יום חמישי, ו׳ תשרי תשפ״זThursday, September 17, 2026
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It was during the latter part of the hot days of August when the significance of the mitzvah of tzedakah hit me square in the face.
The murderer explained that his downward spiral began with the theft of that trivial eraser. After that, he stole a pencil box, and then he stole objects of greater value until he advanced to stealing money and eventually murdering people.
At times of war one must strengthen one’s emunah to acknowledge that the outcome is not contingent on his own strength and vitality.
Prefacing his writings, the author beseeches people to study his books and promises that those who do so will be granted family, life, wealth and honor in that merit.
True emunah is when a person lives by the principle of ‘cast your burden upon Hashem, and He will sustain you.’
The reference was absolutely intended to lure unsuspecting individuals to foreign worship, a practice that dated back to biblical times.
It is for this reason that the halachos of mourning are relaxed somewhat after chatzos, the time of day when the Holy of Holies was burning to the ground. It signifies, to some extent, a mo’ed, because the Shechinah was freed to be with us in exile all these many years.
When we offer fervent heartfelt prayers to Hashem lamenting our estrangement and beseech Him for our redemption, we will inspire Hashem to redeem us speedily.
When we gather in the batei medrash to daven and study Torah, and we perform acts of chesed to exalt the Name of Hashem . . . we are righteous and praiseworthy like those who actually gave up their lives sanctifying the Name of Hashem.
One who does not have that fervor and passion within him should nevertheless act with great enthusiasm and zeal to do the mitzvos, because the external arouses the internal.
Just as an advocate is created for each mitzvah, so too a prosecuting angel is created with the performance of every aveirah.
Any positive steps taken in matters of spirituality result in success – perhaps even in a different place or at a different time.
Just as a slave would have a seal on his clothing identifying him as such, the tzitzis distinguish us as servants of Hashem (Tosfos).
For the first time since making his decision to keep Shabbos, Uri became a little ambivalent. Yet, when it was time for him to close the shop for Shabbos, he resolutely requested all the shoppers to finish up and check out their purchases so he could go home.
Rabbeinu Yonah (Gerondi), most famously known for his Sefer Shaarei Teshuvah, writes how worthy is the individual who observes the protective restraints that were instituted to guard the fulfillment of the mitzvos, over and above his actual performance of the mitzvah itself.
Our Sages expound that granting merit to the many (zikui harabbim) is inherently infinitely beneficial.
It is every individual’s obligation to toil in Torah so that he can soar even higher than the angels.
The Doresh Tzion explains that Eretz Yisrael is acquired by the Jewish nation only in the merit of the Torah that was given at Har Sinai. If they abandon the ways of the Torah, then their entitlement to Eretz Yisrael is withdrawn as well.
Man is a synthesis of his nefesh habahamis (the animal soul), which has physical needs, and his G-dly soul (nefesh haElokis). Man’s mission is to elevate his nefesh habahamis to function in the realm of his nefesh haElokis.
During those years, many who came to America had no interest in continuing the sacred Torah traditions. R’ Yaakov Yosef dedicated his life to bringing back many who had fallen into a life of sin.
Dovid HaMelech was able to perceive the precariousness of routine and habitual activity that could tarnish the awesomeness, inspiration, and majesty of a special moment.
One is obligated to make a blessing on bad news, just as he makes a blessing on good tidings.
It is often asked what the first step should be in order to come closer to Hashem. Should one first purify himself by abandoning his evil ways, or should he engage in acts of holiness?
When one buys or builds a new house, he should make a chanukas habayis. It’s an important act of thanking Hashem . . . a time of dedication when one energizes the holiness of the dwelling.
R’ Chaim chose to sit in the middle of the shul, off to the side. Anyone could have the honor of sitting next to him, something that was the dream of a lifetime for many.
The rebbi felt terrible that there was a child sitting in his class who was not eating lunch…
The intent of the commandment to clean the ashes was to bring his thoughts down to the people on earth, for him to ‘see’ the hard-working people who were involved in everyday life.
The offering of the korbanos in itself does not achieve atonement. It is when the person’s mind and heart are overcome with thoughts of teshuvah that there is atonement.
One word of derision can offset a thousand words of mussar.
Our Sages tell us that righteous men and women merit that their descendants continue in their ways.
If one is quiet, it indicates that the matter at hand does not concern him.
R’ Simcha Bunim noted, If you want to go collecting you need a coat with two pockets. One for the honor that some will give you, and the other is for the ridicule that will come your way.
Swept up in their love for the mitzvah and the joy of having an opportunity to fulfill another mitzvah, the impending doom was cast aside.
The wise person does not become distracted by nonsense.
Our fervor and dedication to Torah study must never wane. In that way, Hashem will achieve true satisfaction and pleasure, as He did when we stood at Har Sinai and accepted the Torah.
Why didn’t G-d wipe out the army in Egypt? Why was it necessary to have them pursue the Jewish people into the Sea of Reeds?
One must strive to always be moving upwards spiritually, with no restrictions or restraints in his Torah learning. In this way, the person gains a more educated and knowledgeable grasp of mitzvos, aveiros, and one’s mission in life.
When someone makes an unsubstantiated argument, it is impossible to counter it with a logical explanation. That would imply that the two opinions are of equal value.
Our Sages tell us that all prayers make a strong impression in the Heavens and are answered. It is possible, however, that one may need to wait for the answer or may not understand the response.
What is that great good that is accrued in Gan Eden? The Ramban notes that if one would collect all the physical enjoyments of a lifetime, it would not compare to one minute of pleasure and satisfaction in the World-to-Come.
Yaakov Avinu wanted to see what kind of life Yosef was living, and he knew that if he saw Yosef face to face he would immediately know whether his spiritual being still lived.
Nowadays every home has its own menorah, some with one for every person in the household, to dispel the darkness of each individual – big or small, rich or poor, religious or not yet religious, highly intelligent or unlearned.
Why does the Torah find it necessary to tell us that they bought shoes with the money, ostensibly a trivial detail?
Our Sages tell us that if a person performs mitzvos and does good deeds he will merit to be escorted day and night by angels who guard him.
Such is the power of tears that it has the ability to transform worlds and to create a new essence of blessing and abundance, no matter who is crying.
The young man said, ‘I don’t want to listen to any mussar; it doesn’t interest me. Just leave me alone!’
Only a woman whose being was suffused with the characteristic of chesed would be a suitable wife for Yitzchak, and that was not a quality that could be discerned with a miracle.
When judging others, Avraham Avinu did not compare the status of the tzaddik to himself. Rather, he expanded the definition of a tzaddik.
When a person knows his destination, then as he comes closer the journey becomes easier…But when has no idea when his journey will end, it is more difficult, and he therefore merits reward for every step that he takes on this journey.
Noach needed to continue to adhere to the chesed he was carrying out for the animals, and not to let up for even a moment, in order that he merit to remain alive.
The Evil Inclination only comes in when there is an inviting accessible point of entry.
A Jew who recognizes that he may lack merits, like the aravah, yet prays to Hashem because he has the will and desire to cling to Hashem – his prayers will be answered.
We have nothing to fear from our enemies if we have faith in Hashem; it is specifically the shaky and unstable sukkah that actually symbolizes Hashem’s strength and might.
In addition to one’s efforts to repent, there is the ‘essence of the day’ that atones. We don’t exactly know what the ‘essence’ is, but we know that it embodies the power of atonement.
She began to weep softly as she recalled all the years that she had been happy and proud to be a giver, whereas this year she had nothing at all to give.
No matter our level in avodas Hashem, even the simplest person can be inspired by the largesse of Hashem’s chesed, wherein He cherishes every single good deed and thought of the person.
Both transgressions - cheating with weights and measures and questioning Providence - have the same root, since they both indicate a lack of emunah in Hashem.
The Zera Shimshon beseeches people to study his writings and promises that they will be granted family, life, wealth and honor in that merit.
‘There is one small problem,’ Moshe told him. ‘You will not be able to use this currency here.'
It is difficult to understand why prayer not in fact a definitive mitzvah in the Torah.
I just learned that all the gold in the world is not equivalent to the magnificence of one word of Torah. How foolish I was to sell fifty percent of my Torah ... for his gold coins.
The second Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred, represented by the fox, which the sages saw emerging from the ruins. With the cunning and guile of a fox, the evil inclination instigates and stimulates baseless hatred, dissent, and strife.
One can be held accountable for any words his lips utter, even when he makes a statement and says bli neder (that he has no intention of making a vow).
Only someone out of his mind would disparage and spurn someone for no reason at all.
Not only were they saved from an immediate death sentence, but they were able to survive the war with additional sustenance,
R' Chanina was accustomed to experiencing miracles, and therefore he did not fear the bite of the snake.
If we hold him by the hand, who will remove him from our protection?
They thought that if Hashem was sending them to scout the land, it must be that there were alternatives to invading and conquering it.
Rav Ovadia said, “So for me it’s permissible, but for you it’s prohibited?”
It’s more important for me not to disappoint a fellow Jew.
The Chasmonaim were punished because they wrongfully adopted a calling that wasn’t theirs.
From what spiritual impurity are we being cleansed and how does counting sefirah effect this cleansing?
R’ Yisroel Salanter asks: Would escorting him and giving him provisions have prevented his murder?
The Kapishnitzer Rebbe promised her that her son would return to the fold very soon.
One who wishes to avoid lashon hara and its consequences will constantly seek to find the good in others.
When R’ Lopian finished speaking, the disciples were astounded to see their rebbe, R’ Schwadron, lie face down on the ground.
The Hebrew word for despairing – me’ya’eish – is spelled with two yuds, which spell the name of Hashem.
If the malach wouldn’t have struck him, Nevuchadnezzar would have disgraced all of David HaMelech’s praises and songs in Sefer Tehillim.
Hashem seeks people who are willing to subjugate their hearts to Him.
When the incident was related to R’ Tzvi Pesach Frank, he remarked, “This young girl is destined for greatness.”
You won’t understand the logic of events as they occur because “My face may not be seen.”
The great R’ Elchonon Wasserman noted that children form the foundation of the Jewish nation.
A Jew’s life is supposed to be governed by deliberation, forethought, mental preparedness, and understanding, not impulsivity or “living for the moment.”
Our sages note that “gemilus chassadim” is an interesting phrase because the root of “gemilus” means to finish.
Rav Kreiswirth would say, “This young man is my Gan Eden.”
The Mechilta D’Rebbi Yishmael comments that the Torah can only be elucidated by those who ate from the mahn.
The Rebbe refused to accept his mishloach manos until he promised to control his temper.
All three individuals can do what was previously thought unachievable because their will and resolve unearth hidden strengths.
If a diamond is exposed to the heat of a flame for 30-45 seconds and then dropped in icy water, it won’t react to the extreme temperature change.
Every act that a person does makes an impact on the world, whether good or otherwise.
He responded, “Better that he broke your nose now than broke your marriage later.”
The Hebrew word for ring, “taba’as,” has the same root as “teva” (nature).
Openness to acculturation, assimilation, and the foreign influences of the street leads to the destruction of the sanctity of the Jewish home.
What difference did it make to Esav whether Yaakov kept the mitzvos or not?
According to a familiar adage of Vishnitzer chassidim, a tear shed during prayer is more powerful than many fasts.
Every person has the free will to use his traits to become a tzaddik or a rasha.
Avraham had to prove that he wouldn’t regret his achievement at Har HaMoriah.
The Medrash Rabbah that says that Avraham Avinu asked Hashem to swear to him that He wouldn’t test him or his son, Yitzchak, any further.
In order to be successful in outreach, one must first accommodate the person’s physical needs.
No matter the trials or tribulations we experience, we must not sink into depression.
September 18, 2026 
