יום חמישי, ז׳ אלול תשפ״וThursday, August 20, 2026
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While women are exempt from actually learning Torah, they are obligated in a different aspect of the mitzvah.
Once we recognize that our separation from God is our fault, how do we repair it?
To choose life, you must examine your actions in the period preceding the Days of Awe as an unbiased stranger, and render your decision.
This world has its purpose; it has been ideally fashioned to allow man to grow.
Perhaps the most important leadership lesson Elkana taught us is to never underestimate the difference a single person can make.
The Torah notes that even when we are dispersed God will return us to Him.
Our understanding of what is and what is not possible creates imagined ceilings of opportunity for us.
The Chafetz Chaim answered that there are two forms of teshuvah; teshuvah m’ahava and teshuvah m’yirah.
In Parshas Re’eh the Torah tells us about the bechira to adhere to the commandments of Hashem and refrain from sin. In Parshas Nitzavim, the Torah tells us that we have the choice to repent after we have sinned.
As Moshe is about to die, why does God tell him about how the Israelites will ruin everything?
By Joseph Cox
This week's parsha offers a new covenant; a covenant that speaks to national life unlike any other
All Jews are inherently righteous and that is why we all have a portion in the World to Come.
Since it is a Rabbinic prohibition we may follow the more lenient opinion.
How can the Torah expect me today, thousands of years after the mitzvahs were given, to view each mitzvah as if I’m fulfilling it for the first time?
According to Ibn Ezra, the Torah was stressing through this covenant that hypocrisy was forbidden.
Simcha is total; sahs is God’s joy in protecting us even when we are most vulnerable.
They ask, how can Rabbeinu Gershom forbid marrying more than one wife, when the Torah explicitly permits it in this parshah?
the test of moral integrity truly presents itself when one faces difficult situations.
A replica reminds a person of the original. Granted it is in miniature, and granted no one would mistake it for the original, but it carries, almost in caricature form, some semblance of the original.
The inability of creation to violate Hashem’s natural law extends to inanimate object such as heaven and earth.
First, how could a beis din of 23 judges present a guilty verdict in a capital punishment case? After all, only a majority of the 23 judges ruled in favor of his verdict.
Of paramount importance is that both the king and his people realize that while he is the leader, he is still a subject of God.
When a person feels he can control the destiny of other people, he runs the risk of feeling self-important, significant, and mighty.
Shoftim: The Line Between Murder And Apathy
If there is a mitzvas minuy dayanim in the Diaspora, then why is there a difference between Israel and the Diaspora in the number of judges and their distribution?
Eisenhower understood that motivated men will fight much harder and longer than unmotivated men.
Who does not want to get close to Hashem? Yet, how do we do that?
According to Rabbi Yishmael one was not permitted to eat such an animal prior to entering Eretz Yisrael, while according to Rabbi Akiva one was permitted to eat animals if he would perform nechirah.
If a man sins and follows his inclinations, he will find comfort in this world – but when he dies, he will go to a place that is all thorns.
The first prayer of Moshe was Vayechal, where Moshe's petition was that no matter how bad bnei Yisrael were, the Egyptians were worse.
Rabbinic law is pivotal but it's important to understand which laws are rabbinic and which biblical.
We give slave gifts? If he wants to stay, we pierce his ear?!
“When a mother plays with her child there is an acute awareness of the child. But even when the mother works at a job or is distracted by some other activity, there is a natural, latent awareness of her child's existence.
While it’s clear to you and to me that a 14,000-pound creature can easily break away from the light ropes holding it, the reality is that it cannot.
Moses tells us what G-D wants from us...
Tosafos there takes issue with Rashi’s view that the letters that are formed in the knots of the tefillin are considered part of the name of Hashem.
Israel is the only place where we have the potential to fulfill our mandate as the chosen people.
The innkeeper smiled and replied, “Why do you think we are dancing? We are dancing because G-d destroyed the Bais HaMikdash!”
One of the manifestations of the immature person is a sense of entitlement.
The Rambam says that in order to honor Shabbos, one must wash his hands, face, and feet with warm water on Friday.
The 10 Commandments: So few words; so much meaning.
Rav Kook of blessed memory, who said that no matter where a Jew is born, he is born in Israel.
Moshe Rabbeinu's orations to Am Yisrael offer us the opportunity to be elevated and inspired in the weeks ahead.
Since the Children of Israel knew firsthand all the miracles God had done for them, how could lack faith?
Criticism is but one step below a verbal attack. It isn’t quite as pointed, not quite as aggressive – but not that far off.
The talmid is not allowed to speak up due to any fear. If he remains silent, he is in violation of this prohibition.
One must act as if everything depends on us and pray as if everything depends on God.
By Rachel Weiss
Just as the moon waxes, wanes and renews itself, so has the nation of Israel renewed itself through the millennia.
Parshat Masei: Rabbi Fohrman addresses the age-old question, are we our brother's keeper?
When Germany invaded neutral Belgium on August 4, England declared war on Germany. Thus, by the end of the first week of August all the major powers of Europe were at war.
The Talmud teaches that the Beis HaMikdash was destroyed because of baseless hatred.
When taking any major step in life it is a good idea to carefully re-evaluate one’s past.
When Hashem first thought (if it could be) about creating the world, the middah of din was in operation.
It is apparent from the Maharsha that he does not see galus as atoning for killing accidentally; otherwise, this Gemara would not bother him.
Will Your brothers go to war, while you sit (in peace) here? (Bamidbar 32:6)
Perhaps, just perhaps, we can relate to this: whenever we feel distant from Hashem, that is the Churban.
We may not recognize the adverse affect of eating forbidden foods, but they leave an indelible imprint.
There are several rules that one must adhere to when making a neder.
Important message for Jews in the Diaspora: In times of need run to Israel rather than from Israel.
Sometimes when Chazal say that two different people are really one, they do not mean it literally, but rather figuratively.
The midrash says that Pinchas, (this parsha), and Eliyahu, prophet of Kings, are one and the same.
We need to understand why Moshe Rabbeinu decided to ask that his sons inherit his position after this new halacha was introduced.
Moshe served dual major roles for bnei Yisrael. He was their teacher and their leader.
An opinion recorded in the Talmud states that prayers correspond to the daily sacrifices offered in the Temple that are mentioned in this week’s portion (Berachot 26b, Numbers 28:4). It’s been argued that this opinion may be the conceptual base for our standardized prayer. Since sacrifices had detailed structure, our prayers also have a set text. […]
Respect for basic human dignity is such a powerful concept that it overwhelms some areas of Jewish law.
If it is not prohibited when there is a purpose for inflicting the tza’ar, why was Bilam chastised for tza’ar ba’alei chaim?
Moshe’s punishment described in the parsha is most tragic. He was chosen to redeem the people, he loved them dearly and personally sacrificed so much for them.
There are often two distinct perspectives of an event: the perspective from living in the moment, and the perspective of history.
The power of "positive campaigning;" Nothing quenches your soul's thirst like Torah.
Hate and Love; Opposite sides of the coin of motivation.
After listening to the driver’s incredible story, Rabbi Levenstein asked him, “What about you? After seeing such a miracle why didn’t you became Torah observant?”
The rock doesn’t have needs, yet it listens to Hashem. How much more so should we, who have so many needs?
How can we be certain that any animal can be counted toward ma’asar beheimah when perhaps it is a treifah?
Scientific disciplines don’t ask "why", a metaphysical question. They ask "how does it function?”
What was the small act of Moshe talking to the rock meant to teach the people of Israel?
Leaders must be careful to subdue their ego. The cause is larger than the personal concerns of one person.
By Rachel Weiss
Known by all as a happy-go-lucky fellow, Yossel’s lackluster parnassah never got the better of him. His dejected-looking wife, however, hardly shared his simchas ha’chayim and Yossel would often attempt to cheer her with words of chizuk.
When it comes to passing on Jewishness we must follow the mother - for it is she who ensures it.
Although famous for his smile, Ike Eisenhower actually harbored a volcanic temper that he worked arduously to control.
Clearly, they were lacking in bitachon. Their faith in Hashem was deficient. But they weren’t guilty of speaking lashon hara.
This separation between Kohanim, Levi’im and Yisraelim obligates us to honor kohanim.
Is it possible for us to influence God?
Yehoshua knew that the outcome of the battles would depend not on military might, but on the spiritual strength of Klal Yisrael.
Twelve of the greatest leaders of the nation, one from each shevet, were dispatched to survey the land. The results of that mission were catastrophic.
Are pessimists just rationalists, and is hope just naiveté?
While Moshe was the most unique prophet, he was also alone.
Of even greater significance, once the miraglim made their mistake and concluded that Hashem wasn’t powerful enough to bring the people into the land, what they then spoke wasn’t lashon hara at all
The pasuk says that since the halacha concerning a Mechallel Shabbos was uncertain, the mekoshesh was placed in custody until the halacha was clarified.
The story of the spies, in this week's Torah portion, is viewed as an episode revealing the Jews' basic lack of faith in God.
Rabbi Fohrman delves deeper into the Priestly Blessing and its relevant lessons
Ultimately the Torah is a book that reflects a system of ethics that comes from God.
To gain power or distract the population from their suffering, a monarch would look for a place to put the blame.
The question still remains on how to reconcile all of the different drashos that are derived from this pasuk.
The multitudes among them experienced a desire for meat and wept.
One who loves can buy a factory-made knick-knack for his partner, but a personal hand-made gift is infinitely more precious.
Life is what you make of it. And if our lives are defined by Torah, then these weeks of Sefira are all about making the most of it.
The Shulchan Aruch notes that a priest who is in mourning for one of the seven close relatives does not bless the people during the Shiva period.
Generally there is an issur de’oraisa to erase Hashem’s name, but here the Torah explicitly permits it.
Why can’t a man just admit it is wrong to steal but he wants to do it anyway?
August 21, 2026 
