יום שבת, ח׳ תשרי תשפ״זSaturday, September 19, 2026
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By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
No Fault Lines ‘…His Father And Mother Were In Prison…’ (Yevamos 71b)
The child of a Jewish mother from a union with a non-Jewish father is not a mamzer.
Question: If Abraham was commanded to circumcise his descendants on the eighth day, why do Arabs – who claim to descend from Abraham through Yishmael – wait until their children are 13 to circumcise them? I am aware that this is a matter of little consequence to our people. Nevertheless, this inconsistency is one that piques my curiosity. M. Goldman (Via E-mail)
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.
But how could there have been any validity to Yosef’s allegations?
Using Joseph's story to understand what non-prophetic communication with God could look like today
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Tamar’s conduct bears an uncanny resemblance to Ruth's; virtuous outsiders at the margins of society
These stricken families of Har Nof, even with their wounds so raw, refuse to abandon Yerushalayim.
The dreams revealed their differences: The butler was active; the baker completely passive.
Yehudah, more suited to the role, became leader and not Yosef- the very public candidate for the job
By Joseph Cox
Yosef is the perfect leader for a people entering exile because he understands their basic needs
By Steven Plaut
Judah concedes he was wrong&feels regret; THAT is precisely what qualifies his house for leadership
The Imrei Emes explains that it is called “shalosh seudos” because it has the power to sanctify all three Shabbos meals.
If a man owns a successful small business, he might do a million dollars a year in sales. But that is the gross revenue, not the amount he takes home.
Mr. Weiss refused to listen and sued Mr. Cohen in civil court.
He knew that the way to potentially mollify Esau was to insist that he accept his gift, which he finally did.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Daughters Are Mine, The Sons Are Mine ‘Grandchildren Are like Children’ (Yevamos 62b)
Question: If Abraham was commanded to circumcise his descendants on the eighth day, why do Arabs – who claim to descend from Abraham through Yishmael – wait until their children are 13 to circumcise them? I am aware that this is a matter of little consequence to our people. Nevertheless, this inconsistency is one that piques my curiosity. M. Goldman (Via E-mail)
Once this took place, no Beit Din could annul its practice but for an entirely different reason. A minhag accepted by klal Yisrael becomes an obligation that must be practiced.
If one converts for the sole purpose of marrying a Jew the conversion is invalid.
By Naama Klein
When I pulled up at their house, my worst fears were confirmed.
Two of these attacks occurred close to Allon Shvut, and somehow I feel responsible.
By Joseph Cox
Yaacov returning to Yithak reconnects him with his past, reconnecting him to the legacy of Avraham.
It is difficult to remain faithful in galut, the ultimate Rorschach test for all Jewish generations
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.
Benno Yaakov, the German Jewish commentator, posits Yaakov's limping caused Eisav's change of heart.
Let us commit to heartfelt prayer, Torah, chesed, and joyous celebration of the 3rd meal of Shabbos
Rabbi Fohrman addresses "What is in a name?"
Yaakov encountering Esav is the classic source in dealing with anti-Semites littering our history
By the time Yaakov becomes Yisrael, however, his worldview has changed dramatically.
A person who truly feels that everything is a blessing from G-d will count his blessings and realize just how much he has.
By Joseph Cox
Yaacov returns the stolen blessing of material wealth and physical might to Esav
The Jew, from the perspective of the name Yaakov, is dependent on the non-Jewish world. This can be seen today in the relationship between the State of Israel and the United States
Yet, ultimately, looking back, these “setbacks” turned out to be really for the patient’s best – for the good.
In the afternoon, he reached into his pocket to check for the money, but it was empty. "The $50 bill must have fallen out," Alex exclaimed. "It's got to be in one of the rooms I was just at."
Although the conversion ceremony involves more than circumcision and immersion, these are the two essential requirements, without which the conversion is ineffective.
Question: If Abraham was commanded to circumcise his descendants on the eighth day, why do Arabs – who claim to descend from Abraham through Yishmael – wait until their children are 13 to circumcise them? I am aware that this is a matter of little consequence to our people. Nevertheless, this inconsistency is one that piques my curiosity. M. Goldman (Via E-mail)
Rashi in Shabbos 9b writes that the reason why the tefillah of Ma’ariv is a reshus is because it was instituted corresponding to the burning of the eimurim from the korbanos – which was performed at night.
It almost sounds as if Hashem is saying, “I have to keep Yaakov from getting too comfortable; otherwise he will forget Me. I can’t promise him sustenance because then he won’t need Me. He won’t write. He won’t call. He won’t love Me anymore.”
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Decree Of 1587 “Two Kabs Of Dinars Were Given…To King Yanai” (Yevamos 61a)
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.
Prayer is our language: Hakol kol Yaakov – the voice is the voice of Jacob – the voice of prayer.
Jacob cries, overcome by the knowledge that his great love for Rachel will end in unbearable pain.
There's a perfect mirror between Jacob running away from Esav to when he reunites with his brother.
Yitzhak called you Esav and you answered him, then he called you Yaakov and you also answered him!”
Yitzchak thought the Jewish people needed dual leadership: Eisav the physical; Yaakov the spiritual
By Rachel Weiss
According to the Sefer Yetzirah, the nature of the month of Kislev is sleep.
Though braggarts come across as conceited, their boasting often reflects a low sense of self-regard
Not every child can live up to our hopes or expectations, but every child is loved by Hashem.
Leaders must always pay attention to the importance of timing.
By Joseph Cox
While our leaders have been shepherds, the vast majority of the Children of Israel were farmers.
Maimonides himself walked and prayed in the permissible areas when he visited Eretz Yisrael in 1165
If a man dies childless, the Torah commands the deceased’s brother to marry his brother’s widow in a ceremony known as yibum, or to perform a special form of divorce ceremony with her known as chalitzah.
Dovid turned to the other people sitting at his table. "I'm revoking my hefker of the Chumash," he announced. "I want to keep it."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Ever Vigilant ‘When Unworthy, One’s Number Of Years Is Reduced’ (Yevamos 50a)
Question: My young daughter was recently diagnosed with autism. She does not function well socially and is extremely introverted, but we have noticed that she reacts very well to small animals. We reported this to her therapist who suggested that we get a dog or cat as a pet. We know that most religious people frown upon having pets, but we hate to see our daughter suffer and want to do anything that would make her happy. Would it be okay to own a pet in the circumstances we described? Her Loving Parents (Via E-Mail)
Ramban interprets Korban as self-sacrifice, each Jew should attempt to recreate Akeidas Yitzchak.
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.
Why does Lavan’s speaking before his father show that he was wicked? Disrespectful, yes. Rude, certainly. But a rasha?
We find that in certain circumstances before the Torah was actually given, people were permitted to make calculations as to what would better serve Hashem, even if it were against a mitzvah or aveirah.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
When Jacob was chosen, Esau was not rejected; G-d does not reject.
It is said, at the end of days before the coming of Mosiach, warfare will take place in our streets
Looking at examples of the word "toldot" to argue we produce not only children but vision and legacy
A sense of innovation or assertion in Yitzchak’s life is found in one area – spirituality.
We must understand the power and impact of our actions.
If you're always battling against getting older, you're always going to be unhappy.
The implication of the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 233:2) is that one may not daven Minchah before six and one half hours into the day.
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?
What if, at the moment of the late brother’s death, the surviving brother cannot effect yibum because the widow is a niddah?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Between Judaism and Islam there can be friendship and mutual respect as Abraham loved both his sons.
Perhaps deep down Eliezer did hesitate. In his heart of hearts, he may not have wanted to succeed.
This complementary nature and unified destiny is the basis of the Covenantal Community.
What happened was that Frank Jr. stopped being the little babe looking with love into his father’s eyes, and the relationship took on a very different nature.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Where Frequency Matters ‘We Forbid Haircutting And Laundering’ (Yevamos 43b)
Question: My young daughter was recently diagnosed with autism. She does not function well socially and is extremely introverted, but we have noticed that she reacts very well to small animals. We reported this to her therapist who suggested that we get a dog or cat as a pet. We know that most religious people frown upon having pets, but we hate to see our daughter suffer and want to do anything that would make her happy. Would it be okay to own a pet in the circumstances we described? Her Loving Parents (Via E-Mail)
"That's what I thought, so I returned the money to Aharon," said Reuven. "But this morning, Shimon, who owes me $70, told me he left $70 for me under the table last week! Now I don't know whether the $70 was connected to the note, and was Aharon's for the purchase of sefarim, or was repayment to me from Shimon, unrelated to the note."
When art and evil are intermingled, evil is elevated and made acceptable.
By Joseph Cox
This week's parsha is the archetype of our connection to G-d in a world where His presence is hidden
Racheli Frankel: "I didn’t think they were thrown just anywhere. The tears of Hebron embraced them”
What is the surprising connection between Eliezer and Samuel? Find out with Rabbi David Fohrman
Defenders of “The Shidduch System” cite that Yitzchak loved Rivka after they got married, not before
Avraham was asked to nullify his identity, by fulfilling the opposite of what he believed right.
If we do things right, this year might even be the year of the final redemption!
Jerusalem needs to be complete, within the name Jerusalem itself is the word “complete,” “perfect.”
The Sefer Charedim writes that during the tefillah of Mincha on Shabbos, all the tefillos of Klal Yisroel are accepted!
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.
The Torah lists twenty-one close relatives a man may not marry.
Is it possible a man could be standing in a burning building, knowing this life is in danger, and be too lazy to move?
Question: My young daughter was recently diagnosed with autism. She does not function well socially and is extremely introverted, but we have noticed that she reacts very well to small animals. We reported this to her therapist who suggested that we get a dog or cat as a pet. We know that most religious people frown upon having pets, but we hate to see our daughter suffer and want to do anything that would make her happy. Would it be okay to own a pet in the circumstances we described? Her Loving Parents (Via E-Mail)
On Tuesday, Mr. Ross picked up the bris kit. While driving home, he was stopped by armed thugs. They forced him out of the car and drove off with the bris kit inside.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Informing The Decision ‘Found To Be With Child’ (Yevamos 35b)
If I appoint someone as Shatz, he is supposed to pray for me, as if I was praying.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
God wanted to establish the principle that children are not the property of their parents.
September 18, 2026 
