Daf Yomi Zevachim Daf 84

"BUYING LAND/HOMES IN ISRAEL"

Avraham's "elaborate" and prolonged give-and-take to acquire Chevron has important eternal and practical messages, especially for the many New-Yorkers recently considering buying homes in Israel!

Beans, Fear & Simchat Torah: A Spiritual Recipe for the Heart & Soul

Rav Kook's innovative explanation of why lentils should only be eaten once a month, but not every day, deals with the difference between Yom Kippur and Sukkot/Simchat Torah, and the (rare) place for fear of death & punishment, as opposed to awe and love, which are our primary stress.

Tree Tastes Like the Fruit

Rav Kook explains why the Abarbanel (Dvarim 16) writes that just as Pesach celebrates Am Yisrael, and Shavu'ot- Torat Yisrael, Sukkot represents a microcosm of Eretz Yisrael! The common denominator between many aspects of the holiday and her mitzvot is that the ideal world, as was meant to be created, is to have taste in the tree (preparations), and not just in the fruit, an essential greatness in Eretz Yisrael and the Sukkah, where even the mundane is holy.

Daf Yomi Avodah Zarah Daf 60

Daf Yomi Avodah Zarah Daf 59

Daf Yomi Avodah Zarah Daf 51

"ISRAEL DEFENDS MANKIND"- P' Dvarim- Shabbat Chazon/Tish'a bAv

his week's parsha as well as Megillat Eicha suggest an innovative answer to the age-old question: "Does the leader make anti-Semitism or does anti-Semitism make the leader?", which we ponder on Tisha bAv. Understanding Galut (exile) can precisely help us understand the bizarre coalitions of anti-Semites we see today in the streets and universities of France, England and New York. To realize the historic & international mission of Israel to defend mankind by fighting immorality and those who oppose the traditional family, religion and nationalism, represented by the Jewish-Zionist State who leads (and even doubles!) the western birthrate. Even though we still lack the Beit HaMikdash, thank G-d we are no longer in Galut, and lead the defense for morality and tradition, and fight the wars of Hashem.

Daf Yomi Shevuot Daf 28

Reassuring His Parents – #314 – part I

Date and Place: 23 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo

Date and Place: 23 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo

Daf Yomi Sanhedrin Daf 99

Daf Yomi Sanhedrin Daf 94

P'ninat Mishpat: Unsuccessful Transfer of Yeshiva – part I

based on ruling 82138 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

based on ruling 82138 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

Parashat Hashavua: A Look Beyond Time and Space

A Public Letter on Observance of Shemitta – #287 – part I

Date and Place: 4 Nisan 5670 (1910), Yafo

Date and Place: 4 Nisan 5670 (1910), Yafo

Rav Kook on Rabbis & Leftists Who "Refuse to Serve" the IDF

(Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 60)

Rav Kook deals with the various opinions in the Talmud & rishonim of whether Uriah, the first husband of Batsheva, was deserving of death as a Mored b'Malchut (disobeying the king's authority). Rav Kook deals with the importance of the checks & balances which necessitate both a strong Jewish government and army, as well as a strong and moral Sanhedrin. He also deals with how every Jewish government, whether a king appointed by prophets, or judges (like Joshua, Gideon, the Maccabees, etc.) accepted by the people, or democratically elected governments all have a similar status regarding the obligation to respect and follow the law, and accordingly, both the "anti-Bibi" refusing pilots, as well as the Haredim who similarly don't follow the law of the land to serve in the IDF's milchamet mitzvah of self-defense, are severely sinning, especially during time of war, and at a time that the IDF is more than willing to meet all of the religious needs, in order to fill the present void of thousands of combat soldiers. They may even have the law of Mored b'Malchut!

Ask the Rabbi: Switching Mantels Back on Shabbat

Ask the Rabbi: Changing Diapers in the Proximity of Sefarim

Daf Yomi Bava Basra Daf 161

Ask the Rabbi: An Avel Attending a Seudat Hodaya

Daf Yomi Bava Basra Daf 49

Hearing the Sounds

"If Haredim Should Serve in the IDF, So Should You"

IDF Service for Young Jewish Men from America

In short, Israel today is preoccupied with the urgency of drafting many thousands of lacking combat soldiers into the IDF, especially after so many of our best boys have recently fallen or been wounded. Many point the finger at Haredim in this context, especially those who are not really learning Torah full-time, where there is no halachic justification for them whatsoever, not to observe this great mitzvah. On the other hand, it's about time that someone point out that this obligation of Milchemet Mitzvah applies equally to all of the healthy Jewish boys living in America, as well, especially those working or studying in universities. This extremely "readable" yet scholarly article suggests much food for thought, and can potentially be a game-changer for many readers, regarding many issues in this period of Achdut, anti-Semitism and sincere soul-searching & reassessment in the Jewish religious & Haredi communities both abroad and in Israel. Please forward it to as many people as possible!

Parshat Pinchas & Chukat: A New & Innovative Look at Moshe's Sin (easy Hebrew)

12 different commentaries differ with Rashi regarding Moshe Rabbenu's sin, that it's not simply that he struck, rather than speak to the rock to bring out water. This class deals with why it's so unclear and what is the "secret" explanation of the Shadal which is the only commentary which answers all of the difficulties and questions here

א, יד- Thankfulness- The Basis of Torah

(part B) of Ayn Aya Shabbat I, 14

Ayn Aya Rav Kook's Classic Commentary on the Aggadic Portions of the Talmud

The Teru’ah of the King

What Makes Jerusalem Special

פרק ה משניות ב-ג

Liminal Space

Conversion Conundrums

The Consolation of Lighting the Menora - Rav Kook at the Third Shabbat Meal

Repercussions of a Sale that Turned Out Not Happening – part I

(based on ruling 83045 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

(based on ruling 83045 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

On Body, Spirit, and the Connection between Them

פרק ב משניות ד-ה

נדרים א', א'

Passing the Taste Test

To Live a New Life!

You light up my life

Arvut and its Meaning

Whose Pronunciation Should the Oleh Use?

What’s in a jewish name?

The Third Player in the Contest Between Good and Evil

Shofar Blowing during the Silent Amida

The Greatness of Humility

Who Breached the Contract? part 3

Based on ruling 81087 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

Based on ruling 81087 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

Sanctifying the New Month & the Land of Israel

We read in this week's Torah portion of Bo that G-d gave Moshe and Aharon the following commandment: "This month [Nissan] shall be the first of the months of the year for you" (Sh'mot 12,1). It is from here we learn the laws of how the rabbinical court sanctifies the new months and determines the holidays accordingly. One of these laws, as taught in Tractate Sanhedrin, is that this mitzvah may be performed only in Eretz Yisrael.

Daily Mishna - Shabbat-3-6_4-1

Daily Mishna - Maaser Sheni 3-12-13

Returned from the Next World

From the book The Father of Israel

"I’ve brought a family member here who experienced clinical death this week and saw the rabbi in the Heavenly Court above,” said the man. Rabbi Eliyahu didn’t appear to get excited about what he had just heard.

Rabbi Uri Zohar

It’s difficult for someone who’s not Israeli to understand the impact of Rabbi Uri Zohar. Uri Zohar was the leading actor of his generation, the leading film producer and the leading stage producer all rolled up into one person. In 1977 he made a life change and became a Torah scholar and a highly influential Rabbi. He passed away at the beginning of June 2022

Birkat Kohanim in a Shiva House

I was surprised to find, in a shiva minyan, an avel who did Birkat Kohanim. I didn’t know whether to tell him that I had never seen this before. Was it okay that he did so?

A Tale of Two Fathers

After his first Shabbos ends with an unspeakable tragedy, Shimon Ilan’s resilience & faith paves the way for an unexpected friendship and inspires Yaakov Shwekey’s latest hit song Ein Davar Ra.

Daily MIshna - Kil'aim 5, 2-3

Daily Mishna - kil'aim 4, 3-4

Daily Mishna - Demai 5, 9-10

Daily Mishna - Demai 2,5 - 3,1

End of days and final redemption

The Labour of Gratitude

God creates the cure before the disease. This is the key to understanding Terumah and the Mitzvah of the MIshkan.

Life’s Loose Ends

With typical Torah irony, the parsha of Vayechi – “and he will live” – is centered around death. Both Yakov & Yosef, two of the greatest personalities in all of Jewish history, will pass away in this final sedra of Sefer Bereisheit.

What Is the Procedure for the Torah & Haftora Reading This Shabbat?

Family Complications

The story of Joseph and his brothers reveals both the strengths and weaknesses of mortal beings and a family structure.

1. Where to Light

Chapter 13: When and Where to Light Hanuka Candles

The Sages state: “Ĥanuka candles should be placed at the doorway, outside the home. One who lives on an upper floor places them in the window facing the street. In times of danger, it is sufficient to place them on the table”

6. Family Participation in the Mitzva

Chapter 12: Lighting the Hanuka Candles

One should try to gather the entire family for candle lighting, so that everyone can hear the berakhot, answer “amen,” and witness the lighting.

In a Heartbeat

Mordechai Sultan woke up with chest pains. Hatzolah was at his door in less than 30 seconds. How did they get there so fast at 3:30 in the morning? And why were they carrying the specialized equipment that saved his life?

It's Snow Coincidence

An amazing story on how Hashem is always watching over us and helping us out.

1. The Status of the Minor Fasts Today

Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts

The Jewish people observe all the fasts, even in the intermediate situation, and therefore all Jews are obligated to fast on these days.

A Conversation with Hasham

We recognize that in many ways our father Abraham is an innovator. we find that our father Abraham is also the first human being recorded as having a normal conversation with his Creator.

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.

Properly Channeling the Desire for Spirituality

The holiest day, Yom Kippur, and its preceding day contain apparently polar opposite elements – the firm requirement to fast on Yom Kippur and the requirement to eat on Erev Yom Kippur. When one eats then, it is equivalent to one who fasted both days. What is the nature of this dichotomy?

After Corona

I certainly feel it is safe to say that for most of Israel and its citizens, the year of Corona has passed. However, we are all aware that the year of Corona has left indelible scars on the population of our country.

The land of Israel

The land of Israel has always posed a problem for the Jewish people. On one hand, it is and always has been our national homeland. On the other hand, the record of the Jewish people in the land of Israel, and their behavior and attitudes, has often been a spotty one.

“Zichron Teruah” – On Judgment and Mercy

he term “zichron teruah” in describing Rosh Hashana among the holidays in our parasha, is a special term, which very likely refers to shofar blowing. But zichron, meaning remembrance, does not, at first glance, have a clear meaning.

What Happens When Purim Falls on Shabbos?

When do we distribute shalach manos and matanos la’evyonim on different days? When do we distribute shalach manos and matanos la’evyonim on different days? When do we distribute shalach manos and matanos la’evyonim on different days? How can one bensch on the Purim Seudah without saying Al hanissim?

Light in Dark Times

Royalty

A New View of the Sin of the Miraglim

Why Don't Jews Want to Make Aliya

Why is it that throughout history, from Avraham Avinu, to Egypt, to the M'raglim, to the time of Ezra, and until today, most Jews don't want to make aliya? This sharp question, pertinent to this very day, will davka help us understand the secret and the beauty of Eretz Yisrael! Aliya is not just a problem of having "guts", but even the most motivated religious-Zionists who intend to and would like to make aliya, deep down have difficulty believing how my connection to God and His Torah is really improved by being in a particular place. We tend to think that spirituality is not connected with the physical. This sheur shows 6 "contradicting" midrashim, which, upon analysis, helps us understand the problem & the secret beauty of Eretz Yisrael.

Redeeming a Firstborn Donkey!

Davening in Front of a Mirror

Is the prohibition against davening in front of a mirror or reflective glass a chumra or a serious halacha?

The Chanukah Miracle

Was the song "Ma'oz Tzur" written for Chanukah?

The Halachos of Pidyon Haben

Salting on Shabbos

Progress at its Own Pace

When Shlomo married the daughter of Paroh, she brought with her 1,000 musical pieces and told him: “This is what they do for this idol, and this is what they do for that idol,” and he did not criticize her.

The Space between Us

A House Full of Sefarim and a Fully Blue Garment

Korach came with two claims against Moshe (Bamidbar Rabba 18:3): Could a house full of holy books require a mezuza? Could a garment that was fully techelet (a shade of blue used in the strings of tzitzit) require tzitzit? Indeed there are two types of complaints that we have been dealing with, generation after generation, and they have broken Israel into splinters and caused discord.

Freedom Needs Patience

Zera Yisrael

We have been dealing, over the last few weeks, with ideas to help integrate olim from the Former Soviet Union into Israeli society as full Jews. A group with a real obstacle is children of Jewish fathers and non-Jewish mothers. They are, of course, not Jewish unless they undergo conversion. Yet, it is our opinion that we should not look at them as if they have, in the meantime, no connection to the Jewish People. The great majority were treated as Jews in the Soviet Union, where a citizen’s nationality is determined by his father, not his mother. As a result, they suffered from anti-Semitism. How shocked were many, upon arriving in Israel, to find out that halacha does not view them as Jewish and that they cannot get married here?

Non-Edible Oils for Lighting the Menorah

Double Wrapping Food in a Treif Oven

I know that sometimes when warming something in a not kosher oven or a milchig food in a fleishig oven, he double wraps the food. When is this necessary and why?

Eating before Kiddush

As a nursing mother, I sometimes get very hungry or thirsty between when I light candles and when my husband comes home from shul. When this happens, is it permitted for me to eat or drink?

A Man of Fear of Sin

Ein Aya Shabbat CHapter B Paragraph 172-3

Rabbi Simon and Rabbi Elazar were sitting. Rabbi Yaakov bar Acha passed by. One said to his friend: “Let us stand up before him, for he is a man who is fearful of sin.” The other one said to him: “Let us stand up before him, for he is a man who is a son of Torah.”

We Are The “Choshen” People

Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank

Delayed Chanukat Habayit

Hakarat Hatov – The Heart of Our Religion

On the Children of the Giants

The Minchah Prayer

Chapter Twenty Four-Part One

Chapter Twenty Four-Part One

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

Korbanot – The Passages of the Sacrificial Offerings

Chapter thirteen-part one

Chapter thirteen-part one

Birkot HaShachar – The Morning Blessings

Chapter nine-part one

Chapter nine-part one

One Who Must Relieve Himself While Praying

Chapter five-part one

Chapter five-part one

Hanukah Lights and Jacob’s Small Vessels

A Teacher’s Responsibility for Theft of Phones

VAYETZEI

Undoing Mistaken Early Acceptance of Shabbat

SHOFTIM

The Sin of the Spies - Today

The Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael) is not the problem of Jewish existence – the Land of Israel is the solution.

Keeping Kosher - Eating Out

Travel Formations

Hirsch At Your Table

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

It’s About Time - Bein Hashemashos

About Bein Hashmashot, the impact on important mitzvot, how will it affect the time of the bris? Dovening Minha, Shabbat, Rosh Hashana, the Gra and Rabbeinu Tam.

Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef ztl

Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef served as a magnetic core that bridged communities, differing customs and varied historical and socialexperiences and events

Tasteful Wood

Sparks of Teshuva (5) - Ideas From Orot Hatshuvah

Why do trees don't have the taste of their fruit, what is the analogy to our lives and how is this related to Teshuva?

Appreciating Tashlich

A deep understanding of Tashlich and the connection to the 13 Attributes of G-d.

Daf Yomi - Pesachim 31

When to be Angry?

Anger According to the Rambam

The Rambam explains that Moshe Rabenu's sin in the waters of dispute [Mei Meribah] was anger. A person should stay completely away from anger, but there is a place behavior like anger.

May I Daven in English?

People, who cannot read Hebrew at all, have no choice but to pray in the language that they can read and understand. However, anyone who can should accept the challenge of studying the prayers a bit at a time, gradually thereby developing both fluency and comprehension

A Layman's Guide to some Halachic Aspects

What do I need to bring to a wedding? Who escorts the bride and groom down the isle? Finally, a short step by step birds eye view of the Jewish wedding.

Praying with the Heart, Not with the Mind

Daf Yomi - Shabbos 51

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.

Large Families - The Jewish Ideal

Altough it would seem that the larger the family, the less the parents can give, studies show that the Jewish Ideal of large families contributes to better education and to a happier life.

Ask The Rabbi Vayechi

The procedure for lighting Hanukkah candles

The order of lighting the Chanukah Candles, with the blessings, "Hanerot Halalu" and "Maoz Tzur".

What Bracha Do I Make Before Smelling the Shavuos Flowers?

My husband brought me beautiful roses for Shavuos. Should I make a bracha before smelling them? I have noticed that sometimes there is no noticeable fragrance.

Noach

Daf Yomi - Chullin 103

Some Shatnez Basics

Background on the issue of Shatnez. In what situations is there reallyproblem?

Steps Against a Uncooperative Litigant

Righteous Women

Did the Brothers have a Right to Sell Yosef?

Zealotry (Almost Always) Means Destruction

Daf Yomi - Sanedrin 59

Daf Yomi - Sanedrin 45

Relationships during the Time of Engagement

A young engaged man and his fiancée naturally have very strong feelings for each other. It goes without saying that these will be expressed after the wedding, but what expression, if any, is permitted in the meantime? And while we're on the subject, is the attraction of men and women to each other really a good thing to begin with?

The Spirit of Hashem in Them

Daf Yomi - Bava batra 104

Hanukkah: A Lesson for Our Generation

On Chanukah are we celebrating our incredible victory in what looked like a suicidal war, the miracle of the pot of oil or both? How does this gives us much-needed insight into current events?

How to Elect Public Officials

part II

part II

Daf Yomi - Yevamot 52

Daf Yomi - Bava batra 79

Being a Good Guest

Being a Good Guest or The Halachic Etiquette when Visiting Someone’s House

Daf Yomi - Yevamos 43

Who is Obliged, and Who is Exempt from Chanukah Candles

Fulfilling the Mitzvah in the following cases, according to the Sephardic and Ashkenazi customs: lighting in the Synagogue, travelers, women, single and married children living at home and away from home, Yeshiva students, soldiers, roommates, mourners, and blind persons.

Judgement and Accountability

Litigants' Agreement to Special Rules of Adjudication

Succot, the Festival of Rejoicing and Water

Daf Yomi - Kesuvos 45

When Tekias Shofar Goes Wrong

Various Halachot of the Shofar blowing, The Seder of the T'kiot, How long should the Tkiah, Truah and Shevarim be? Halachot of woman with Shofar blowing and more...

Getting Ready

A Time of Hidden Mercy and Clear Power

Some Halachic Ramifications of Wills

Some Halachic Ramifications of Wills. Should a Jew write a will? Is a typical will valid in Halacha? and more...

Pizza, Pretzels and Pastry

When is the Bracha Hamotzi and when is it a Mezonot?

Daf Yomi - Baba Metzia 74

Jewish fear of Jewish independence

Complainers

Post-Shmittah Awareness for the Consumer

Post-Shmittah Awareness for the Eretz Yisroel and Chutz La’Aretz Consumer.

The Halachot of Pidyon Haben

Halachot of Pidyon Haben. The time of the Pidyon, Cesarean births, can you give the Cohen a check? can a Cohen return the money? and more...

Doing Favors

Movement and Stability

Daf Yomi - Baba Metzia (9)

Parashat Acharei Mot Kedoshim

Aloh Naaleh

Aloh Naaleh

The Elusive Inheritance of Personality Traits

How and What to Kasher; Why to Kasher

Could Zionism Be Just Another False Messiah?

The fulfillment of so many prophecies including the ingathering of the exiles, the revival of the Holy Land, the Holy Language etc. raises the question: How do we know that this is definitely the redemption? How do we know this isn't just another "false messiah"- that there won't be another exile?

Daf Yomi - Baba Kama(61)

Ways of convicting the damager

Tractate Baba Kama – 1st chapter: mishna 3

Tractate Baba Kama – 1st chapter: mishna 3

Hakarat Hatov

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.

Sifting the Makom HaMikdash

The Waqf have been constructing at Makom Hamikdash - our Holy of Holies, what are the Halachic implications of the finds? How does one regard the finds?

Daf Yomi - Baba Kama(33)

Finding a Good Wife

Daf Yomi - Baba Kama(5)

Some Light Chanukah Questions

Some Light Chanukah Questions. Eating in one house ans sleeping in another, when is the optimal time to kandle the Menora? Lighting candles in a Hotel, Where does a Yeshiva Bachur light? and more....

The Foundations of the Laws of Hiring Workers – part I

(from Halacha P’suka 47)

(from Halacha P’suka 47)

Ki Tavo

Three Stages OF T'shuva

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

When Moshiach Comes

A summary of the different Brachot we will bless when the Moshiach will walk through the door.

Daf Yomi - Nedarim (88)

Daf Yomi - Nedarim (76)

Flying High - A Traveler’s Guide to Channukah

What does one do about Channukah candles in a hotel, while traveling and in other complicated circumstances?

The Laws of Tumat Met

What is Tumat Met all about? Who, when and how?

The Ten Tribes Beyond the Sambatyon

The road from Babylon to the Land of Israel passes through Syria, and many of the returning exiles got stuck there, beyond the Sambatyon River. Though largely unobservant, they were protected from assimilation by the observance of the Sabbath.

The Goats Brought Bears on their Horns

On being told that his goats were doing damage R' Hanina ben Dosa exclaimed, 'If this is true may bears devour them, but if not may each of them bring home a bear on its horns at evening.' In the evening each of them brought home a bear on its horns

The Laws Relating to Converts

The laws relating to Jewish converts are most astounding. Despite the criticism directed at the Jewish people on the grounds that Judaism is racist, the Torah teaches us that any non-Jew who earnestly seeks to join the Jewish people may do so.

Ma'aser Sheni

Parashat Re'e

Parashat Re'e

49. True Faith Brings Trust in God

True and complete faith in God causes one to believe that whatever He does is for the best. This provides a most sturdy defense against hardships and suffering. One who has faith in God is not broken by hardships, but actually receives them lovingly.

Inclusiveness vs. Exclusiveness

Parashat Pekudei

Parashat Pekudei

The Lesson of Chanukah

Chanukah is a time of praise and thanksgiving to God for the miracles and wonders that He performed on behalf of our ancestors “in those days at this time.” It is also a time to reflect upon and learn from the great events which happened in those days.

Eretz Yisrael and the Yom Kippur Liturgy

Morning Prayer Times

How early may one begin praying in the morning? When is it too early to recite the Shema? When is it too late? Should mountains be taken into account when calculating the sunrise? Rabbi Eliezer Melamed addresses these and other pertinent issues.

Breaking the Tablets, Mending the Tablets

Shivah Asar B’Tammuz

The Mishnah teaches us that the tablets were broken on the 17th of Tamuz as a result of the building of the Golden Calf. Rav Kook explains that if we understand the essence of idolatry we can find a way to mend the broken tablets.

The Minor Fasts and Their Laws

Did Jews fast over the destruction of the First Temple when the Second Temple stood? Must pregnant and nursing women abstain from eating and drinking on minor fasts? Rabbi Eliezer Melamed addresses these and other important questions.

Finding Unappreciated Treasures

Parashat Shelach

Parashat Shelach

In the Beginning

Parashat Bereshit

In studying the ways of creation, we must remember that everything evolves from one ultimate source - the Torah. The Torah is the inner essence of all worldly matters. Creation is a mere manifestation - a reflection of the true essence, the Torah.

The Laws of Torah Study

Part 3

How many hours a day should a person study? What is the goal in studying Torah, understanding or remembering? What does it take to become a Torah scholar? Rabbi Eliezer Melamed provides answers to these and other interesting questions.

Material Reward, Spiritual Beauty

Nearly all young men place great importance on physical beauty. Yet, one does not marry a photo, one marries a human being with thoughts and feelings. So, why then is beauty so important?

School's Out

The concept of "summer vacation" really deserves a closer look. If we were to ask parents, many would describe the school vacation period as nothing but trouble. Yet, It also has its positive side and it is important to acknowledge this.

"Obtain a Teacher For Yourself"

: With the onset of the "Bein HaZmanim" yeshiva vacation, many students are faced with the question of how to maintain a high spiritual level while in a non-religious liberal environment. How can one assure himself that he will not stumble?

The Laws of Chanukah - Part I

A Festive Meal? How Many Lights Should Be Lit? Refraining from Labors While Candles Burn Chanukah Candles and Oils Placing the Chanukiah

Parashat Beshalah

By the Seaside

Four Levels of Belief Splitting the Sea

The Chanukah Revolution Continues

1. Darkness Before the Miracles 2. How Many, And How Few 3. Spiritual Muscles 4. Think Before You Leap 5. The Chanukah Revolution

Adar and the Four Parshiot

Part Two

Part Two

What are we so happy about?

It is not the state that is sick but the nation. Were it not for the establishment of the state who knows what would have happened to the Jewish people from a spiritual point of view.