Chatam Sofer series: Working the fields of Eretz Yisrael is a mitzva parallel to putting on tefilin, and one may stop learning Torah for it.
The Tanya compacts four millennia of Jewish wisdom to answer the great personal and existential questions of life.
One thing was clear: this was one Yom Kippur that would not be forgotten.
The Gemara says that G-d tested the non-Jews with the mitzva of Sukkah, easy to keep because it does not involve monetary loss, And?
We manifest joy by waving the lulav while begging Hashem for salvation. Doesn't one contradict the other?
The flaws listed as brazenness and 'haughty eyes' can be changed to boldness when needed and countered by humility when not.
Rabbi Kook teaches that in the return of even secular Zionists to Israel there is a profound holy core, there is the light of teshuva.
The purpose of teshuva (repentance) is to free us from the various idols of desire that bind us throughout the year.
The night that changed the world forever is the night Jewish history began. Six parts of Yom Kippur to read and internalize.
Summary of the laws that pertain to the holiest and most solemn day of the Jewish year with additions in light of the covid pandemic.
Torah from Israel's iconic first Chief Rabbi: 'Our Sages examined two aspects when formulating a new law...":
Nothing of significance has ever evolved or will evolve without implicit or covert implications for the Jewish people.
Before Moshe dies, God tells him to see the land that he will not enter. Why in his last moments is he commanded to see what he's missing?
Moshe Rabbeinu teaches us that it is always worthwhile to save the most important message for the end. Let's see how he does this himself.
We cannot help everyone solve their problems or end their suffering, but there is one thing we can always do for them.
Covenant & Conversation for Haazinu 5781.
The ten days are not there just in case you need more time, but so that the process of Teshuva can be assimilated into our lives.
We must feel such a great rupture with the past when we repent, that it is as if we have no previous reality.
Israelis are already planning their trips, but reading Fishman is probably going to save you the price of the ticket.
Is atonement for sins between man and Hashem dependent on his having appeased his fellow man, for any sins against him?
The soul, too, needs a new garment for the holidayץ It is called commitment.
The moments of our lives...do we control our calendar or does it control us?
My yearly report to You on the state of Your people as perceived from this world, not from Your world of absolute truth.
"They... have lost counsel" says God in the coming Torah portion. Read ten out of the many tidbits of advice that are found in the Torah.
Because of corona, people changed from those who watch games into those playing in them. And Israelis showed their beautiful side.
Considered a minor fast, it is in reality a powerful day that harbors the possibility for the tikkun and Redemption we so need this year.
When man became mortal and was faced with the prospect of death, the passage of time became an issue of great importance.
There are two ways of looking at people who have problems with religion.
In the 2nd Lebanon War, Chagit Rhein lost her IDF officer son 6 weeks before Rosh Hashannah. Her thoughts as she lit the holiday candles.
Israel's first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi on the Day of Judgment: Musaf on Rosh Hashannah, the longest prayer of the year.
The lack of mass prayers and family meals are liable to cause sadness, but we must make an effort and use the time for tikun.
As we prepare to stand before the King, we must look inside ourselves because we have the capacity for greatness. It depends only on us.
Rosh Hashanah, the day of judgment, is followed by the 10 days of Tshuva (repentance). Shouldn't it be the other way around?
Torah thoughts from students in Religious Zionist yeahivas: Abraham called the mountain on which he bound Isaac "G-d shall see" - why?
The shofar isn't a musical instrument, and that's what sets it apart from all other musical instruments and makes us open our hearts.
Rav Kook's definition of teshuva is on a totally different plane than the one used in our daily discourse.
Ezra and Nechemia appealed to the nation on Rosh Hashannah, effecting a spiritual renewal which paved the path for Jewish continuity.
A primer of halakhot for Rosh Hashannah 5781- when the first day falls on Shabbat - and when corona rules must be followed.
It transpires that the world can change in the twinkling of an eye, for good or for bad, and so, too, can we.
Learn how the Tanya compacts four millennia of Jewish wisdom to answer the great personal and existential questions of life.
We pass before the heavenly court as soldiers in the army of King David. but also are like the sheep that exist around Mount Meron
Since we are asking for the gift of ‘life’, our first obligation is that the ‘life’ we are asking for, should be the one Hashem ‘wants’
"Tikkun Olam" historically was preparation, not purpose,
We are signing an historic peace treaty while preparing to enter a lockdown. How to explain the contrast?
The courtyard and balcony minyans required this year due to Corona hold a great blessing. We just have to look for it.
Our Father is screaming at us to return. He is making it clear that technology, treaties, and allies will not protect us from this plague.
Equality is not the same as sameness. We are not expected to be the same but we must always continue to grow.
Moshe Rabbeinu's last essential lessons to his people.
The UK Chief Rabbi brings the explanation of the Lubavitcher Rebbe for the mitzva of writing just one letter of a Sefer Torah.
Within our souls are different and varied parts. Collect them, compare them and see what should be changed in the New Year.
Encouragement from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, the iconic leader of Religious Zionism.
Why does Hashem have to tell Moshe and tell us in this week's parsha that he knows we are going to fail miserably?
To what extent do I view myself as part of the nation, feel responsible for my fellow Jews? These are questions we must ask ourselves.
Just before his death, Moshe Rabbeinu remembered two mitzvot One is about correcting the group and the other about correcting the individual
Why does Rashi say that mutual responsibility among Jews begins in Eretz Yisrael? What creates that bond?
Every one of us is unique and has a part to play in the life of the nation.
A profound Midrashic insight based on Isaiah's words in this week's Haftara, the last of the 'Seven of Consolation' on the Return to Zion.
We are treatng the plague's symptoms but not its underlying cause.We need the language of teshuva and a deeper, spiritual healing. first.
One microscopic virus. One call to action. One shofar.
