יום חמישי, י״ג תשרי תשפ״זThursday, September 24, 2026
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Throughout the war, Akiva had several brief furloughs home, and each time exchanged whichever mishnayos volume he had finished for the next in the series.
Imagine a man who, after having a few too many drinks, gets into his car and begins driving. It takes a while before he is pulled over, but finally the police arrest him, and he stands trial for driving while intoxicated.
Mr. Fisher contacted Rabbi Dayan. "Am I allowed to use money of ma'aser kesafim to pay the shul for an aliyah that I bought?" he asked.
In addition to Yom Kippur, there is at least one other instance when a person may fast on Shabbat – the case of a ta’anit chalom, in which a person wishes to fast to prevent an ominous dream from becoming reality.
Others suggest that one cannot separate Shabbos from Yom Kippur by accepting Shabbos early.
The call of the shofar is eternal. It is not musical. Its magnetic allurement cannot be explained.
Ba’al Shem Tov: “Hashem, too, is crying; as much as He is looking for us, we rarely look for Him.”
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
When we cry from the heart, someone listens; When we cry on Yom Kippur, God hears us.
Contrary to popular belief, the Talmud never explicitly limits the ban on footwear to leather shoes.
On Sunday, Jews will be refraining from food and drink from dawn until sunset to commemorate the Fast of Gedaliah. Following Nebuchadnetzar’s destruction of the First Temple and exile of most of the Jews, the Babylonians appointed Gedaliah ben Achikaam as governor of Judea. Under Gedaliah’s leadership, Judea and the survivors began to recover. On […]
By Joseph Cox
As we enter the Days of Awe, we must recognize that it is a joy to honor and serve true royalty.
On Rosh Hashanah we are taught that true self-analysis involves the breaking down of walls
When we hear the words "Rosh Hashana is coming" it really means Hashem Himself is coming!
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Who am I? What are the most important things in my life? What do I want to be remembered for? If, as a purely hypothetical exercise, I were to imagine reading my own obituary, what would I want it to say? These are the questions Rosh Hashanah urges us to ask ourselves. As we pray […]
We recently marked the thirteenth anniversary of 9/11 – that terrible day when the symbols of man’s power and achievement crumbled before our eyes and disappeared in fire and smoke. For a very brief moment we lost our smugness. Our confidence was shaken. Many of us actually searched our ways. Some of us even learned […]
Why am I getting so agitated? And look how we’re treating each other!
While women are exempt from actually learning Torah, they are obligated in a different aspect of the mitzvah.
Question: I recently loaned money to a friend who has been able to repay only part of it. This was an interest-free loan. We exchanged a signed IOU, not a proper shtar with witnesses, since I have always trusted her integrity and only wanted a document that confirms what was loaned and what was repaid. Now that shemittah is approaching, what should I do? Should I forgive the loan? And if my friend is not able to repay it, may I deduct the unpaid money from my ma’aser requirement? Name Withheld
We must eat, sleep, work, and care for our dependants. How much time is left over after all that?
Once we recognize that our separation from God is our fault, how do we repair it?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Chatzitzah And Its Applications ‘Greater Stringency Applies To Hallowed Things…’ (Chagiga 20b-21a)
To choose life, you must examine your actions in the period preceding the Days of Awe as an unbiased stranger, and render your decision.
Rabbi Dayan took a challah and some cooked eggs. He then called over his 15-year-old son, Aharon. "Could you please ask your friend Chaim from next door to come over and help me with the eruv tavshilin?"
This world has its purpose; it has been ideally fashioned to allow man to grow.
By Beth Perkel
Hamas' tunnels were destroyed as were plans for their unparalleled terror attacks on Rosh Hashana.
Perhaps the most important leadership lesson Elkana taught us is to never underestimate the difference a single person can make.
“he’s my rabbi” the Black painter said with pride, pulling out a photo of the Rebbe from his wallet
The Torah notes that even when we are dispersed God will return us to Him.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Simply, for Rambam the number 14 (2x7) was his favored organizing principle.
Our understanding of what is and what is not possible creates imagined ceilings of opportunity for us.
By dvora
This young, innocent child gave me a powerful, warm surge of energy and strength.
The Chafetz Chaim answered that there are two forms of teshuvah; teshuvah m’ahava and teshuvah m’yirah.
Question: I recently loaned money to a friend who has been able to repay only part of it. This was an interest-free loan. We exchanged a signed IOU, not a proper shtar with witnesses, since I have always trusted her integrity and only wanted a document that confirms what was loaned and what was repaid. Now that shemittah is approaching, what should I do? Should I forgive the loan? And if my friend is not able to repay it, may I deduct the unpaid money from my ma’aser requirement? Name Withheld
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Role Reversal ‘Return, O Wayward Sons…’ (Chagigah 15a)
When the Kleins returned, however, they were dismayed to see that the renters did a poor job cleaning up after themselves.
In Parshas Re’eh the Torah tells us about the bechira to adhere to the commandments of Hashem and refrain from sin. In Parshas Nitzavim, the Torah tells us that we have the choice to repent after we have sinned.
As Moshe is about to die, why does God tell him about how the Israelites will ruin everything?
Jonah objected to God accepting repentance based on ulterior motives and likely for short duration.
By Joseph Cox
This week's parsha offers a new covenant; a covenant that speaks to national life unlike any other
All Jews are inherently righteous and that is why we all have a portion in the World to Come.
If mourning is incompatible with Yom Tov, why is it not incompatible with Shabbat?
Since it is a Rabbinic prohibition we may follow the more lenient opinion.
How can the Torah expect me today, thousands of years after the mitzvahs were given, to view each mitzvah as if I’m fulfilling it for the first time?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Torah isn't a theological treatise or a metaphysical system but a series of stories linked over time
By Naama Klein
In contrast to her Eicha-like lamentations of the previous hour or more, however, my youngest was now grinning from ear-to-ear.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
An Astonishing Miracle ‘Why Bring the Infants to Hakhel?’ (Chagigah 3a)
Question: I recently loaned money to a friend who has been able to repay only part of it. This was an interest-free loan. We exchanged a signed IOU, not a proper shtar with witnesses, since I have always trusted her integrity and only wanted a document that confirms what was loaned and what was repaid. Now that shemittah is approaching, what should I do? Should I forgive the loan? And if my friend is not able to repay it, may I deduct the unpaid money from my ma’aser requirement? Name Withheld
e are in a time of serious crisis and must go beyond our present levels of chesed.
According to Ibn Ezra, the Torah was stressing through this covenant that hypocrisy was forbidden.
"Tony said that the code in most places in the U.S. is at least 36 inches for a residential guardrail," replied Mr. Braun. "Some make it higher, 42, or even 52 inches for high porches. What is the required height according to halacha?"
Simcha is total; sahs is God’s joy in protecting us even when we are most vulnerable.
Not only do we accept You as our King, it is our greatest desire that the name of Your Kingdom be spread throughout the entire universe.
Why does Yom Tov cut short shiva and shloshim?
They ask, how can Rabbeinu Gershom forbid marrying more than one wife, when the Torah explicitly permits it in this parshah?
Question: I recently loaned money to a friend who has been able to repay only part of it. This was an interest-free loan. We exchanged a signed IOU, not a proper shtar with witnesses, since I have always trusted her integrity and only wanted a document that confirms what was loaned and what was repaid. Now that shemittah is approaching, what should I do? Should I forgive the loan? And if my friend is not able to repay it, may I deduct the unpaid money from my ma’aser requirement? Name Withheld
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Blast At A Funeral? “R. Hamnuna Came To Daramutha…” (Moed Kattan 27b)
the test of moral integrity truly presents itself when one faces difficult situations.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
We believe that God created each of us, regardless of color, class, culture or creed, in His image.
A replica reminds a person of the original. Granted it is in miniature, and granted no one would mistake it for the original, but it carries, almost in caricature form, some semblance of the original.
The inability of creation to violate Hashem’s natural law extends to inanimate object such as heaven and earth.
By R. Weber
“The window is above the flat sukkah roof,” he reported. “I could definitely climb in, but I need a ladder...”
"The Torah states in Parshat Ki-Teitzei: 'If you build a new house, you shall make a fence for your roof. I think it's your responsibility."
“There is nothing new under the sun” is as valid today as it was yesterday.
If you had an important court date scheduled – one that would determine your financial future, or even your very life – you'd be sure to prepare for weeks beforehand. On Rosh Hashanah, each individual is judged on the merit of his deeds. Whether he will live out the year or not. Whether he will […]
It is in the nature of the Nations of the World to be hostile towards the Jewish People.
First, how could a beis din of 23 judges present a guilty verdict in a capital punishment case? After all, only a majority of the 23 judges ruled in favor of his verdict.
Of paramount importance is that both the king and his people realize that while he is the leader, he is still a subject of God.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Untimely News ‘A Mourner Is Forbidden To Wear Shoes…’ (Mo’ed Katan 20b)
Question: The Gemara in Berachot states that the sages authored our prayers. Does that mean we didn’t pray beforehand? Menachem Via Email
When a person feels he can control the destiny of other people, he runs the risk of feeling self-important, significant, and mighty.
Shoftim: The Line Between Murder And Apathy
By dvora
Needless to say, it was done and they formed a great relationship as his friend and mentor. He started attending services and volunteered his time all along putting on tefillin.
By dvora
He took me to a room filled with computer equipment and said, “You pray here for as long as you want.” I couldn’t believe my ears.
On Friday afternoon, Dov called Kalman. "Please make sure to return the keys for the car on Motzaei Shabbos," he said. "We have a bris on Sunday morning and we're all going. We also need the roof luggage bag."
On Chol HaMoed some work is prohibited and some is permitted. According to some opinions, the work prohibition is biblical; according to others, it’s rabbinical.
If there is a mitzvas minuy dayanim in the Diaspora, then why is there a difference between Israel and the Diaspora in the number of judges and their distribution?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Judaism is a religion of love but also a religion of justice, for without justice, love corrupts.
The time immediately preceding Mashiach's arrival is likened to the birth pangs of a woman in labor.
Eisenhower understood that motivated men will fight much harder and longer than unmotivated men.
Who does not want to get close to Hashem? Yet, how do we do that?
According to Rabbi Yishmael one was not permitted to eat such an animal prior to entering Eretz Yisrael, while according to Rabbi Akiva one was permitted to eat animals if he would perform nechirah.
An interview was overheard in which an Arab asked a Hamas commander: "What's the problem? Why aren't you hitting your targets? Don't you know how to aim?" To which he was answered: "We know how to aim very well. We are experts. But their G-d moves the missiles."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Discretion ‘Vendors Of Fruits And Clothing…May Sell In Private’ (Mo’ed Katan 13b)
Question: The Gemara in Berachot states that the sages authored our prayers. Does that mean we didn’t pray beforehand? Menachem Via Email
If a man sins and follows his inclinations, he will find comfort in this world – but when he dies, he will go to a place that is all thorns.
Nothing is more effective to diminish envy than gratitude.
The first prayer of Moshe was Vayechal, where Moshe's petition was that no matter how bad bnei Yisrael were, the Egyptians were worse.
"We're leining now, and shouldn't be talking," Mr. Silver gently quieted his son. "At the Shabbos table we can discuss it at length."
If we regard pain and suffering as mere coincidence, we will feel no motivation to examine our lives
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Culture is not nature. There are causes in nature, but only in culture are there meanings.
Rabbinic law is pivotal but it's important to understand which laws are rabbinic and which biblical.
We give slave gifts? If he wants to stay, we pierce his ear?!
September 25, 2026 
