יום שלישי, י״ח תשרי תשפ״זTuesday, September 29, 2026
Follow Us
Moshe’s Request ‘I Love My Master, My Wife, My Children…’ (Kiddushin 22a)
Question: I recently attended a lecture where the speaker discussed great Jewish women in history. He specifically singled out the biblical heroine Rahab who, he said, married the great leader and prophet Joshua. I had previously heard that Rahab was a woman of ill repute, a harlot, who surely was not suitable for a righteous person like Joshua. Also, when Rahab is mentioned (Joshua ch. 2), there is no indication that she married Joshua. How do we know it? Sandy Hart
By Judy Gottesman and Leah Tisser
Their father had been deported to a forced labor camp at the beginning of the Holocaust. He was never seen again.
The halacha is that if a person can prevent the chaser from killing the victim without killing the rodef he must.
"What was that?!" exclaimed the surprised patron, Mr. Jacobs. "There goes my lunch!"
If a person is locked into the idea that he cannot change, then in fact he won’t be able to. To such a person, the Torah has no relevance.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
What is the logic of kashrut? And why are they placed here in parshat Shemini? AND what is their connection with the sanctuary?
In our “enlightened” world the voice of prayer has become muted; regarded as something only a naïve, unenlightened person can take seriously
We are connected to our past, not by feeble attempts to recreate history, but by the awareness with which we live in the present.
What if there was a way for us to think about kosher that makes sense and can strengthen our relationship with God?
By Tzvi Fishman
The Jews of Hevron sanctify His Name daily by living in the resting place of our holy Forefathers, sacrificing their own comfort for the greater good of the Nation
Esther experienced the Purim story as God making us happy with our efforts; she wanted us to emulate God by helping each other rejoice in our striving.
It’s In The Will ‘A Non-Jew Receives His Father’s Estate’ (Kiddushin 17b)
Question: I am seriously dating a girl who has a similar name to my mother. My mother’s name is Pischa and the girl’s name is Pesha. Since both names arguably derive from the word Pesach, would it be a problem for me to potentially marry this girl? Name Witheld Via E-Mail
By Ann Goldberg
He hadn’t even bothered to think of a plausible excuse as to why they had suddenly found a spare Seder dish and he hoped they wouldn’t ask him any questions.
What will happen when finally Amalek is indeed eradicated? Will the 558th commandment become obsolete? Will the eternal Torah then only have 612 mitzvos?
After a year of being on his best behavior, Chaim asked his father if he would be willing to cancel the stipulations. "I walk around nervous thinking that if I slip on the conditions I lose the car," he said.
He had so eliminated bad character traits from his heart that he would feel nothing negative.
I would suggest that even if one is confident that he can keep his clothing dirty, there is still reason to change one’s attire.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
What was sacrifice in Judaism and why does it remain important, at least as an idea, even today?
Eretz Yisrael is a land of magic, a land where G-d Himself resides another proof that He has not forsaken us
How can a modern day reader of Torah, understand and relate to the concept of animal sacrifices, Korbanot?
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Amalek is seared into Jewish consciousness as the ultimate enemy of Israel and the source of Haman
Some background-History, Halacha, hidden truths. Happy Purim to all!
Vayikra, unlike Shemot, is not really about revelation. It's about the daily struggle to raise man above his own physicality.
The entire Book of Esther's a story of masks-Esther, Mordechai, and Haman-even God-conceal something
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Purim gives us a framework to understand our lives and remain optimistic in the midst of all the darkness
Purim's lesson, relevant today & always, is about our belief that God is always present in our lives
By Ru Levin
It's nice to step back and appreciate the mitzvah in a fresh and minimalist way.
It helps us live with the reality that what we do have comes from His never-ending kindness.
She Ate Unwittingly ‘If She Married A Kohen She Eats Terumah’ (Kiddushin 10b)
We were pleasantly surprised, just after my wife lit the Shabbos candles, when Sonja’s face lit up and she exclaimed, “I remember my mother doing that!”
"But when you buy two items, each one costs less," reasoned Mrs. Simcha. "How can you say that Mr. Sasson's was full cost and ours half-price?!"
Question: Taking into account the fact that one might have to travel on Purim day, may one make one’s Purim se’udah on Purim eve? No Name Please
According to the Shach, the prohibition against erka’ot akum does not apply when Jewish litigants agree to litigate in front of a named non-Jewish judge.
Magazine estimates that during this time his wealth increased at the rate of a million dollars an hour.
This is the parshah we read on Purim morning, before we read the Megillah. Therefore, if a person missed Parshas Zachor, he can make it up for it on Purim with the leining of parshas Vayavo Amalek.
“Noch azoy ah churbon"--after such slaughter (the Holocaust) we must kiss every living Jew and embrace him with love”
“Isn’t there an obligation upon the Jewish community to accept a day school graduate because of the mere fact that he is a product of a Jewish Hebrew day school?”
Vayikra, the Torah’s middle book, gives the critical light to the Torah's other books around it.
Aleph Beta helps us learn how to read the perplexing book of Leviticus.
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
The quality of our prayers may have to take precedence over quantity, some may no longer work for us
At its worst, nearly 200,000 'fare-beaters' daily entered NY City's transit system without paying
What is the exact meaning of amen and where does the word come from? David H. (Via E-Mail)
Filling In The Blanks ‘Esrog Similar To A Tree In Three Ways…’ (Kiddushin 2b-3a)
"Similarly, aside from the amount that is certain, you don't know whether anything more was put in the container." (C.M. 75:9)
Frank didn’t create the process; he doesn’t even know which ingredients go into the mixture.
A person is only rewarded for listening to Hashem’s command if he does so with the intention to do so.
By Alan Magill
The fact that I was in a hurry made me think I should just take the card from him and open it for him.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Like our bodies, our souls were not made for sitting still. We were made for moving, learning, searching, striving, growing
Parshat Pekudei concludes the book of Exodus, known for its great stories. What did they teach us?
The Rebbetzin, mistaken for a singer, was asked to perform on Israeli army bases-she gave the soldiers a life changing performance!
Perhaps God’s own 'completeness' prevented Him from dwelling in a Mishkan waiting to be finished?
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
A Gavra Rabba, an extraordinarily great person, is one who reduces the pain of fellow human beings!
Why do dreams nit becine okans and why do strategic ideas rarely get implemented?
By Rachel Weiss
Esther and Mordechai, the two righteous individuals and luminaries in Megillas Esther, effectively moved the heavens with their tears, deeds and supplications.
What is the reason for a mitzvah and which G-dly trait does it sharpen and enhance within me?
What is the exact meaning of amen and where does the word come from? David H. (Via E-Mail)
The Mishkan's building was a situation where the process was at least as important as the result
David Hamelech desired to build the Beis Hamikdash and, as a result, it was built.
Excluding The Excluded ‘You Are Permitted To Any Man But My Father…’ (Gittin 85a)
"The value of silver, in comparison to other items, has dropped precipitously in the past few centuries," replied Rabbi Dayan.
Donations were valued at the same level of 'Thought Guided Purposeful Creativity' as the actual work
One of the causes of this breakdown is the misuse of the very system Hashem put into man to allow him to flourish.
After all, the exact amount one will make throughout the year is determined on Rosh Hashanah. It was only during Rosh Hashanah davening that I realized exactly what the kaparah was for.
Though I felt extreme empathy for the child, I attempted to explain to the parent that the responsibility would be too great and in addition it would greatly deprive from the experience of the other children in the class.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
For G-d, the Sabbath was the last day of the week; for human beings, it was the first.
To learn "Gratitude" learn and use the words, "Thank You" to G-d for his kindnesses, and to others
Why would the Israelites build the Mishkan differently than God commanded? What does this teach us?
The status of a vessel or a tool is dependent on its purpose.
Paradoxically, it is when we confront evil we have the opportunity to make the world a better place.
What our body manages to do in this world together with its soul will determine our ethereal world
The woman closest to her smiled and said, "I'm not, but my great grandmother was, and I like Jewish people."
“There are regular people, but I am different because I am rich. The world is full of people, but I am in a different category. I am a rich man.”
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The paradox of Jewish spirituality: No religion holds God higher, but none feels Him closer
What makes fish different from all other creatures? They definitely have many unique qualities, such as the fact that they swim, live in the water, etc.
But why then were kohanim allowed to be counted in the Beis Hamikdash via their fingers? Why is counting fingers different from counting people?
Mr. Braun notified the landlord. "We'll cover the air-conditioning repair," the landlord said. "That's included in house repairs."
In American society we are all caught up with the idea that youth is very important. We are always trying to perceive ourselves as younger.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Deliberate Humiliation ‘Take Care of My Father’ (Gittin 75b)
The Broken Tablets teach us our relationship with God is real, demands work, and survives challenges
What is the exact meaning of amen and where does the word come from? David H. (Via E-Mail)
What was the life-threatening 50th level of impurity HaShem saved Israel from? Depression.
Moses explores the question, "Is there ever a point of no return in my relationship with God?
How can we feel that we are actually having a conversation with Hashem when we do not see Him?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Viewing Competency “A Deaf Person Able to Speak” (Gittin 71a)
Question: I just read your wonderful article on which Adar to observe a yahrzeit in a leap year. Would one make a hazkara in both months or only during the first Adar? Thank you for your time.
By Chava Dumas
Where could we go? There was no shelter anywhere! But then we noticed a small white house beside an old red barn hiding behind the trees.
The answer to this question is based on understanding the underpinnings of our relationship with Hashem.
"Do you have witnesses who can support this allegation?" asked Rabbi Dayan.
Why three colors? Why Scarlet, Purple, and Turquoise? Yes, beautiful; Yes, regal. Still: Why?
September 25, 2026 
