יום שישי, י״ב חשוון תשפ״זFriday, October 23, 2026
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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
When Chazal call not eating treif food a chok, that refers to how it functions.
Kashrut reminds us that in the end, God is the arbiter of right and wrong.
The successful student listens more than speaks out; wants his ideas critiqued, not just appreciated
Why would it not be sufficient to simply state lehoros from which we derive that in such a state one may not issue any psak?
What do we learn about overcoming loss from the argument between Moses and Aaron's remaining 2 sons?
Each of the unique roles attributed to Moshe share the common theme that they require of and grant higher sanctity to the individual filling the role.
The Torah commands we remember and not to forget we accepted Torah and became the chosen nation at Mount Sinai (Devarim 8:18).
Unless ritual is introduced, the Shoah will be remembered as a footnote in history in 100 years
And the farmer can’t help but feel a sense of pride. After all, it was his wisdom that led him to choose corn, not like that fool of a guy next door who planted wheat.
As Jews, we seem obsessed with Yetziat Mitzraim. We are obligated to recall the day that we left Mitzraim, twice a day. Yetziat Mitzraim is a key element of the Shabbat and Yom Tov kiddush. On Seder night, we'll take it to the next level, as we recount the story of the exodus from Egypt […]
Prayer is another area where we distinguish between kiyum hamitzvah and maaseh mitzvah.
The Netziv answered that there is a difference between a piece of bread that was cut already in front of you, and one that was cut from beforehand.
Dayenu is not a song of complaint; it is rather a song of thanksgiving to God.
Our ability to teach is only successful if done by example.
Outside of the High Holidays, Pesach is probably the most celebrated biblical holiday for the majority of Jews.
So what type of praise is it that Aaron followed orders?
Yachatz is not mentioned in the Gemara. What is the foundation for yachatz?
Why is it necessary to invite people to eat from the korban Pesach?
Did you ever notice that immediately upon being granted our freedom from Egypt, the Jewish people accepted upon themselves the yoke of a new master – Hashem?
By Guest Author
Why does Torah make the priests go through a long and seemingly bizarre induction ceremony?
Often people in important positions separate from everyday people & tasks-NOT the Kohen Gadol
Rambam warns that a festival meal without taking care of the needy isn't fulfilling simchat yom tov
These four parshiyos are viewed as steps in a progression toward Pesach, the Yom Tov of teshuvah m’ahavah, of returning to Hashem out of love.
The obvious conclusion from this passage is that when the third Beis HaMikdash is built, since we, unlike the Jews who left Egypt, would not have the need for sacrifices, they would apparently not be part of the service.
If my garment is clean, then I will be careful about maintaining its beauty. If it is soiled, I will not be as careful.
The Ran asks why the Gemara concludes that since we are unsure which two of the four we must recline for, that we must recline for all four.
Though God can’t benefit from gifts to him the best way to create a relationship is by giving to Him
Judaism was so democratic that not only did it reject familial and economic aristocracy, it rejected intellectual aristocracy as well. We have many laws to honor Torah scholars.
"Adam" speaks to the universal dimension of the Temple. He is the parent of all humankind.
By Rachel Weiss
It is no coincidence that Nissan marks the start of spring, when nature comes alive in all its glory.
Before we embark on a major project or make a fateful decision we must get a wide-range of views and perspectives.
So we see that both in the Mishkan, and in the creation of the world, Hashem held back. That is what we do on Shabbos. We hold back our desire to be creative and restrict our activities.
Rabbi Fohrman considers what it mean to bring God into this world through space and through time.
Examples of the group of fundamental commandments are Sabbath, prayer and Jewish education.
Even if a certain halacha appears in the same Gemara as another, the Rambam is known to place it in the section that he felt it belonged.
Perhaps the greatest manifestation of human creativity in the Torah is the building of the Mishkan
Torah is written with a human bent; As the Talmud says, "The Torah speaks in the language of men."
The moment Moshe Rabbeinu was deemed by the mixed multitude to be an inept leader, it was Yosef who filled the void in people’s hearts.
Over and over, the text tells us about "keeping" Shabbat, about holiness, and a covenant - but why?
Aharon’s guilt with the golden calf is not clear-cut. What if Moshe were in his brother’s place?
When Hashem told Moshe of the option to destroy the people and make him and his descendants into a great nation, Hashem was telling Moshe that it is up to him.
Why would the exemption of women from donating the half shekel exempt them from davening Musaf?
This concept should be very relevant to us as we, too, should be happy beyond description.
Does Hashem ever go away and not pay attention to us?
In other words, the Torah is an expression of the Way that we must follow in order to live a divine-like life and to bond in the highest way possible with God or Being Itself.
The Chasam Sofer answers that one of only prohibited from wearing a garment that contains shatnez if he does so while wearing the garment for pleasure purposes.
The avodah (service) of the kohen gadol is vital and highly sensitive; the world’s very existence depends on it.
October 23, 2026 
