יום שבת, ו׳ חשוון תשפ״זSaturday, October 17, 2026
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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?!
By Joseph Cox
A bit of (non-Jewish) history can help us understand this week’s Torah portion: In the early 1500s, the Catholic church was being fundamentally challenged by movements which claimed it had monopolized religious power and used to enrich the church and its officials. The most radical of these movements were a particular sect of Anabaptists. Anabaptists […]
“When a mother plays with her child there is an acute awareness of the child. But even when the mother works at a job or is distracted by some other activity, there is a natural, latent awareness of her child's existence.
"Guess what?" Benzion exclaimed when he returned home. "I just won an identical Mishnah Berurah in the avos u'banim raffle."
While it’s clear to you and to me that a 14,000-pound creature can easily break away from the light ropes holding it, the reality is that it cannot.
Moses tells us what G-D wants from us...
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
An Outcast ‘He Shall Dwell Outside His Tent’ (Moed Katan 7b)
Question: The Gemara in Berachot states that the sages authored our prayers. Does that mean we didn’t pray beforehand? Menachem Via Email
Based on the opinion of the Ramban, the Territorial School believes that leaving any territory of the Land of Israel in the possession of non-Jews is a violation of a biblical mandate.
“But they told me to come in today,” she said. They gave me this date months ago. It’s not my fault if it’s the wrong day.”
Tosafos there takes issue with Rashi’s view that the letters that are formed in the knots of the tefillin are considered part of the name of Hashem.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Blind obedience is not a virtue in Judaism. God wants us to understand the laws He has commanded us
What does Hashem want of us? That we should protect each other and the awesome heritage He gave us.
Israel is the only place where we have the potential to fulfill our mandate as the chosen people.
The innkeeper smiled and replied, “Why do you think we are dancing? We are dancing because G-d destroyed the Bais HaMikdash!”
One of the manifestations of the immature person is a sense of entitlement.
"Do I have to repay the loan?" he asked. "Does Yosef have to reimburse me? What if doesn't have that sum, does he owe me in the future?"
The Rambam says that in order to honor Shabbos, one must wash his hands, face, and feet with warm water on Friday.
Question: The Gemara in Berachot states that the sages authored our prayers. Does that mean we didn’t pray beforehand? Menachem (Via E-Mail)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Pondering A Kapandria “It Should Not Be Used As A Shortcut” (Megillah 29a)
The 10 Commandments: So few words; so much meaning.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Israel shows the world that a people does not have to be large in order to be great.
Rav Kook of blessed memory, who said that no matter where a Jew is born, he is born in Israel.
By Naama Klein
The answers, though, were out there, waiting patiently and shimmering in the distance until the One with all the answers decided to enlighten us.
Jewish blood was cheap and could be shed with impunity.
When a child needs encouragement whom can he turn to?
Moshe Rabbeinu's orations to Am Yisrael offer us the opportunity to be elevated and inspired in the weeks ahead.
Since the Children of Israel knew firsthand all the miracles God had done for them, how could lack faith?
By Sarah Massry
Edward was completely mystified, yet had no choice but to obey his captain’s orders.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Gender Factor ‘Where There Is Loss Of Work… Three Are Called To The Torah’ (Megillah 22b)
Question: Is there a special prayer or specific role for prayer when the totality of the Jewish people is in danger?
To properly fulfill the mitzvah of listening to the megillah, each word must be heard.
Criticism is but one step below a verbal attack. It isn’t quite as pointed, not quite as aggressive – but not that far off.
The talmid is not allowed to speak up due to any fear. If he remains silent, he is in violation of this prohibition.
One must act as if everything depends on us and pray as if everything depends on God.
When Yoram got home that evening, he went over to Effy: "My day camp is looking for extra supervision for an overnight trip," he said. "Would you like to come? They're paying $250 for the trip."
By Joseph Cox
Unlike the two and a half tribes, when we walk in front of G-d, we must be perfect in our motivation
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
When someone exercises power over us, they diminish us; when someone teaches us, they help us grow.
By Rachel Weiss
Just as the moon waxes, wanes and renews itself, so has the nation of Israel renewed itself through the millennia.
Parshat Masei: Rabbi Fohrman addresses the age-old question, are we our brother's keeper?
When Germany invaded neutral Belgium on August 4, England declared war on Germany. Thus, by the end of the first week of August all the major powers of Europe were at war.
The Talmud teaches that the Beis HaMikdash was destroyed because of baseless hatred.
When taking any major step in life it is a good idea to carefully re-evaluate one’s past.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Ours is a small and intensely vulnerable people. Inspired, we rise to greatness. Uninspired, we fall
The enormity of Hiram’s accomplishments crazed him and deluded him into self-deification.
"I'll make you a deal," he said. "If you pay monthly – it's $4,500; if you pay six months up front – I'll give it to you for $4,200."
When Hashem first thought (if it could be) about creating the world, the middah of din was in operation.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Hallel On Purim? “Its Reading Is Its Praise” (Megillah 14a)
Question: I recently returned from a trip abroad and wanted to say HaGomel. When I mentioned this to the officers of my synagogue, however, they told me – as per the instructions of the synagogue’s rabbi – that I would have to wait until Shabbos to do so. I was not given any reason for this and did not wish to display my ignorance, so I quietly acquiesced. Can you please explain why I had to wait? Name Withheld (Via E-Mail)
If the only person available to perform the milah on the eighth day is a person who is not an observant Jew, the milah should be postponed until a devout mohel is available.
It is apparent from the Maharsha that he does not see galus as atoning for killing accidentally; otherwise, this Gemara would not bother him.
October 16, 2026 
