594 Lessons

Parashat Hashavua: The Symbolism of Mashiv Haruach U’morid Hageshem
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tishrei 5786

Parashat Hashavua: Nitzavim in the Parasha and by Yam Suf
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tishrei 5786

Parashat Hashavua: Nitzavim in the Parasha and by Yam Suf
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Elul 5785

Parashat Hashavua: Can One Give a Loan to Hashem? – part II
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Elul 5785

FALSE MORALITY IS IMMORALITY
Why R. Yosef Blau & American Jewish Liberals' Critique Misses the Mark
The recent criticism of R. Yosef Blau and others, and in general many liberal Jews in America calling out the State of Israel, the IDF and settlers of Yehuda v'Shomron as "immoral", is totally off the mark. Instead of unity among Jews, and collecting money for children in Sderot, they inadvertently united with CNN, BBC, Al Jazeerah and the Gazans. Instead of blaming Hamas for the suffering in Gaza, they blame Israel. This issue is directly connected to the parsha which talks about guarding the holiness in Israeli Army Camps (both ancient and today!) which happens to statistically be the most moral army in the world, just as the settlers have by far the highest rate of altruistic kidney donors in the world.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 5785

Parashat Hashavua: Can One Give a Loan to Hashem? – part I
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Elul 5785

WHY 'DRAFTING GROOMS'?!- Parshat Shoftim
In explaining on this week's parsha that there are no exemptions from Milchemet Mitzva (obligatory wars), the unique (and admittedly surprising!) term used by our sages is: "that even the groom must leave the yichud room, and the bride, from her canopy" to go with Israel to war. This short and practical article with today's war in Israel, does not (!) deal with drafting women but rather offers 4 innovative explanations behind this surprising phrase.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 5785

Parashat Hashavua: “All Creation Will Know” – part IV
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Elul 5785

FAMILY, REGARDLESS!"- Parshat R'eh
This short but "packed" article suggests an interesting story, as well as several innovative understandings regarding the machloket in this week's parsha how all Israel is termed the "children of Hashem", and why the mitzva of Ahavat Yisrael is unconditional. Not only should we see every Jew, even one who's actions are irresponsibly, as our brother, but even as our child!
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 5785

droshos re'eh
Rabbi Zev Leff | Av 5785

Parashat Hashavua: “All Creation Will Know” – part III
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Av 5785

IDF VICTORIES= BENTCHING= G-D'S RIGHTEOUSNESS- Parshat Ekev
Every time we say Birkat HaMazon and Al HaMichya, we appreciate Hashem's giving us the State of Israel, the IDF victories, and the Gathereing of the Exiles. When my relatives in Williamsburg & Meah Shearim deny and don't thank Hashem for Zionism and our modern national State & return to Eretz Yisrael, they are that much less religious, and that much less praising Hashem and recognizing that He , not the UN, runs the world, and that "He is righteous"! This short article brings many psukim which we say all the time in davening which are basically religious-Zionism in a nutshell. Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 5785

Parashat Hashavua: “All Creation Will Know” – part II
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Av 5785

TORAH IS MEANT FOR ISRAEL
Of course there are advantages of living in Israel, but is there an essential religious difference as well? This short article easily and conclusively proves that the Torah is even worded for and is addressing one who lives in Israel, and how ALL of the mitzvot, even those we can do abroad, are really meant for the Holy Land.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 5785
Moshe Rabbeinu's Mussar Shmooze to Israel
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | 7 Av 5785

"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.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 5785

Parashat Hashavua: “All Creation Will Know” – part I
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Av 5785

Parashat Hashavua: A Torah of Life – part V – More on Yehoshua
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tammuz 5785
The Dual Method of Leadership
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | 24 Elul 5784
