13 Lessons
The Awesome Power of Purim
It is known that the most important aspect of the holiday of Purim is happiness and joy – and sometimes, the very insight into Divine Providence alone is more joyous even than rescue and salvation!
Rabbi Shmuel Holshtein | Adar 16 5781
The Mitzvah to Halt from Work
The marriage of a young adherent of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polonne is threatened by opposition to Hassidism. Until an elderly Count tells an incredible story...
Rabbi Shmuel Holshtein | 5770
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.
Rabbi Shmuel Holshtein | 5769
"Ushemartem et HaMatzot" - The Laws of Baking Matzot
Rabbi Shmuel Holshtein | 5769
Equality before the Law
Rabbi Shmuel Holshtein | 5769
A Day of Judgment and Kindness
“This revered day is the reason for the existence of the world, and it therefore deserves to be a holiday. However, because it is the day whereupon all creatures are judged, one should approach it with more trepidation than any of the other holidays.”
Rabbi Shmuel Holshtein | Elul 5768
Counting Seven Weeks - the Omer
When Rabbi Mohilever entered the crowded lecture hall, he looked about at the numerous bareheaded pupils seated before him and began to speak: “I understand that you are proficient in math. Can anybody tell me what the count (“sefirah”) is today?”
Rabbi Shmuel Holshtein | Nissan 5768
The Passover Guests Who Would Not Leave
The father took the volume in his hand and opened it. “Toldot Yaakov Yosef” by Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polonne, the foremost disciple of the Holy Baal Shem Tov. He was seized with horror, for his son-in-law belonged to the sect of the Hassidim.
Rabbi Shmuel Holshtein | Nissan 5768
Clearing Out All Chametz
When the rabbi asked if he did not fear being caught by the police, the merchant said that it was worth the risk in order to earn a living. Furthermore, he had full confidence in his ability to attain and sell smuggled goods without getting caught.
Rabbi Shmuel Holshtein | 9 Nissan 5768
Ushemartem et HaMatzot
The Laws of Baking Matzot
The Laws of Baking Matzot
Rabbi Shmuel Holshtein | 9 Nissan 5768
A Matter of Interest
He handed the note to Reb Aryeh Leib. The latter looked at it and could not believe what he saw. It stated that the debtor agrees to return the loan with twenty-five percent interest. "This is a violation of the commandment not to charge interest!"
Rabbi Shmuel Holshtein | Adar 1 5768
Remembering Amalek, Destroying Amalek
The Chofetz Chaim said, "Because we are approaching the time of the Messiah, and we will soon have to destroy the seed of Amalek, we are going to need a lot of strength. You must therefore stay fit so that you have the strength to carry out this task."
Rabbi Shmuel Holshtein | 5767