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 Why Do We Cry? .: Viewed: 1571 times :.
We have all cried – sometimes from joy, more often from sorrow. Why do we express both opposite emotions in the exact same way? Why is G-d, usually so generous with the wondrous resources with which He has endowed us, so restricting in this respect? Was there not some way to differentiate more clearly between joy and sorrow? On a physiological level, the encyclopedia informs us,...
Published: July 19, 2017 |
Yakov’s Weird Wedding .: Viewed: 1569 times :.
The father of the first Jewish family, Yakov, was the victim of a last minute switch on his wedding night. His father-in-law, Lavan, substituted Leah, the older of his two daughters, for Rachel, the one whom Yakov loved and worked for. Yakov discovered the deception only after he had consummated the marriage with Leah. Yakov, choosing to accept his Mazal (fate), remained with Leah and later...
Published: November 7, 2018 |
Jerusalem – The Original D.C. .: Viewed: 1568 times :.
Where does the name Yerushalayim come from? The answer is given by Tosfot in Tractate Taanit, 16 who state that the name Yerushalayim is a combination of two words, one uttered by Avraham at the Akeda (Bereshis 22), "Har Hashem Yeiraeh", which means "The mountain where G-d will be seen", and the city was already called Shalem, (peace), by Malkitzedek (Bereshis 14). Thus, the city of...
Published: May 12, 2014 |
The Chillul Hashem of False Piety .: Viewed: 1568 times :.
Earlier this month, a group of IDF soldiers were cursed and assaulted by "Chareidim" in Mea Shearim. The police had to escort the Soldiers out of the Shul in which they were praying.
The appropriate response would have been to let the soldiers pray and instead arrest the violent individuals. Physical and verbal assaults and the incitement of violence are criminal acts.
The fact...
Published: November 10, 2016 |
The Shofar - A Call to Action .: Viewed: 1568 times :.
On Rosh Hashana, when the Shofar is sounded, there is a pattern which repeats itself many times throughout the service. There is a straight blast (TEKIAH) followed by a broken blast (SHEVARIM TERUAH) followed by another straight blast (TEKIAH). Rabbi S.R. Hirsch explains that in the same way that the trumpets in the Desert (MIDBAR) were a call to Am Yisroel to journey forth, so too is the...
Published: August 23, 2017 |
Eliyahu HaNavi-A Peace Activist? .: Viewed: 1564 times :.
In the special Haftorah for Shabbat HaGadol, we are told, that Eliyahu's task is to "turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents" (Malachi 3). Rashi explains that the "parents" in this verse refers to G-D, and the "children" to the Jewish People. Eliyahu is appointed to restore our relationship with G-D. He will be the ultimate outreach...
Published: March 28, 2017 |
How to Cure MACHLOKET .: Viewed: 1562 times :.
Many American Jewish Groups are now embroiled in a bitter dispute with the Prime Minister and the Government of Israel. We are witness to shocking displays of Sinat Chinam (baseless hatred). Our progressive Jewish brethren in the U.S.A. must realize that the Torah’s principles are eternal, even while science, medicine, and technology evolve and progress.
How can we rid ourselves of...
Published: July 6, 2017 |
Was Noach FFB or BT? .: Viewed: 1558 times :.
G-d tells Avraham, "Walk before Me and be complete." (Bereshit 17:1) Rashi says that Avraham's completeness, his capacity to be TAMIM, was obtained by his observance of the Mitzvah of Brit Mila. As long as he had the orlah (foreskin) he had a physical imperfection. With its removal, Avraham now became complete. The question is why Avraham needed the Mitzvah of MILA to become a TAMIM...
Published: October 3, 2017 |
Haman’s Anger Management .: Viewed: 1556 times :.
Of all the abilities that human beings possess, perhaps none is as mysterious as our talent for compartmentalization. Each of us is multiple people, and different ones emerge in different circumstances and relationships.
If we can never fully know somebody, it's not simply because his exterior does not match his interior. It's because we have so many chambers inside, and some are more...
Published: March 6, 2019 |
Chanuka - Light Up My Life .: Viewed: 1554 times :.
There was a number one hit song in the ‘80s by Debbie Boone called “Light Up My Life”. Was she singing about the Chanuka lights? Chanuka is the symbol of the Divine Light in the human soul, as Shlomo Hamelech says in Mishlei, " the candle of G-D is the soul of the human being”. We are part of G-d’s Endless Light – the EIN SOF. Why does Rambam call Chanuka...
Published: December 2, 2017 |
How Teshuva Re-JEW-vinates us .: Viewed: 1554 times :.
According to my Great-Great-Grandfather, Bnei Yisocher, the month before ELUL is called AV, because AV is the acronym for ELUL BA, which means, ready or not, ELUL is coming! Therefore, in this month of AV we already must begin to focus on the Teshuvah Process. So here goes.
The Zohar explains that the word TESHUVA is a compound of the words, TASHUV HEI, "returning the HEI". The HEI that the...
Published: July 18, 2018 |
G-d’s Mishpatim - REINCARNATION! .: Viewed: 1552 times :.
“And these are the JUDGEMENTS you shall place before them.” (Shemot 21:1) Parshat Mishpatim begins with a litany of human suffering, misery, afflictions, poverty and slavery. Why does life contain so much tragedy?
The Zohar states that the answer to this profound question lies with our verse “And these (human tragedies), are G‑d’s JUDGEMENTS for a person’s...
Published: February 13, 2020 |
CORONA’s Wake-Up Call .: Viewed: 1547 times :.
The Rambam in Hilchot Taanit informs us that times of great distress and suffering, like we are now experiencing, are times for introspection. G‑d wants us to reflect and think about how to become a better person. This Coronavirus is telling us that there are two areas where we should improve ourselves: The value of quality family time and the pain of loneliness.
This mandatory quarantine...
Published: March 23, 2020 |
No Talking in Shul .: Viewed: 1547 times :.
“My Shabbatot you shall observe, and My Sanctuary you shall revere.” (Vayikra 19:30). Rashi comments that giving the proper respect to the sanctuary (Beit Hamikdash) is expressed by not entering with ones walking stick, or while wearing shoes or a money belt or with dust on ones feet. Today we have no Beit Hamikdash, but the Gemara in Megillah 29 teaches that our shuls are מקדשי...
Published: April 15, 2021 |
The Ishmaelite Caravan-Perfume? .: Viewed: 1540 times :.
"Yosef's brothers raised their eyes and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilad, and their camels were carrying sweet spices, and perfume." (Bereshit 37)
Rashi asks why does the Torah gives us this seemingly needless information. Why do we need to know what the Ismaelites were carrying?
Rashi explains that usually, Arab caravans transported petroleum and other foul-smelling...
Published: December 21, 2016 |
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