"What's Taking So Long?!" The Uniqueness of Israel's Swords of Iron War

Why is the present war in Israel against Hamas, Hizballah, Syria, the Huttis and Iran taking so long and resulting in so many casualties? This short but important article analyzes and explains why militarily and religiously, this war is different, and accordingly longer and with more casualties, than most battles.

Daf Yomi Sanhedrin Daf 23

Zionism Different than Other Patriotism

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 62

Rav Kook is often considered the spiritual father of religious Zionism. In this paragraph, his innovative explanation of King David, Bat-Sheva, Uriah HaChitti and the Amonite nation compares Zionism with other nationalism and patriotism of other nations.

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!

What Motivated Avraham's Kindness?

Daf Yomi Bava Basra Daf 57

א, טו- " Benefits of Shabbat Observance"

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

The Mitzva of Onah

Parashat Vayechi- Grandparents

What Do These "Shovavim" Days Mean to Us?

The initial letters of the weekly Torah portions that we read publicly over the course of the next few weeks, starting with Shmot, spell out the Hebrew word "Shovavim." Thus, the coming weeks are the "Days of Shovavim," widely regarded as days of fasting and atonement. The acronym Shovavim is also a Hebrew word meaning "troublemakers." In Yirmiyahu 3,22 appears the prophet's exhortation, "Return [repent], children who are shovavim" – and thus is revealed the connection between repentance and this Shovavim period...

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.

What Do We Do When No Kohen Is Present for Torah Reading?

The State of Education in Eretz Yisrael

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook #98 – part II

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook #98 – part II

Spreading Torah behind Bars

In a world rife with fake news and media so biased that it cannot be trusted or considered remotely objective, people would be forgiven for thinking that yellow journalism is a modern-day plague. But it even affected Rabbi Eliyahu numerous times over the years…

May I Keep the Skeletons in the Closet?

What Personal Information Must I Divulge?

What information must we reveal about ourselves while arranging shidduchim for our children (or for ourselves)? And at what point must we disclose it?

The Ultimate Proof of the Truth of Torah

In honor of the Torah's "Ten Commandments" Portion Rav Netanel Yosifun presents the Ultimate Proof of the truth of Torah

Believing & Planting: Beshalach, Emuna, & Tu B'Shvat

The Torah portion of this week, Beshalach, can be called the Portion of Faith. It is filled with tests and trials that the Children of Israel must undergo on their way out of Egypt, and each one increases and strengthens its faith – emuna - in G-d in a different way. Let us list them and possibly see how they each teach a different lesson in faith:

Israel's Faith, Step By Step

Israel's Exodus from Egypt served as a preparatory course for the nation's great future, foretold at the very beginning of its creation to its Patriarch Avraham: "I will make you into a great nation… and the other nations will be blessed through you" (B'reshit 12,2-3). The meaning of the phrase "great nation" in this context is that we will be "close to G-d." As written in Va'et'chanan, "Who is a great nation like Israel, to which G-d is so close." However, to reach closeness to G-d, several steps are required.

What Is the Significance of the Number 40 in Jewish Tradition?

The 2,200-Years War

The Jewish war against Greek culture continued with its battle against Christianity, which is a blend of Jewish and Greek-Roman ideas, and continues today as well. The leading culture today is Western culture, built on the foundations of Christian culture. And so the points of difference that exist today between Torah and Western culture are also based on the points of struggle between Greek and Jewish philosophy.

A Tale of Two Mothers

When Dalya and Shiri 'randomly' bump into each other at a concert they could never imagine how deeply connected they really are.

The Kindness of Strangers

The doing of acts of kindness – which is in turn derived from the understanding that human beings are made in the image of God. Civility itself may be seen as part of Chessed.

10. The Aneinu Prayer

Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts

The Sages prescribed the addition of a special berakha during the ĥazan’s repetition of the Amida on fast days.

Saved By Shmitah

13 Hamas terrorists never expected that their plans to attack and kill Jews would be exposed & ruined by the mitzvah of Shmitah. Watch to find out how Hashem’s promise to bless those who keep the mitzvah unfolded near the Gaza border just seven years ago.

Playing Darts on Shabbat

Can we play darts on Shabbat? The darts are classic ones that pierce the board’s surface; the board hangs loosely from a nail in the wall; in between uses, the darts often stay on the boar

16. The Laws of Reciting Birkat Ha-levana Joyously

Because of the lofty idea that the moon’s renewal represents, Birkat Ha-levana has been hallowed to the point that one who recites it is viewed as if he is greeting the Shekhina (Divine Presence).

15. The Meaning of Birkat Ha-levana

In Birkat Ha-levana (the Berakha of the Moon), we thank God for creating the moon, from whose light we benefit at night.

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?

Shemot

Chalav Akum – Non-Jewish Milk

Givers Keepers

A powerful story reminding us what we give away is what we keep forever.

The Mysterious Sefer Torah

When Stuart Mintz's life is saved twice by a Sefer Torah, he begins retracing his steps wondering if it might be the same one. A moving story that reminds us how Torah protects and supports those who support and uphold it.

The Origins of a Siyum?

Secrets of the Return to Zion in the Story of Yosef

Beyond the 4 Amot

In this week's Torah reading of "Vayeshev", the central figure is Yosef. The Talmud tells us that before the appearance of Mashiach Ben David, there is another one, Mashiach Ben Yosef. Why do we need both?

Response Ability - Leadership 3

Mrs. Eva Neuman showed incredible inner strength on the death march in 1944 teaching us an invaluable lesson in leadership and responsibility.

The Missing Yarmulka - Leadership 2

When Boruch before going to his first interview was asked to take off his yarmulka and fit in. As a result of this story, he learned a very valuable lesson about leadership.

Bill Gates & Shabbos - Leadership 1

A video about the renowned speaker and author Kivi Bernhard, sharing his experiences with Microsoft and Bill Gates.

The Angel from Westchester

A moving story about how divine providence led Levi Welton to a convert who was inspired to name himself Chaim, after dancing with an angel he met in Westchester.

A Dream Come True

A story about the killed soldier Erez Deri which proves the Jewish nation is one family forever despite all the differences between us.

A Lot of Lottery

At the Shabbat Table

At the Shabbat Table

Glycerin in Today’s World - Or "How I Stopped a Catastrophe"

May I Attend a Wedding During the Three Weeks?

I live in a predominantly Ashkenazic community where the “Three Weeks” are observed with no music, and certainly no celebrations or weddings. A Sefardic family in the neighborhood has scheduled a wedding during the Three Weeks.

Is it a Red Heifer?

Sewing on Shabbos

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?

Selah

Can a Sheitel be Prohibited Because of Avodah Zarah?

A Background Discussion about the use of Indian Hair

A Background Discussion about the use of Indian Hair

Why is Hafrashat Challah So Important

The Halachos of Pidyon Haben

Daf Yomi During Shabbat of Aveilut

[The avel asked in the shiva house; I gave the in-depth answer afterward.] I understand an avel may do standard learning, such as shnayim mikra v’echad targum (=smvt) on the Shabbat of shiva. Is learning daf yomi also permitted?

The Faith of God

Understanding the Prohibition of Avodah Zarah

The Power of Unity

The midrash (Bamidbar Rabba 15:18) connects the pasuk “Assemble for me seventy men” (Bamidbar 11:16) to the pasuk in Amos (9:6): “He builds upper chambers in the heavens, and His aguda (binding together) He founded on the earth.” The midrash takes this to mean that, kav’yachol, Hashem’s throne in the heavens is only firm if Israel is bound together in unity. Another powerful midrash along this line says that even when the Northern Kingdom of Israel was guilty of idol worship, Hashem left them intact because they were connected to each other (Bereishit Rabba 38:6). What is so positive about the unity between sinners?

Jewish Time

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?

How Many Eggs Should be Boiled Together?

When making hardboiled eggs, may one cook one or two eggs or must there be at least three? Also, does it make a difference if there is an even or odd number

Tefillin in Pre-Dawn Hours

work at a hospital and, some days, I am unable to wear tefillin during the day, but only pre-dawn. May I then put on tefillin before its regular time? [Our staff knows the querier.]

Doing Tevilat Keilim Before Giving Present

I often give glass s`alad bowls as presents. Is there any problem with doing `tevilat keilim on them before giving them to save time for the recipient or out of concern that they will not do tevila?

Timtum Halev – Part I

Is there timtum halev [approximately, spiritual pollution of the heart] when one ingests non-kosher food in a halachically valid manner, e.g., based on bitul (nullification)?

Shabbos Shirah

Understanding Selichot

All about the custom of reciting Selichot for the Salvation of the Clal

The History of the Heter Mechira

The heter mechira came about in the first shmitta year, 5649 (1888), after thousands of years in exile. Some opposing poskim changed their positions when they saw how urgent the situation was. Anti-Zionism caused more opposition.

This is the way we wash our hands

The Ma’ariv Prayer

Chapter Twenty Five-Part One

Chapter Twenty Five-Part One

Days on Which Tachanun Is Not Recited

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

Body and Hand Positions in Amidah

Chapter Seventeen-Part Two

Chapter Seventeen-Part Two

The Times of Birkot HaShachar

Chapter nine-part two

Chapter nine-part two

Who Can Be Counted in a Minyan?

Chapter Two-part three

Can every ten men be a Minyan or are there other conditions?

Historical View of Rav Mordechai Yaakov Breish (Chelkat Yaakov)

Beracha on Pureed Vegetable Soup

Raising Charitable Funds on Shabbat

At What Age Should One Marry in Our Times

Torah studies and acquiring a profession take longer, so how does this affect the obligation to get married by a certain age? What about postponing having a family after marriage?

SUKKOTH

Blended and Synthetic Tzitzis

Is a silk Talis Kosher? What is the basis of the halachic controversy whether one may have a talis koton made of rayon? I have a talis koton that says that it is made of a cotton-polyester blend. Do I recite a brocha when I put it on?

Prayer for Redemption and Blessings for Mashiach

Special prayer to hasten our final redemption attributed to the Ramchal. Which blessings will we say when the Messiah comes?

Keeping Kosher - Eating Out

Cleansing and Purifying

Hirsch At Your Table

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

A Fading Ketuba

HaRav Abba Berman zt”l, an appreciation

Rav Abba Berman once explained that superficial learning is like watching the hands of a clock move around its dial. In-depth learning, which he felt is the goal of all learning, is like “opening the back of the watch to see what makes it tick.”

Kosher Animals

Hirsch At Your Table

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

Responsibility for a Missing Diamond

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?

Milk Spoon in a Meat Sink or Dishwasher

Kashrut in a Nutshell

The Halacha of meaty, dairy and parve cutlery washed together in the sink or dish washer, with hot or cold water.

Birkat Hamazon

Washing One’s Face on Yom Kippur

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

Heaven and Earth

(or How to Mix the Wine)

Our Rabbis teach us that when the couple stands under the chuppah, all their sins are forgotten. The custom to fast on the day preceding the wedding, and to recite the vidui (confession) prayer indicate the parallel between a wedding and Yom Kippur. In the mixing of the two cups of wine, that of Birkat Hamazon and that of the blessings for the couple, we see another parallel, this time to the sacrificial service of Yom Kippur.

Short Pants for Davening on Shabbat

Pumping Air from a Wine Bottle on Shabbat

Writing on Shabbat

May I write my initials on a frosty window on Shabbos?, May I communicate with someone on Shabbos by making the motions of writing the letters?

Hamapil for Those Who Take a Long Time to Fall Asleep

Wearing a Reflective Armband on Shabbat Without an Eiruv

Use of a Rickshaw on Shabbat

seudat hodaya

The Laws of Tumas Meis

When the Beis Hamikdash is rebuilt, bimheirah beyameinu, the laws of tumah will affect us all, since we will be required to be tahor in order to enter the Beis Hamikdash, to eat korbanos and maaser sheini, and in order to separate challah and terumah.

Parashat Vayechi - Questions

Parsha and Rashi Q & A for the Shabbos Table.

Who Is an Am Ha’aretz?

Use of Harchaka D’Rabbeinu Tam

Observing a Colorful Lifestyle

The Torah’s Instructions to Non-Jews—The Laws of Bnei Noach

The 7 Noahide Laws, Non-Jews and everything in between.

The Lesson of Mount Sinai

How Does a Heter Iska Work?

What is the prohibition of "Ribbit"? who does it apply on? How does the "Heter Iska" bypass the prohibition? and more...

The Death of a Tzaddik

Support for Sons Not Living With Their Father

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?

In Search of the True Nesher

In this week’s parsha, Hashem continues to afflict Pharaoh and the Egyptians with some of His plagues, and soon he will extricate us from Egypt on the wings of nesharim (singular nesher), a word usually translated as “eagles.” Clearly, this is meant to symbolize how Hashem will lift the Jewish people above all the difficulties of a mass exodus. Although the exact identity of the nesher is not significant to the extent of this great miracle, the curious among us would appreciate knowing exactly which bird Hashem is using for His metaphor?

A Contractor’s Work That Was Stopped in the Middle

That a Cohen May Not Marry a Divorcee

A few days later, a royal emissary of the Empress Maria Teresa appeared at the rabbi’s home. The surprised rabbi realized that the wealthy Jew had broken the convention by which Jews did not involve non-Jews in their inner disputes. He had no choice.

Reciting Brachos in the Presence of Unpleasant Odors

Reciting Brachot, Benching and learning Torah in the Presence of Unpleasant Odors. May one wash for bread in a public restroom? Can one discuss Torah while walking through city streets where there are dumpsters or dog droppings? What if one cannot smell? and more.

A Man Who Can Enter the Land

Three Stages OF T'shuva

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

An Eruv Primer

The difference between “Reshut Hayachid", “Reshut Harabim” and a "Karmalit", What is an "Eruv"? What is it"s purpose? And what are the main "Eruv" disputes?

When Moshiach Comes

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

The Great Crock Pot Controversy

Cooking on Shabbat is forbidden. How then can one slow-cook? What is a slow cooker and is it allowed?

Purim Meshulash Guide for those in Yerushalayim Only

The "Malkosh" - Last Rains

Man's existence hinges upon land and rain. At the same time, these two elements, without man, lack benefit and direction. The sages of the Midrash therefore teach, "Were it not for man, there would be no covenant with earth to bring rain upon it."

Special Days of Teves

Why do we fast on the 10th of Tevet? What is forbidden on the fast day? What can we still do?

How Do I Distribute My Tzedakah?

Who should I give Tzedaka to? How much? What are critical cases? How do we help them? Continuation

Study House of Shem & Ever in a world of Lavan

The Laws of Tumat Met

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

The Three Keys

"R' Yochanan said: Three keys the Holy One blessed be He has retained in His own hands and not entrusted to the hand of any messenger, namely, the Key of Rain, the Key of Childbirth, and the Key of the Revival of the Dead"

The Significance of the Three Weeks

Mourning the Temple's destruction must be internal. A person cannot simply jump into the Ninth of Av. One must enter it gradually in order that his mourning be earnest. Therefore, the intensity of our mourning over the Temple's ruin grows gradually.

Tevet and the Seasons of the Year

Equinoctial periods, because of their balanced nature, are fit to bear sanctity. Therefore, these periods contain most of Israel's Festivals. However, there are other times of year less sympathetic to Israel - periods marked by poles in cold or heat.

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.

21. The Dangers of Pride

Just as “cleanliness” must reside in deeds, so must it reside in traits. The work involved in changing one's traits is more difficult than that involved in changing one's deeds. This is because changing traits means doing battle with one's own nature.

Parasha Summary - Vayechi

An Overview of the Torah Portion

An Overview of the Torah Portion

A Woman's Obligation to Pray

According to most authorities, women are no less obligated to pray than men. Therefore, they must pray “Amida” in the morning and the afternoon (“Shacharit” and “Mincha”). The evening Amida prayer (“Maariv”), on the other hand, is voluntary.

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.

The Tenth of Tevet - A Compendium of Laws

After the destruction of the First Temple, the Prophets and the Sages of Israel legislated fasting on the Tenth of Tevet, for it was on that day that Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, and his legions placed Jerusalem under siege.

The War of the Kings and its Significance

Parashat Lech Lecha

This week’s Torah portion describes at great length the war between the four and five kings, detailing their names and lands. Yet, what is so important about this particular battle that caused the Torah to describe it in such detail?

Responsibility for Our Society

Parashat Naso

Parashat Naso

The Crowns of Jerusalem

Jerusalem’s eminence stems from its being the city of the Holy Temple, the home of the kingdom of Israel, and the Torah center of the world. In liberating Jerusalem we merited advancing toward the full revelation of the greatness of the Holy City.

Who is Entitled to be Called "Rav"?

A necessary requirement of every person who receives rabbinic ordination is to faithfully and selflessly continue the traditions that Moshe Rabbeinu started when he laid his hands upon his pupil Yehoshua Bin Nun.

Greek Wisdom and Language

There are two possible attitudes towards the Greek culture. We also make an endeavor to explain our relationship with the Greek Empire in our Sages' writings.

A Jewish Approach to Discipline in the Classroom

1. A Hands-On Approach 2. The Role of Trust and Love 3. Factoring In Personality 4. Student Character Types 5. Identifying the Causes

Parashat “Shema” and Parashat “Vehaya Im Shamoa”

Parashat Ekev

Parashiot Shema Israel and Vehaya im shamoa contain the indispensable principles of the special nature of living in the Land of Israel. Therefore, Moshe teaches the people of Israel these Parashiot at the threshold of The Promised Land.

The Pillar and the Altar

- Parahsat Shoftim Two Ways of God- Worship

Altars are banned in our Portion, while our ancestors have made some. What has changed in the meantime? What are the deeper meanings of an altar and a pillar? What is the difference between a mountain, a field and a house?

Conflict and Purpose

Parashat Vayechi

Conflict and Purpose. Before taking offense, before interpreting the actions of others incorrectly, one must attempt to see things from the point of view of his fellow and to assume that his intentions were completely pure.