The Megillah Of 5777
Donald Trump’s election was a complete surprise to many. In fact every poll predicted that he would lose. How were they all so wrong?
Finding The Blessing Within The Curse
In a more hopeful explanation, the Ohr HaChaim suggests that the pasuk is presenting alternative options that lead to repentance.
Return To Sender
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.
Shabbos Mevorchim Teves
Our Jewish calendar is based on the lunar year, and Rosh Chodesh, literally the head of the month, occurs when the moon renews itself. It is a holiday — in that we daven mussaf, just like on Shabbos and Yomim Tovim, we do not conduct fasts, and the pious among our people eat a special seudah. Traditionally, women do not sew on Rosh Chodesh and refrain from performing heavy-duty tasks.
Meeting With Parents
There was no question that when Mrs. Cohen entered the room to meet the teacher she was hostile from the outset.
The Purpose Of Terror
Given the potential for kaparah, we must understand how to properly utilize this time of Bein Hametzarim, which begins in a month’s time.
The Ninth Day Of Chanukah
If the Maccabees found enough oil to last for one day, then why was the first day considered a miracle?
Q & A: Gerut During Sefira (Part I)
QUESTION: I have received the good news that I am going to be accepted as a full-fledged member of the Jewish people. The Beit Din informed me that the gerut will become effective a short while before Rosh Chodesh Iyar (late May), during Sefirat HaOmer. Do I continue to count Sefira after my gerut as I have been doing before it? I was told that a similar topic was previously discussed in this column. Perhaps you can help me with my specific situation. Avraham b. Avraham(via e-mail)
It’s Time To Unite
We tend to justify and idealize this division with pride attributing these tendencies as demonstrating a higher level of kedushah.
Good Vs. Evil
Anyway he gave it a try and got in the car and sure enough… the car started! He was surprised and asked the old man, how did you know what to do?
A History of National Responsibility
Unlike the two and a half tribes, when we walk in front of G-d, we must be perfect in our motivation
Q & A: Hachana (Part I)
QUESTION: Is it halachically permissible to pack on the Sabbath or Yom Tov for a trip to be taken on the next day?Moishe HalberstamBrooklyn, NY
The Power of Kedusha
Hashem told Moshe that the miracle of the staffs would remove the complaint that Bnei Yisrael still had.
The ‘Left’ And The ‘Right’ In Israel
On the opposite side of the spectrum you have the “left.” These are the people who essentially believe that Israel is a modern country that should not be guided by its ancient Torah and traditions.
Don’t Believe What You See
The beginning of the parsha is startling in its simplicity: see the blessing and the curse in front of you and choose the blessing.
Pre-Commitment Devices
Even though we generally abstain from taking oaths nowadays, figuring out other ways to up the ante and solidify our commitment is essential.
Chillul Hashem Alert!
Right or wrong, we need to be sensitive when trampling on others’ peace and quiet.
The Old Man And The See
“Sav” is related to the Hebrew word “seivah,” and both these words form the basis of “saba,” which means “old man” or “grandfather.”
Torah Video From Israel for Parshat Naso (ENGLISH)
JewishPress.com presents two weekly Parsha video series in English made in Israel by young rabbis determined to reach out to inspire the world from...
Hashiva Shoftenu K’varishona
There are great accolades and rewards promised for one who judges honestly.
The Mouse Is Smarter Than Me: Preparing For Rosh Hashanah
It is hard to believe that Elul is upon us and that the Day of Judgment is only one month away. In a short 30 days we must face our Creator and have our deeds evaluated in the hopes of a receiving a merciful blessing for a good and healthy year. We spend the month of Elul focused on repentance, and we learn the holy books of mussar to inspire us to grow and change.
Believing In Our Children
A leader that has lost faith in his people cannot lead his people and conquer the land of Israel.
A Prerequisite Confession
In order for a person to properly confess a sin he must first feel that he is great. He must have an appreciation for himself and his self-worth.
Not Pleading The Fifth
Let me say at the onset that I do not consider myself to be a sufficient role model when it comes to kibbud av v’eim – the 5th commandment; I humbly acknowledge my abysmal failures and inadequate performance of this critical mitzvah. However, I do detect a perilous and alarming trend, whereby performance of this mitzvah is spiraling to its lowest levels, threatening the very essence of the foundation that has sustained us over the past five millennium.
Are We Sure We’re Fighting L’shem Shamayim?
Rabbi Natan Tzvi Finkel argues that Moshe’s continual attempts to resolve the conflict teaches us that the prohibition applies even after the other party rejects an attempt at reconciliation.
Diversity: The Uniqueness Of Our People
Diversity in Judaism is common in our history and liturgy. One can visit many synagogues and observe that the order of davening and the text of siddur vary from shul to shul. When I'm in Israel I often attend the services in a Sephardi shul where the prayers and the sequence of taking the Torah from the ark and replacing it are vastly different from what I'm accustomed to.
Who Are Our leaders?
Some are people whose leadership ability certainly do not match their piety or their religious commitment. But our rabbis still recognize these as reputable leaders of our people.
Respect For All
Though the worship of God and our underlying relationship with Him are implicit in this text, the stress is on our relationship with people.
Close For Comfort
What does it mean to be close to somebody else? One way is to be physically near them, but another, more spiritual way is to try to learn from them and emulate their good qualities. When the Torah instructs us to make ourselves close to, or cleave to Hashem, it doesn’t mean by trying to get to heaven in a rocket ship! Rather it means to think about Hashem and emulate His qualities of kindness, patience, fairness, etc. That is the real measure of how close a person is to G-d.
Haman Of 2018
Parshas Zachor follows, as Amalek will resurface before the geula, reminding us that we must rid ourselves of wrongdoing and teshuvah.