VAYECHI 5728

Using the Rambam as an excuse to stay in the Diaspora

'The reason the Rambam does not list living in Israel as a mitzvah is not that he thinks it less than a mitzvah, but just the opposite.'

Pack of liars

A fictional scenario one year to the death of teenager Ahuvia Sandak when a police car chasing the car he was in rammed into it. Op-ed.

Hannukah: Joy in the Old City of Jerusalem

A visit with Rav Shlomo Aviner, head of the Ateret Yerushalyim Yeshiva in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City.

Mashiach, Mashiach, Mashiach

"The ingathering of the exiles, and Jewish sovereignty over Eretz Yisrael – Medinat Yisrael – are clear steps in the process of Mashiach.".

The Leningrad Trial - a modern day Hannukah saga

The trial began on the first day of Hannukah and the accused's imprisonment lasted for years, but a miracle occurred along the way. Excerpt.

Mashiach, Mashiach, Mashiach…

There are people who claim that until the Mashiach comes there is no obligation for a Jew to live in Israel.Look again.

Who is a Jew?

A short story. About an age-old history.

"Youth of the plains"

Young Native American Indians in Nevada establish a make-shift settlement near Las Vegas- one is killed by police. What happens next? Op-ed.

Major League Judaism

Maybe we can borrow a few metaphors from baseball to help America Jews understand that Judaism in the Diaspora is the Little Leagues.

Miss Universe pageant in Eilat - on Hannukah

What will those Israeli Hellenists think of for next Hannukah? Can they do better than this year's Miss Universe pageant?. Op-ed.

Interview with Michael Ben Horin: Rabbi Meir Kahana in Israel

During Rabbi Kahana’s years in the Knesset, Michael Ben Horin served as the Kach Party’s general secretary. Interview.

Tell them the whole story, my daughter

Mourning the terrible murder of PM Yitzchak Rabin does not mean we must ignore his negative actions and disastrous decisions. Op-ed.

WARNING! Lech lecha!

A Jew cannot forge the same connection to Hashem in Ur Kasdim, Haran, Berlin, Brooklyn, Las Vegas, or Palm Beach, as in Eretz Yisrael.

The Arabs are winning the war

A chance encournter and a surprising conversation lead to a shocking conclusion. Op-ed.

The goal of teshuva - Jerusalem

Rabbi Kook writes that the rebirth of the Jewish nation in Eretz Yisrael is the foundation for the ultimate t’shuva.

The way to save the Jewish State

The best New Year Resolution of all is to act to save Medinat Yisrael. It is all a matter of numbers.Op-ed.

The Chofetz Chaim – on his Yahrtzeit

“If we had the capability,” he wrote to his son, “it would be appropriate to buy land and make aliyah to Eretz Yisrael.”

Inspiration for the Jewish Festivals:Speaking to Rabbi Dov Begun

On the first English book by renowned founding head of Machon Meir in Jerusalem, seen as the baale t’shuva wing of Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav.

The Rabbi Eliezer Melamed controversy

From the harsh, condemning tone of some of the articles opposing Rabbi Melamed's opinions, you might think he was a serial murderer.

What we can learn from the Taliban

Armies fueled by religious faith can only be beaten by an even greater religious faith and belief in the righteousness of the battle.Op-ed.

Mount Herzl is disappearing

There is a cataclysmic traffic jam on the highways of our national existence, and it is not easy to remain optimistic

The Age of Anxiety

Vials of valium and an assortment of anti-depressants and “uppers” can be found in the medicine cabinets of the very best homes.

Listen, do you want to know a secret?

A Jewish farmer in Arkansas cannot keep the mitzvot of Shmitta because he is outside the Land of Israel. There is a Torah of Eretz Yisrael.

The Good Land

Rabbi Gold said that there is a yetzer hara (evil inclination) that causes a person to see the Land of Israel in a negative perspective.

A curse on Columbus

Over 50% of the "Reform Jews" who demand free expression of worship at the Kotel aren’t Jewish at all. Op-ed

On Tisha B'Av, don’t confuse Torah with Buddhism

Here's one of the basic principles of the Torah - it doesn’t change. And it is meant to be kept in Israel.

The Holy Arizal and Eretz Yisrael

Today is the yahrzeit of the revered Kabbalist whose work on the Zohar and spiritual way of life are legendary. How he saw the Holy Land.

For Jabotinsky's Yahrzeit: Jabotinsky and the Haganah

“The point of the matter is, as Rabbi Kook writes, that the inner soul of the Zionism movement derives from a holy source." Book excerpt.

Bring on the Jewish parade!

Jewish jokers, like the Joker of Batman fame, make good out of evil, and evil out of good. Israel is not good enough for them.

City of spies

The mere fact that Jews are living outside the Land of Israel is a desecration of G-d. Why? Op-ed.

The Book of Hirsh

The Book of Hirsh packs everything about today's Israel into a fast-paced, but thought-provoking, short novel Recommended. Review.

Shelach: To which camp do you belong?

The Gaon of Vilna taught that the sin of the Spies haunts the Jewish People, that many people are caught in its web, evenTorah scholars.

Guide to a chosen and perplexed people

Review of “Faith and Redemption,” by Rabbi Meir Kahane who wrote: "This is the worst of all periods when we could be making it the best."

Happy Independence Day!

Rav Tzvi Yehuda said: Our joy on this day is the joy of a mitzvah. We have merited fulfilling the mitzva to dwell in Eretz Yisrael, Op-ed.

Today's Korachs are politicians

The mini Korachs of today express the same jealousy and hatred for Netanyahu that Korach had for Moshe.

The Jewish Arab State

How did it come about that an Arab party that aligns itself with Israel's enemies is suggested as a member of Israel's government? Op-ed.

Tevye's Seder

For your holiday reading pleasure, a chapter from the novel, “Arise and Shine!” (volume 2) of the “Tevye in the Promised Land” trilogy.

Post election tribute to Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook zts"l

As votes are counted, recall Rav Tzvi Yehuda's words: 'The building of Eretz Yisrael is accomplished by every segment of the Nation.' Op-ed.

Vote Torah

In the remaining hours before the election, look closely at the candidates.Vote for those who speak words of Torah. Op-ed.

Just get yourself free!

Blake Flayton of G. Washington U, has founded the New Zionist Congress to fight for Jewish pride in America. There's a better way. Op-ed.

Yes to two states!

Joe Biden is right. The 2-State Solution is the best way to go. Complicated? Charged with emotion? Potentially explosive? So what? Op-ed.

Brothers, it's Purim 2021

Shushan is uncannily like America 2021. Llisten to Marc Bernan sing a Yiddish Purim song about the miracle and make it come true again.

Fishman the Prophet

This modern prophet is giving us a way out of his doomsday scenario. Opinion.

Happy Tu B’Shvat! The incomparable Torah of Eretz Yisrael.

There is only one Torah, but there are two different understandings of Torah - and many of its precepts can be kept only in Eretz Yisrael.

Diaspora de-programming therapy

Diaspora Jewry needs de-education to erase the impressions affecting mind and heart that make them feel at home. Op-ed.

The United States is falling down

Former Hollywood producer, now a Jerusalemite and frequent Arutz Sheva columnist, sings about US Jewry's future. 'Sing Along' Op-ed.

The Capital Tragedy

Not the violent takeover of the Capitol building, bur the choice of what we call 'our nation's capital' is the Jewish tragedy here. Opinion.

Here comes 'Shovavim'

During this period one should avoid anger and criticism, even for Torah. One should shun cynicism, frivolity, arrogance, and be very humble.

An op-ed for Diaspora Jews as they usher in 2021

This letter applies not only to op-eders, but to all pro-Israel Rabbis, YI and OU members, YU alumni, philanthropists and lovers of Israel.

'Twas the night before Xmas

A seasonal rendering of "Mashiach's on his way."

Hellenism is alive and well in America!

Why should your run-of-the-mill secular Leftist in Israel be considered less of Hellenist than a Diaspora Jew? Op-ed.

"Hey, Joe!"

Diaspora Jewry, for the most part, is beyond saving. Bring those still Jewish among them home.

Rabbi Mendelevich protests Babi Yar Memorial on Jewish Graves

Famous refusenik: 'I only want to make sure that no construction is carried out over Jewish graves.'

Larger than life - and still right

A review of “Rabbi Meir Kahane – His Life and Thought" – Volume Two, by Libby Kahane, a riveting story of dedication told by an insider.

Suggestion to Israel: Forget about the Jews of America

Whether the next president is Trump or Biden, we in Israel must face up to the fact that most US Jews voted against Israel. Op-ed.

Lech Lecha - Get thee forth to America?

Hashem wants the Jews to live in the Land of Israel. What makes so many Jews stay in exile?

They scoffed at Noah too!

People scoffed at Noah, just like they scoff at me when I write about the importance of modesty and the harm caused by promiscuity.

Jabotinsky's birthday:

The Lion's Roar

To honor 140th birthday of Ze'ev Jabotinsky, here is a long and dramatic excerpt from Tzvi Fishman’s historical novel, 'The Lion's Roar'.

Letter to Gal Gadot - on playing Cleopatra

The G-d of Israel has bestowed you with abundant blessing. I doubt very much that He is happy with your choice of roles.

Potiphar's wife

Each of us is tempted every day with the very same test as Yosef when we sit down at the computer. Today, the Internet is Potiphar’s wife.