יום שלישי, י״ח תשרי תשפ״זTuesday, September 29, 2026
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The technician was certain that the Rabbi intended to upbraid him personally for having caused him discomfort and for attempting to continue against his will. Rav Moshe, however, had something else in mind.
The Rebbe stressed that the court’s ruling that the library belongs to Chassidei Chabad was a reflection of the Heavenly court’s decision that the Rebbe’s chassidim were doing what was required of them.
All drugs carry risks such as grogginess and other side effects. You should consult your healthcare provider before using any medication.
How do you take a teacher, a doctor, a plumber, and a student and turn them into an army?... In particular, how do you do this when just a few weeks earlier they were marching against each other in opposing factions down the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem?
As a volunteer, I’ve seen firsthand the unprecedented mobilization of Israeli society to support bereaved families, families whose husbands/fathers were called up, and refugees from the South and North. So, what missing element did this dinner offer?
Students were also told that the word “intifada” could be understood in different ways; school administrators suggested a “dialogue” with Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) on this topic.
During difficult times, we should remind ourselves that everything, including suffering, emanates from Hashem. Though Hashem is the ultimate good and wants the best for us, we know that grief also comes from Him: A person does not stub his toe below unless it was declared above (Chullin 7b).
The word mugah can indeed be found in many of the copies of the early editions of the Chofetz Chaim's publications, both in books that he authored himself or books that he had published, such as those of the Sha'agat Aryeh and Asifat Zekenim.
By Jason Ciment
Inside the convention, more sessions delved into the rising tide of antisemitism, especially in educational settings. The stories shared by students and educators were eye-opening.
The Hebrew word chamor stems from the root, chomer, which means material matter. The Egyptian is a slave to his desires and thus servitude and chomer are metaphysically equivalent.
Certainly, the masterminds behind this movement understood that students are easily beckoned by social causes that make them feel empowered. By defending the rights of those they feel are less fortunate, they assuage their guilty conscience for enjoying the middle-class comforts that others do not.
Our sages tell us that there is no calamity that befalls the Jewish people that does not carry within it the sin of the Golden Calf. So devastating was this incident that it was never forgotten in all the succeeding persecutions of the Jewish people.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
In Judaism kadosh, holy, means separation. To sanctify is to separate. Why? Because when we separate, we create order. We defeat chaos. We give everything and everyone their space.
Perhaps Joseph recognizes he has an opportunity to help create a different future, one where the brothers will learn to live together in peace and harmony, and where Yaakov will be blessed to once again be surrounded by all of his sons living and working together towards a better future.
Whether the epidemic of anti-church/anti-state attacks are coordinated or spontaneous, they combine to achieve a common goal. They fracture the French nation and drive a wedge between good people on both sides of France’s religious racial/divide.
Notwithstanding the fact that this was a family who was not yet Torah-observant, they could not help but recognize ein od milvado – there is none other than G-d.
There are also other ways of advocating for Israel. This may include peaceful rallies and writing letters to your local politicians. While it may feel like our elected officials have their own agenda, the reality is they like their jobs and can’t totally ignore their constituents.
In the political and historical affairs that unfold here in the world of events, we find manifestations of higher spiritual truths, and there are designated roles to be played by each of the two Mashiachs in the final conflicts and clashes that will precede the final redemption.
For us, the words of the Maharal ring true in our contemporary times! Hashem is revealing to us, notwithstanding the tragic and heartbreaking casualties of precious Jewish lives, that He is with us every step of the way.
No one can deny that the tragic, brutal, genocidal massacre of innocent Jews on Shabbat Simchat Torah brought about at least a temporary ceasefire in the multi-level conflict in Israel – left vs. right, secular vs. religious, Ashkenazim vs. Sephardim.
Lazarus wrote several pieces on Jewish holidays, including The New Year (Rosh Hashana, 5643), in which she beautifully conveyed her vision of a people rolling homeward to its ancient source.
There are a number of reasons why one should not go around barefoot. One of the reasons is that this is considered to be immodest and undignified.
By Marc Gronich
By voting to allow the speaker to appear, the library assumed liability in case the speaker’s appearance led to violence.
By Rabbi Shimshon HaKohen Nadel
A fascinating footnote to Israeli History: Prime Minister Menachem Begin would seek to move Yom HaShoah to Tisha B'Av following his meeting with Rav Soloveitchik in 1977.
The Biden administration, which has pointedly moved two full aircraft carrier battle groups with overwhelming firepower to the Middle East, has failed to strike at Houthi military facilities, limiting itself to defending against the launched missiles and drones, even after persuading Israel to allow the U.S. to deal with the problem.
In our house we stopped serving leftovers. It just wasn’t worth the battle. So now when our children ask on Monday what’s for supper? the answer is Shabbos delicacies! True, the foods may be the same as what graced our Shabbos table, but they aren’t leftovers; now they are delicacies!
By Eli Lebowicz
Not only do I not drink schnapps very often; it’s not really a word that’s in my vocabulary.
By Avi Ganz
Imbibing alcohol can take the proverbial edge off and its dangers are well known to all, but there is something unique about schnapps.
By Martin Bodek
It’s a German word, actually, and plenty of people know exactly what it means, though it means different things to Europeans and Americans.
Nowadays, I don’t think a shul kiddush or a kiddush club for that matter even knows what schnapps is, and it’s been some time since I’ve experienced the nostalgia of that marble cake in my mouth.
Over 50 years later, men pile out of the sanctuary as the rabbi begins his drasha to partake in the kiddush club, where they enthusiastically indulge in several bottles of whiskey, scotch and other alcoholic beverages.
There may be nothing more enchanting, mystical, and mysterious than the wonder of music. It has the ability to reach the very root of our soul.
It should be noted, though, that even when giving a gift to non-Jews is permitted, there is an additional concern with giving it on his or her holiday.
According to the Times of Israel, Kirby said some of the steps the IDF has taken to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza went further than what the U.S. would have done if it were in Israel’s place.
So many precious lives have already been taken from us and we do not know when this period will pass. Everything passes however. When one is in the middle of something terrible it is so hard to see the light that will eventually come.
JewishGen is offered as a free resource. Its database features important collections of historical records pertaining to Jewish communities across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and North America.
My eyes tear up each morning when the name of another soldier fallen in battle is announced on the 6 a.m. news.
I don’t think it’s a problem, said the secretary. Each person is probably happy to eat what he or she is used to. If I order everything kosher, it will come out $100 to $200 more.
For most children, basic social skills (e.g. initiating conversation, working cooperatively, respecting boundaries, observing conventional rules of courtesy) are acquired naturally.
Staying Alive Underwater ‘She Has Already Ascended’ (Bava Kamma 50a)
What will each of us do to maintain this brotherly bond once the battlefield quiets?
It was always like an adventure to a certain extent. But by the time you came, when you got off the train, then you were afraid.
Question: My husband and I are Ashkenazi, yet my children go to school with Sefardim. My son came home and said that only my husband is to light the Chanukah candles. In my parent’s home, we all lit our own candles on Chanukah to celebrate the great miracle that saved our people for all future generations. Who is correct? Name Withheld Via E-Mail
You should move if you want to move, but you shouldn’t feel pressured by what other people do or by what other people tell you to do.
Over the years, the Rebbe sent him to me several times to help him with what he needed. Baruch Hashem, I had the zechus of helping him and of getting to know him up close.
The Royal Butler realized that there was a higher power here than Yosef and Pharaoh. He noted, and just as he had interpreted, so it was, despite the fact that the transgression of the two – the butler and the baker – were the same.
We know Yosef never forgot his father. Even though he no longer lived next to him, his father was an ever-present influence wherever he went and whatever he did.
It is interesting to see how the network developed a life of its own and perhaps due to the distance and slow communications, decisions and the hiring of new emissaries was done without the knowledge of the organization's heads back in Jerusalem.
The original psychology that began with Freud’s work came from a western medical model, focusing on the symptoms, disorder and pathology.
By Marc Gronich
What’s important now for the Jewish people is that we have to be united and one of the biggest problems we have in northern New Jersey is that we have tremendous diversity, which in a lot of cases is our strength, but right now is becoming our kryptonite, Shlufman contends.
When they do not contain a clear message and require interpretation, a crucial question arises: Who is empowered to interpret the dream?
This outcome is anticipated in the Torah, the blueprint of Creation, according to which the intent was always for kings to arise and, in time, to fall.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Joseph has the misfortune of being the youngest. He symbolizes the Jewish condition. His brothers are older and stronger than he is. They resent his presence. They see him as a trouble maker. The fact that their father loves him only makes them angrier and more resentful.
Indeed, we are seeing a surge of feminine strength and resilience during these trying days for Israel and world Jewry. In our Jerusalem community, I am blown away by the acts of heroism and self-sacrifice that I am witnessing firsthand.
Hashem’s first words to the first Jew direct him to move to Israel. Though Avraham’s religious quest and commitment began decades earlier, the Torah skips those stories and begins with his move to Israel. Judaism begins with the arrival of the first Jew in Israel.
By Ben Rothke
Thousands of pages have been written explaining why Maimonides didn't include dwelling in Israel in his list of 613 mitzvot. Notwithstanding that, the book shows that irrespective of whether it is a mitzvah, the land of Israel and the Torah are one.
By Rabbi Shimshon HaKohen Nadel
As a conditional get is shrouded in controversy, many poskim preferred instead a conventional get.
We should pay more respect to those who display moral courage and clear-headed moral principles.
Many of our greatest artists have produced striking graphic works on these subjects, and I present here a selection of original artwork and related items from my Chanukah collection.
A mourner whose hair grows long as a result of the prohibition against taking a haircut, or one who decides to become a nazir, is excused from any halachic concerns related to long hair or chatzitza.
In today’s cancel culture and pervasive campus antisemitism, couldn’t they reasonably have believed they would be hounded out of office by aroused and cynical students always on the lookout for a rallying cause?
Nobody ever wants to be associated with Beis Shammai. Have you ever been to a college campus with a Shammai House? Has a rabbi, or group of rabbis, ever compared their approach to that of Beis Shammai?
By Keshet Starr
In almost all cases of such disputes, the halacha is that we hold by Beis Hillel. But why is this the case? Why does the more lenient opinion win the day?
We are also taught that during the time of the third Beis HaMikdash and the Mashiach we will follow the rules or the laws of Beis Shammai. How can that be?
Beis Shammai was the House of Ideal. It's what we could be. It's seeing our potential from a soul first lens. Beis Hillel was the House of The People, the House of Reality. It met people where they were at, weighing the connection and the disagreements the body and soul have.
By Hillel Fuld
In most cases, Beit Hillel is the more lenient opinion of the two, and yet we side with him.
The Satmar view, on the other hand, is hardly opposed to Jewish presence in Israel.
The conception of beauty was a fundamental point of contention in the battle between the Jewish People and the Greeks. The Greeks did not believe in using the physical to reflect anything higher; they viewed physical beauty as an end unto itself.
In light of the war in Israel and antisemitism rising worldwide, we must make every effort to broadcast our Judaism proudly in the public square and to communicate to the world at large that we will not be intimidated into hiding our religion or religious practices.
Notably, the resolution was primarily driven by the allegedly large number of civilian casualties in Gaza that Hamas claimed to have occurred – never independently confirmed and without any analysis of the impact of Hamas’ policy of using human shields.
During these times we have the ability, the power, and the energy to see and merit the miracles that Hashem did back then during the miraculous stories of the Maccabees, unto our very days today.
The volunteering spirit overcame his hesitations, and he left his unfinished job to answer the call for help. Danny was pleasantly surprised when he arrived at the scene of the vehicle on the side of the road. It was a Hatzalah ambulance that had conked out!
Each specialist thinks his prescription is critical. You need to talk to a G.P. or someone well versed in drug interactions to look at the total patient.
Even if I said then that it would be okay, that was to placate you, so long as it didn’t make a difference, but it doesn’t grant you rights beyond the contract when I need you at 9.
Chanie’s mother tried to salvage the situation by calling her daughter to the side and whispering a few succinct reproaches in her ear.
Honoring A Father’s Wishes ‘ He shall give it to whom he has trespassed.’ (Bava Kamma 40b)
By Alan Zeitlin
Concerning the question of comedy in a time of tragedy, Lebowicz said one has to be sensible and sensitive.
I like to live on the edge, says Lilach and love for adventure and risk-taking seems to be something that runs in the family. So does life off the beaten track.
After digging deep and forcing myself to come up with new material to thank Hashem for, I noticed more instances of Divine intervention throughout the week.
You were not allowed to roam those villages anymore, but from time to time we would take the train which was absolutely punishable by death.
By Avi Ciment
The very fact that I now clearly see what we stand for. I saw it before, but for some reason, since October 7, rather than feel ashamed to be a Jew, I feel even prouder.
Question: My husband and I are Ashkenazi, yet my children go to school with Sefardim. My son came home and said that only my husband is to light the Chanukah candles. In my parent’s home, we all lit our own candles on Chanukah to celebrate the great miracle that saved our people for all future generations. Who is correct? Name Withheld Via E-Mail
The end of the secular year typically coincides with certain deadlines. It is also a great opportunity to set the stage for a financially successful new year.
Torah teaches us that time is extremely precious, and every moment must be used to its fullest advantage. Why then do we use time to repeat things already known?
Compliments are gifts of love, but they only work if they are sincere and are given freely, without coercion.
There was no shortage of volunteers. In fact, so eager were the Hatzalah guys to do their part for the war effort that hundreds of paramedics applied for the 57 available slots.
September 25, 2026 
