Meaningful legacy from a fallen soldier Hy"d

During a funeral, we don’t just accompany the departed, we are also called upon to acquire their positive traits.

Words from Rabbi Yaakov Edelstein for these times

When people would ask him for a general piece of advice, he would suggest they begin to exercise. A healthy soul is within a healthy body.

A condolence call with a message for us all

The character of the son that we knew became clearer with each person who knew Barak, whether for the briefest moment or for an extended period of time.

Outstanding evaluations for outstanding children

A special report card for children evacuated from their homes in war.

In memory of Eyal

Eyal Mevorach Twito fell in battle in Gaza. A glimpse of one of the priceless pesons the world has lost while bravely fighting Hamas barbarians.

Happy Tu B’Shvat!

At a time when we wait impatiently to see two blue check marks next to our WhatsApp message, we get a reminder once a year regarding what is most important.

“Do you have good news?”

These are difficult days.

Words of counsel from a former prisoner of Zion

In prison, I derived strength from many sources.

The unfocused reservist read the Tanach in 100 days

Barak Fuchs, a resident of Tzur Hadassah, has a regular job as a programmer for Israel Aerospace Industries. But he also learns Tanach.

Finding hope for tomorrow in our past

How can we add hope to our lives as we continue to hear the tragic news of our fallen soldiers, while aware of our enemy’s unfathomable cruelty?

When an actor goes to war

I checked WhatsApp for the last message Idan sent me and was amazed by what I found.

Let us multiply and spread

Growth as a direct, beneficial consequence of trauma.

Battalion 9204, we thank you

"I came down from Mount Dov with lots of thoughts. How to be a better father, a better husband, and focus on what is of importance.

The freed hostages read a psalm at the Kotel

Their being released alive and well should not be taken for granted, nor should their being able to come on their own to give thanks.

The Daily Portion / God puts an end to darkness

To every form of darkness, there is an end. Difficult times come to an end. They do not go on forever.

Statements from the wounded that give us strength

Gaining strength at the Sheba Rehabilitation Center.

The world’s most famous menorah continues to dispel the darkness

The Nazi flag says “Yehuda will die.” The Hanukkah lights say: “Yehuda will live forever.”

The three blessings of the first night of Hanukkah

May we quickly merit to see light triumph over darkness.

The Daily Portion / Finding strength on a trip to London

At the end of a regular conversation with someone, the person I had been speaking with invariably left me with “Am Yisrael chai!.”

Another day of war, another beautiful story from the home front

A home which from the very beginning is being built on extraordinary lovingkindness.

The Daily Portion / Freeing the captives

To some extent, collectively, we are imprisoned with the hostages as we think of them and pray for them constantly.

The Daily Portion / To hope for more, a lot more

But it’s not over yet. Hamas captured precious souls and is now trying to capture our minds

What gives us strength?

Teenage Israeli girls talk to Sivan about their sources of strength during the current war. Saying Psalms is one way, but there is more.

Our enemies and us

What can be said or done when your life’s work has been destroyed?

Yom Kippur Katan, straight from the Kabbalists of Tzfat

The source of the prayers on the day before Rosh Chodesh. Chodesh tov!

The nation of Israel is very much alive

People who never came to a Jewish event suddenly arrived here and spent the entire Shabbat with us.

To fall -- and get back up again

What we have to practice doing...

The light that shines during the dark days of Cheshvan

When the soul shines -- even a murky sky glows with a pleasant light..(Rabbi Kook)

The Daily Portion / To dream

*'When the Lord brings back those who return to Zion, we shall be as dreamers."

A silent prayer at the Kotel with hostage family members

Thirty seconds of a still small voice, a prayer from the heart.

The Daily Portion, Lech Lecha / Why do we phone our mothers?*

The most macabre phone call to a mother that one could ever imagine.

The Daily Portion / Turning numbers into names

There are those whose vile deeds desecrate the image of God and those whose lives are a testimony to God's presence in this world.

Shema Yisrael, 5784

Each time the fear in us grew, we prayed together and repeated the Shema.

The Daily Portion / Candy: A bridge between two eras

Everyone is invited to remember the candies they tossed on Simchat Torah every year.

The Daily Portion / Telling our story

Every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end.

An 89-year-old IDF lt. col. puts on tefillin for the first time

He said that when he reached the age of 13, they recognized this milestone with a delivery of 13 bananas to his room.

The Daily Portion / Sukkot in Tel Aviv

We hung signs in the neighborhood: "You are invited to our sukkah at 192 Arlozorov Street, even if we are not at home." This is the result.

Sukkot: When unity and joyfulness are ever present.

To look at our personal and national life through a wider and more optimistic lens.

Three Yom Kippur kibbutz experiences that speak for themselves

A contra to Tel Aviv.

Bereaved father:

'These are the tools we need during challenging times'

Rabbi Leo Dee offers words of inspiration at OU Israel’s Torah Modiin Conference. 'We live in a reality which is constantly changing.'

An extended fast

Total devotion: An extended Yom Kippur fast in Auschwitz.

The Daily Portion / Caution: Change in perspective ahead

It's not only the content of our prayers that changes but also the pace with which we pray.

5 pertinent matters for the Ten Days of Teshuva

Thoughts for the days between Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur.

A story of repentance:

About NIS 1,400

About an hour after the end of Rosh Hashanah, we opened the door and saw an envelope on the floor.

The Daily Portion / What's your new year's resolution?

Here are a few suggestions...

The Daily Portion / Is something special in the air?

Is it only me or, during these final days of 5783, is there something truly special in the air?

The Daily Portion / Selichot at sea

An experience students will take with them for life.

Prayers for our children in the new school year

These first days of the school year evoke prayers from the depth of our hearts.

The Daily Portion: A message for Elul from King David

King David, too, experienced numerous troubles throughout his life.

Less than a month to Yom Kippur

Are you prepared? Are you ready?

How hatred over past grievances keeps us enslaved

There is no reason to build our lives on hatred and to perpetuate any trauma we have suffered.

Elements of this week's Torah portion, haftarah, and Elul

This Torah portion lists more mitzvot than any other parasha, 77 out of the 613 total mitzvot that are included in the Torah.

Wanted: A breakthrough year

Don't think prolem, think opportunity.

A preschool teacher who fell in the line of duty

We know how she taught her nursery school pupils. What did the murderer's teacher's curriculum contain?

The Daily Portion / Five elements of Rosh Chodesh Elul

This month is identified with a desire for self-improvement and change. The shofar blown each morning is a wakeup call.

The Daily Portion / A little comment of great significance

If something is important to you, you know its magnitude.

The Daily Portion / Renew yourself!

In which areas of life -- during this blessed time -- has our potential yet to be fulfilled?

The Daily Portion / Some thoughts concerning Shabbat

We are obligated to add to Jewish identity another pillar: the pillar of Shabbat.

The Daily Portion, Re'eh / Seven revolutionary words

*"See, I set before you today a blessing and a curse. What blessing? What curse?

The inspiring filter of the Land of Israel

"A land the Lord your God looks after; the eyes of the Lord your God are always upon it."