What’s Your Legacy?
We are living in a world of chaos, never sure what tomorrow brings. As I write these words it is impossible for me to know what our days will look like by the time you read my message.
Reining In The Ego: When Even Horses Bow To Providence
Like many Israeli leaders, Netanyahu often peppers his speeches with biblical verses, usually used as cultural or historical touchstones rather than as expressions of personal religiosity. Keinon points out that Netanyahu’s use of the Shema prayer is less typical and perhaps indicative of a deeper religious arousal.
Losing Sleep for What Matters
Obviously, staying up all night isn’t about qualitative learning, but about demonstrating excitement. One only stays up late, or all night, for something truly important or exciting.
Silver Coins
The common practice is to use silver coins, whether silver dollars minted in the U.S. or special silver coins minted now in Israel with the proper silver content, concluded Rabbi Dayan. Where this is not possible, though, you can redeem with other movable items or possibly even cash of the requisite amount.
Daf Yomi
To Have Or To Hold
‘Renting Is Not Owning’
(Avodah Zarah 15a)
From Being Needed to Needing G-d
In a balanced and nurturing environment, sacrifice enhances rather than detracts from quality of life.
Maintaining Perspective
Who is the biggest victim of identity theft? Every one of us. One of the greatest tactics that our evil inclination employs is to confuse us about who we really are, and what defines us.
Is it proper for Jews around the world to set aside their usual tzedakah...
Of course, our monetary funds are limited. There are so many worthy causes and we cannot support them all. However, we have a responsibility, halachically and morally, to assist those in greatest need.
Torn Techeiles
As long as the other side of the string remains intact, the tzitzis are still kosher. But you tore one of the expensive techeiles strands – these aren’t easy to replace.
Daf Yomi
Don’t Tread On Me
‘If One Consulted A Sage, He May Not Consult Another’
(Avodah Zara 7a)
Mitzvah Counts: No Deed Left Behind
Everything, from quarks to consciousness, emanates from Divine will and intellect.
Plan Ahead or Strike Out
It’s vital that a fielder and batter know how many outs there are. Whether a fielder will make a play to second or decide to hold the runner, and whether a runner will be running if there is a pop-up, depends on how many outs there are.
Kicked By a Passerby
I acknowledge that I shouldn’t have left the skateboard there, Simcha responded, but you should have looked where you were running. You sent the skateboard rolling!
Daf Yomi
Was She Really Married?
‘One Said Two… The Other Said Three…’
(Shevuos 48a)
Reincarnation And The Repetition Compulsion
I believe that the books that are opened on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur contain the more permanent decrees and judgments of our fate for the rest of our lives or death, be that as it may.
Do It Anyway
If he never davened, it will be very challenging for him to start getting into the habit of doing so. If a person goes through the motions, however, even without feeling it, when the inspiration eventually sets in, it will be far easier for him to become a serious ben Torah.
Is it proper to give one’s child’s rebbe/teacher an unusually large gift/bonus?
Gifts or bonuses should only be given collectively by the class as a group. Individual gifts during the school year can create discomfort and an unintended sense of favoritism.
For My Brother!
On one occasion, Reuven demanded payment in the presence of witnesses. I admit fully that I owe you $500, replied Hillel, but unfortunately I’m still not able to pay you; my financial situation remains very difficult.
Daf Yomi
A Talmida Chachama
‘If He Is A Scholar, He Is Not Sworn’
(Shavuos 41a)
J’Accuse
The students who harassed Jewish students, destroyed property, disrupted classes, and ruined graduations with their blood libels against our nation. Your misguided protests have blurred the lines between truth and falsehood.
Lashing Out and Maintaining Dignity
We see that it is a Torah value to maintain composure, even under the most dire circumstances. When we look at the commentaries, we see different ideas as to why this is so, each reflecting on the human condition. Rashi says that remaining calm rattles and humiliates the enemy.
Slow Down
If we want to savor life, the only way is to slow things down.
Part of Barter
It’s not my fault that the Chofetz Chaim card was ruined; it’s your loss!
Tzom Gedalia Lesson for Negotiators
The road to Gehinnom is paved with good intentions – such as the unwarranted benefit of the doubt that too-credulous well-intended leaders and negotiators give their undeserving counterparts.
Is it proper to stay up all night learning on Shavuos if it will...
If one can embrace it without compromising the rest of the day, the experience of Torah learning on this night can deepen one’s connection to Torah for the whole year to come.
Daf Yomi
Start And Final
‘Aleph Lamed Chol, Yud Keh Kodesh’
(Shavuos 35b)
Free Choice Does Not Come Free
The conflict between different parts of our mind and the denial of certain thoughts provide a tidy explanation for the contradictory ways in which people behave.
Pay or Replace?
If you wouldn’t have a spare copy, you’d have to pay cash, so it’s not fair to make me accept your spare copy!
Daf Yomi
Posthaste
‘And He Simply Uttered Bread’
(Shavuos 26b)
Cutting Out Sinning
What is this oath that was made at Mount Sinai? We might assume that it is referring to the covenant that the Jewish people made there. While not literally an oath, and certainly not one actually made by each inhabitant of every century, it is somehow considered binding on the entire people and its descendants.
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