יום ראשון, כ״א חשוון תשפ״זSunday, November 1, 2026
Follow Us
Yom Kippur’s focus on forgiveness highlights humility, fallibility, soul-searching faith, compassion, thoughtfulness, being considerate, accepting responsibility and magnanimity.
Recollections of Yom Kippurs past from the late Rebbetzin Jungreis (ZT"L).
The first step in repentance is to say to Hashem that until now we lived as if we were not in front of You, but now we have come back.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The last two commands of the Torah, mentioned in this week's parsha-Hakhel and the command to write, or at take part in writing, a Sefer Torah-are about renewal, first collective, then individual.
Preparing for Yom Kippur, Erev Yom Kippur, Halachot of the Fast, Those who are exempt from fasting, Yom Kippur, End of the Fast
Moses teaches his final commandment, "Write this song for yourselves." Moses wants each of us to write a Torah, not as a book of laws or teachings, but as a song.
Mr. Krumbein firmly accepted upon himself to return to those he knew he had cheated and also to donate to the local shul and community center.
He quietly related to the avreich how during the time he was without pulse or heartbeat he had ascended to the Heavens and was met by his deceased relatives.
Sometimes we are inspired by the simple sweet kindness and patience of a total stranger.
Rashi makes a critical observation: When Yonah was thrown overboard the pasuk says he was swallowed by a male fish. Yet when he davened to Hashem, the pasuk says a female fish spit him out.
Question: I am very appreciative and, if I might add, flattered that you answer and publish many of my questions. Due to your superior knowledge, I am always confident when I send in a question that I will receive a proper response. I wonder if you could address whether one should say Birkat HaGomel after flying even though flying is statistically safer than driving. Also, do women say HaGomel as well or only men? Menachem
‘Stop, Thief!’ ‘Are Identifying Marks Biblical Or Rabbinic?’ (Bava Metzia 18b)
As we approach Yom Kippur, it is time for us to think creatively, the willingness to chart a new path, about what we can do better.
We are humans. We have failings. We make mistakes. It is how Hashem created us. But, we have also been given a wonderful gift: Teshuva/repentance.
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
What is there in the sound of the shofar that words can't express? The blowing of the shofar proves we can surpass ourselves. By our own voice we cannot produce this penetrating terrifying resonance
Goldman's fight against the entire military establishment was stressful yet, oddly, exhilarating. He felt the Almighty was tapping him on the shoulder, whispering, “I want you to pull this off for Me”
On Rosh Hashanah, one is expected to plan a spiritual and behavioral road map for the entire year. So when one hears the shofar blow,the trip begins
In every generation, the shofar blow is not like other sounds. Those sounds we listen to with our ears, but to the shofar we listen with our souls. ALL Jews always thirst for this cry of longing.
By Rachel Weiss
Rosh Hashanah on the first of Tishrei comes to assure us that we needn’t despair, for Hashem, our Heavenly Father, is eager to accept our teshuvah and wipe our slate clean.
One thing a person can do to ensure that he repents quickly after he sins is to think ahead.
Whatever the town or city or world capital our people temporarily call home, a Jew rediscovers himself in Jerusalem.
We stand in the final moments of 5776, prepared to transition to 5777, perfect moments to offer our gift to God, honoring all we have gained over the past year and how we intend to apply that growth
To understand God's curses at the end of the Torah, we have to follow a trail all the way back, to Creation, and the Garden of Eden
The Bergs spent Rosh Hashanah in the apartment and then went on to their relatives.
The ‘False’ Rumor ‘If One Found Notes of Acquisition’ (Bava Metzia 14a)
Question: Where does the name Elul come from? Also, how can Elul be both the last month of the year and the prequel to the holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) that occur in the following month, Tishrei, the first month of the new year? Finally, can you please discuss the religious practices of Elul? M. Goldman Miami Beach, FL
Looking from mother to father I would wonder: Is Rosh Hashanah a happy day or a sad day?
There is a period of fact finding, a period of deliberation, and then the decision is read for all to hear. At that point, the judge, the jury, the defendant, and all in attendance know the ruling.
Why is it necessary for one to perform teshuvah over the performance of any other mitzvah?
By dvora
Blowing 30 times (the minimum amount to fulfill the mitzvah) for every Jewish patient, literally took the wind out of me.
G-d willing more people will realize that prayer is a powerful spiritual drug.
Each mitzvah and each holiday is a guide and a map
From this decree on, the two days of Rosh Hashanah – unlike the two days of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot – were no longer celebrated out of doubt but out of certainty.
Question: Where does the name Elul come from? Also, how can Elul be both the last month of the year and the prequel to the holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) that occur in the following month, Tishrei, the first month of the new year? Finally, can you please discuss the religious practices of Elul? M. Goldman Miami Beach, FL
His Silence Is Deafening ‘One Seized It In Our Presence’ (Bava Metzia 6a)
Tosfos writes [Gittin 47a; Pesachim 57a] that hefker (disowning) rooted in error is not hefker, just as a gift or transaction rooted in error is not valid [C.M. 246:1-3].
The visitor does not hand over his basket of First Fruits; he first shares it with the Temple representative. This is not a ceremony of give and take but of sharing.
Studies show that not only do athletes who use them improve, but so do many other people whose activities require peak performance.
It seems from the Vilna Gaon and the Ra’avan that shomei’a k’oneh would not work for reciting the parshah of bikurim. But why not?
By Chava Dumas
Leah and Benyamin were both so used to being independent that Leah did not consider asking anyone for help.
As Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur approach and we appeal to Hashem for a blessed New Year, we also prepare for the awesome moment when we will all stand before Almighty G-d.
Ki Tavo is so difficult to read; how could Hashem be so cruel to us? Join us as we grapple with the incredibly difficult curses of this week's parsha
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
We are what we remember, and the first-fruits declaration was a way of ensuring that Jews would never forget.
Many commentators sense a significance to the placement of the bikkurim declaration, at the beginning of this week’s pasha, right after the injunction to destroy Amalek. What is the connection?
Just as Noach established and created a certain merit for himself when being saved, so too Bnei Yisrael need to do the same in order to be redeemed.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are almost here. How will you pray? How will you reunite with your Heavenly Father? Will your visit with Him have meaning, or will it be a meaningless empty ritual?
So if on the previous Rosh Hashanah, Shimon had a decree of a year of life, then there is nothing Reuven or any other force in existence could do to change that.
Question: Where does the name Elul come from? Also, how can Elul be both the last month of the year and the prequel to the holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) that occur in the following month, Tishrei, the first month of the new year? Finally, can you please discuss the religious practices of Elul? M. Goldman Miami Beach, FL
I said that we could call the baby Natanel Yisrael, but my husband felt that the name would be too long. (I don’t know why he said that because we already had a child with a six-syllable name.)
The Burdensome Beast ‘He Put His Donkey On The Ferryboat’ (Bava Kamma 117b)
Since each month is aligned with a particular shevet and constellation, we can inform ourselves of the qualities of the month through them.
When he reached the bank, he put his hand in his pocket and realized the money was gone.
The Torah explicitly says that a husband may divorce his wife if he so pleases. How can Rabbenu Gershom forbid this practice when the Torah seemingly permits it?
Though related to the 10 commandments, what is the larger message that this list of laws in parsha Ki Teitzei is coming to teach us?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The opening three laws of this parsha- a captive woman taken in war, the law about the rights of the firstborn, and the “stubborn and rebellious son” – are all about dysfunctions within the family.
Battling Amalek presents an important warning to any Jewish military leader that there is a need to maintain a basic respect for what it means to be human, even when dealing with mortal enemies.
We think we have the power to make choices and to effect change in this world – that we are in control of our own destiny.
Question: Where does the name Elul come from? How can Elul be both the last month of the year and the prequel of the holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) that occur in the following month, Tishrei? Finally, can you please discuss the religious practices of Elul? M. Goldman Miami Beach, FL
The Messenger Or The Message? ‘How Do We View This Agent?’ (Bava Kamma 104a)
Asher had Yankel summoned to Rabbi Dayan's beis din. He presented his claim; Yankel denied it.
When I first encountered this explanation, I took issue with it. For even if a shul’s courtyard does not possess kedushah, planting in it could still be prohibited.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Judaism is a religion of compassion, for without compassion law itself can generate inequity. Justice plus compassion equals tzedek, the first precondition of a decent society.
Shlomo explained that these were non-Jewish people who had risked their lives and the lives of their families, for no reward whatsoever, by hiding and saving Jews during the Holocaust.
At the same time, a king is expected to remain humble. The Torah isn’t afraid the great honor accorded to him will bring him to arrogance.
Sure, we are much better than the atheist who only sees the truth when it may be too late to start living a life of faith.
A person who gives charity dolefully or begrudgingly demonstrates that his faith is somewhat wanting and he has not fully fulfilled the mitzvah of giving charity.
Law-abiding, mild-mannered, Rabbi Dr. (Psychology) Simcha Goldman was unprepared to obey the direct order of his commander that he could NOT wear his yarmulke outside the hospital. Strike 2 on Goldman
Even in the Diaspora Jews need some Jewish judicial system for dealing with one another.
Question: I am very appreciative and, if I might add, flattered that you answer and publish many of my questions. Due to your superior knowledge, I am always confident when I send in a question that I will receive a proper response. I wonder if you could address whether one should say Birkat HaGomel after flying even though flying is statistically safer than driving. Also, do women say HaGomel as well or only men? Menachem
Possession Is 100 Percent Of The Law ‘Stolen Chametz Became Forbidden Due To The Intervening Passover’ (Bava Kamma 96b)
The case was complicated. There were disagreements over factual issues with conflicting evidence; the halacha was also subject to a wide-ranging dispute between the authorities.
The Dovev Meisharim (chelek 1, 18:3) quotes the Divrei Chaim who says that writing all four letters of the name simultaneously is considered writing the name out of order.
Her biggest nightmare revolved around those dreaded three letters that instilled fear and trepidation into even the bravest of men: I R S.
This week's portion, Re'ei, speaks of our need for a sense of place, how difficult it often is to find, and how we must protect others' sense of place.
By gradually increasing the workload, the body is called upon to respond. The work should never be easy.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
In Judaism, joy is the supreme religious emotion. Moses says again and again that joy is what we should feel in the land of Israel, the land given to us by God.
Is the Torah to be read exactly as the Jews who received it would have, or, is it actually to be read in a contemporary way that can't possibly be the same as those who first received the Torah?
By Rachel Weiss
Deep contemplation, loyalty, ambition and intelligence define the traits of one born in Elul, the month symbolized by Virgo, a sign of purity.
A leader must be aware of and responsible for all details on the ship - big or small.
The Lost Or Relinquished Kesubah ‘A Couple May Not Live Even One Moment Without A Kesubah’ (Bava Kamma 89a)
Question: I am very appreciative and, if I might add, flattered that you answer and publish many of my questions. Due to your superior knowledge, I am always confident when I send in a question that I will receive a proper response. I wonder if you could address whether one should say Birkat HaGomel after flying even though flying is statistically safer than driving. Also, do women say HaGomel as well or only men? Menachem
While the sincerity of the little fellow might be touching, he is missing the point.
Hillel felt the counselors and camp administration did not have sufficient authority to deal with Bernie. Reluctantly, he agreed to sell the bat to Bernie for $200.
They bentched nonetheless, though, because they were given a specific mitzvah to thank Hashem for the mon.
She knew it wasn’t easy or pleasant to stand around asking for money and so many people were far worse off than she was.
The time has come for all of us to change, to become the people our Creator meant us to be. Instead of working on others, let us work on ourselves.
By dvora
One must be honest and straight in business dealings and in any interchange involving another person, no matter what his color or creed.
Is it possible God afflicted the nation of Israel through the past 40 years of the desert, withholding food and water from them...on purpose? How can we have a relationship with a God like that?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
There is something profoundly spiritual about listening-shema. It is the most effective form of conflict resolution I know.
How could I possibly handle all these different emotions on top of the complexities of life? Easy,,,by dancing.
A musical perspective on Parshat Ekev...
Throughout the perek, the navi describes the greatness of Hashem Yisbarach and His tender loving care and concern for His people, Klal Yisrael.
October 30, 2026 
