יום רביעי, ה׳ תשרי תשפ״זWednesday, September 16, 2026
Follow Us
The Omer period is the ultimate completion of the completion, the holiest of the holiest.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
God’s “name” is therefore His standing in the world. Do people acknowledge Him, respect Him, honor Him?
Yet the windows of Pesach are crucial. Through them we can see our bitter exile.
Rabbi Fohrman makes a fascinating argument about how Shabbat works and shows that there are shabbatot in different realms.
Room613 combines the best of all worlds.
Question: I have two questions regarding Pirkei Avot. First, is there a specific reason that the last chapter is read on the Sabbath before Shavuot, or is this just a quirk of the calendar? Second, in that last chapter we find a list of qualities that enable one to acquire Torah knowledge, including anavah, humility. I find this difficult to believe in light of the Gemara in Gittin that chastises one of the scholars for his anavah, saying that it ultimately caused the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash. Zvi Kirschner (Via E-Mail)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Altered States ‘Examining A Bechor Is Not The Same’ (Beizah 27a)
"I just picked up a case of tuna at the supermarket up the block, three for $2," Mrs. Cooper said. "You may want to buy the tuna there."
Because the Torah requires one to count “seven complete weeks” one should count at the beginning of the day, which in Jewish law begins on the preceding night.
To properly fulfill the mitzvah of tochachah, there are two absolute requirements. The first relates to attitude, the second to method.
Question: Is the name Basha a derivative or nickname of another name?
Is telling someone to transgress a rabbinic prohibition not considered bad advice?
People expectantly go through their lives awaiting the event that will make them happy.
In disbelief the doctors said it was not their doing but rather a true miracle that such a choleh could survive this illness.
The challenge of death is to keep the person who has died alive in spirit.
By dvora
I vowed that when I would grow up, I would speak Yiddish to my kinderlach and I would move to “a place called Crown Heights.”
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The very act of learning in rabbinic Judaism is conceived as active debate, a kind of gladiatorial contest of the mind.
Rabbi Fohrman explains how the Torah provides the building blocks of true love.
By dvora
Amazingly, each and every blade was green and moist as if it was just freshly cut.
All the commentaries ask why Hashem focuses on the Exodus as opposed to saying, “I am Hashem who created the entire world.”
Someone who focuses only on the bones of the Torah makes his bones dry and passionless.
The following is President Obama's statement on Passover (April 14, 2014). As he has in the past, the President held an official Passover Seder at the White House. Michelle and I send our warmest greetings to all those celebrating Passover in the United States, in Israel, and around the world. On Tuesday, just as we […]
The tendency to rely on human beings rather than G-d has been our curse throughout the centuries.
“Who is wise? One who learns from each person” (Pirkei Avot 4:1)
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
In Judaism, to be without questions is a sign not of faith, but of lack of depth.
"I'll try to help as we can," said Mr. Goodman, "but we already made a special appeal this year. Let me see what other funds we have. I'll be in touch with you in a day or two."
Rashi is bothered by the expression Hashem used: “the Jews need only travel.”
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Reckoning Time ‘Three Festivals, Even Out Of Order’ (Beizah 19b)
By R.M. Gross
Two husbands were there to instruct us in Texas hold ‘em – and we needed them.
Question: Why do we start counting sefirat ha’omer in chutz la’aretz on the second night of Pesach when the omer in the times of the Beit Hamikdash was cut on Chol HaMoed? M. Goldman (Via E-Mail)
A few background principles regarding the prohibitions of chametz mixtures on Pesach may provide some shopping guidance.
According to the Rambam, the k’nas applies to any chametz on Pesach with which one could, in theory, transgress the aveirah – even if no transgression actually occurred.
By Chava Dumas
She was followed by the shadows of the Six Million, by the ever so subtle awareness of their vanished presence.
Marror is the reliving of the bitter enslavement and matzah is the under-eighteen-minutes redemption.
Rabbi David Bar-Hayim argues it is time for Ashkenazim to abandon the prohibition against Kitnyot. What do you think?
Is handmade always better?
By Ed Lion
As his bomber lost altitude with the ground rushing up, my father remembered his last thought: “How am I going to get out of this?
One difference between Bnei Yisrael and Bnei Noach is that shiurim only apply to Bnei Yisrael.
"Why is that?" asked Rabbi Brenner. "What happened to the rule of hamotzi meichaveiro alav hareaya (the burden of the proof is on the plaintiff)?"
Hashem imprinted into the essence of each animal all the instincts necessary for its survival as well as for the continuation of its species.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Belaboring The Point ‘Since It Is Permitted When Necessary, It Is Permitted Even When Not Necessary’ (Beitzah 12a)
We have windows of history, of Yom Tovim, but the dust continues to obscure our vision.
Question: Why do we start counting sefirat ha’omer in chutz la’aretz on the second night of Pesach when the omer in the times of the Beit Hamikdash was cut on Chol HaMoed? M. Goldman (Via E-Mail)
Chazal recognized the importance of recording events for subsequent generations to identify with, understand and appreciate what moved the author so many years before.
Yom Kippur is called one of the days of awe. What does awe have to do with forgiveness for our sins?
Sephardic Jews are very strict in not keeping hametz in their homes during Pesah.
Question: Have any “right wing” gedolei yisrael discussed the positive religious nature of Medinat Yisrael?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
You perpetuate a transformative event by turning it into a ritual.
the lots teach us that there are aspects of life that are based purely on mazal.
But in Israel, because food packagers have two very different markets to please (and Sephardim outnumber Ashkenazim), the traditional Ashkenazi approach can be challenging.
When Hashem took us out of Mitzrayim, we received not only a physical freedom but also a spiritual one.
By Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff
Today we have more than six million halachic Jews living in the Holy Land.
They have heard many shmuzin discussing the severity of this issue, and they don’t question it.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Consequence Of Our Exile ‘Guard The Custom Of Your Forefathers’ (Beizah 4b)
"People who want to donate will give anyway," said Mr. Bodner. "Why can't I also gain from distributing the photo?"
Question: Why do we start counting sefirat ha’omer in chutz la’aretz on the second night of Pesach when the omer in the times of the Beit Hamikdash was cut on Chol HaMoed? M. Goldman (Via E-Mail)
Question: Why do Jews eat fish on Shabbat?
The prohibition of chametz on Pesach means that chametz may not be eaten or enjoyed, may not be owned or possessed, and must be removed from one's premises.
Even in the best of times, life is not free of calamity or crisis. But like the well-known Jewish expression goes: “It could be a lot worse.”
On Shabbos Zachor the Torah commands us to “Remember what Amalek did to you."
It may be suggested that a time frame of separation is mandated to heighten the physical encounter.
The Gemara, in Kiddushin 57b, searches for a source to confirm that the bird that is to be set free is permitted to be eaten after the process is concluded.
while each of us is an individual, we are also part of a larger unit
Without a plan of action, a leader will never be able to lead his followers anywhere, no matter how important the destination or lofty the goal.
A friend of mine recently heard a comment that left him stunned. A colleague told him that his mother, a survivor of Auschwitz, who had recently lost her husband of five decades, told her son, “You should know, being alone is worse than Auschwitz!”
This week's parsha deals with the strange set of laws dealing with tzara'at.
What is the sin of the birthing mother?
Question: Should a Sefer Torah be covered between aliyot?
Many wonder what is the counterpoint for circumcision relative to women.
By Naama Klein
Predictably, my husband agrees and is fine with either night. But after reminding him that he steadily delivers a shiur in his shul on Tuesday nights, he chooses Wednesday, offering a topic related to the Four Sons of Haggadah fame.
Why does the Jewish leap year always consist of two Adars? Why specifically Adar? Menachem (Via E-Mail)
By Rachel Weiss
"Is my husband's Olam Haba'ah really worth the sume of 1,000 ruble?"
If you expect more, you will be less grateful; if you expect less, you will be more grateful.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
What A Difference A Day Makes ‘Rav Rules: First Sukkah, Then Zeman’ (Sukkah 56a)
Whether a month is chaser or maleh makes a crucial difference to our Jewish lives. If, for example, one mistakenly believed the month of Elul was maleh when in fact it was chaser, one might find oneself eating on Yom Kippur and fasting on a weekday. If one mistakenly believed the month of Adar was maleh when in fact it was chaser, one might find oneself eating bread on Pesach.
We should invite divorced people into our homes for Shabbas and Yom tov.
It seems Rashi is saying that had a Jew remained in his house that evening, he would not have been killed, and had he left his house, he might have died – not because he was guilty of any sin, not because he deserved to die, but because once the destroyer is given permission to kill, anyone in his path is in danger.
Man has two possible extremes. If he is worthy, he transcends the rest of creation. However, if he is not worthy he is lower than the mosquito that was created before him.
"Well, I brought over a cake for the simcha," Mrs. Kasner said. She came in and put the cake down on the counter. "Please tell your mother I'd like the serving dish back after Shabbos."
The Gemara (Niddah 31b) states that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was asked why a woman who gives birth must bring a korban.
While our purpose in this world is to use our free will to choose good, to overcome our tests and challenges, part of that choosing should include a deep wish that we wouldn't even have the ability to sin.
Is a shomer aveidah considered a shomer chinam or a shomer sachar?
The ritual of kashrut may help us become more conscious of our responsibilities to live ethical lives.
By Dov Shurin
Boundless love was something Rav Kook had for the nation of Israel. Just as one cannot question the boundless love of Hashem for Israel, one cannot question the boundless love of a Torah giant for his people.
By dvora
I insisted that one decoration, a dancing sevivon (dreidel) man, remain hanging in recognition of the chag. Some in my family questioned the appropriateness of this decision. Was it proper to have decorations hanging in what would soon become a house of shiva?
Why does the Jewish leap year always consist of two Adars? Why specifically Adar? Menachem (Via E-Mail)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Full Or Abridged? ‘One Is Obligated To Recite Hallel’ (Sukkah 48a)
That second verse in Vayikra (9:23) tells us that Moshe and Aharon entered the Ohel Moed, and upon exiting they jointly blessed the people.
Question: In the Amidah, the phrase “Mashiv HaRuach” concludes in some siddurim with the words “umorid ha’geshem” (with a segol under the gimmel) and in other siddurim with the words “umorid ha’gashem” (with a kamatz under the gimmel). What is the practical difference between these two readings?
"We're hosting a sheva berachos tonight for my niece," Mrs. Kohn replied. "I'm already late! I don't even have a minute to take my projector to the office. Would you mind keeping it overnight in your office?"
To remind us of this, Hashem gave us a permanent reminder of our uniqueness – the mitzvah of milah.
The Ritvah understands that the kosher signs are not just “signs” indicating that a fish is kosher; rather, they are what actually render the fish kosher. This may also be applied to the kosher signs of an animal, but the Ritvah does not indicate this.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
There is much in this episode that is hard to understand, much that has to do with the concept of holiness and the powerful energies it released that, like nuclear power today, could be deadly dangerous if not properly used. But there is also a more human story about two approaches to leadership that still resonates with us today.
I attended the recent Shabboton for frum divorced people and listened to your talk. You gave me hope to go on. I was very despondent when I came and went home considerably more upbeat. It was all due to your focus on “being a blessing.”
September 11, 2026 
