יום רביעי, י״ט תשרי תשפ״זWednesday, September 30, 2026
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By Naama Klein
Eventually, after some trial and error, including an experience with a prima donna and one with a thief, I baruch Hashem ultimately found a fine, honest and reliable household helper.
Humility often confused with low self-esteem, truly means that a person realizes his true worth
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
With the synagogue, "Judaism created one of the greatest revolutions in the history of religion"
I was aware he didn’t want me to “imagine” making coffee in a forced new dream.
By dvora
It all started with the recent deluge of rain we here in Israel were privileged to have.
By dvora
After I put the tefillin away, the man said that he felt different, and that he had never felt that way before.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
By wisdom, we come to understand G-d via creation; By Torah we understand G-d through His revelation
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Torah opposes slavery; G-d desires the free worship of free human beings, yet slavery's permitted-?!
Her first tactic was tefillah; she immediately began to recite one perek after another of Tehillim.
Suddenly, she turns to me and says, “B'emet, I need to thank you, you made me excited to come back to Israel.”
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Pharaoh perverted symbols of life (the Nile and midwives) into agents of death.
As we walked, I told her how I had hoped for the chance to thank her for her amazing visit.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The 5th cup is supported by a 5th expression of Deliverance: “And I will bring you to the land..."
If we are certain that God is on our side, we can easily become arrogant and even cruel
When my father died suddenly when I was newly married there was no one who had to say Kaddish for him. I am one of four daughters and he had no brothers.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The first recorded instance of civil disobedience is the story of Shifra and Puah, defying Pharaoh
By dvora
Mommy, please don’t be so sad. Here in the next world Hashem Yisborach’s plan is much clearer.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Truthfulness is a fundamental value in Jewish yet truth isn't its highest value. Peace is. Why so?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Jacob’s blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh had nothing to do with age and everything to do with names
Reb Shlomo Zalman could not endure honorifics applied to him because of his enormous humility
She was determined that the Law class was Dina’s best chance of finding a husband, and that was the real reason she wanted her to go to college.
By dvora
But who would have ever guessed that Hashem would unlock the key to the birth on same day as the English anniversary of our wedding.
By As Told To Esther Leah Avner
In a way that decision was the first in a series of miracles with which Hashem blessed us.
And so it was that both those women whose lives had been saved in Yerushalayim only about a month earlier, were now in a Manhattan hospital with the woman who inadvertently had helped save their lives.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Tamar’s conduct bears an uncanny resemblance to Ruth's; virtuous outsiders at the margins of society
By Naama Klein
When I pulled up at their house, my worst fears were confirmed.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
A Jew is an iconoclast, born to challenge the idols of the age,whatever the idols, whatever the age.
Yet, ultimately, looking back, these “setbacks” turned out to be really for the patient’s best – for the good.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Simply too many cases of prayers being answered to deny it makes a difference to our fate. It does.
Though braggarts come across as conceited, their boasting often reflects a low sense of self-regard
By Jolie Greiff
Dr. Schwartz had no other alternatives up his sleeve. He suggested my mother go home and think about what she wanted to do.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
When Jacob was chosen, Esau was not rejected; G-d does not reject.
By Naama Klein
So why was she forever unceremoniously dumping them in the library after the long school day was over and virtually all the other students and staff members had already gone home?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Between Judaism and Islam there can be friendship and mutual respect as Abraham loved both his sons.
By dvora
Several months ago, I made a serious effort to find an apartment in the "better" area but, alas, the rents were too high. I felt that I was stuck where I was.
“My mother raised us to independence, all of us,” Rivka says, which certainly plays itself out in the fact that all three children have taken a different path.
By Naama Klein
Surprisingly, my husband and one son arrived home over half-an-hour earlier than usual. I excitedly shared my perfect-timing story, but my better half one upped me easily.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The Babel story is the 2nd in a 4-act drama that's unmistakably a connecting thread of Bereishit
A humble person who achieves a position of prominence will utilize the standing to benefit others.
By B. Schreiber
To the surprise of our protectzia-invested acquaintances, my family has thrived in our daled amos without that amenity, b’ezras Hashem.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The emphasis on choice, freedom and responsibility is a most distinctive features of Jewish thought.
The Torah emphasizes the joy of Sukkot, for after a season of labor, we celebrate our prosperity.
All the way to the airport I could only think of what if …
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Sukkot's duality is that it's the most universalistic and the most particularistic of all festivals
Throughout the war, Akiva had several brief furloughs home, and each time exchanged whichever mishnayos volume he had finished for the next in the series.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
When we cry from the heart, someone listens; When we cry on Yom Kippur, God hears us.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Who am I? What are the most important things in my life? What do I want to be remembered for? If, as a purely hypothetical exercise, I were to imagine reading my own obituary, what would I want it to say? These are the questions Rosh Hashanah urges us to ask ourselves. As we pray […]
Why am I getting so agitated? And look how we’re treating each other!
“he’s my rabbi” the Black painter said with pride, pulling out a photo of the Rebbe from his wallet
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Simply, for Rambam the number 14 (2x7) was his favored organizing principle.
By dvora
This young, innocent child gave me a powerful, warm surge of energy and strength.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Torah isn't a theological treatise or a metaphysical system but a series of stories linked over time
By Naama Klein
In contrast to her Eicha-like lamentations of the previous hour or more, however, my youngest was now grinning from ear-to-ear.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
We believe that God created each of us, regardless of color, class, culture or creed, in His image.
By R. Weber
“The window is above the flat sukkah roof,” he reported. “I could definitely climb in, but I need a ladder...”
By dvora
Needless to say, it was done and they formed a great relationship as his friend and mentor. He started attending services and volunteered his time all along putting on tefillin.
By dvora
He took me to a room filled with computer equipment and said, “You pray here for as long as you want.” I couldn’t believe my ears.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Judaism is a religion of love but also a religion of justice, for without justice, love corrupts.
An interview was overheard in which an Arab asked a Hamas commander: "What's the problem? Why aren't you hitting your targets? Don't you know how to aim?" To which he was answered: "We know how to aim very well. We are experts. But their G-d moves the missiles."
Nothing is more effective to diminish envy than gratitude.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Culture is not nature. There are causes in nature, but only in culture are there meanings.
“But they told me to come in today,” she said. They gave me this date months ago. It’s not my fault if it’s the wrong day.”
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Blind obedience is not a virtue in Judaism. God wants us to understand the laws He has commanded us
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Israel shows the world that a people does not have to be large in order to be great.
By Naama Klein
The answers, though, were out there, waiting patiently and shimmering in the distance until the One with all the answers decided to enlighten us.
By Sarah Massry
Edward was completely mystified, yet had no choice but to obey his captain’s orders.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
When someone exercises power over us, they diminish us; when someone teaches us, they help us grow.
Parshat Masei: Rabbi Fohrman addresses the age-old question, are we our brother's keeper?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Ours is a small and intensely vulnerable people. Inspired, we rise to greatness. Uninspired, we fall
The enormity of Hiram’s accomplishments crazed him and deluded him into self-deification.
By dvora
It was found to be a giant deer tick living in her head – with its claws in her scalp.
By Larry Lipetz
While daydreaming about finding the perfect job, I never expected to be rewarded in spades for my aforementioned experience.
Over the next 2 weeks covering portion Matot and Maasei, Rabbi Fohrman will bring order to confusion.
By Naama Klein
Our home is in the center of the Holy Land, surrounded by (what else?) green hills and valleys.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The negotiation between Moses and the tribes of Reuven and Gad is a model of conflict resolution.
The midrash says that Pinchas, (this parsha), and Eliyahu, prophet of Kings, are one and the same.
By Alan Magill
The simple act of kindness should be the reward itself. Anything more in the form of a reward is gravy.
Herman was speechless, yet the look in his eyes said it all. Indeed, his gratitude knew no bounds.
By dvora
A few seats away, I noticed a man with a Mishnah in hand, talking intently into a cell phone. I soon realized the man was participating in a Daf Yomi shiur, utilizing his traveling time well.
What was the small act of Moshe talking to the rock meant to teach the people of Israel?
Is it possible for us to influence God?
By Ann Goldberg
It’s written, it says, with all the segulos for shalom bayis and you gave it as a gift to a chassan and kallah.
Thinking about how much we can do in comparison to what we have done serves as a corrective against pride and arrogance.
Are pessimists just rationalists, and is hope just naiveté?
As I listed the litany of tragedies, as I perceived them, my mother responded by saying: “Who’s had a terrible life? I’ve had a wonderful life. I had your father for 40 years until he was taken from us. I had you and your brother. I lived to see grandchildren.”
Rabbi Fohrman delves deeper into the Priestly Blessing and its relevant lessons
By Naama Klein
Our son-in-law e-mailed tickets for us to print out and bring along to allow us admittance. Simple enough.
Is parsha Naso teaching us how we should treat our children?
By dvora
“Daddy,” I exclaimed, “Is this how you daven?” Daddy’s response was a hearty laugh. I felt so proud of myself.
Separating fun from happiness can liberate, regarding (a) time, (b) money and (c) jealousy.
Rabbi Fohrman gives us insight into what it truly means to be a teacher.
In this week's parsha a stark choice is presented: follow God and live, or abandon Him and die.
By dvora
She always had a smile, and put her best foot forward – as hard as that might have been.
By Naama Klein
In fact, if the Mother of the Year Award featured a category for best worrier, I would be a major contender.
What does it mean, conceptually, to see Shabbat in different worlds?
Put a coin in the Meir Baal Haness box every day and ask Reb Meir Baal Haness to find the lost kallah,” Ella told me.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
God’s “name” is therefore His standing in the world. Do people acknowledge Him, respect Him, honor Him?
Rabbi Fohrman makes a fascinating argument about how Shabbat works and shows that there are shabbatot in different realms.
People expectantly go through their lives awaiting the event that will make them happy.
September 25, 2026 
