יום שבת, ט״ו תשרי תשפ״זSaturday, September 26, 2026
Follow Us
I can still see the German women… Some of them were so sadistic. They just walked around and just hit everybody right and left. Right in front of me a boy bent down – he was working, and he bent down for something, and she put a bullet through his head.
To get you started, below I share some common discussion points that come up frequently in my practice when strategizing with folks who just sold their primary residence and are also approaching retirement.
Question: When approaching the mitzvah of Kiddush Levana, should priority be granted to performing the mitzvah at the earliest time – Zerizin u’makdimin l’mitzvot – or to such time as the most people would be available to join in together – B’rov Am hadrat Melech? Michael Katz Via Email
I am printing your column with an answer in the hope that you will send this letter to your brother-in-law, and it will impact the way he is treating you, his sister, and your marriage.
By Eve Glover
To show solidarity for people who are being marginalized and persecuted, You teach about how to be an ally, she said.
Our free choice includes not just matters of personal growth but also all decisions about how to live our lives.
Titles pages weren't in use in printed book until decades later, but the opening page features a beautiful floral border.
I would say that animals are perceptive enough to pick up on their master’s sense of distress and may well realize that some doom awaits them.
At the very least, take a few minutes every day to sit quietly, to intentionally relax your muscles and to release the stress and knots that have certainly taken root under your skin.
When we show kindness to one another and demonstrate that we can be identified with the principle of attending to the genuine needs of another, we also make ourselves worthy of Hashem’s attention to us.
Each chapter focuses on a unique aspect of temple service and how it relates to a unique aspect of our daily prayers.
By bringing us to Har Sinai, and imbuing us with that unique gift of being able to fulfill the mitzvos as a united entity, He empowered us with the ability to achieve the mystical perfection of tikun habriyah – rectification of creation.
By Levi Morrow
Ettinger wants to tell a broader story than that, however, including not just questions of the Israeli Rabbinate but also more broadly of rabbinic authority in Orthodox Judaism.
Miracles are those events that are outside the realm of tevah, that which is natural. Nifla’os, on the other hand, are the wonders of natural phenomena such as the intricacies of our equilibrium controlled by the inner ear, the marvels of the human brain, our wondrous heart, and so much more.
How is it possible for G-d to command us lo tachmod, that we must not enviously covet? Do we not covet in the way that Alice cries, so that it is quite beyond us? How could Hashem raise such an unreasonable expectation and foist it upon us?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Admittedly, the Talmud questions how free the Israelites actually were, and it uses an astonishing image.
He was pedantic about textual matters, became a renowned spokesman for the traditional Jewish interpretation of scripture, and played a crucial role in providing basic materials to support the religious needs of an English-speaking community largely unfamiliar with Hebrew.
It is interesting to note that although an aron kodesh must certainly be treated with respect and reverence, a number of authorities rule that an aron kodesh is not awarded any inherent or exclusive sanctity.
Someone with Ms. Pilip’s background is certainly welcome if only in terms of her policy positions which we share. But this is now even more urgent with the growing influence of the woke, liberal, Squad, wing of the Democratic Party in Congress.
Like Adam, each of us has our own unique creation story.
One of my favorite moments was, when to the consternation of our cabdriver, someone honked him. He opened his window and screamed lamah (why) beep beep?
I was very excited to see my name on the certificate attesting to the completion of the studies of Neviim and Ketuvim.
Per the book, the laudable and all-important goal of tikkun olam, or making the world a better place, is accomplished through mitzvot, defined by the theologians at the Jewish Book Council, and by the other characters to Grover, as good deeds.
There are the three mitzvot that are designated as signs, milah, Shabbos and tefillin, which serve as constant reminders of our unique relationship with Hashem via our bodies, our actions and our thoughts.
By Ira Stoll
The concept of a commandment implies the idea of a G-d that issues commands. Plenty of modern people find that concept challenging, reject it as well as all the commandments. They may find the idea of good deeds easier to accept.
I overheard my daughter in the kitchen last week offering our contractors food and drinks from where she planned to order lunch. She was thrilled to report that they took her up on her offer and she could do a mitzvah.
By David Curwin
As noted, mitzvah and tzivah both come from the root tz-v-h. It means to command, order.
It has long seemed to us that the ICJ, like most agencies of the UN, view Israel with a jaundiced eye, perceiving it as a product of detested Western colonialism. But notwithstanding that bias, the obvious lack of evidence was apparently too much to overcome.
By Rabbi Shimshon HaKohen Nadel
As the blessing of Shehecheyanu is reserved for moments of great joy, it is appropriate only for close friends. But with modern means of communication – phones, email, WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom, etc. – it’s very possible that one will have seen or at least heard from his or her friend within thirty days.
By Marc Gronich
With all the additional spending Levenberg listed, McGowan believes the $233 billion will increase by a few billion dollars from what the governor proposed in order to achieve the spending goals of the majority members.
A parent may make a request but they must realize that they cannot force any compliance or, if one prefers, any obedience from their married child, son or daughter.
Within a day of the UNWRA revelations, the news came that Iran proxy groups have ratcheted up their attacks on Western shipping and targets in the Middle East, which began following Oct. 7, and have now resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members and the injuring of two dozen more.
To make matters worse for many Jews’ psyches, not only has the institution they most revere turned out to be a moral wasteland and the most congenial place for enemies of the Jewish people – and of the United States (but that is another story) – at the same time, the people whom many Jews have most feared, conservative Christians, have turned out to be the Jews’ most loyal friends.
By Ariela Davis
Since our aliyah, my husband, who was a pulpit rabbi in America, gets constant calls from rabbis and principals in America who are considering aliyah. Many have since arrived. Some are still figuring out how to make it work. But it seems there is scarcely a Jewish leader in America who doesn’t have aliyah in the back of his or her mind.
On the morning of the day before the expected bris, he reluctantly cancelled the shul hall and catering when the baby's bilirubin count shot up to 18. The mohel tried to comfort him and suggested he take the baby again for a test in the afternoon to see if the numbers were going down. But they weren't.
Do friends who feel sorry for you suggest that you go to a therapist? Many of mine have.
Jonathan knew which trees were orlah, so the leniency of questionable orlah outside of Israel was not applicable, but his partner would not forgo these fruits!
Many students adapt very well to school; they feel good about themselves and their school work. For others, however, school is threatening. Getting through an average school day for some children is fraught with anxiety-producing situations and painful moments.
The Lost Or Relinquished Kesubah ‘A Couple May Not Live Even One Moment Without a Kesubah’ (Bava Kamma 89a)
As a publicist, I’ve gotten my clients into places like Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal, and Real Time With Bill Maher, along with many Jewish newspapers and podcasts. Now, I’m sharing my advice on how you can do the same.
For geographically challenged people, like me, the trail is very easy to spot and well-marked. You should be able to see the next trail marking from the one you’re standing at.
We are walking back and on the way we pass a house, and the policeman says to us, You know, in this house lives another Polish employee of the Arbeitsamt. If you are already out of the ghetto, why don't you try him, maybe he will do something.
Without telling anyone that he was going, Rabbi Kelemer had driven for hours to sit with this old man, who was not his congregant and had been non-verbal for many years. The rabbi was obviously embarrassed when the grandson walked in and found him there.
While my uncle at times remarked that my writing style differed from his, he nevertheless would also note that the Torah has 70 facets (Zohar, Bereishit 47a) and is thus a vast resource for countless opinions.
Imagine the tremendous improved relations that can occur if we truly attempt to open our minds to divergent mindsets.
After the Holocaust, the Jewish community was left broken, licking their wounds, mourning their dead. The Rebbe set out to strengthen and rebuild the Jewish world.
He taught by example, not by preaching. Though we have differences in our religious and political outlooks, he always treated my 'heresy' with respect and humor...
By Rabbi Shimshon HaKohen Nadel
While some poskim rule that a soldier or reservist returning from war – even one who did not see combat – should recite Birkat HaGomel, as he was in potential danger, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach limited the obligation only to a soldier whose life was in imminent danger (Halichot Shlomo 23:1).
By Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Schiffman
According to Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heller, Beloved is man because he was created in the image of G-d refers not just to the Jewish people, but to all humanity.
In a world characterized by rapid change, Rav Matisyahu Salomon remains a steadfast beacon of tradition, guiding with wisdom, love and an unwavering commitment to the values that have sustained us throughout history.
A small piece of paper with his handwriting that I sold this week was a result of an unusual scenario which he wrote about in his Mor Uktzia (siman 218 in his commentary on Shulchan Aruch).
Trees also benefit us by reducing stress, generating a calmness that frequently comes from being around greenery – a mental effect that translates into physical benefits.
In fact, the Torah is filled with these sorts of fail-safes – plans to keep us from failure when failure is on the table, ways to make us less likely to fall prey to certain errors or sins.
The thought of massive numbers of demonstrators marching on America’s streets waving the chilling black flag of Al Qaeda and winning acceptance from the American government and people is beyond insane.
Today, daters are careful when they determine what characteristics matter to them. I hear a lot of words like, smart, outgoing, ambitious, spontaneous, and educated. These are all good words.
During the first stage of history, Hashem revealed Himself openly, and the world was replete with miracles, prophecy, and clarity. Little effort was required to find Hashem or to connect to that which is higher. This was the time of emes.
Often the journey itself is more critical than the destination. There is so much to be learned when we journey.
As an integral part of this process, which is an integral aspect of natural law, wisdom increases both above and below in preparation for humanity to transcend its debased state.
It is appropriate that Rabbi Kelemer, who seemed bigger than life in his piety, modesty, and sensitivity, should be commemorated by someone who writes such that alliteration, personification, onomatopoeia, and metaphor are all present in one sentence.
We say in our tefillos kadsheinu b’mitzvosecha – sanctify us with Your mitzvos, for with every mitzvah that a person does he adds holiness to himself, and particularly to that limb that corresponds to the mitzvah.
Other topics discussed in this section are bat mitzvahs, women and prayer, Jewish divorce, and Torah education for women.
The Da'as Zekeinim, Avudraham, and Kolbo reveal that the gematria of the word modim is 100, referring to the one hundred blessings where we thank Hashem every day.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
In Bereishit Rabbah, it is indicated that the division of the sea was, as it were, programmed into Creation from the outset. It was less a suspension of nature than an event written into nature from the beginning, to be triggered at the appropriate moment in the unfolding of history.
The quintessence of the story is that Abraham wanted to make it well-known to people that they should recognize G-d as the Creator and be grateful to Him. In order to get the audience for this message, he planted an eshel tree to make his place known and easily found.
Although he could have completed the project in France, Chagall used the assignment as an excuse to travel to Eretz Yisrael, arriving there in February 1931. Feeling very much at home in a land of Yiddish and Russian speakers, he was impressed by the pioneering spirit of the kibbutzniks and he was deeply moved by the holy places.
By Marc Gronich
This package of bills is designed to give law enforcement and our district attorneys the tools they need to go after the dealers, the ones pushing this poison and killing people, Murray said.
Certainly there are some ordinary people in the world, mundane events, insignificant episodes? The answer is that greatness is in the eye of the beholder, and to be beheld by Rav Charlop was a tremendous gift.
Those honored with hagba and gelila on weekdays should first remove their tefillin straps from their hands. This is both for comfort as well as to avoid having an interposition between one’s hands and the Torah.
Hamas has also never indicated that it would accept a Jewish state, not that they could be believed if they did.
Though our work does not determine how much we earn and we should avoid overworking, we are meant to work hard.
Should a child with moderate to severe depression be treated inpatient? Should a child with moderate learning disabilities stay in a mainstream school, or in a more supportive environment?
To be sure, Goldman Sachs says it never contributed its own money to The People’s Forum. They claim they just administer a Donor Advised Fund which forwards funds contributed by clients to tax exempt charities at the direction of the donors. Plainly though the problem is a real one that needs to be pursued.
The infamous Rabin-Arafat handshake set into motion a nightmarish sequence of events.
There are many rules about the etiquette of handshakes and even preferred ways to stand, which hand to extend and how many shakes you should do.
By Akiva Kra
We’ve all had experiences of handshakes gone wrong. Firstly, the sweaty palm can come at the worst of times. Even more awkward, not realizing a hand is extended to you can lead to a friend feeling insulted.
Think back to your childhood years, when some kids had secret handshakes. Handshakes are more than just trust; they can build a bond.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, zt”l, explained, when two Jews shake hands, the five fingers of one person become intertwined with the five fingers of the other, together forming a covenant reflecting the two tablets of the Ten Commandments.
It's not enough to be motivated to accomplish; one has to be motivated enough that he is ready to deal with the inevitable challenges.
He was a prodigious Torah scholar and teacher with an uncommon sense of noblesse oblige for the welfare of his fellow Jews.
You taught me so much about love and respect. About the glory and pride of being Jewish. You taught me to never give up, even if I feel that I'm standing alone, since I'm never really alone, Hashem is always there by my side helping me do the right things always.
My father and his brother Paul survived inside a hollow tree, in the extremely cold Polish winter. How?
Having lived in rented apartments myself for years long ago, I could picture myself in her situation and imagine how upset I would be. But later on, I was able to reflect that Hashem had given me this opportunity, not just to do chesed for my friend, but to see my own unpleasant experience in a new light.
Could it be an accident that a decision made 43 years ago to stand up against evil had a ripple effect continuing in our lives today? Perhaps this should not be taken for granted.
We turn to You, the G-d of mercy, You, who we fear and adore, Please heed our prayers and pleas and bring relief, For our battered souls cannot take too much more.
Indeed, if we were to view the two cases as one and view your supposed work for Reuven as payment of his loan, you could then demand an oath of Reuven; since he is unsure, he could not swear and collect.
If comparing bullying to bullfighting seems very harsh, ask a child who was bullied.
A Dog’s Life ‘Raising Dogs Is Like Raising Pigs’ (Bava Kamma 83a)
I would also be remiss not giving a shout out to the myriad Jews who are going on missions to Israel, attending rallies, donating funds, advocating on social media, picking vegetables, cleaning hospitals, etc.
September 25, 2026 
