WHAT CONVINCED YITRO MAY SWAY THE ANTI-ISRAEL TOO

We find that Yitro was convinced to follow the G-d of Israel for "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the deities, for (precisely) with the thing that they plotted, [G-d brought] upon them(selves) (18, 11)." Rashi explains that the Egyptians drowned the boys of Israel, so in the end, G-d drowned their men as well. Why was this "Midah k'negged mida" (literally: "a measure for a measure)- so convincing for Yitro, even convincing him to actually change his life & join Israel? Similarly, this can help us understand why this theme of "V'Nahafoch hu…" (literally: "it was reversed", that the Megila flips everything Haman planned to do Israel, 180 degrees and brings upon Haman himself is so central also to Megilat Esther & the forthcoming holiday of Purim? We are not just speaking of irony, but of justice.

Honor Your Parents – and Yourselves!

Ten Commandment Comparison

Many have attempted to solve the question, what is THE difference which can find the common denominator between all 31 differences between the 2 versions of the Ten Commandment? This innovative article suggests that our sages already answered this with one sentence in a well-known Midrash, just most never noticed that seemingly innocent sentence. It deals with the basic difference between the masculine side of the Torah and the feminine.

"FREEDOM CAME WITH A FLAG”- The First Flag of Israel

The Ramban explains that the exodus from Egypt was led by the first flag of Israel. This short article brings many unknown historic and halachic proofs of the importance of the Israeli flag.

Tu B'Shvat and the Complaints Against the Manna

Parashat Hashavua: Rachel, Leah, and King David – What Happened? – part II

Parashat Hashavua: Rachel, Leah, and King David – What Happened? – part III

Free Will and Human Nature

Parashat Hashavua: Rachel, Leah, and King David – What Happened?

PROTEKTZIA OR A BANANA REPUBLIC

Even in "Fiddler on the Roof" they mention that we wear the right shoe before the left, but why? Rav Kook's novel explanation surprisingly relates also to the danger of the Radical Progressive movement which sometimes intentionally blurs even that which should be clear, and even summarizes the laws which "lefties" do different than "righties", and when they do the same. Rav Kook's innovative mixture of halacha, kabbala and philosophy is especially interesting on this topic. BTW, there's an interesting halacha innovated by Rav Kook here which many don't realize (or intentionally omit) that he is the source!

The Blood Libel and the Ten Plagues

DO WE DESERVE REDEMPTION? “Blood, Covenant, and Return”- Parshat VaEra

Are we today so much greater than say the Rambam's generation? Why is G-d returning us to Israel & doing so many salvations and victories over Hamas, Hizballah, Syria and Iran in recent years, even if we haven't done Teshuva & seemingly don't deserve it?

Parashat Hashavua: A Rare Commodity – The Right Blend of Unity and Humility

Parashat Hashavua: Leadership of Yosef – For How Long?

The Significance of Completing the Mishkan

Parashat Hashavua: Counting and Soldiers – Then and Now

Getting into the Other Guy's Head

Parashat Hashavua: A World of Repairing

Gold, Silver, Precious Stones – Closeness to Hashem – part III

Purim and the Priestly Garments