21 Lessons
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions Finding a Fruit with Kedushat Shvi’it
My wife shopped at a special kedushat shvi’it fruit distribution. A few hours later, I spotted on the walkway to our building (of seven apartments) a single fruit. I took it home and asked my wife, who said it made sense that it fell from her, but asked how we can know it is not from a neighbor who might have also bought. Do I have to put up a sign or ask neighbors (whom I trust) if it could be theirs? Is it more lenient because there is no ownership of kedushat shvi’it fruit?
Additional Lessons Sticks And Stones - The Power of an Insult
"...but words can never harm me." Why do words hurt so much, they're nothing more than puffs or air with a sound wave attached, aren't they?
Additional Lessons A Heartfelt Blessing
Mr. Zilber’s story reminds us that we each have the power to bring blessing into someone else’s life by simply wishing them well from our hearts.
Additional Lessons Ink(not)well
Rabbi Alpert was once visiting Rabbi Feinstein. He accidently knocked over the inkwell, spilling the contents on the Rambam and the new gemara!
Additional Lessons Sugar Coated
At the Shabbat Table
The father and son who went to Reb Aryeh Levin, fighting over the winter coat. who gets it. we thank Rav Benji Levin Reb Aryeh's grandson for telling us the story this week that he heard from his grandfather. He told us that he asked his grandfather why does everyone come to you for help and advice all differnet typs of jews. and reb aryeh answered that he tryes to listen and feel the person's pain, and then told him this story: it's also published in Tzadik Yesod Olam
Ein Aya Rav Kook on Superstition & Other Spiritual Problems
Ein Aya, Shabbat 2, 237
Rav Kook deals here with 3 common spiritual problems: over-indulging in physical pleasure; "under-indulging"- going to the opposite extreme & how fasting and ascetic life is counter-productive for the modern man; & superstition. Rav Kook's unique approach to superstition & the passages in the Talmud which seem as such stress that we must rise above the nature to fear and "quake" regarding topics beyond human control. Rather than imagining superstitious acts, which help us feel in control of the uncontrollable, we should connect with He Who is in total control and His Torah wisdom. HaRav doesn't contradict those rabbinic passages, but says they're secondary & better off not worrying about. Only he who worries about them has what to worry about.
The Happiness in Purim Playright?
a yeshiva student made fun of his rabbi. His rabbi gave him permission. is that permissible?
Additional Lessons Face Your Bears
How did Brigadier General (retired) Effi Eitam react when he was confronted by a grizzly bear, and what can you learn from it?
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions Tricking a Cheater
If someone asks me for an answer during a test, can I tell him the wrong answer? (Response to follow-up question – I prefer not to refuse either to not suffer socially or so the cheater gets what he deserves.)
Additional Lessons 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.
Additional Lessons The Prohibition of Chanufah
When is it permitted to honor a person and when is there the prohibition of flattery?
Additional Lessons Do I Have to Tell the Truth?
A person must maintain total integrity in all his dealings – after all, we are commanded to act like Hashem in all our deeds, and Hashem’s seal is truth (Shabbos 55a). Furthermore, someone who is meticulously honest and truthful will merit receiving the Presence of the Shechinah.
Additional Lessons May I Dangle the Receiver?
Hearing is Not Believing, and other Loshon Hora Question
Various Halachot of Lashon Hara. Is the one who believes loshon horaworse than the one who told does! How can this be? Can I calm a fight if it will include hearing Lashon hara? And more...
