Torah

When a person says, ‘I don’t have anything,’ the malach intones ‘Amen.’ So in order to thwart this, I say, ‘Zolst yah haben – You should have,’ so that the Amen should apply to my blessing as well.

“Sav” is related to the Hebrew word “seivah,” and both these words form the basis of “saba,” which means “old man” or “grandfather.”

We should not need gifts from flesh and blood or their loans, unless we realize that they are really coming from Hashem’s hand which is full, open, holy and bountiful.

Rabbi Wertheimer writes that "ayeh" is used when one has no inkling where something is, while "eifo" is used when one does have a general sense of where it is.

Even a cursory reading of the pesukim leaves the reader in awe of the speed Avraham exhibited in performing the mitzvah.

The Rebbe says that Noach trained himself to see the good in all people, and therefore he was even able to see the good in the degenerate people of the generation of the flood.

In American society, wealth and power are the goals, while modesty and diffidence are impediments to success.

Another word for dust, mentioned above, is “avak.” Rabbi Pappenheim argues that afar is run-of-the-mill dirt while avak is finer dust.

G-d, as it were, requires man’s assistance in revealing His presence in the world. Avram’s job was to spread G-d’s message in a world where He was obscured by idol worship.

After everything is analyzed, fear G-d and hearken to His mitzvos for that is all of man.” Walking with G-d is the ultimate achievement.

If G-d miraculously ensured that all the animals came to Noach, why make him responsible for bringing them into the ark?

Did you ever notice that the Ten Commandments only address one character trait? “Thou shall not be envious.” Isn’t that amazing?! The Ten Commandments...

The Vilna Gaon argues that man stopped resembling G-d in the generation of Adam’s grandson Enosh when idol worship began to develop.

My wife and I live in Israel now. This has been our lifelong dream. This is where we belong! This is where we want to be!

If we have fallen short, does that mean we shouldn’t dance with the Torah? Of course not. What it does mean, however, is that when we hold onto the Torah, it should be with a renewed commitment to spend more time with it during the coming year.

The first person to die in Tanach is Hevel, who is killed by his brother Kayin. Kayin’s name comes from the concept of acquisition.

In what manner was Aharon distinguished? Why were Klal Yisrael protected with Clouds of Glory in his merit?

Each time, as I behold the majesty of our beautiful land of Israel, I wonder: How is it possible that some of our people cannot see what I see – the miracle of the existence of the State of Israel?

The Malbim argues that “asifah” connotes bringing inside what one has gathered, while “kovetz” connotes gathering without necessarily bringing inside.

Righteousness is man’s natural state; sinfulness, in contrast, is considered unnatural. Therefore, a wicked person who repents is viewed as “returning” to his natural state.

We mention “songs” first because before we ask Hashem for blessings in the future, we must first thank Him and sing praises for all the things He’s done for us in the past.

In a more hopeful explanation, the Ohr HaChaim suggests that the pasuk is presenting alternative options that lead to repentance.

“Whom am I kidding? I’ve been promising to be better in these areas for the last decade.” Doing teshuvah almost seems like an exercise in futility.

Some Jews have a custom to greet others on the first night of Rosh Hashanah with the words “Le’shanah tova tei’katev ve’tei’chatem le’alter le’chaim tovim u’le’shalom.

“Selichah” also refers to a type of liturgical poem, or piyut, characterized by begging for forgiveness.

Rabbeinu Bachya gives another reason. He says breaking a glass recalls the breaking of the first luchos. The first luchos, which were given in front of millions of people, ended up in smithereens.

Why would Hashem cause Iran to pick a fight with the most powerful nation the world has ever known?

Being happy is a vital and necessary component in the performance of mitzvot.

He was also more of a moderate, not relying on the zealous methods of his teacher, but on a more pragmatic approach.

Administered property by doctors, marijuana could be a samah shel chaim [potion of life]. Freely used by people at large, it could well be a samah shel maves [potion of death].