Torah

When one reads the commandments of Shabbat as they appear in the books of Shemot and Devarim, two divergent formulations appear: “Zachor” and “Shamor.” Which one appeared on the Ten Commandments?

Most of us are familiar with the process and stages of teshuva. But how do we purify ourselves?

This problem of speech control not only affects adults but also children in Day Schools and Yeshivot.

We are meant to realize that our success hinges on working together – not just to defend ourselves but also to realize our joint mission in Hashem’s world.

Talmud Torah is not just the world’s purpose; it is also the Jewish peoples. As the mishna in Avot (2:8) tells us, If you have learned much Torah, do not take special credit; it is why you were created.

How unlikely that these kohanim, whose sole job was ministering to Hashem and to the spiritual needs of our people, would all of a sudden become masters of artillery.

First, we should work on maintaining our focus on Hashem during tefillah and kriyat shema. After succeeding at this, we should aim to think about Hashem while learning Torah and reciting brachot.

Shabbos should be so full of warmth and inspiration that our children should feel they can’t do without it.

When looking back into our history we often find examples of people being in the right time and place, and making history that gave meaning and purpose to their entire existence.

What can be greater than the crown of Torah? After all, we’re taught, “Talmud Torah kneged kulam – The study of Torah is equal to all else.”

And that may be why only we Jews who are commanded to be holy also have commands that seek to purify our hears and minds.

There was no question that when Mrs. Cohen entered the room to meet the teacher she was hostile from the outset.

The explanation that the Haggadah is alluding to is that there are two forms of prayer. One where one cries outlaw and screams out to Hashem. Then there are troubles that a person suffers with and does not even know how to verbalize and does not call out for help.

The curses that Moshe delineated in Parshat Ki Tavo were meant to deter those who would consider abandoning faith in G-d and turning to other gods.

What are the parameters and guidelines for fulfilling this commandment? How should we remember and how do we ensure not to forget?

Learn with your own Gemara so that you can write notes in it. Your Shas will become an important heirloom in the future if you do so.

After Esther hesitates due to the danger involved, Mordechai responds with sharp rebuke. He emphasizes the personal responsibility she has to use her position on behalf of her people and explains that it is, in actuality, Esther, not the Jews, whose fate hangs in the balance.

I believe that the plague of the firstborn was meant to occur at the very beginning. It was only Bnei Yisrael’s lack of faith that required nine plagues to precede it.

Why should someone who curses a parent be punished more severely than one who hits a parent?

We have to be very mindful of the lashon hara pitfalls and traps that the yeitzer hara cleverly sets for us during this pandemic.

Yosef, in interpreting the first set of dreams, performed in a manner that was clearly miraculous to all.

Anything that the Jewish people accept as holy becomes holy to our people.

In this week’s parshah, as Bnei Yisrael are about to enter Eretz Yisrael, the Torah commands us in the mitzvah of shechitah. The pasuk says,...

In some children, embellished praise can lead to narcissistic tendencies. Praise is essential, but it is essential for praise to be tempered, not extravagant.

Even if nobody sees us, everything we do is being watched and recorded on video…by Hashem. Our conscience, that part of us that makes us feel guilty if we do something we shouldn’t have, is Hashem’s loving way of reminding us that He knows what we did, and knows that we’ll feel better, and become better by coming clean and putting it right.

We are meant to work hard to support ourselves, and the amount we earn seems proportional to the effort we invest. This leads many to assume that their efforts determine their success.

In the end of the third chapter of Pirkei Avot, Rebbi Elazar ben Azariah introduces us to four pairs of interdependent concepts.

In their zeal to uphold the law, they became destroyers rather than builders.

A good friend shares one’s values, goals and sensitivities. A good friendship involves friends who can be trusted with personal information and care about helping one another.

From ancient times, the idea that animals and people can affect their surroundings with their eyes was considered perfectly normal, and even to have a scientific basis.