יום ראשון, ה׳ כסלו תשפ״זSunday, November 15, 2026
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By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Maimonides holds there is not one model of the virtuous life, but two. He calls them, respectively, the way of the saint and the sage. It is this deep insight that led Maimonides to his seemingly contradictory evaluations of the nazirite
The eternal wisdom of Rebbetzin Jungreis (a”h) this week on making peace and fostering it in our families, our communities, and our people
There are three very unique personalities we meet in this week's Parsha.
Three laws seemingly unconnected and out of place: theft from a convert; sotah; and nazir. Why are they here, in Parshat naso?
I look toward Shavuot as an opportunity to not only absorb the Torah's wisdom, but as a chance to apply its wisdom so well that God the Teacher will look at us say, "Yet more have I received from My students"
The Torah may be suggesting something different than we have ever expected: the way we ask God to treat us may also be the way we ourselves should treat our children.
While there is a yeshiva in existence, the world will be full with knowledge of Torah. The moment the yeshiva ceases to exist, the Torah will be forgotten from the entire world.
Jews today are quick to judge others and to label them as frum or not frum, acceptable or unacceptable, kosher or treif. We merely observe their outer layer without understanding who they really are.
Learn the Book of Ruth like you never have before and discover why it's read on Shavuot.
Chag Sameach-Happy Shavuout!
Why can’t wem the Jewish people, following the teachings of our Torah and be forgiving and tolerant toward one other?
Rubashkin’s idea was sound. A kosher slaughterhouse located in Pottsville, Iowa provided many benefits for consumers of kosher meat and the local economy.
One who teaches his friend's son Torah is analogous to the father himself.
Question: Is one obligated to stand while the shliach tzibbur repeats the Shemoneh Esreh? I have observed that some people stand during the whole repetition of the Amida while others sit most of the time. Menachem
However, if the renter has a definitive claim (ba'ree), as in our case, he is in possession since he holds the money.
Who’s On First? ‘Who Is Considered A First Born?’ (Bava Basra 126b)
The identity of the heirs and their order of succession cannot be changed by testamentary disposition in a will.
The Torah does not impose an oath on a defendant in a dispute involving land, servants, or promissory notes.
The point is that they hold up a picture of that man. Not a picture of the Chasam Sofer.
Minutes after my son and daughter left for school – it’s a ten-minute walk from our house – my son came running back to the house, all upset.
By dvora
Sounding like a typical Lubavitcher, I told that just by striking the match, she is bringing more light into the world, so what’s the problem?
When the nations of the world will see Hashem saving his children, His nation, they will see that there is a Borei Olam who runs the world.
Humility, as embodied by Hilel, should be among our community’s priorities as we develop the educational policies and personnel that will shape the next generation of halakhic leadership.
Revelation both Divine and self. Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach
Something unprecedented is happening in the world. The Tanach foretold thousands of years ago what is occurring today. "It is a time of travail and suffering for Israel, but from that suffering shall emerge her salvation."
By Rachel Weiss
The lush greens nourished by the healing rains of Iyar heighten our anticipation of the approaching Yom Tov that established us for all time as a holy nation, beholden to and beloved by our Creator.
True repentance requires a confession that enables the sinner to focus totally on his own errors.
Havdalah, according to most opinions, is of rabbinic origin. Accordingly, the rabbis have a more flexible approach.
The Israeli sun was beautiful as it slowly descended in the horizon, but I could not enjoy it as I usually would have.
The utility workers in this area usually do not do these kind of repairs, but being a bitter cold night in December when pipes can freeze he was kind enough to help the home owners.
Jews witnessed the ten makkos defy every natural law and decimate their oppressors. How could they still be sinking lower in tumah after witnessing this?
A financial setback can place health and shalom bayis at risk. But that’s precisely why we have to be on guard not to allow such tragic consequences to unfold. Repeat in your mind: “It’s bad enough that we are experiencing a financial crisis. I am not going to place our health and family in crisis as well.”
Question: Is one obligated to stand while the shliach tzibbur repeats Shemoneh Esreh? I have observed that some people stand during the whole repetition of the Amida while others sit most of the time. Menachem
Priorities ‘According To Their Wisdom And Their Age’ (Bava Basra 120a)
Another example of a case in which the Modeh Bemikzat oath of partial admission imposed by the Torah does not apply is where the amount admitted is less than a minimum amount of two kesef silver coins.
He discovered the Mikraos Gedolos cost about 35 percent more than the Mishnah Berurah.
This may sound myopic and cloistered, but it is based on a fundamental understanding of the human. To remain pure in an impure world, we need to create our own world.
In this week's video, we look at Pesach, Shmita and Yovel and ask, where do we see Shabbat, and why does it matter?
The laws of the Sabbatical year allow for some questioning even while demanding faith. How can one believe even while questioning?
Behar is primarily about ways to prevent Jews from descending into cycles of poverty; Bechukotai reinforces the laws of Vayikra by spelling out the consequences of following or not following the laws
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Children need a strong environment, conducive to their development as Jews, while at the same time their Jewish education must provide them with so much pride that later in life they will be able to deal with the outside world as well and still be fully committed Jews.
Thoughts on Emor, Omer, and becoming a better you!
Rebbetzin Jungreis (ZT"L) shares a letter from a distraught wife/ mother whose family is facing serious financial setbacks causing them to consider drastic changes
Question: Should a boy continue counting the omer with a berachah once he becomes bar mitzvah? A Reader Chicago, IL
What is it that makes an ox special? In what way should we emulate it?
Final And Proper Honors ‘In A Grave Not His Own?’ (Baba Basra 112b)
The lives of Jews in Mitzrayim were defined by misery and suffering. They had no rights. They had no life.
The plaintiff is entitled to the entire maneh without having to swear.
A person cannot be forced to receive something against his will, replied Rabbi Dayan. Therefore, the recipient has the 'upper hand' and can choose either to uphold the gift retroactively or to refuse it.
The burden of proof required in dinei nefashot, capital cases, is heavier than the burden of proof required dinei mamonot, monetary cases.
In this video, Rabbi Fohrman makes a fascinating argument about how Shabbat works and shows that there ARE Shabbatot in different realms.
As early morning phone calls go this was probably one of the least welcome ones to hear five days before our daughter’s wedding.
Now he was putting his faith only in Hashem and that he knew Hashem could help him.
By Naama Klein
The rav found the exchange humorous and happily shared it with my husband, who subsequently told it over to me.
This nameless man, born in scandal to a Jewish mother and Egyptian father not a member of any tribe, brought his claim to Moses who ruled against him. He was Jewish, but he had no place in camp or the world
Granting that bodies and souls are sometimes mismatched, are we comfortable saying in absolute terms that sheker hachein v’hevel hayofi (grace is falsehood and beauty is meaningless)? Are bodies and souls assigned to one another at random?
A slave must fulfill his master's command without cutting any corners.
When we improve our shemiras Shabbos, we are taking steps to bring redemption and Moshiach closer.
In this case, if the defendant had wanted to lie, he could have – instead of admitting he snatched it and explaining that it was stolen from him – simply denied that he snatched it altogether.
Hashem imprinted into the essence of each animal all the instincts necessary for its survival as well as for the continuation of its species.
At First Glance ‘While You Were Feasting On The Dates Of Babylon…’ (Baba Basra 107b)
Question: Are women supposed to count Sefirat HaOmer? S. Feldman
We are in Eretz Yisrael before the building of the Beis Hamikdash. Why are we repeating the same mistake three thousand years later?
The contractor warned me that the local safety code requires a barrier around the pool. He's supposed to come in two weeks to install it.
Although it is preferable to live in Israel, there is no obligation to go. However, once you live in Israel, there is an obligation not to leave.
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
If the Jewish inhabitants of Israel do not behave properly or hide behind the claim they are observant or moral while in fact they disobey the ethical dictates of God, the Book of Amos makes it clear that the State of Israel will not endure.
With the 10 Commandments, G-d is described as the One who took the Jews out of Egypt. In Parshat Kedoshim, He is described simply as being "holy." Both phrases set the tone for the list that follows.
Shabbat, when we separate ourselves from so much of our earthly concerns and focus on our highest aspirations, we find the holiness that allows our earth to rise so high as to kiss the heavens.
Finding one’s shidduch has reached the crisis level. The one absolute “must” quality is finding a soul mate with a good heart. If that’s lacking, the entire package will fall apart.
It was not enough for the Kohen to offer his ruling; he also had to instruct and guide.
Why didn't I call an ambulance? I do not know. And believe me, I was not trying to be overly pious.
A defendant who is faced with one witness who testifies that he borrowed money is allowed to swear that he never borrowed any money and receive judgment in his favor.
As great as he was, and as much as he accepted every word of the Torah as completely true, on some level it wasn’t 100 percent real to him.
Question: Are women supposed to count Sefirat HaOmer? S. Feldman
Use of the hall on Motzaei Shabbos is a separate rental that carries an additional $250 payment. You were supposed to notify me if you wanted to use the hall also on Motzaei Shabbos.
Law Of Averages ‘Catacombs Are Four Cubits Long’ (Bava Basra 100b)
We approach Yom Ha'atzmaut, celebrating a generation that experienced absolute evil yet was still able to join together without distinctions and build a vibrant country, thriving because it welcomes others who live betwixt and between, politically, spiritually and religiously
The behavior of Rabbi Akiva’s students left them particularly vulnerable between Pesach and Shavuot since this period is a time of celestial judgment.
. . Few texts seem less philosophically promising at first glance than a pasuk in this week's parsha “anything that a zav lies on becomes tamei” (Vayikra 15:4)
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
In the old days, it was a privilege to be mature. It was something people strived for. It meant maturity, well-considered opinions, and experience and knowledge of how to deal with the problems of life. This is no longer the case
In this week's parsha, we are introduced to a strange set of laws related to the metzora, one afflicted with tzara'at. How do we relate to such laws?
Leaders have to make many difficult decisions - decisions that affect, often negatively, other people.
Commentators differ as to what exactly was the sin of Nadav and Avihu and why they deserved what on the surface appears to be a wildly disproportional punishment for their 'minor' infraction
Since our faith teaches that EVERY person has a soul mate – a bashert – designated by Heaven, how is it so many cannot find their partners? It is impossible to know but faith and prayer HELP!
The conclusion to the legal saga of whether Dr. Simcha Goldman could wear his yarmulke while serving in the US Air Force. Chodesh Tov!
Consequential Limitations ‘Seeds That Did Not Sprout’ (Bava Basra 92a)
Question: My friends are getting married on Rosh Chodesh Sivan. I tried to convince them to do otherwise, as many people have a minhag not to attend weddings until three days before Shavuot. They told me they spoke to rabbis who allowed it. Is this right? May I attend? Name Withheld By Request
He considers it direct damage and writes that even a guardian who is exempt from negligence [e.g., be'alav imo] or even a person who is not a guardian, is liable in such a case.
Whereas one week is sufficient to restore an individual to his natural state of divine purity, the entire nation required seven weeks.
I knew in my heart if I did not take my first step soon all my ambition would fizzle.
The Torah believes the testimony of one witness that the defendant does not deny under oath – as if it were the testimony of two witnesses.
The nefesh habahami on the other hand is comprised of the base instincts necessary for survival.
The Meshech Chochmah states that had Israel not sinned with the golden calf, God would not have punished Aharon’s sons so severely.
November 13, 2026 
