Protektzia
We are living through exceptionally challenging times, and we need Hashem’s mercy now more than ever. The best way to reach Hashem is by making sure that His children are cared for.
Court Recognizes Importance Of Baal Koreh In Landmark Tax Exemption Decision
The trial court denied the shul’s application for a tax exemption, concluding, among other things, that the property was not intimately related to the [petitioner’s] religious objectives.
Inspiring Insights for Your Seder Night
Nothing in the physical world is objectively good or evil, rather, everything has the potential to be used for either good or evil. The choice is solely up to you!
Does G-d Refuse Repair Attempts?
We see, then, that not all sacrifices are rejected, nor are they rejected from all people.
Blessed Buddies
What do Pope Benedict XVI, Barack Obama, Naftali Bennett, and Hosni Mubarak all have in common? Yes, they were all political leaders in the early 21st century, but this column is about names, not politics. So, my answer is actually that all their names are related to each other. Let me explain.
The Seder’s Message To Us
Notice that we do not speak in the past tense. Omdim alainu – they stand against us attempting to wipe us off the face of this earth. As we sit down to our seder, we discover the eternal secret of the Jew.
Is It Proper To Incorporate Current Events Into The Pesach Seder? If So, In...
In short, not only is it proper to incorporate current events into the Seder, but it is likely a fulfillment or at the very least an enhancement of the mitzvah to recount the Exodus from Egypt. However, this is true only if we subsume those current events into the broader retelling and view them as part of an ongoing fulfillment of Hashem's redemption.
Fire
Fire is something that belongs in Heaven, that is its place. It is therefore not difficult to understand that fire came down from Heaven onto the mizbe'ach. What is difficult to understand is the mitzvah for us to add our own fire.
The Crux Of Our Egyptian Slavery
When G-d redeemed us from slavery he saved us from purposeless work and life without purpose.
Good To The Last Drop
In 2011 the Maxwell House Haggadah translation underwent its first significant update since its original publishing. “Art, thou, and hast” were replaced with more conversant contemporary English.
Should You Sell Your Chametz?
We should also recognize that mechirat chametz as it is performed today was originally intended for sh’at hadchak – it was an emergency measure necessitated by Jews owning large quantities of chametz, which was a particular problem once Jews had entered the liquor business.
Returned
This bag has got to go. Please ask a clear shaila, explaining what efforts you’ve already done and what the requirement is now.
Vacuum Cleaner
While Dani was washing the floor mats, a branch fell from a tree and hit the vacuum cleaner, cracking it!
Daf Yomi
Without Warning
‘… But You Were With Us…’
(Makkos 2a)
Q & A: Mechirat Chametz And Chametz She’avar Alav HaPesach (Part IV –...
Question: I would like to have a better understanding of a practice that I and many others are a party to every year before Passover. How does the sale of chametz to the gentile take effect if it returned to the original owner within a very short period after the festival’s conclusion?
M .Goldblum
Miami Beach, FL
The Purpose Of Korbanot
Sometimes, because of the low spiritual state of Israel going out of bondage, there are intermediate steps in order for growth to be achieved. The Rambam understands the sacrificial rite in this spirit. He sees the korbanot as serving a practical purpose in weaning Israel off of the idolatrous customs of primitive civilizations.
Self Made Men
When we perform a mitzvat aseh, like davening, putting on tefillin, sitting in the sukkah, keeping Shabbat, with full concentration, while putting aside all other thoughts and preoccupations, it pleases G-d no end, because it justifies His experiment in creating mankind.
The Ultimate Compliment For The Ultimate Baal Teshuva
Originally, Menashe behaved so badly that he seemed to have forfeited his place in the World to Come. But then he did such teshuva that not only did he earn a place in the World to Come, but G-d himself interfered with the nature He had created and made a special opening or tunnel through which Menashe could come into the World to Come.
How We Ought to Care For Others
The servitude we experienced in Mitzrayim should sensitize us to human suffering. We know what being a foreigner feels like and should thus care for those in similar situations.
Cultivating Wholesome Eyes
The Gemara teaches us that one who has three traits can consider himself a true talmid, a disciple, of Avraham Avinu. One of these traits is ayin tova, a good eye, which means the characteristic of seeing the good in everyone.
Not A Trace
Hashem told Avraham Avinu: You are the root of the Jewish nation. If there is a black spot – a small lack of emunah – then the fruit that you bear will be bitter, that is to say, there will eventually be no emunah at all among the people.
Transcending Ego To Connect With The Infinite
As human beings, we are naturally resistant to external instruction or direction, preferring to do things only when we want to do them.
Stirring Up A Hornet’s Nest
A person should never bring himself to undergo a test of faith, as David, king of Israel, brought himself to undergo a test of faith and failed.
38 Again
It was well known that Jack Benny celebrated his thirty-ninth birthday every year. When Benny died in 1974, he had turned thirty-nine a total of forty-one times.
A Personal Reflection On Pesach And Faith
As we sit at our seders this year, we are not only reliving the past; we are living in the present. We are living through a time when the Jewish people are once again fighting for freedom.
Why Do We Sacrifice?
Physically, we are almost nothing; spiritually, we are brushed by the wings of eternity. We have a G-dly soul.
Salted Matzos
The Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, negative commandment 99) says that it is not permitted to bring a Korban that has no taste, it has to have an intrinsic taste and flavor that is not just palatable, but an honor to the King to Whom it is sacrificed, it has to be delicious.
Whose Ball?
Even if it was my idea, if Reuven’s ball broke the window, he’s liable – not me! Shimon argued. Who’s to say that I have to pay?
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