יום שלישי, י״ח תשרי תשפ״זTuesday, September 29, 2026
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Though the Yale 5 lost the case and appeal, they ultimately won: Yale became flexible about housing
And Adom said, “The woman that you placed with me, she gave me from the tree and I ate.” — Bereishis 3:12 Adom HaRishon was given one mitzvah: not to eat from the Eitz HaDas. When he transgressed it, Hashem gave him the opportunity to do teshuvah. Not only did Adom not repent, he […]
By Rachel Weiss
Each month of the Jewish year is associated with a letter of the Lashon Hakodesh.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Delaying A Funeral To Honor A Deceased A Nazir may Defile Himself For A Mes Mitzvah (Nazir 47a)
Aryeh complained to Josh for handing the work over to Manny. Josh insisted, though, that he trusted Manny and that the job was done according to standard and approved by him.
Birds, which were created on the fifth day, can accept tumah when they become food.
Question: When a stranger approaches a congregant in shul asking for tzedakah, should the congregant verify that the person’s need is genuine? Furthermore, what constitutes tzedakah? Is a donation to a synagogue, yeshiva, or hospital considered tzedakah? Zvi Kirschner (Via E-Mail)
Apparently, the perseverance demonstrated in multiple attempts at creating an acceptable world is an example of an important characteristic of Hashem that man must emulate, based on the precept of V’Halachta B’Drachav
Every Jew is required to try to influence the world in a positive way.
In every leadership situation there are basic gauges and indicators that must never be ignored.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Torah is neither a book of history nor science, it is, first and last, a book about how to live.
What a magnificent day, praying as one with Am Yisrael, the devotion that has kept our people alive
Constantly investing energy safeguarding separation, life & world is man's participating in creation
In the end, I reluctantly moved into the widow’s home on my own, and somehow managed to pull through, despite my acute disappointment and frustration.
Truly understanding the hidden meaning in Parshat Bereishit will provide insight to the entire Torah
Creation is everlasting in the sense that all of us add brushstrokes & notes-that is its perfection
What is the world? Bereshit’s answer: The world is “creativity.”
After all, many sinners live in mansions, and in the post-Holocaust era it’s impossible to conclude that those who suffered sinned.
‘God doing exactly as He planned’ does not mean that all occurred without any ambivalence & tension.
"But my rebbe taught me that on the first day of Sukkos you have to own the lulav and esrog," said Levi. "If I borrow yours, how can I fulfill the mitzvah?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Curling Pei’os ‘Hair Of A Nazir’ (Nazir 42a)
Question: When a stranger approaches a congregant in shul asking for tzedakah, should the congregant verify that the person’s need is genuine? Furthermore, what constitutes tzedakah? Is a donation to a synagogue, yeshiva, or hospital considered tzedakah? Zvi Kirschner (Via E-Mail)
Tosafos quotes an explanation from R’ Meshulem that the halacha requires that the one who is called up to the Torah for those pesukim must read them himself and cannot have a baal korei read them for him.
‘You shall dwell in booths (sukkos) for seven days because I caused the Jewish People to dwell in booths when I took them from the land of Egypt.’
Judaism stipulates that not only does Hashem reveal Himself to the prophets, but to all creation.
Sitting in your Sukkah remember: No one is so powerful, wealthy, smart or talented to not need God
If you were the most generous, loving person in the world, and you were completely devoted to help me, if my time on this planet is up there is nothing that you can do to change that; any human is powerless to change my destiny.
I stood up, lurching down the hall, and collided into an old man clutching a pole with in IV bag.
Sukkos is the Yom Tov regarding which it is written “You shall be very happy.”
Are we, through our prayers, able to convince God to change the course of history?
By David Herman
A musical offering from the Jerusalem troubadour, David Herman. Chag Sameach!
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Sukkot's the only festival sharing the pilgrimage cycle & part of Tishrei sequence-hence, double JOY
Sukkot is a universal holiday, inviting all peoples of the world to come on pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Why is Sukkot deemed the ultimate holiday of happiness and joy?
The Sukkah is the place from which we venture into the world, applying Torah to all aspects of life.
For the most part, we don’t usually experience a great revelation from performing a mitzvah.
When he came to the hospital he saw his fiancée still in her wheelchair, but expected her to surprise him by jumping up and embracing him.
The lulav also symbolizes the scepter of victory with which we emerge after vanquishing the Yom Kippur prosecutor.
"If there were only two possibilities, I understand following the higher amount," said Mr. Meyer. "However, here the pledge could have been any amount from $100 to $360!"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Normal Consumption ‘Leave Aside Babylonian Kutach’ (Nazir 36b)
Question: When a stranger approaches a congregant in shul asking for tzedakah, should the congregant verify that the person’s need is genuine? Furthermore, what constitutes tzedakah? Is a donation to a synagogue, yeshiva, or hospital considered tzedakah? Zvi Kirschner (Via E-Mail)
The common theme between these two situations is that they are defined as acts of Kabbalat Ol Malchut Shamayim, accepting the yoke of Heaven.
Immediately people went up to him to help him, to find out what the problem was and to solve it as soon as possible.
“More than what the rich man does for the poor man is what the poor man does for the rich man” (Midrash Rabbah, Rus 5:9).
Haazinu encourages Jews in times of national emergency & documents our eternal connection to God
Nothing said pertaining to Torah is in vain, even if it seems not to have struck an immediate chord.
Rabbi Fohrman delves into psalm 90 connecting it to stories from Torah & the building of the Mishkan
Caring for each other & improving the world, according to Judaism, is life's purpose
Yom Kippur commemorates God's covenant with the Jewish people & forgiveness for the Golden Calf sin
This year make your Judaism more than superficial-Don't accept merely "feeling" Jewish is sufficient
By dvora
The fast ended, but no soldier rushed to eat; they sat contemplating the intensity of their prayers.
Said the Ba’al Shem Tov “God is also crying. For as much as He looks for us, we rarely look for Him”
Consider this: Why should Hashem accept our teshuva when we often repeat the same aveiros year after year?
Rambam says that when the sinner approaches Hashem he expresses Chatati Aviti Pashati; I think I am Mayzid but perhaps I acted B’Shogeg.
I asked my kids where they’d be spending RH, all the answers were MEALS, NO one mentioned davening
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Like Father, Like Son ‘A Man Is Obligated To Train His Son’ (Nazir 29a)
The answer to the question on Rashi seems to be that the namesakes of the shevatim were in fact men of unimaginable greatness,
The Minchas Chinuch writes that although it seems that gathering in the Beis Hamikdash is necessary, perhaps the mitzvah can be performed anywhere in Yerushalayim.
Question: When a stranger approaches a congregant in shul asking for tzedakah, should the congregant verify that the person’s need is genuine? Furthermore, what constitutes tzedakah? Is a donation to a synagogue, yeshiva, or hospital considered tzedakah? Zvi Kirschner (Via E-Mail)
The precision required and the time constraints imposed make the High Priest’s task almost humanly impossible.
By dvora
I was instructed to stop all treatment, and I did. However, I insisted on meeting face to face with my doctor.
Leibel met his long-time friend Chaim three days before Yom Kippur. After wishing each other a G'mar chasimah tovah, Leibel asked Chaim, "How do you do kapparos?" "What do you mean?" replied Chaim. "I follow the machzor." "That's not what I meant," laughed Leibel. "Do you use money or a chicken?" "I use money," replied […]
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
“We received Torah from Moses” or “from our parents” isn't enough. We must write our "own" scroll
In a number of places, our rabbis tell us that Shemita is the Key to Redemption.
How did Moses feel approaching the land of Israel, knowing he wouldn’t enter Israel with his people?
Moshe's message lives on forever: Life's potential is a very lofty goal that we must strive to reach
You might argue that in truth it is not a prayer; rather, it is a statement, affirmation and declaration of fact that one day we will see the cities and streets of Yerushalayim full of ecstasy.
To which kingdom do we belong? Which government are we loyal to? By what criteria do we allocate our fealty?
A little background information for Rosh HaShanah. Shana Tovah, Happy New Year, to all!
The story of Bilam, the gentile prophet, is most peculiar. It begins when Balak, the king of Moav, recognizes that he is in danger. The Jewish nation had just destroyed Sichon, and Moav was next. Out of desperation, Balak sent messengers to Bilam saying, “Please, curse this nation so that we can remain in our […]
The second covenant between Abraham and Hashem included the obligation to observe the commandments.
He loved to watch the boy’s face light up when he offered to learn with him, and that was reward enough.
Question: When a stranger approaches a congregant in shul asking for tzedakah, should the congregant verify that the person’s need is genuine? Furthermore, what constitutes tzedakah? Is a donation to a synagogue, yeshiva, or hospital considered tzedakah? Zvi Kirschner (Via E-Mail)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Distressful Situation ‘No Lashes Are Administered’ (Nazir 23a)
The dayanim reached the conclusion that Mr. Rubin was legally liable for the full sum. Rabbi Dayan issued the ruling to the parties.
On the night immediately following the 29th day of Elul and on 30th day of Elul itself, people hedged their bets.
The Rambam also says that one must verbalize his confessions in order for it to be valid (vidui b’peh).
Rosh Hashanah arrived and shofar was blown in Bergen Belsen. The sound revived us-we trembled & wept
The Netziv’s point: Self-assessment should be based on who we are, not based on who our neighbor is.
The Yale 5 became the cause célèbre of liberals who maligned & conservatives who triumphed the cause
During these days, we examine ourselves to see what our true desires are and what areas in our lives need to be rectified.
Only in Israel do we have the sovereignty & independence to become a light to the nations.
Question: When a stranger approaches a congregant in shul asking for tzedakah, should the congregant verify that the person’s need is genuine? Furthermore, what constitutes tzedakah? Is a donation to a synagogue, yeshiva, or hospital considered tzedakah? Zvi Kirschner (Via E-Mail)
Baruch means either blessed should be God, or praised should be God.
Why was the mitzvah of Hakhel reserved for this particular time?
"This case entails two basic factors," replied Rabbi Dayan. "First, a questionable damage; second, a partial admission.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Facing The Consequences ‘Uncleanness Is Retroactive!’ (Nazir 16a)
Ki Tavocan be broken into 2 main sections but is there a common thread that unifies our parsha?
By Naama Klein
Is everything in my life and daily existence a slice of paradise?
How can Rashi say that all we need to do in order to reach that lofty level is to fully accept Hashem’s mitzvos?
The bikkurim declaration praises Gd & distills the Egyptian experience down to its spiritual essence
The Chasam Sofer (Yoreh Deah 106) explains that the Torah never commanded us to lend non-Jews money; it only allowed it.
September 25, 2026 
