Grand Unified Theory
What ever disunites man from God, also disunites man from man. -Edmund Burke
A Moment In Gan Eden
What is that great good that is accrued in Gan Eden? The Ramban notes that if one would collect all the physical enjoyments of a lifetime, it would not compare to one minute of pleasure and satisfaction in the World-to-Come.
Parshas Vayechi: Finding Your Role Within the Cosmic Symphony of Life
If we analyze them closely, we begin to realize that Yaakov wasn't simply blessing his children, he was showing each of them their unique purpose, their unique mission.
The Holy Brigand and Rabbi Yochanan’s New Beit Midrash
The alchemy of teshuva: Turning lead into GOLD.
Vayigash: Recognizing Yosef
Did Yosef use the famine to bring his family down to Egypt in hopes of implementing an alternative approach to the Hebrew mission in the Diaspora?
The Goal Of Olam Haba
We know from our great tzaddikim that it is beneficial and meaningful to stare at the lights of the menorah. One of the reasons is because it helps us to actualize in our minds the reality of the afterlife.
Hearing Within the Darkness
On a national scale, one day, we will see how centuries of tragedy were actually bringing us closer and closer to our ultimate destination, similarly, on a personal level, the same is true for each of us;
Living Spiritually
Yaakov Avinu wanted to see what kind of life Yosef was living, and he knew that if he saw Yosef face to face he would immediately know whether his spiritual being still lived.
For The Confused Of The Time
Rav Amiel invokes the verse from our haftara in a discussion of the nature of chosenness, which he understands as a unique burden placed upon the people of Israel. A set of responsibilities as opposed to privilege.
The Hasmoneans Of Our Generation
All they knew about her was that she was an older immigrant from the former Soviet Union. And then they discovered who she was: Ruth Alexandrovich, the famous prisoner of Zion.
Chanukah Thoughts From A Gadol
They sing a little, eat a little something, but fail to see what the holiday is teaching us: It's about the power of individuals and the power of faith.
A Heartfelt Chanukah
The Mishkan is the blueprint for the Jewish home.
I See A Menorah All Of Gold
There’s a temptation for earthly leaders to believe that events unfold as a result of their decisions, the exercise of their power.
Lighting Up The Night
Nowadays every home has its own menorah, some with one for every person in the household, to dispel the darkness of each individual – big or small, rich or poor, religious or not yet religious, highly intelligent or unlearned.
Mikeitz: Egypt’s Hebrew Viceroy
Did Yosef seek to transform Egypt into a civilization built on Hebrew values that would repair the world?
The Obfuscation Powers Of The Yetzer Hara
It is the job of the G-d-fearing person to combat the blinding attempts of the yetzer hara at every turn of our life.