Sivan Rahav-Meir

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.

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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.

One month till Pesach!

This reminder is not about cleaning your closets but about preparing your soul.

So how was Purim 2021?

This year I heard Megilat Esther outside wearing a coat in the cold, under a Jerusalem street light.

Your own home's Corona Cabinet can create plans for Purim

Your home Corona Cabinet can plan how to make Purim joyous and manage the challenge of controlling screen time. Involve the whole family.

53 stones to build a palace

Mitzvot are stones that build a palace for G-d but the mortar binding them is love for one's fellow man.

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Don't let COVID-19 wear you out

If you need help, don't be ashamed to ask for help - and meanwhile, find joy in a corona shidduch story!

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Sing in the middle of the journey, don't wait for its end

Do we only sing when our situation is perfect? Only after we reach our goal? Road songs are about growth, faith and hope. So let's sing.

Telling our story to the next generation – no matter what

An educator's mission during this period is teaching our meaningful story of continuity, brave leaders and how we can overcome difficulties.

Lockdown thoughts: National stability begins at home

At the moment of our liberation, G-d says to Moshe that he should tell all the people to enter their homes Like we are doing now.

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This lockdown is meant for you: Get moving

Had we known last year that nearly 12 months later we would be in a lockdown, we might have despaired, but there is much we can do right now

Lessons from Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsh - and an 11 year old

Gratitude with sensitivity to humans, gratitude even to the inanimate. Respect for oneself and respect for one's past.

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Rebbe Nachman says: Just get through today

Rabbi Nachman: "We have nothing in the world except this day and this moment, because tomorrow is a completely different world.'*

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From Moshe to Moshe. Pray for leadership, by Rav Yehuda Henkin

Today's leaders are not chosen directly by G-d, nor for their Torah scholarship, so as we face new elections, heavenly help is needed..

Chazak, Chazak, Ve'nitchazek

Let us go from strength to strength as we end the book of Genesis in our Sabbath Torah readings. And take an example from Jonathan Pollard.

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No one has to donate a kidney

There are so many ways to give...

Children of Holocaust survivors save the world from COVID-19

Today is the 10th of Tevet, when Israel's Chief Rabbinate declared that Kaddish is said for Holocaust victims whose yahrzeit is unknown.

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Words of wisdom from Esther Horgan Hy"d, marriage counselor

This week the Jewish people lost a woman who loved life. Some of her insights are brought here.

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Dotan Valley - then and now

The story of Joseph continued to echo in the plans the Nazis had for the Valley of Dothan where the brothers sold him.

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Celebrating Eid Al-Banat (Girls' Day)

Not only have Jews arrived here from many lands, but their traditions and customs, too. This is a special one, for women and girls only.

Hanukkah miracles: No cell phones

One homebased miracle if it happens, and one foreign affairs miracle. Both seemed impossible once.

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Three Hanukkah candle messages

We light a small flame this evening that tells a story about the past heroism of our ancestors, but this year we are heroes too.

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When our children think of us, what do they see?

What happens to what we teach them, once we are not here. Joseph gives the answer.

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Message from a corona bride

How brave these young corona brides are - putting off their dream weddings without wallowing in self pity. Here is one story.

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Cultivate patience, never give up

Many things require continued striving and much patience, as the story of Jacob so clearly teaches us.

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What do we do when everything changes?

Life occasionally compels us to leave our comfort zone and deal with crisis. A biblical and modern model.

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Finding God in unexpected places

Life is truly a ladder set up on the ground, but its top reaches heaven.

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Patience: not available on Amazon Prime

I discovered two incredible details in this week's Torah portion

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Children's author Chaim Walder's message to youngsters

Chaim Walder, as always, knows how to reach young people's hearts. And at the Chabad Kinus, Rabbi Kottarsky did the same for adults.

The Sigd holiday-and its celebration during the corona pandemic

Fasting, prayer, love of Zion and festivities: how Ethiopia's Beta Israel Jews enriched Israeli Jewish life with a unique, ancient festival.

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How do you know if you're still young?

Rebbe Nachman writes this on Mother Sarah and us: 'This is the essence of perfection – to begin to live over and over again.'. How?

Eulogizing Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks is not enough

Imagine being asked what you are doing with your commitment to Judaism. What will you answer?

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To get joy out of Zooming and washing dishes

It's all a matter of attitude - and your children absorb it.

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Carlebach did not only sing, he spoke words of wisdom, too

Shlomo Carlebach said things that made listeners think. Like "When someone speaks, he needs quiet.When he sings, everyone sings with hm."

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The Chazon Ish - and young children's Torah study

Wise words from a great Torah luminary for his yahrzeit - and a message for the children now back in school whose learning is our bedrock.

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Rachel and Avraham's blessings light up the world

The grandfather of the grandfather of each of our Nobel prize winners sat down every day with a gemara and cracked open its problems.

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The day after the Covid crisis is over

Rav Yehuda Amital's description of the changes he witnessed as a survivor are analogous to Noah before and after the Deluge. And ours?

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What's the solution?

After the Flood, it seems that humans have learned nothing. Until...

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Precious corona moments

Imagine a police officer standing next to people praying outside who prayed as follows: 'May God bless our soldiers and security forces...'

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Finding the ark within us

When a person feels low and downcast, the best advice is: 'Make yourself into an ark.' (Genesis 6:14).

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To choose properly

We are still making amends for Adam's making the wrong choice.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev in the age of corona

No matter what anyone did, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak knew how to find a positive and optimistic way of presenting it to G-d. We sorely need him.

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After the holidays - and so we begin...

The strange 5781 holiday season is over. What now? Start from the beginning....

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Despite everything, we begin anew

We read how Moses blesses the tribes before his death and a few minutes later how G-d created the world. Our story is greater than corona.

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A closer look at ourselves

You want to live only for yourself? So go into isolation only with yourself.

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Rabbi Nachman: Only this moment matters

Rabbi Nachman said it is possible to start fresh at any moment, find the good in every moment.

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The time is now

Let's take a page from the lives of the Ushpizin.

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An historic Yom Kippur

One thing was clear: this was one Yom Kippur that would not be forgotten.

Ten tips for Yom Kippur this year

10 important tips regarding this year's Yom Kippur observance.

To listen and lighten their load

We cannot help everyone solve their problems or end their suffering, but there is one thing we can always do for them.