Daf Yomi Zevachim Daf 82

Daf Yomi Zevachim Daf 5

Daf Yomi Avodah Zarah Daf 58

Daf Yomi Avodah Zarah Daf 52

Daf Yomi Avodah Zarah Daf 46

Daf Yomi Avodah Zarah Daf 44

Daf Yomi Avodah Zarah Daf 40

Daf Yomi Avodah Zarah Daf 39

Daf Yomi Avodah Zarah Daf 38

Daf Yomi Avodah Zarah Daf 37

Orchot Tzaddikim (class 62), "Truth" part i

The class deals with defining "truth" and how it's such a Godly ideal and essential part of life. We also delve into "hitbodidut"- the importance of sometimes separating ourselves from others, in order to get in touch with our Godly self.

Daf Yomi Shevuot Daf 45

Daf Yomi Shevuot Daf 43

The Absolute Bonds Between Israel and Torah

Daf Yomi Makkot Daf 11

The Significance of Completing the Mishkan

Daf Yomi Sanhedrin Daf 96

The Message of the Red Cow, Despite All

Purim and the Priestly Garments

Ask the Rabbi: Indirect Responsibility for Theft

Ask the Rabbi: Right Pronunciation of Shehakol

Ask the Rabbi: Not Hearing Morning Kiddush

Daf Yomi Bava Basra Daf 114

Converging Customs

Ask the Rabbi: The Sick Fasting on Tisha B’av

Difficult to Understand a Rabbi’s Ruling

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: – #248

Date and Place: 29 Kislev 5670 (1909), Yafo

א, כב- "Evil Undoes Itself!"

א, כא- "Why Live in a New Yishuv?"

Bil'am Ineffective Curse – and Deadly Advice

Lecha Dodi- Changing the Tune

Ask the Rabbi: Washing Dishes with Steel Wool on Shabbat.

פרק ה משנה ב-ג

Why We Need Death and Suffering

The Difference Between Death & Suffering (Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 36) Rav Kook innovatively explains an interesting line in the Talmud which infers that death is less of a punishment than suffering, but that both are beneficial and necessary for "where we are"! This important class helps us understand some of the most challenging & difficult to understand issues of life.

Israel's International Relations in the Bible

Decisive Sentences

KDOSHIM

On Justice and the Right of Appeal – part I

Chanukah Candles, Holy Temple Candles

How the Four Places Called "Zion" are All the Same

The Ever-Flowing Spring of Kindness of the Patriarch Abraham

2. Selihot and Prayers

פרק א משניות א-ב

Ask the Rabbi: Shehecheyanu on Winning a Court Case

The Need for Torah Devotees to Write on Jewish Philosophy

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: #164 – part II

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: #164 – part II

The Deep Power of Joy

May Panim Chadashot Leave Sheva Berachot Early?

Do Panim Chadashot have to stay until Birkat Hamazon?

What constitutes chilul hashem, & kiddush hashem?

Can Maccabees and Hellinists Get Along?

For Chanuka: Rav Kook on: Adopting the Positive Without the Negative of Greek/Western Culture Chanuka is a good opportunity to study Rav Kook's detailed advise regarding how exactly to adopt the good from the Western and modern world without the problematic and negative aspects. The class gleans many sources on this central topic of Rav Kook's various books and summarizes the Who, What, Where and How of this basic issue for religious-Zionist and Modern-Orthodox Jews.

How can I trust the transmission of the Torah?

Our faith is based on 600,000 adult males who saw with their own eyes and experienced receiving the Torah at Sinai, and transmitted this to the generations afterwards. Why shouldn't we say that, just like other people had folklore and legends that they believed, we also had such tales throughout the period of the Judges and First Temple, and that at the time of Ezra the Scribe, he gathered them all together into one book that we now call the Torah? After all, the Talmud says that during his time, parts of the Torah were forgotten and he reinstated them.

Gratitude for the Land of Israel

This week's Torah portion of Ki Tavo begins with the words of appreciation that one must say when he brings his First Fruits to the Holy Temple: "I say today that I have come to the Land that G-d vowed to our Forefathers to give to us…" (D'varim 26,3). Rashi explains that the purpose of this statement is to show that we are not ungrateful. Ungrateful for what? The Maharal of Prague, in his commentary on Rashi entitled Gur Aryeh, explains...

As Lovely As A Tree

The Torah prohibits planting trees in the Beit HaMikdash, the Holy Temple. Why?

What's Fasting Got to Do With It?

A day of fasting in the Jewish calendar – such as this Sunday's Fast of Tammuz – is not one of dieting, but rather a day of introspection and teshuva (contrition and remorse). We are not fasting for something far-removed from ourselves, but rather for our situation this very day.

A Long Run

Over the centuries, very few innovations have been able to attract more worshipers or more Jews, to be of true spiritual value and of lasting quality and interest.

Daily Mishna - Demai 5, 1-2

Daily Mishna - Demai 4, 6-7

Be Wary of Foreign Influence

Ein Aya Shabbat 2, 291

Among the tannaim, R. Shimon Bar Yochai was most wary of Roman influence. His approach is especially important to modern orthodoxy who strives to take the good from the western world, and sometimes may "let down their guard".

4. The Three Oaths

Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut

The verse states: “I adjure you, O maidens of Jerusalem, by gazelles or by hinds of the field: Do not wake or rouse love until it please!” ). The Sages explain that God administered three oaths: two to Israel – not to ascend to their land forcefully all together and not to rebel against the nations – and one to the gentiles – not to subjugate the Jews excessively.

The Fateful U-Turn

A car crash occurred between Reuven and Shimon. So who is responsible?

Yirmiyahu Comforts Too

Most of the p’sukim in the early sections of Sefer Yirmiyahu, which make up the first two haftarot of the Three Weeks, consist of rebuke and prophecies of doom. Yet, they also contain sections of Nechama.

What Is the Connection Between Jews and Almonds?

How to Praise

The Sages were eloquent on the subject of lashon hara, the sin they took to be the cause of tsara’at. But there is a meta-halachic principle: “From the negative you can infer the positive”.Therefore there must in principle be a concept of lashon hatov, good speechץ

Clothing

Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 268

What is the idea behind what the Talmud teaches that we must respect clothing? Rav Kook, as always, has innovative ideas behind the topic of clothing, not just in regard to tzniut and modesty, but philosophically, as well.

The Kipa Caper

A boy got hit by a car next to Rav Moshe Fienstien's house. What was Rav Moshe's surprising response...

Even the Details of a Sickness Like Corona- Are Important

Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 250

For we, who believe that God runs the world, even the smallest details of a sickness, like Corona, are significant and meant to be noticed and analyzed. Just as Hashem speaks to us through Torah, He also does so through how He runs the world and its challenges, as well. We must utilize each challenge to grow, but our soul-searching must be within ourselves and not, as Job's friends tried, suggesting that he sinned on this or that, to deserve his sickness and tragedies. The class discusses also some of the inevitable outcomes of the Corona Covid virus.

Moving Forwards

Finding Out Late about the Presence of a Kohen or Levi

As a gabbai, sometimes I do not realize either that a kohen is present and I give the first aliya to a non-kohen, or that a levi is present and I give the second aliya to the kohen. What do we do when this is discovered?

Heter Shopping

The Seudah of a Bris

Taking Responsibility

Ki Tavo

Silence is Proper for the Wise and Sometimes for Prophets

You May Need (Israel) Glasses

A look into the story of Bilaam in this week's Torah reading of Balak which explains the importance of seeing the Jewish People and the Land of Israel with an Ayin Tova - a positive outlook.

Reciting Borei Nefashot on Food When One Will Still Drink

When I eat a fruit and drink, if I finish the fruit but will continue drinking for quite a while, when should I recite Borei Nefashot? If I do it after finishing the fruit, should I make a new beracha on the drink?

The Blessing of Love

Meat eater Pack up for Israel!

The Torah sums up the whole section about eating animals with the mention of coming to Israel. Why are these two issues connected?

Temple Sacrifices Today!

The Medrash says that the Olat Hatamid sacrifice drives the rebuilding of Jerusalem today. What is so special in this sacrifice.

When May I Ask a Non-Jew for Help on Shabbos? Part II

The Morality of Conquest

Beyond the 4 Amot

The people of Israel come to the land of Israel by conquering the land from other nations. This Parasha sheds light on the morality of our conquest.

The Kosher Way to Collect a Loan

Although it is a very big mitzvah to lend money, some people are reluctant to do so because they know of loans that proved difficult to collect. Must you lend someone money if you are not sure it will ever be repaid? What do you do if you lent money to someone who seemed very honest and sincere, but now that it comes time to repay, he informs you that he is penniless? What may you do and what may you not do to collect your money? How can you guarantee that you get your money back?

Crossing the Sea

The Story We Tell About Ourselves

The Proper Diaspora Mindset

Beyond the 4 Amot

In this week's Parasha Vayechi, there is a huge gap in the story. Ya'akov says he will tell his children what will happen to them at the end of days. Instead of revealing the plan of the final return to Israel, he blesses them. How can we explain this gap?

Beer, Oil and Honey

What Could be Wrong with the Steak?

The Torah's Stand on Land Concessions for Peace

Beyond the 4 Amot

What is the Torah's view on giving away land in order to make a peace agreement with other nations? This week's Parasha "Vayera" gives us an insight into this question.

Understanding the Shalom Zachor

Not Beyond the Sea

It’s for the Birds – The Mitzvah of Shiluach Hakein

Precisely how the Mashiach will come?

beyond the 4 Amot

The Rambam writes down how to determine who is Mashiach, and how will he come.

The Ecological Imperative

A Tefillin Shoppers Guide

How Far for Bread?

Kri’at Shema in a Whisper

As a speech therapist, I was wondering whether Kri’at Shema can be done in a whisper. In a whisper, the “z” sound is produced as an “s” and the “v” sound is produced as a “f” (and all voiced sounds become devoiced). Scientifically, this is because the vocal chords do not vibrate when whispering. Doesn’t one need vocalize to truly produce a “zayin”, “vav”, or any voiced sound, when saying Shema?

Priorities

The Haftarah for Pinchas

Should a Kohein Be Afraid of Confederate Ghosts?

From early 1843 until August 1859, the only authorized burial location within the city of Chicago was in a location then called City Cemetery. This plot also included the first Jewish cemetery in the city of Chicago. During the Civil War, this graveyard served as the final resting place for thousands of confederate prisoners of war who died in nearby Camp Douglas, which was used as a prison camp. About 145 years ago, this cemetery was closed to new burials, and many of its graves were later exhumed. Subsequently, the city constructed residential and commercial areas, city streets, and a major park, Lincoln Park, which includes a zoo and museums, atop the seventy-two acres of the cemetery. Lincoln Park and its zoo and museums are very popular, particularly as locations for family chol hamoed outings. Our halachic question is: May a kohein visit these parks or must he be concerned about the tumas meis to which he may be exposing himself?

What May I Not Write?

In Search of the Place of Matza

The preparations for Pesach intensify with Rosh Chodesh falling out on Shabbat and the reading of Parashat Hachodesh. Parashat Hachodesh is the first mention in the Torah of eating matza in connection to Pesach. Matza is presented as a food that is eaten along with the Korban Pesach and that is eaten throughout the duration of the seven-day festival. We also find that one must remove chametz on the “first day” because it is forbidden to eat chametz all seven days (Shemot 12:15).

Damages of Delay in Home Construction – part II

The plaintiff (=pl) bought from the defendant (=def), a real estate developer, an apartment “on paper.” Their contract set, among other things, a date for receiving a completed apartment. Def missed the date by a wide margin. [Much of the p’sak deals with compensation for the buyer during the delay]. During August 2014, def sent letters to buyers indicating that the apartments would be ready soon and recommending signing up their children in local schools, which pl did. The apartment was ready only in Oct. 2015. In the meantime, two of pl’s three children went to school in the new city while the family remained where they were (16 kms away). Pl demands compensation for the need to buy a second car and the price of transportation. Def argues that such damages are too indirect to obligate, that many of the claimed expenses are exaggerated, and that the legal obligations to compensate a buyer for delays at a high rate for rental is meant to cover side expenses such as these.

Confident of his Predictions or Not?

More Things to Say about "Devarim"

The p’sukim that introduce the presentation of the Ten Commandments at Sinai (Shemot 19:3-9) caused the commentaries to work very hard. The order is as follows: Moshe went up the mountain, where Hashem told him the significance of Bnei Yisrael accepting the Torah and becoming a special nation. Moshe told the elders the words (devarim) of Hashem. The nation accepted the matter and Moshe informed Hashem (pasuk 8). Hashem told Moshe that He would be coming to speak to him in front of the people so that the people would believe in Moshe. It ends off: “Moshe told (vayaged) the words of the nation to Hashem” (pasuk 9).

Looking for a Way Out

Condensed from Ein Ayah, Shabbat 8:15 - 17

The Gemara now looks at various Aramaic words, seeing them as (informal) contractions of two words

When May I Remove a Tree?

Part II

Part II

OIL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

Physical Fear, Moral Distress

Vayishlach 5779

Vayishlach 5779

Undercover Mitzva

Emotional Intelligence

The Right to Back Out of a Sale – part I

The plaintiffs (=pl) wanted to buy one of the apartments that the defendant (=def) was building for 650,000 shekels. Pl gave def 15,000 shekels as d’mei retzinut (earnest payment) and the sides signed a memorandum stating that if def did not go through with the deal, the money would be returned; if pl would back out, def would keep the money. Subsequently, pl invested money into the apartment, paying def for building changes they requested. Two years after the original agreement, def told pl that he would not sell them the apartment, blaming pl’s behavior and lack of cooperation. Pl sued def for breach of contract, a sum of 440,000 shekels, arguing that not only had his investment in the apartment been lost, but that while waiting for the apartment to be ready, home prices went up nationally dramatically. The matter was taken to a different beit din (some of the ruling will be discussed below), but the sides agreed that Eretz Hemdah should review it in a binding appeal process according to Eretz Hemdah’s appeal rules (we overrule rulings only for mistakes in Halacha or clear mistakes in facts of the case).

Is this Considered a Mixture?

Some details of the Halachos of Ikar and Tafeil

Some details of the Halachos of Ikar and Tafeil

The Halachos of Pidyon Haben

What Upset the Kadis in Cyprus?

Disputes Between Neighbors over Rights in a Building

The plaintiff (=pl) bought an apartment on the second floor of a building in which the defendants (=def) previously bought a ground-floor apartment. The courtyard on the left side of the apartment is of interest to both pl and def but to no other neighbors. There are three basic disputes between the parties about their mutual rights. Each which will be discussed for one installment. Dispute #1: Pl claims that before he bought his apartment, def gave him permission to build new steps and an entrance into his apartment through the courtyard. As pl prepares to get municipal permission to build, def has decided to oppose this. Pl would not have bought the apartment and will not stay in it without this addition, and so the abrogation of the agreement caused him damage. He demands that def either rescind their opposition or pay significant damages. Def admit to a conversation about the steps but denies agreeing. They claim that they did not protest because they did not realize they had the ability to do so.

Intriguing Purim Questions

Carrying Him Home

The First Psychotherapist

Responsible Jews

Since parshas Netzavim alludes to the agreed covenant of one Jew being responsible for others, it is an appropriate time to discuss the laws and rules of what we call areivus.

Why Be Jewish?

Poetic Controversies

Influence and Power

Descartes’ Error

The Pursuit of Peace

Judaism’s Three Voices

The Power of a Leniency to Show Honor of Torah

Rav Huna said in the name of Rebbi: It is prohibited to insulate cold things on Shabbat (Rashi – to protect it from being warmed by the sun), But we learned in a baraita that Rebbi permitted it (Rashi – for we do not decree to prohibit this lest people come to insulate things to keep them warm)!? It is not a contradiction. The first statement (where Rebbi was stringent) was before he heard from Rabbi Yishmael in the name of Rabbi Yossi, whereas the baraita was said after he heard from Rabbi Yishmael in the name of Rabbi Yossi. For Rebbi was sitting and stated that it is prohibited to insulate cold things. Rabbi Yishmael son of Rav Yossi said: “But my father permits it!?” Rebbi responded: “If so, the elder has already ruled upon it [and I retract my ruling].”

Various Kindling Kwestions

Trapping on Shabbos

Would the Bnei Yisroel have been permitted to trap arov on Shabbos?

(Daf Yomi- bava metzia 93(5776

On Ethics, Education of Children, and Inter-Personal Relations

Our parasha deals primarily with Yitzchak, the son or Avraham and Sarah, whose education was at the top of Sarah’s interest. Many parents, in fact, leave no stone unturned to ensure that their children have excellent educations. They pay for good schools, look for a good atmosphere, and try to protect them from dangers of all sorts. For better or for worse, though, the most important factor in their success is the personal example the parents set.

THE COMING OF THE CUBS ­ AND THE MESSIAH

To Renew our Days

What if I goofed and said Tikanta Shabbos by Mistake?

Question: In the middle of davening Musaf on Shabbos Rosh Chodesh, I realized that I was reciting the Musaf for a regular Shabbos rather than the special Musaf for Shabbos Rosh Chodesh. What should I have done?

Tzaar baalei chayim

In Chutz La’aretz, this week parshas Balak is read, and in Eretz Yisroel, this is one of the rare years when we read parshas Pinchas before the Three Weeks. Since both parshiyos include allusions to tzaar baalei chayim, I present: Tzaar baalei chayim

Earthware and Earthenware

The Heart of Jewish Unity

(Daf Yomi- kiddushin18(5776

Remembering Amalek – When?

Wanted Dead or Alive

Daf Yomi- gittin50

The Necessity of Questions, Chutzpah and Rebellion

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 34

The G-d of History doesn't make mistakes, so today, these questionable qualities must be utilized as beneficial.

Of Umbrellas and Eruvs

When Erev Pesah Falls on Shabbat

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

The Laws and Customs of Erev Pesaĥ

Chapter Thirteen-Part One

Chapter Thirteen-Part One

Koshering the Kitchen-Part Two

Chapter Eleven-Part Two

Warming Trays (Shabbat “Plata”s) Microwave Ovens Dishwashers The Dining Table The Refrigerator and Kitchen Cabinets Pots, Skillets, Silverware, and (Non-Earthenware) Bowls Blenders and Mixers

Days on Which Tachanun Is Not Recited

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

The Laws of Reciting Shema

Chapter Fifteen-Part Four

Chapter Fifteen-Part Four

Who is the True Redeemer?

Soaps and Cosmetics Kosher for Passover? (And a review of Pesach laws)

How to manage the cosmetics and medicines issue on Passover.

Daf Yomi- Yevamot 55

A Return To The Sabbath

What is the Bracha Magen Avos and should we recite it on Yom Kippur?

Where is the bracha of Magen Avos first mentioned? What is the bracha Mei’ein Sheva? On what occasions do we omit reciting the bracha Mei’ein Sheva?

Bishul Akum Problems in the Home, part II

Mrs. Goldman calls the non-Jewish babysitter, Jenny, to apologize for the delay and asks her to find something in the freezer to warm and serve the kids. Jenny finds some blintzes, places them on ceramic cookware and pops them into the toaster oven. That evening, when Rabbi Goldman returns from Kollel, Mrs. Goldman tells him about her frustrating commute home. Rabbi Goldman realizes that they may now have a kashrus concern in their house.

Daf Yomi - Taanit 23

Yerushalayim Was Not Apportioned to an Individual Tribe

Re-Entering the Mikdash

Hirsch At Your Table

A brief Dvar Torah on the Parsha, based on R. Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Torah Commentary

Daf Yomi - succah 16

havdala

Running Out of P’sukim after the Second Aliya

A Universal and a Particularistic

Essentials of Tochachah - admonition

Is there a mitzvah to admonish someone when I know that he will ignore me or if there is a chance he will become my enemy?

My Vows I Shall Fulfill

Can performing a mitzvah become a liability? What does it mean that I am doing something "bli neder?" "When I attended a Gemara shiur on Nedarim, I got the impression that performing hataras nedarim requires having a talmid chacham deliberate over the specific neder, until he concludes that there are grounds to release the neder. This seems to have no relationship to what we do on Erev Rosh Hashanah." "My friend Billy Nader says bli neder on almost everything. Is this being too frum?"

Unfathomable Greatness

Jewish revenge

We cannot kill all of our enemies nor punish all of those who rise against us. But in our existence and continued intellectual, physical and spiritual development do we refute all of their hateful, false accusations and nefarious plans.

Separating Challah when the Owner is not Observant

Gazing Through the Glaze

Is food glaze Kosher?

is it forbidden to eat apple peels, because they are coated with a treif, waxy substance? Is shellac glaze Kosher?

Torah for Human Beings

The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (13) - Ki Tisa

The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (13) - Ki Tisa

The ‘Ark’ of an Eternal Teacher

Wrong Way Collision

part I

part I

Making a Beracha before Separating Challah

Before we begin, it is important to note that the word challah was used above to mean two completely different things – the bread we serve on Shabbos and Yom Tov, and the consecrated portion that we separate from dough. To avoid confusion, whenever I use the term "challah" for the rest of the article, I will use it only to mean the consecrated portion.

The Impact on Their Surroundings

Derech Cheirus

I have acid reflux, and as a result I never drink any alcohol, since it gives me severe heartburn. I also have difficulty tolerating grape juice, which does not agree with me. Am I required to drink either wine or grape juice for the four cups at the Seder?

The View of an Artist

Does He or Does He Not Want Our Korbanot?

The Firing of a Teacher

part I

part I

National Elevation

Question Parashat Vayishlach

Mezuzah Mysteries – or Is this really a doorway?

In modern residences, many rooms are not entered via doors, but through entranceways. Do these entrances require a mezuzah? In order to answer, we need to explain when a doorway requires a mezuzah.

Close to the City

Emor

Tzav

A Sales Contract Signed by Only One Spouse

The Spiritual Message of Mayim Acharonim

Observing a Colorful Lifestyle

The whats and whys of Chodosh?

Daf Yomi - Avoda Zora 34

Eating before Yom Kippur

Bridging the Generation Gap

Right verses Might

The Book that Moses Wrote

Genuine Zealotry

Serving the Community

Going To Peace

Jacob Arrived Whole

Daf Yomi - Sanedrin 61

Can We Offer Korban Pesach Without the Beis HaMikdash?

History of the argument if we can bring a Korban Pesach without the Beit Hamikdash? Explanations of both sides.

Daf Yomi - Bava batra 108

The First Day Of School

Some Contemporary Bishul Akum Curiosities

A summary of laws of "Bishul Akum" - non Jewish cooking.

Daf Yomi - Baba Metzia 114

May I take a Nice Hot Shower on Yom Tov?

May I take a Nice Hot Shower on Yom Tov?

Yitzchak as the continuation of his mother Sarah's life

Hatzalah and Radios

May one carry a Shabbat Radio on Shabbat when no emergency exists in order to be available if one does? The differences between kli she'me'lachto l'heter and kli she'me'lachto l'issur. Carrying the radio on shabbat where there is no Eruv.

The Connection Between Chanukah and Sukkot

Parashat Nitzavim-Vayelech

Sfirat Ha'Omer & Shavuot

Who Were Amalek’s Targets?

Parashat Ki Tetze

Parashat Ki Tetze

The Laws of the Nine Days

When the month of Av arrives, rejoicing should be minimized. A Jew must therefore avoid undertaking construction projects from which pleasure will be derived. Also, transactions should be minimized and one must refrain from consuming meat and wine.

Ma Tovu Ohalekha Ya’akov

Parashat Balak

Parashat Balak

Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook - A Biographical Overview

Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook served as Head of the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva for thirty years. During these years, an entire generation of students was nurtured upon a philosophy which combined the Torah of Israel, the nation of Israel, and the land of Israel.

Our Mentor, Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda HaCohen Kook zt”l

R' Tzvi Yehuda taught us that the State of Israel is not just some formal body designed to preserve the nation. Rather, the very existence of the State has divine worth; it embodies a significant stage in the redemption as envisioned by the Prophets.

Land of Milk and Honey

Parashat Korach

Parashat Korach

In Your Blood, You Shall Live

Parashat Acharei Mot

Parashat Acharei Mot

Another Look at Malchuyot, Zichronot, and Shofarot

Birkat Kohanim

Parashat Naso

Parashat Naso

Chanukah - An Eternal Light

Unlike Greek thought, Judaism teaches that all of man's actions possess value and make an impression upon the heavens and earth - momentarily and eternally. The morality of man is not mere courtesy; our commandments are not some external performance.

Prisoner Exchange in Jewish Law

The Sages of the Mishna teach: "Captives should not be ransomed for more than their value, for the sake of the general welfare." The enactment of such a law was necessary in order to keep kidnapping from becoming a lucrative trade.

Prayer in Trying Times

If one receives Torah without possessing humility there is a chance that after receiving it he will forget that a great yoke rests upon him to exert himself on behalf of the Torah, to grow and develop in Torah.

Three Themes in our Parashah

Parashat Ki Tavo

Parashat Ki Tavo

Brothers From "One" Father

Parashat Re'e

The "Mitsva" of "Lo Titgodedu"; Rashi's explanation to the "Mitsva"; Rambam's explanation to the "Mitsva"; Seforno's explanation to the "Mitsva"; The "Midrash" of chazal to this pasuk is connected to Seforno's understanding in the pasuk.

The Exile

Parashat Massei

The punishment of exile for a murderer; If the murderer has a rabbi then the rabbi exiles with his student; G-d "exiled" with us to the "galut", but now that we came back to Israel the "shekhina" stays only in Israel.

The Flight from Transgression

Torah Leads to Caution

The Sages are well aware that a mere gaze can eventually lead to promiscuity. A wise person keeps his eyes to himself and knows better than to put himself into a situation which will demand overcoming his baser drives.

Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudey

Shmot Draws to a Close

Genesis; Torah=Strength; Shabbat

As Shavuot Approaches...

Parshat Bamidbar

A Time and Place Happy Birthday Reliving Matan Torah