Sivan Rahav-Meir

The language of affection

Three thought provoking vignettes from the internationally popular Torah lecturer.

It's good to be a Jew- someone cares

Sharansky: When I was a child, 'Jew' was an unfortunate designation,,,on the Ukraine border, being a Jew is a most fortunate circumstance.

A letter from Kiev

The war in Ukraine, Chabad emissaries, the Megilla and the parasha.

Shabbat in Kharkov, Ukraine

A letter from the wife of the Chabad shaliach in Khrakov.

What Avraham Fried learned from a rooster and other stories

Don't just wake up - sing!

What happened to spirituality? Thoughts for the soul

We tend to talk about spirituality but it is in our actions, small, personal or influential, that it is attained.

Making our home into a Mishkan

Different factors make our home a sanctuary and our lives and those of our loved ones positive, hopeful and meaningful.

Rosh Chodesh Adar: How's life? Enjoy it!

In the month of Adar, we have an opportunity to connect with simple joy, to rejoice in just being alive.

A story for International Holocaust Remembrance Day

The dough that did not rise in the ghetto and other lessons.

The Kotzker Rebbe: Brief but deep

Aphorisms of the Kotzker, each short in words but deep in meaning.

Ori, wife of officer killed by friendly fire: Keep on living

'If Itamar had made that error, what would I want for him? And the answer is that I would want for him the strength to move beyond this.'

Isolated, yet together

There is much to learn from this pandemic about family cohesivenes and leadership on all levels.

On self-protection and redemption

What are the most important values in your life? You can talk and learn about them, emulate others and note that most of us try to do that.

In memory of our two brave pilots

The words beow are dedicated the ascent of the souls of Hen ben Aron and Erez ben David and to the recovery of Ron ben Marina.

Moshe Rabbeinu was only human, just like you and me

This statement is not meant to lower our esteem for Moses, but to raise hopes for ourselves.

Four things we can learn from the Chaim Walder tragedy

Hard as it is, this can be a golden opportunity for expressing things we can now articulate for ourselves and our families.

Are we missing out on life's greatest opportunities?

Can the temporary silence the historic?

Are we missing out on life's greatest opportunities?

Can the temporary silence the historic?

Shemot: What is it about crying out?

The Book of Exodus is a guidebook. What does it teach about bringing redemption - from everything that needs change?

Liel Namdar- a DUI driver snuffs out a young life

Her last text was a reminder to say Shema at bedtime. It almost seems as though G-d wanted her near Him.

Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazeik! We will be strong!

The blessing over sons in this week's Torah portion is dedicated to Yehuda Dimentman, Hy"d, who will not bless his baby tonight.

Young people ask Rabbi Lau questions about the Tenth of Tevet

The 10th of Tevet as Yom Hakaddish Haklali leads to curiosity about the rabbi's Holocaust experience.

Halt: Private moments ahead

The age of social media has made privacy obsolete - unless we think about how to combine it with suitable disclosure. A lesson from Joseph.

To fight the darkness

We must know how to identify it in order to fight against it and eliminate it.

Shabbat or Hanukkah candles: Which should have come first?

Imagine you only have money for one set of candles - Shabbat or Hannukah - which to choose and why?

Hannukah: When light from above descends into our living rooms

It's not just a match and a candle. A magnificent light descends into our homes, next to the window or the door, and we need to receive it.

In the memory of Eliyahu David Kay, z"l - 19th of Kislev

There is a dimension of inwardness, often hidden but waiting to be accessed, in the world.

A billion Chinese can't be wrong

The Chinese translate the word "Judaism" in a unique way taken from this week's Torah reading.

Suffering makes you stronger: an idea to handle with care

Chani Weinroth z"l knew about all-encompassing suffering firsthand, but managed to advise wisely those suffering and those around them..

For Cheshvan 11: Why is she called "our Mother Rachel?"

"There is something in the personality of our mother Rachel, in the story of her life, that says to us...'you can tell me everything'."

Watch: Jewish farmers depart their fields ahead of Sabbatical

Video shows the joy of farmers of the Kibbutz of Shaalvim as they leave their fields at the beginning of 'Shmita', the Sabbatical year.

Remembering to be grateful

Never cease to praise and glorify God with the utmost enthusiasm.

What did Omri Caspi tell me?

Humor and purpose. May we all find them throughout our lives.

5 thoughts after Shabbat Chazon

Tisha B'Av is not only a day of mourning for what we lost, but rather a reminder of what to expect from ourselves.

The Daily Portion

The most powerful weapon

At the moment that we say something, we create a new reality in the world.

Education does not end on June 30th

This was a year of unusual educational challenges, but the summer ahead is no less challenging. Op-ed.

Regarding the 17th of Tammuz

Think about how far the world has come, but look around you and think how far it has yet to go.

Remembering "the Judge of all the earth"

Tzvi Tal was a judge who remembered that the "Judge of all the earth" is above him. In memoriam.

The power of women

Sometimes hidden, sometimes front stage, women can set the tone for societal interaction.

Chodesh Tov - have a good new month

On Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, take care to plan to have a good month in your thoughts, speech and actions, accept both compliments and criticism..

Israel's Defense: Without and within

The man who brought Israel's security complex to unbelievable technological heights was killed in a primitive attack:by Arab rioters.

Not to be wicked

In yesterday's parsha, a wicked person is someone who witnesses a mind-changing event and yet continues as though nothing had happened.

It's not simple being simple

To act simply, modestly, with integrity and without pretense is not as easy as it sounds.

A blessing filled with love

In order to bless our fellow Jews, we must open our hearts with love. That is what the kohanim teach us in their blessing.

Safe room for the body, safe room for the soul

A brief lesson from them in maintaining emotional health during this time.

Reading of each Tehillim Selichot and the prayer of HaShla"h

We are preparing for the eve of Rosh Chodesh Sivan then open the Aron HaKodesh and pray the great prayer of the Holy Ha'Shla"h haKadosh

Jerusalem has known far more difficult days.

We received a gift in 1967 and it is up to us to show we are deserving of it and turn Jerusalem into what it can be.

The Daily Portion

Meron, Jerusalem, Canada: Chizuk from Rabbanit Chana Henkin

Rabbanit Chana Henkin, whose son and daughter in law were murdered by terrorists, in a message to strengthen us at this time.

The Daily Portion

On the disaster in Meron

Ordinarily,Sefira customs associated with mourning end on Lag Ba'Omer, but this year they have, tragically, been extended.

Giving thanks at the Kotel

Should there be a mass thanksgiving prayer of all those who survived corona?

Four post-corona parenting guidelines - and the 14th of Iyar

How do we re-establish parental control at home after a year of the corona? A parental counselor gives some pointers.

Preventing tragedy with our words is not 'lashon hara'

If we see or hear about an authority figure or any other person, for that matter, who harms another, it's our responsibility to act.

Six cold, hard, dry facts

We are overwhelmed with stories, memories, and tears during this period, but, we must not neglect the cold facts. Op-ed.

The Daily Portion

The Mimouna celebration - keeping the door wide open

'Tirvachu ve'tisadu' translates as 'feel at home and eat well' or as 'be prosperous and help others'- it is the open door Mimouna greeting.

We have begun to count and we have begun the countdown

Elections remind us of democracy, Pesach reminds us that liberty brings a goal and responsibility with i

Corona-Pesach vignettes

This Pesach we will have no trouble feeling as if we have just left Egypt - as we sit with family once more and thank G-d for this chesed.

Enough of slavery - let us go out to real freedom!

Have a conversation with friends and check how many minutes it takes before the talk turns to corona. Change that mindset and feel free..

Don't let the spirit of Pesach be stolen

Think about Pesach. Live Pesach. Don't let the preparations confound you.

After corona: What will we do with our health? our lives?

Let us hope we remember those we lost to the coronavirus and that our main goal is not health, but that health enables us to strive for it.

Without a crowd

This time there is no crowd, this time it's only G-d and you. We've added a thought on Pesach cleaning which is only your family and you.