יום ראשון, ז׳ חשוון תשפ״זSunday, October 18, 2026
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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.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Happiness is not the central value of the Torah. Occurring ten times more is the word "simcha," JOY
The common translation of the opening words of this week’s parsha, Ki Seitzei, is: “When you go out to war against your enemy.” Actually the text reads “al oyvecha” upon your enemy. The Torah is saying that when Israel goes out to war, they will be over and above their enemy. The reason why Bnei […]
The love between Gd & Israel is deeper than marriage; beyond the infinite love of parent for child
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)
Since giving the machatzis hashekel will not change his financial situation, he is obligated to do so even though it is more than a fifth of his income.
Today, few people fast during the Days of Selichot, but the custom is to rise early to recite Selichot.
Each month is associated with a particular tribe. The month of Elul is matched up with Gad. What makes Gad unique?
Sanctions and indictment of the Jew, holding him to a higher standard, is as common and misplaced as ever.
To allow for free will, there are times when Hashem will allow a person the “opportunity to be the messenger.”
"There is a mitzvah to pay the worker on that day," answered Mr. Lerner.
Be happy. Be grateful. God knows what he is doing. It is all happening for a reason.
We get so busy living our lives, handling our day-to-day little crises that we forget to go that one step deeper and appreciate our lives.
Mighty Amalek deliberately attacked enemy's weakest members, despicable even by ancient standards
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
If we parents fail to honor responsibilities then society’s children will pay the price for our sins
Consider how our Heavenly Father feels when He sees His children adopting all other parents but Him
You may wonder, how can we be excited and joyful at a time when His Judgment, not Fatherly Love, reigns supreme?
Children resist authority and struggle against structure, chores, and rules. But deep down they feel loved when they are granted guidelines and limits.
Judges, essentially apolitical, fulfilled a temporary purpose and then returned to private life
Torah teaches that trees must be protected for the trees themselves, sake of man, & for life lessons
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
Que Sera, Sera? ‘He Daubed Him With Mud’ (Nedarim 89b-90a)
Mr. Steinberg ran downstairs to the ground floor. He saw that the table had fallen onto one of the cars sitting in the parking lot below.
By Naama Klein
Before divulging the reason for her call, she took quite a while to retrace the circuitous route that had led her to me.
Everything you see – from the flower to the bee, from the oceans to the mountains, rivers, planets, the sun, the moon and the stars – all just sort of happened.
It’s ironic that when we hear about Arab extremists attacking and killing Jewish settlers, there is quiet from these same left wingers.
The articles in this column are transcriptions and adaptations of shiurim by Rav Joseph Ber Soloveitchik, zt"l. The Rav's unique perspective on Chumash permeated many of the shiurim and lectures he presented at various venues over a 40-plus-year period. His words add an important perspective that makes the Chumash in particular, and our tradition in general, […]
When Moses ascended the mountain that first, fateful day of Elul, the shofar was sounded daily in the Camp of Israel, heralding his expected return.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Moshe wasn't the last of the prophets. How would Israel discern his true successors from the false?
Elul expresses the eternal almost incomprehensibly loving bond connecting Jews to HaShem
We can suggest that since Hashem Himself appointed Dovid there is no question. The rules are only in place for when we must chose a king ourselves.
340 American rabbis announced they support the Nuclear Iran deal and want members of Congress to approve it.
The Yale 5 were treated liked pariahs by their fellow Jewish students; their beliefs rejected
When we see the new moon at the start of each month, it is a sign from Hashem that we can renew ourselves spiritually.
The world is changing so fast and our youth are confronted with more information on a daily basis. There is nothing that we can do about it.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Truth Or Consequences ‘Consecrating The Non-Existent’ (Nedarim 85b)
"I don't understand, though," objected Mr. Weiss. "If the Torah states that the loan should be remitted, how can Hillel institute that the creditor can collect, against Torah law?"
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)
Perhaps a careful reading of the pesukim in the parsha will shed light on this dilemma.
By dvora
Upon awakening, I noticed several messages on my phone wishing me “mazal tov” on the arrival of a little maidel.
Like the he-goat and the Temples, it is a guarantor for the Jewish People, to accept punishment on their behalf.
“When Hashem…will broaden your boundary as He spoke to you, and you say, ‘I will eat meat,’ for you will have a desire to eat meat, to your heart’s entire desire you may eat meat.” – Devarim 12:20 For forty years in the midbar the Jewish people ate mon. Guided by Moshe Rabbeinu, engaged […]
Why do Rabbinic laws seem different than Biblical? What does law have to do with God & spirituality?
Parshat Re’eh discusses our obligations upon entering Israel, Yerushalayim & our covenantal mission
Sadly, Jews refuse to embrace Torah & our unique role, and try to be like all the other nations
God's greatest gift for growth & coming closer to Him is "feedback;" Eretz Israel is set up that way
I take umbrage with the perspective that this is a "woman's holiday."
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Three moments, sharing the same message, made a deep impression on me: Greatness is humility.
3 Jewish rituals–family purity, ksahrut, and Shabbat-help us understand that mitzvot are our benefit
By Rachel Weiss
"Who said one must pray with a whole heart? Perhaps it's preferable to pray with a broken heart."
I take pride in being a disciple of the Rebbe. I love everything about Chabad Lubavitch and the wellsprings of chassidus.
We need to have the endurance Napoleon demanded from his troops.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Most Favorable Of …Times ‘Annulling Vows For The Sake Of Shabbos’ (Nedarim 77a)
People believe what they want to believe; We see this same phenomenon with the Iran nuclear deal.
"So there's no way to lend past the shemittah year?" asked Eli.
It is very exciting because the women are answering amen because it is a mitzvah, because it is agreeing with the statement that Hashem creates all our food for us...
October 16, 2026 
