יום שבת, ו׳ חשוון תשפ״זSaturday, October 17, 2026
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By dvora
It was found to be a giant deer tick living in her head – with its claws in her scalp.
By Larry Lipetz
While daydreaming about finding the perfect job, I never expected to be rewarded in spades for my aforementioned experience.
We are all entrusted with the mission of protecting our fellow Jews
Will Your brothers go to war, while you sit (in peace) here? (Bamidbar 32:6)
Perhaps, just perhaps, we can relate to this: whenever we feel distant from Hashem, that is the Churban.
Over the next 2 weeks covering portion Matot and Maasei, Rabbi Fohrman will bring order to confusion.
By Naama Klein
Our home is in the center of the Holy Land, surrounded by (what else?) green hills and valleys.
"Sound fine," said Mrs. Schwartz. "In the middle, paint their names, Shoshana and Yehonasan. He spells his name Yehonasan with a hei and is very particular about it!"
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)
We may not recognize the adverse affect of eating forbidden foods, but they leave an indelible imprint.
There are several rules that one must adhere to when making a neder.
Important message for Jews in the Diaspora: In times of need run to Israel rather than from Israel.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The negotiation between Moses and the tribes of Reuven and Gad is a model of conflict resolution.
Once again we find ourselves alone – a little lamb among wolves.
When we return to our routines, things don’t have to go back to exactly the way they were.
The Three Weeks determines the "who we are and how we live" as Jews.
Sometimes when Chazal say that two different people are really one, they do not mean it literally, but rather figuratively.
The midrash says that Pinchas, (this parsha), and Eliyahu, prophet of Kings, are one and the same.
By Alan Magill
The simple act of kindness should be the reward itself. Anything more in the form of a reward is gravy.
"It is sometimes possible through hataras nedarim, nullification of vows," replied Rabbi Dayan, "but it's not simple for charity pledges.
The kohen gadol may not enter the Temple unless his hair is cut every seven days.
We need to understand why Moshe Rabbeinu decided to ask that his sons inherit his position after this new halacha was introduced.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Ancient Cities, Ancient Walls (Megillah 3b-4a)
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)
Moshe served dual major roles for bnei Yisrael. He was their teacher and their leader.
An opinion recorded in the Talmud states that prayers correspond to the daily sacrifices offered in the Temple that are mentioned in this week’s portion (Berachot 26b, Numbers 28:4). It’s been argued that this opinion may be the conceptual base for our standardized prayer. Since sacrifices had detailed structure, our prayers also have a set text. […]
Heavenly Father, for how long? How much more?
Is the fact that we can spend time with our families just a fringe benefit of Shabbos or an integral aspect?
Respect for basic human dignity is such a powerful concept that it overwhelms some areas of Jewish law.
If it is not prohibited when there is a purpose for inflicting the tza’ar, why was Bilam chastised for tza’ar ba’alei chaim?
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)
Mr. Haber called Rabbi Dayan. "We sold various household items, including my bicycle, the refrigerator and some professional tools with the expectation of being relocated," he said. "It turns out we're staying. Can I annul those sales?"
Moshe’s punishment described in the parsha is most tragic. He was chosen to redeem the people, he loved them dearly and personally sacrificed so much for them.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Birchas Kohanim On A Fast Day ‘Because of Intoxication…’ (Taanis 26b)
Herman was speechless, yet the look in his eyes said it all. Indeed, his gratitude knew no bounds.
A commonly employed and permissible device regarding the prohibition of wearing fresh clothes during the Nine Days is to don them for a moment or two before the Nine Days.
There are often two distinct perspectives of an event: the perspective from living in the moment, and the perspective of history.
Question: At Birkat Kohanim, who says the phrase, “Am k’doshecha ka’amur”?
The power of "positive campaigning;" Nothing quenches your soul's thirst like Torah.
Gratitude=Great Attitude. Appreciation is always appropriate.
Hate and Love; Opposite sides of the coin of motivation.
After listening to the driver’s incredible story, Rabbi Levenstein asked him, “What about you? After seeing such a miracle why didn’t you became Torah observant?”
The rock doesn’t have needs, yet it listens to Hashem. How much more so should we, who have so many needs?
How can we be certain that any animal can be counted toward ma’asar beheimah when perhaps it is a treifah?
Scientific disciplines don’t ask "why", a metaphysical question. They ask "how does it function?”
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Siyum Validates It ‘Thereupon The Decrees Were Annulled’ (Ta’anis 18a)
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)
"You cannot restrain Ari from building a fence on his property," answered Rabbi Dayan.
Question: How can one determine whether someone is a true disciple of a rav, Rebbe, or rosh yeshiva?
By dvora
A few seats away, I noticed a man with a Mishnah in hand, talking intently into a cell phone. I soon realized the man was participating in a Daf Yomi shiur, utilizing his traveling time well.
What was the small act of Moshe talking to the rock meant to teach the people of Israel?
The two words "thank you" have no time expiration; even if spoken after many years they’re as potent as ever.
Leaders must be careful to subdue their ego. The cause is larger than the personal concerns of one person.
By Rachel Weiss
Known by all as a happy-go-lucky fellow, Yossel’s lackluster parnassah never got the better of him. His dejected-looking wife, however, hardly shared his simchas ha’chayim and Yossel would often attempt to cheer her with words of chizuk.
When it comes to passing on Jewishness we must follow the mother - for it is she who ensures it.
Although famous for his smile, Ike Eisenhower actually harbored a volcanic temper that he worked arduously to control.
Clearly, they were lacking in bitachon. Their faith in Hashem was deficient. But they weren’t guilty of speaking lashon hara.
"I would understand if I became sick and could not finish," said Mr. Braun. "But here it was my choice to stop the work and go take care of my mother."
This separation between Kohanim, Levi’im and Yisraelim obligates us to honor kohanim.
Question: Does halacha agree with the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade permitting women to have abortions?
Is it possible for us to influence God?
The prayer of Mashiv haruach u’morid hageshem mentions God’s rainmaking powers but it is not an immediate request for rain.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Unique Challenge ‘Tithe, You Shall Tithe…’ (Ta’anis 9a)
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)
By Ann Goldberg
It’s written, it says, with all the segulos for shalom bayis and you gave it as a gift to a chassan and kallah.
Thinking about how much we can do in comparison to what we have done serves as a corrective against pride and arrogance.
Let us shake the heavens. Let us not stop until our boys and all our people are liberated from bondage.
Yehoshua knew that the outcome of the battles would depend not on military might, but on the spiritual strength of Klal Yisrael.
Twelve of the greatest leaders of the nation, one from each shevet, were dispatched to survey the land. The results of that mission were catastrophic.
Are pessimists just rationalists, and is hope just naiveté?
Loving-kindness can cure the anger and bitterness in our poisonous world.
While Moshe was the most unique prophet, he was also alone.
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)
As I listed the litany of tragedies, as I perceived them, my mother responded by saying: “Who’s had a terrible life? I’ve had a wonderful life. I had your father for 40 years until he was taken from us. I had you and your brother. I lived to see grandchildren.”
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Pidyon Haben In The Afternoon? ‘…The First Reads Hallel Out Loud’ (Rosh Hashanah 32b)
"David is also entitled, since he is also learning," Moshe replied. "He'll be back in a few minutes. Anyway, I'm on a diet and didn't take one for myself, so I don't see any problem taking for him."
Of even greater significance, once the miraglim made their mistake and concluded that Hashem wasn’t powerful enough to bring the people into the land, what they then spoke wasn’t lashon hara at all
According to the Bach, Rosh Hashanah is referred to as moed, festival, the same term the Torah uses to describe Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot.
Question: When someone puts on a talit to lead services, should he recite a berachah?
The pasuk says that since the halacha concerning a Mechallel Shabbos was uncertain, the mekoshesh was placed in custody until the halacha was clarified.
The story of the spies, in this week's Torah portion, is viewed as an episode revealing the Jews' basic lack of faith in God.
It isn't beneath G-d to personally interfere in the workings of this world, to liberate a persecuted nation from the hand of their oppressors.
Now that she has entered her husband’s domain, they become extremely close.
Rabbi Fohrman delves deeper into the Priestly Blessing and its relevant lessons
Ultimately the Torah is a book that reflects a system of ethics that comes from God.
The Hebrew word for coincidence is mikreh, which comes from “karah min Hashem – it happened from G-d.”
If the survival of Judaism is dependent on the next generation, there is no doubt that the most important person in the synagogue is the Candy Man.
To gain power or distract the population from their suffering, a monarch would look for a place to put the blame.
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)
Shlomo called Rabbi Dayan. "I lent someone money, and he now denies the loan," he began. "If the opportunity presents itself, am I allowed to grab money from him?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Shofar On Shabbos ‘Rosh Hashanah That Fell on Shabbos’ (Rosh Hashanah 29b)
October 16, 2026 
