Ki Tetzei: The Rebellious Son
The Talmud asserts that the rebellious son of the verse below never existed and never will. Nonetheless, the Torah relates this law to advise parents in the most difficult of issues – raising children. To Rabbi Avigdor Miller, zt”l, the law and its lessons help reveal Israel's greatness.
TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Emor: Humility and Pedigree
It is indeed a desirable thing to be well-descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors. -Plutarch
A Leopard Can’t Change Its Spots, But A Man Can…
The answer to this question is based on one of the greatest shortcomings of man – self-limiting beliefs.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Mikeitz: Was it Good for the Jews?
Is this the only question we should ask?
Parshat Toldot
Abraham Lincoln didn't hold a grudge. In 1862 when he visited General McClellan in his house to discuss strategy and was ignored by the general, Lincoln took it in stride.
Blink Of An Eye
His predecessor had heard from many dignitaries urging Shalom Morchechai’s release but did not act.
Moshe And Generation M(idbar)
Moshe’s punishment described in the parsha is most tragic. He was chosen to redeem the people, he loved them dearly and personally sacrificed so much for them.
Naso: Adding Godliness To Our Lives
In Parshat Naso, we are introduced to what seems like a hodgepodge of miscellaneous laws. Why is the Torah bringing these up together?
Purity In An Impure World
The year is coming to a close, and we now find ourselves in the final month before Rosh Hashanah – Elul. As we know,...
The Question Of Sacrifices
Outside of the High Holidays, Pesach is probably the most celebrated biblical holiday for the majority of Jews.
Achdus
I take pride in being a disciple of the Rebbe. I love everything about Chabad Lubavitch and the wellsprings of chassidus.
Living Between the Lines – Parshat Naso
There are three very unique personalities we meet in this week's Parsha.
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.
Pesach – Season Of Emunah
Historically, one of man’s greatest shortcomings has been taking credit for Hashem’s work. Only too often does a man find success and, in his arrogance, feel his power and his might created his empire. The Torah warns us, Remember: it was Hashem who brought all this to be.
Vayeira: Looking Back
Hashem offers a gift of the greatest proportions: teshuvah. To paraphrase Rabbi Avigdor Miller, zt”l, with teshuvah, no sin is too large -- and without it, no sin is too small.
It’s Not Fair!
Before Hashem created the world, He thought (if it could be) to create it with the middas hadin – strict justice.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Bo: When the Lights GO OFF
How did the Jews find grace in the eyes of the Egyptians, receiving gifts from their Egyptian neighbors as they left, when they were perceived as the source of all the plagues and destruction?
Parashat Ki Tavo
The more we realize our obligation to Hashem, the greater the joy will be when we fulfill that obligation.
For The Love Of Money
Klal Yisrael was living in the desert. They neither worked for a living nor had any use for money. All their needs were taken care of.
Moshe’s Three Prayers
At the end of his exhausting second 40 day effort, again without food or water, Moshe was rewarded with a command to hew new tablets, as Hashem accepted his petition and forgave them.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Netzavim
The Netziv’s point: Self-assessment should be based on who we are, not based on who our neighbor is.
There’s Nothing Profound About Melancholy
Rebbetzin Yemima Mizrachi: "We live in a joy-challenged society. Today, joy must be learned. It is precisely joy, which everyone treats lightly, that requires serious consideration on our part."
The Most Important Book You’ll Ever Read
One of the most important books you will ever read is your autobiography.
Prophecy, Certainty, and True Religious Struggle
As Avraham and Yitzchak went to the ‘Akedah, we admire their fortitude, not their faith, their having found the will to carry through on an enormously difficult task. Humans want to live; we all the more so want our children to live, especially a child who is the long-awaited answer to prayers, the one Hashem had promised would continue this parent’s ethical and religious revolution.
Reciting Shema Before Tefillah
Rashi in Shabbos 9b writes that the reason why the tefillah of Ma’ariv is a reshus is because it was instituted corresponding to the burning of the eimurim from the korbanos – which was performed at night.
Parshat Vayechi
December 1862 was a terrible month for Abraham Lincoln.
Individuality And Commonality
It may be suggested that a time frame of separation is mandated to heighten the physical encounter.
Love Will Conquer All
A man is approaching. Do I smile and nod, or do I look the other way? He’s looking at me; do I turn my head to respond or do I look out at the trees?
‘Amen’ – Not A Simple Word
A person who responds “Amen” with all his might…has the power to open all the gates surrounding Gan Eden.
Completing His Father’s Journey
The call to Abraham, with which Parshat Lech Lecha begins, seems to come from nowhere:
“Leave your land, your birthplace, and your father’s house, and go to a land that I will show you.”
