158 Lessons
All Citizens in Israel
From V’samachta B’chagecha, p. 6
From V’samachta B’chagecha, p. 6
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | 12 Tishrei 5784
If Like Sons, If Like Servants
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | 25 Elul 5783
Mila and Tumat Leida
From Siach Shaul pp. 328-330
From Siach Shaul pp. 328-330
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Nissan 5783
The Day after the Shabbat
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Nissan 5783
Not Leaving the Fathers by Themselves
With a trembling of happiness and pain, we open this conference with the words of Yaakov Avinu from this week’s parasha – “I am small in relation to all of the kindnesses … now I make up two encampments” (Bereishit 32:11)
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Kislev 5783
From the End to the Beginning
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Cheshvan 5 5783
Accepting Hashem’s Kingdom
Aroch Siach, Yamim Noraim, an address from 5714 (1953)
Chazal set a role for all of the special days. We should clarify to what extent the days fulfill their roles, including their special place within the year.
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Elul 25 5782
A Prophet for the Nations
From Siach Shaul p. 425-6
As far as spiritual power, Bilam was a giant. Chazal derive that in prophecy he was on par with Moshe. Yet, there was a huge chasm between them.
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Tamuz 7 5782
Peace Rather Than Tripping
From Siach Shaul 353-4
It seems to me that the most painful part of the curse is its element of “a man … over his brother.” This is itself a great curse.
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Iyar 16 5782
Overcoming Mazal with Merit
From Siach Shaul
Sanctity requires separation, as sanctity does not come to a person naturally. This is the essence of Judaism, whose goal is to, on the one hand, reach great heights, but on the other, does not deny the true situation.
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Nissan 26 5782
Avraham’s Mistake
From Shirat Hageula, p. 17-18
Many have discussed the nature of Avraham’s sin of asking, “How will I know [my progeny will inherit the Land]”? Avraham speculated whether his children would succeed in handling the gift of the Land in a way that they would live an independent national life in it.
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Nissan 10 5782
The Historical Root of Lashon Hara
From Siach Shaul, p. 326-328 (1944)
Lashon hara is an expression of evil. An evil eye (ayin hara) looks for something or someone who is above it, and upon finding it, poisons the person’s tranquility and does not allow him to enjoy things he could have enjoyed.
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Nissan 5 5782
“Aharon Will Arrange them”
Based on Siach Shaul, p. 280
How does the mitzva of the oil and the lighting end up in the middle of the blueprints of the Mishkan, in between the description of the structure and its holy vessels and that of the glorious holy garments of the kohanim?
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Adar I 5 5782
Connecting to the Torah through Unity
From Siach Shaul, p. 236-7
Hashem raised up our spiritual level in an unprecedented manner of “jumping up in levels". This took the nation from the 49th rung of impurity to the highest level of sanctity and preparedness to receive the Torah.
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Shvat 18 5782
Two Creations
from Aroch Siach, p. 8-9
The world was created twice – one that was preceded by a state of pre-creation, and another time after the world was already created. The first creation happened in the first month and the second one was in the seventh month.
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Elul 24 5781
The Right Time for Calculations
based on Siach Shaul p. 496-497
Moshe asked: "What does Hashem ask from you but to fear Him?" The Gemara points out that unlike for most people, this was a trivial task for Moshe. Actually, the purpose of the giving of the Torah is fear of Hashem.
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Av 18 5781
The Power of the Ox
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Kislev 21 5781
Clothes Like a Lantern
From Siach Shaul, p. 8
From Siach Shaul, p. 8
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Tishrei 27 5781
“… And Joy for Those with Straight Hearts”
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Tishrei 12 5781