The Rosh Hashanah Of Chassidus?
Halacha mandates that the anniversary of a miracle be celebrated, not only by its subject, but by his descendants and disciples in later generations.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Vayishlach: The Torah’s Mother
In one of the most mysterious verses in the Torah (Bereshit 35:8), we read about the death of Devorah the nursemaid, a character so minor that we have never really heard of her before
What Is A Woman’s Purpose?
Rachel only related to one purpose, that of giving birth, and ignored the second purpose – to learn, to become worldly wise and pious and, in the process, to bring more goodness into the world.
Act Poor
Rabbi Salanter said we must all act like poor men when it comes to matters of ruchniyus.
The Second Lubavitcher Rebbe
Immediately upon becoming Rebbe, he embarked upon the most ambitious chassidic publication program until recent times.
Time to Step Outside the Norm
We are a people bound by law as much or more than any other, our legacy also tells us there are times when those laws and norms are appropriately breached.
How Can We Sully Our Souls?
Rabbeinu Yonah, who passed away 756 years ago this week, wrote prolifically from the city of Girona, in medieval Spain, about repentance and self-improvement.
Never Stop Fighting
The challenges presented by the yetzer hara differ every day. Today the yetzer hara may be dormant; tomorrow it may wage war.
Rosh Chodesh Kislev – An Occasion To Celebrate
Speaking to his chassidim actually improved his health, much to his doctors amazement!
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Toldot: When a Son Confronts a Father and When a Father...
On the face of it, a conventional exchange between father and son, we see it nowhere else in Tanakh. Moreover both discussions take place at pivotal points in which the respective father-son relationships are tested to their limits.
It’s Never Over
The Rashbash advised the couple to name the boy Yonah, citing the Talmud’s statement that before a tzaddik dies, another tzaddik rises.
Parshat Chayei Sarah
A leader must aim to change the culture and not just temporarily affect behaviors.
Thriving With Differences
As the end of their forty-year sojourns in the desert approached, Moshe Rabbeinu, knowing that he would not lead the nation into Eretz Yisroel, requested that Hashem help him appoint a worthy successor.
Time Management
Shabbat Shalom
Shluchim – A Model For All Jews
Throughout our history, great leaders have given their disciples and others special tasks to spiritually elevate the world.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Chayye Sarah: Avraham and Eliezer, Trust and Closeness Across the Gap
Avraham, saw a world where people can acknowledge a huge and intractable gap between them, know it will not go away, and also build a strong and trusting friendship across tbe gap.
Your Attitude Counts Too
More than his guests enjoy the meal, Avraham enjoys fulfilling the mission for which he was created – to help others.
The Profundity Of Olive Oil
Chazal say (Menachos 53b) that just like an olive tree does not ever shed its leaves, so too Klal Yisrael will never be destroyed, not in this world or in the next.
Educate Your Children To Be Sensitive
After the tailor left, Rebbetzin Rivka told off her son for embarrassing the tailor. Realizing what he had done, young Sholom Ber burst into tears.
Constructive Criticism
They believe that if they inundate me with beautiful gifts, it will be difficult for me to be angry with them.
Wings of Desire
Who are these beings? Men to Avraham; Angels to Lot. Why do they play such important roles in Genesis? Why are the stories of the beginnings of humanity so rich with unfamiliar characters?
Be Different
Do we have the courage to swim against the stream? To be in the minority? To be different?
Torah Shorts: Lech Lecha: Horoscope-Proof
we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and stars,
What Merits Respect?
Avraham Avinu symbolized Toras chesed, the Torah of loving kindness. Commentaries ask: Is there a Torah that isn’t loving kindness?
Why Did Avraham Care?
When others see that serving Hashem is rewarded with material abundance, G-d’s name is sanctified. It is a kiddush Hashem.
Parshat Lekh Lekha: When We Don’t Know Our Basic History
Rashi gives us a new insight into Avraham’s relationship to Israel, seeing it as a place he went voluntarily, before Hashem told him
Was The Flood Noach’s Fault?
Noach is considered responsible for the Flood because he felt no personal responsibility for his generation.
Parents
What was Adam missing? After all, he had everything – a female companion, food, a Garden of Eden surrounding him. What was lacking?
The Deal Breaker
Rashi writes that the world was going to be destroyed because of rampant immorality. So why does the Talmud say robbery sealed the decree?
The True Measure of a Man
God doesn't need a slave to order and say: Build an ark! He could have made it in a second. God desires a partner. It is up to us to rise to that role. Noah's greatness was that he figured it out.