יום חמישי, כ״א אלול תשפ״וThursday, September 3, 2026
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While they are definitely special occurrences, why are they cause for a new holiday?
By Tzvi Fishman
Torah wasn’t given to be kept in Sinai; Brooklyn or Beverly Hills-It was meant to be kept in Israel!
In addition to the restrictions of Tisha B’Av, there are several restrictions that one may not perform during the week that Tisha B’Av falls in.
The word “shavat” in the first kina of Tisha B’Av morning indicates a sudden suspension and cessation of time that accompanied the Temple's destruction.
Words & expressions that don’t appear anywhere in Torah’s first 4 books suddenly appear in Devarim
Feeling Hashem's presence in our lives is the very purpose of the Beis HaMikdash.
Knowing and feeling that Torah is the only absolute truth will not only help us serve Hashem properly, it will also help us reach out to others. We can be confident that we are offering them the best product possible.
When living in Israel, how can we be a light to the world's nations if we don’t live among non-Jews?
Analyzing the request to live on Jordan's other side to understand true communication: Trust&Respect
There are certain restrictions and abstentions that apply to Tisha B’Av that do not apply to regular aveilus.
Gad’s tremendous wealth considered with other points led rabbis to deduce Gad was very materialistic
The story of Zelophehad's daughters demonstrates Torah’s flexibility and ensuring justice.
By Rachel Weiss
A man from a distant city once came to Reb Hershel to bemoan the sorry state of his business affairs. To the tzaddik’s inquiry about the extent of his knowledge of religious practice, the man readily admitted his ignorance.
While leadership is always needed, complex situations require it at the highest level.
Not everybody’s greatness is readily apparent. Am mkadhsei shvi’i refers to the masses, the less notable among us, who exhibit the hidden, Rosh Chodesh type of sanctity.
We do not find that Pinchas was chastised for what he did; on the contrary he was greatly rewarded.
Why does the Torah group "random" stories together in Parshat Pinchas? Are they really RANDOM?
5 sisters, with no brothers, questioned an assumed law concerning land inheritance in Israel-and won
With Ruth, The Torah seems to be stating that children shouldn't be punished for the sins of parents
Why do we have a parsha in Sefer Shemos named after Yisro who was not only a former idolater, but actually served as a priest for Avodah Zarah!
The Shulchan Aruch in the very first siman states that one should rise in the morning like a lion, implying that simply rising form bed requires strength of a lion, in line with the Midrash.
Attempts to interpret the message of Hashem in the absence of divine prophecy ultimately may twist that message in unintended ways that can lead to calamitous events.
What's the nation of Israel's purpose in the world? How we can bring God's blessings into the world?
Bil’am’s character is complex and nuanced; neither purely good nor purely evil.
Amalek, our ultimate foe, understood that when unified, we are invincible and indestructible.
Perhaps on a deeper level, the mitzvah of parah adumah at this junction was not just to purify the body, but the spirit as well.
Halacha isn't random; it's a mechanism guiding individuals and society to a higher ethical plateau.
The greatest of men, Moshe, had to wait for Hashem to sprinkle purifying waters on Bnei Yisrael to mark the conclusion of the period of death.
Tosafos answers that nevertheless the sprinkling is a part of his taharah process.
What was Moses thinking when he struck the rock?
Israel's complaining frustrated Moshe, making it increasingly hard for him to lead effectively
Dovid's musical Torah teachings were designed to penetrate the soul and the emotions.
It occurred to me, as my brain rattled in my skull on a two-hundred mile ride through rural Virginia, that our souls work in much the same way.
Essential principle of arguments for Heaven's sake is recognizing no 1 person has monopoly on truth
Until Korach's rebellion, no one dared challenge Moshe’s authority.
Performing ketores outside the Beis Hamikdash, and at the wrong time is an aveirah.
Korach demonstrates how "charisma" can lead to a breakdown in the legitimate forms of leadership
A truly great leader is someone who not only leads and influences his immediate circle, but the broader world as well.
As they continued to spread fear in the hearts of the rest of Bnei Yisrael, they report that they saw giants, nefilim. V'sham rainu et hanefilim bnei anak!
It becomes clear that the problem the Jewish people faced wasn't temporary but endemic to its core
Ten of the twelve spies returned with a negative report, stating that this would be impossible.
By Rachel Weiss
It must have been the warm ambiance of their humble yet welcoming home. Or maybe it was their broad shoulders and understanding hearts…
Why did the Torah add baderch btzayschem M'mitzrayim to the command to remember the Miriam incident?
What was so bad about the spies sin and how can we connect to such an angry, vengeful God?
The Children of Israel chose a natural human existence, as opposed to living supernatural lives
How does haughtiness lead to a loss of faith? Pride to the eclipse of God?
Let's emulate Aharon’s devotion to Jewish values & religious standards while helping all of society
Moshe realized that the halt to their march will have major repercussions. The body that had been so carefully assembled, with a single purpose and goal, began to fray.
Mitzvot, even restrictive laws, often teach self-discipline which is a venue to freedom.
The flavor of the mon was not artificial; the mon would now consist of the actual flavors from the desired food.
Despite unequal status, teamwork is the surest route to harmony and maximum self-expression.
What if someone would come to you and offer you everything that is desirable in this world, but with one condition: you have to give up your essence.
Torah learning is valueless unless it enhances personal morality, fostering closer connection to God
Why was Samson singled out as the only Shofet required to be a nazir from cradle to grave?
Tosafos suggests several answers as to how a minor can own an item, m’d’Oraisa.
This week's video discusses the important connection between the Priestly Blessing and parenting.
Many of us simply don’t get the need for the Torah to list the exact same gift offering, 12 times!
There is a great debate as to whether this story actually took place or is simply a metaphor, a prophetic vision shown to Hoshea by Hashem.
Every person is presented with moments when he/she must make difficult decisions about how to proceed.
One does not necessarily share the opinions of one’s brother. One may disapprove of his actions, values, and/or beliefs. However, with brothers there is a bond of love and caring that transcends all differences.
So if we basically live the same life, why should he get eternal reward and not me?”
The question is: What about pidyon haben? Can one give the five sela’im required for pidyon haben to a kohen’s daughter?
In Parshas Pinchas the Torah introduces the Mussaf for Shavuos by describing it as Yom HaBikurim when we bring the new offering.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The desert, with its unearthly silence & emptiness, is the condition in which the Word can be heard
The census focused on the individual, proving each is created as irreplaceable, unique images of God
Why does the Torah use two different words for "to count," and what does each indicate?
From Bemidbar on and in Nevi’im, the nation is viewed primarily by its component parts, the tribes
By Rachel Weiss
"You do know that nothing occurs without reason. Can you think of something you might have done to bring on your malaise?"
What does the omer & agricultural laws pe'ah & leket teach about the Biblical approach to holidays?
A true life of meaning is achieved not by running after material success but by recognizing that everything is dependent on G-d, and that spiritual growth is truly valuable.
Though studying Torah is the most important mitzvah, it is performed in private.
There are no enemies confronting us, there are no terrorists to threaten us, and we can clearly see Hashem’s direction and guardianship of the land.
We are affected by our environment. Our perspective on the world is affected by what those around us do.
The mitzvah that parents must give their son a bris milah is a mitzvah that they must perform for someone else – namely their son.
Torah hints to a divided Jerusalem that will become a city without walls forever united
Faith is responding to demands that we wouldn’t think of taking on were we left to our own devices.
A proper emor would also mean that we do not say something, even as a joke or a tease, that may cause someone to be weakened in the doing of a mitzvah or minhag.
It is the right amount of the right middah in the right time that is the key to perfection. Each middah has its place, time, and correct measure.
The Bach writes that he mentioned his insights to many of the leading gedolim and no one disproved him.
Abraham was held in the highest regard by the nations of the world.
While Judaism believes the hereafter is of important status, it takes a back seat to this world.
With ubiquitous texting, social media, & email, society is mislead to think that words are ephemeral
It's an interesting idea, that love is illustrated by understanding another's needs.
Pesach is a time when we can grow in this perspective. But merely spending a week working on something will not leave any lasting impression on us.
Morah for a parent is connected to shemiras Shabbos because the Shechina shines on, and through, the Sabbath.
“You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you shall reprove your fellow and do not bear a sin because of him.” – Vayikra 19:17 When the Torah mentions the obligation to rebuke a fellow Jew, it ends with the words “and do not carry a sin because of him.” The Targum translates […]
The Bais Halevi answers that we must properly define what is considered to be “in the middle of a mitzvah.”
Rabbi Fohrman asks what's the connection between animal sacrifices and leaving crops for the poor?
Putting parents before oneself is a step toward putting the more abstract concept of God before self
In her diary, Anne Frank wrote words that provided hope for a humanity faced with suffering.
The Arizal taught this same approach, making the point that the Torah would never mention wicked people and their sins if there was not great depth involved from which we are to learn from.
Humility is not achieved when all is well and life is peachy but rather when times are trying and challenging.
He feared the people would have a change of heart and support Rechavam.
In this case one could reason that by applying halach achar harov we could permit the forbidden bird as well.
The answer to this question is based on one of the greatest shortcomings of man – self-limiting beliefs.
Myth that niddah=dirty stopped many women from accepting laws of family purity and must be shattered
Rabbi Fohrman connects the metzora purification process with the korban pesach.
For humans, reducing flesh is generally a good thing whereas its expansion is generally a bad thing
Lincoln was not a perfect man. But he rose above his imperfections to do what he thought was right not matter the obstacles.
By David Herman
Adon Olam: An Erev Shabbat Musical Interlude Courtesy of David Herman
September 4, 2026 
