Not On Bread Alone

Rejoicing the Rain – Shabbat Chol HaMoed Sukkot

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

Unlike a regular celebration where one hires professional performers, the entertainment in Simchat Beit haShoeva was provided by the Gedolei Hador – the tzaddikim and wise men of the generation.

Crust And Crumb – Parshat Eikev

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

When we go shopping, we stock our pantries for a week or more and go to bed in the secure knowledge that at least when we wake up the following morning, there will be food to eat.

Who Is Worthy To Build The Mishkan?

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

It is possible to teach a child a Divine crash course in metalwork or stone masonry overnight, but you cannot give a crash course in childlike innocence.

Happy Hotline – Tazria

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

Even more curious is the latter part of the Midrash – to prevent becoming afflicted with the nega’im, what should one do? Eat, drink and be happy! Have a continual party – that is the remedy!

Professional Happiness – Parshat Re’eh

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

A genuine smile is a form of energy, an inner light radiating out from the soul.

A Swig And A Smile – Parshat Chukat

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

Why did Hashem tell Moshe to take the staff if He wanted Moshe to speak to the rock? Why open a possibility for Moshe to sin?

HKB”H, in most circumstances, tries to minimize the shame caused to the sinner... With lashon hara it is exactly the opposite. The entire procedure is deliberately made as visual and as public as possible.

A Lot vs. Everything – Parshat Vayishlach

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

Our Sages say that if you want to understand the heart of a matter, you read the bottom line.

It’s Not About The Sheep

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

So what then is this business about preceding their infants with the sheep? If the sheep were meaningless to them, why did they mention them first?

What The Mann Was All About

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

While the mann was an enormous chesed that Hashem did for Bnei Yisrael in the midbar, its main purpose was to be a lesson in faith.

Frog’s Bread

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

Our Sages say that the reason we whisper the above blessing in Hebrew is that we do not want to openly flaunt a blessing we “stole” from the angels.

Bread And Torah – Or Torah And Bread?

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

Instinctively, one would think the Torah is more important because it is the reason for the existence of the entire world.

Fruit And Shopping Lists – Parshat Ki Tavo

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

Everyone willingly and eagerly went to the Beit HaMikdash, even for two olives and two figs, because when they brought the bikkurim, they could ask Hashem for whatever they wanted, and it would be granted.

Of Trees And Men – Parshat Shoftim

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

Since the Tree of Knowledge had sinned and not obeyed Hashem’s directive, by all rights it should have been uprooted and destroyed, but that is not what happened.

A Swell, Sweet Year – Nitzavim

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

We have minhagim to eat various different symbolic foods on the night of Rosh Hashana, somewhat resembling a Pesach Seder. There is one minhag, however, that is universal throughout Am Yisrael and that is eating apple dipped in honey. What is the origin of this minhag?

Two By Two – Kedoshim

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

If someone can overcome and surpass their natural inclinations in their interactions with their fellow man, they will have less trouble observing the mitzvot בין אדם למקום.

A Mother’s Blessing – Chayei Sarah

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

Instead of Avraham donning his “superman cape” and praying to Hashem for help, he defers all responsibility to his wife, Sarah. Avraham seems powerless and totally dependent on Sarah for their salvation.

Taking Challah – A Cornerstone Of Creation – Parshat Shelach

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

The mitzvah of hafrashat challah is from the written Torah, and like all the mitzvot related to the Land of Israel, applies only in Eretz Yisrael and only when the majority of Am Yisrael resides there.

How Tardiness Destroyed The Mikdash

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

Chava’s sin, born of frustration at her husband’s lack of diligence, was thinking she could create life without involving Adam or even Hashem.

Why Is Sukkot ‘The Festival of Our Joy’?

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

The first place that Am Yisrael traveled to after leaving Raamses in Egypt was Sukkot. If we go with this method, that Sukkot was a place, then what was so special about the place Sukkot that warrants us remembering it and celebrating an entire festival around it (according to R’ Akiva)?

Material And Spiritual In The Beit HaMikdash

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

Chazal say that the Menorah is a blessing of spirituality. It represents the light of the Torah.

Did The Ancient Israelites Build The Pyramids? – Parshat Shemot

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

This fact seems to indicate that we did not build the pyramids, as it is unlikely the Egyptians would have fed enormous amounts of meat to their slaves.

The Story Of Avraham, Lot, and Mashiach Ben David

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

Even when they part ways because of the tiffs over grazing land, Avraham promises to always be there for Lot in time of need. He makes good on that promise when he takes on the world “superpowers” and rescues Lot from captivity.

A Lavish Lunch – Vayeira

Not On Bread Alone Eliezer Meir Saidel

After preparing the delicacies, Avraham then waited on the guests, serving milk, butter and the three tongues in mustard sauce. The Malbim says that first Yishmael served the milk and butter and after that, Avraham served the meat, to separate milk and meat according to halacha.