יום שלישי, י״ח תשרי תשפ״זTuesday, September 29, 2026
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While the Jewish community in Amsterdam was founded first by Jews escaping from Spain and Portugal, the city was relatively tolerant at the time, and became a refuge to many Jews from different lands. In a short time, there was a substantial Ashkenazi community as well.
We can say Modim for our health. What about for our car and for our phone? Most of us would be crippled, so to speak, if we were missing just one of these. We could also incorporate into our Modim prayer that we are able to pay the mortgage or pay the rent.
Sure, I would not be so glib as to deny that our appearance and even size matter in shidduchim. Perhaps there is even a point in being mindful of what we eat regardless of size or weight. Yet, this question impacts you as a whole, your life, and your goals that supersedes dating.
The name of this war is Swords of Iron – like the swords the Maccabees fought with – even though Israel’s military technology is ultra-modern and cutting edge.
By Rabbi Shimshon HaKohen Nadel
Unfortunately today we find ourselves embroiled in a milchemet mitzvah, a national security situation which threatens our very existence and demands everyone’s participation.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
In the end Joseph and his brothers had to live through real trauma before they were able to recognize one another’s humanity, and much of the rest of their story – the longest single narrative in the Torah – is about just that.
The potency of a mitzvah lies in the individual’s optimal and enthusiastic execution of the mitzvah with all the proper kavanos (intentions), including mastery of the laws pertaining to this particular mitzvah, and consummating the mitzvah to fulfill the will of Hashem.
Terrorist organizations across the world exploit the liberties and freedoms of democracies to bankroll their cruel operations, promote their evil agendas, and recruit the next generation of terrorists.
Among the delights of this book is the joy he takes in his family – his wife Sharon, their son Yosef and his wife Hillary, their grandchildren – and in observant Jewish life.
Before one prays, one must prepare for the experience. There must be a meditative time in which the individual focuses on the significance of the act that he is about to perform.
Dee shows us that the very foundation of our lives and the precepts we live by, our ethics, morals, and culture, our education, the worlds of physics, and science all emanate from the foundations of the Torah...
One excellent way to combat cognitive bias in relationship communication is to constantly work on not jumping to conclusions. No matter what we think we hear, or what we believe we know, we should be careful to ask for clarification before reacting.
In America, Kissinger played down his Jewish roots and sought to assimilate. When he was sworn in as the first Jewish Secretary of State, he took his oath on Shabbat – his observant elderly parents were therefore forced to walk to the swearing-in ceremony – and on a Christian bible.
The prophet Zecharia foretells of the Messianic Era – which will occur long after the Canaanites had ceased to exist as a nation – when there will no longer be any c’naani in the Holy Temple (Zecharia 14:21).
By Marc Gronich
In 1962, the legislature created the Family Court and the Family Court Act. For the past several months, the idea of repairing the system has meandered through the New York State Bar Association, State Court of Appeals, legislative hearings, and the family court judicial community.
The rules of the dreidel game require each player to contribute some coins to a central fund, the proceeds of which are used to pay out the winners.
To be sure the implicit admonitions are routinely accompanied by a reiteration of Israel’s right to take Hamas out after Oct. 7 – although that sentiment appears to get more perfunctory with each saying.
As American society and Americans individually become less religious, i.e., less Christian, the Jews become less significant.
We often choose to avoid confronting those who offend us. We are too hurt to speak it out, and doing so is uncomfortable. Unaddressed, though, our feelings fester and grow, and the hatred, distance, and demonization intensify.
In order to understand the origin of this unique menorah, it’s essential to understand its artist.
To be honest there were many Shabbos mornings when I fell back to sleep without saying Kerias Shema, but it made a deep impression on me. Now, years later, I still try to be particular to say Shema before the earlier time.
The Creation narrative features a growing sense of order, sense, balance, and harmony. Creation begins in wild mixture, chaos, and darkness but G-d creates light and distills it from darkness.
I speak as an immigrant, an immigration attorney, and an elected official: The Right to Shelter mandate shouldn’t apply to migrants.
When life’s getting messy, do one thing. You might feel overwhelmed by the number of things you have to do, or worry about a million things on your mind. Just do something; it could be small.
Many famous people were known for the chaos of their personal space despite their incredible contributions to the organized world of intellectualism.
Every time my son pours grape juice I watch with trepidation. I've considered wearing a raincoat to the Shabbos table.
How do we understand and perceive Hashem? Is Hashem within time and space, limited to this world alone, as Pantheists believe? Or is Hashem completely transcendent, beyond time, space, and this physical world, as many of the ancient philosophers believed?
By Shira Hirtz
My memories of my Bubby are of dancing in a circle with her (which is actually one of the things she taught us to to). She would be in an adorable Purim costume or a beautiful getup, depending on the dancing occasion.
As we read the book of Bereshit week after week, we see how to the naked eye it seems like things just got worse from chapter to chapter. Yet all the harsh events that befall the Jewish people, especially Joseph, we're all sent forth just to save Jacob and his family, and later the entire Jewish people.
During the night, there was a thunderstorm. Strong winds broke a large branch off a tree nearby. The branch fell on Ari’s car, damaging it significantly and breaking a car seat.
Hubby was in bed when “M” left. When I returned from seeing her to the door, he smiled at me and said “I am sorry.”
A Matter Of Anticipation ‘A Stone Flew From His Hand, And Another Put Out His Head from A Window …’ (Bava Kamma 33a)
OCD was long assumed to be purely psychological, the mind's reaction to overly-strict parents or abnormal emphasis on cleanliness. Scientists now believe it is the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain.
We know that we are entering the final stages of ikvesa d’Meshicha – the footsteps of Mashiach. How long it will last we cannot know.
By Adina Ciment
For 38 days, I had felt lost: praying, crying, trying to make sense of a world turned upside down.
One of the rabbis at Shura explained that they sanctified themselves through their death and need no further purification. Their blood and the clothing in which they died are left to awaken G-d’s attribute of mercy.
Question: I read your Q&A column, “Kaddish Elevates,” with great interest. However, I feel that there is something you left out: the appropriate phrases or pauses where we are to respond “Amen.” I have not seen why we don’t answer “Amen” after the phrase in Kaddish – Be’alma di’vera chir’utei – In the world He created according to His will.” Is this not one of the greatest praises – that Hashem gave us a world with such benefit that we at times don't understand that benefit. Are we not to acknowledge Hashem's greatness at all times irrespective of outcome? Menachem Via e-mail
If you want to see some remarkable, museum-worthy pieces of antique Judaica (some dating as early as the 17th century!) or some modern-made, opulent, dazzling creations made by skilled artisans in Israel, I highly recommend you make the time to stop by.
We were so worried about those terrorists, but when we returned to the place that we had seen them, no one was in sight. That was miracle number one.
Is your wife using the silent treatment as a manipulation tactic or is she using it because she doesn’t know how to talk about her feelings?
Rabbis reported that people are lighting Shabbat candles, purchasing and donning tefillin – some for the first time – saying the Shema prayer daily, and baking challah.
The all too familiar sequence throughout Jewish history with its devastating consequences once again ran its course.
By Baruch Lytle
Today there are approximately 250,000 displaced Israelis and the hotels have filled up. This led Hassan-Nahoum to launch an initiative encouraging people with empty homes or a second home in Jerusalem to open their homes to families in need.
The Torah is ambiguous regarding who, exactly, is right in this story. Did, indeed, the brothers go too far? Did Yaakov face a battle shortly thereafter, as one midrash indicates? Were they both right on some level?
Despite the Brisker Rav's known anti-Zionist stance, it is interesting to see the respect and honorary titles he bestows upon Rav Herzog, the official Chief Rabbi of Israel at the time.
The Yaros Devash teaches us that Yerushalayim is called Kisei Hashem, the Throne of Hashem.
Be vulnerable. This can feel scary at first, but it is the only way that you will know if you are dating someone worthy of your trust and love.
At around midnight during a lull in the work, I pulled out Reuven’s salami and started making a sandwich for myself and others. Once people started eating it there were requests for more. Before I knew it, the salami was gone.
By Rabbi Shimshon HaKohen Nadel
A report issued after Protective Edge by high-level military officials, including top generals from the U.S. and Europe, found that Israel’s conduct in the 2014 Gaza Conflict met and in some respects exceeded the highest standards we set for our own nations’ militaries.
One might wonder, why is it all worth it? Why work to attain a higher intellectual or spiritual level if it incurs greater liability.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
It is one thing to commit a crime, another to witness someone committing a crime and failing to prevent it. We might hold a bystander guilty, but not in the same degree.
By Sandy Eller
A well-chosen book can bring a kid hours of pleasure and also instills a love of reading, an activity that will serve them well in the years ahead.
You may be a wonderful, accomplished, and successful individual, but as long as you are not on speaking terms with your own sibling, you will not be whole. As long as a family is torn by mistrust and conflict, none of its members can be whole.
Taking ideas and success for granted, the third generation often descends into petty rivalries and personal animosities.
Each section of the book begins with a map and some history, followed by a walk that features unique sites, conversations with people on the street, and a wonderful array of quirky facts that only someone who gets into granular local history would discover.
The Arizal finds not only this earthly, historic struggle in these passages but the roots of corruption in Creation.
Rav Chaim was not bound by the dictates of this world; he was heard to recite Torah passages in his sleep.
R’ Dancziger points out that our sages tell us that before all else Yaakov Avinu prayed, not that he did teshuva. We would think that repentance would have been the more instinctive response if Yaakov Avinu thought he might have sinned. Why did he engage in prayer?
By Roni
Shortly after the outbreak of the Gulf War, while Scud missiles were targeting Yerushalayim, Tel Aviv and Bnei Brak, and the threat of chemical weapons from Iraq forced Israelis to obtain and wear gas masks, Acheinu took off worldwide as an anthem of courage and hope.
In Eli, Sachs made evident her belief that the future could not be built on the ruins of hatred and revenge; instead, she hoped that her poetry would be an agent of healing and a source of renewal.
In Modern Hebrew, the term miklat came to refer to a bomb shelter, which likewise receives those fleeing air raids and protects them.
By Marc Gronich
The keynote speaker for the more than two-hour installation event was Henry "Hank" Greenberg, who has been traveling to various locations to talk about the devastation he saw on the ground when he visited Israel just days after the war broke out.
While Mr. Biden and the Prime Minister share a desire to limit civilian Palestinian casualties, Mr. Biden sometimes seems not completely satisfied with Mr. Netanyahu’s efforts in this regard.
Attending the first rally in New York City, and watching the D.C. rally, I was reminded that while we are pretty powerless by ourselves, when we join together, we shine a bright, powerful light.
By JJ Eleff
Hamas tried to tear us down, they tried to cast a darkness that would scare us away from our land. But we told them no. We will not run, we will not be afraid, instead we will unite and stand together as one nation.
We live in a world in which there is plenty of darkness. Why do we need to search for more?!
In these times, I take my obligation as Ora very seriously. I strive to be a light in this world.
By Solly Hess
Israel and my Zadie have now been a constant, intertwined thought since the horrific events of October 7 as well. And now I understand what happened during the summer.
Most people believe that they “have” a soul, some spiritual essence they possess within themselves. However, the deeper Jewish sources reveal a profound spiritual secret: You don’t have a soul, you are a soul.
Even the one honored with lighting the menorah in the synagogue is required to light the menorah again at home, as the mitzvah of lighting the Chanuka menorah is discharged only when performed in one's home.
On challenging days, I close my eyes and I can feel your embrace which makes me feel safe and secure.
The Italians enjoy their pasta, the Eskimos live in the snow, and we thrive with prayer!
Though we are motivated to be proud of our country Israel, on a personal level when it involves one’s family it is best to be safe and not invite danger in displaying the Israeli flag outside one’s home.
The proliferation of large demonstrations ostensibly opposing Israel’s war effort against Hamas was frustrating enough to say the least – and politically alarming.
We cannot ignore the fact that everything is coming from the Torah at the exact time. The Torah teaches us where to look for guidance, support and anything we need.
New York CityCANDLE LIGHTING TIMEDecember 1, 2023 – 18 Kislev 57844:11 p.m. NYC E.S.T. Sabbath Ends: 5:14 p.m. NYC E.S.T.Sabbath Ends Rabbenu Tam: 5:42 p.m. E.S.T.Weekly Reading: VaYishlachWeekly Haftara: Chazon Ovadiah (Obadiah 1:1-21)Daf Yomi: Bava Kama 29Mishna Yomit: Yevamos 11:1-2Halacha Yomit: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayyim 537:4-6Rambam Yomi: Hilchos She’ar Avos ha’Tum’ah chap. 18-20Earliest time […]
The vehicles will replace MDA ambulances destroyed by Hamas and put additional lifesaving vehicles into service.
As Jews, we are intrinsically aware of the divine presence at a mass gathering. When G-d handed down the Torah he did so at a mass gathering at Mount Sinai.
By Joel Petlin
Protests are done by angry people with masks over their faces, waving banners and signs in support of Hamas terrorists, defacing public property, burning flags of Israel and America.... The rally I attended had none of those things. It was peaceful and organized.
At no time did I contemplate that he actually thought there were people sitting at the table with him as he was chattering away for hours. I thought the hallucinating had stopped when we corrected his medications long ago.
By dvora
For quite a few years I have come to realize that when a day presents a lot of problems, it’s probably very good – because Hashem is involved and is offering a special opportunity.
It makes a parent feel both helpless and angry at the same time. Helpless at the thought of having no control whatsoever over the situation. And angry that your child insists on behaving irrationally and well beyond acceptable modes of behavior.
Even though you told me to repay Moshe, argued Mr. Stern, essentially, I owe you. Giving to your son is in lieu of giving to you. If you're willing to forgo, why do we need to involve Moshe?
It is a good idea to start with giving the other person the benefit of the doubt. Some people truly do not realize that they interrupt others often, thus if you frame your words objectively, you are more likely to produce behavioral change.
Taking The Law Into One’s Own Hands ‘Break His Teeth And Tell Him I Am Taking Mine’ (Bava Kamma 27b)
In connection to the Kinus HaShluchim HaOlomi, the global conference of the Rebbe’s emissaries, the following is a selection of freely translated priceless letters and answers from the Rebbe about the greatness of shlichus.
Carl Jung once remarked that our ability to influence others correlates with their perception of our openness to being influenced by them.
By Alan Zeitlin
Shapiro said he would not speak about Candace Owens. She is a popular host of a show on his platform who appeared online to be questioning if she should work for Shapiro any longer, and he tweeted that she could quit if she felt like it.
Tens of thousands of us studied Mishnayot in memory of those killed on Simchat Torah. Acheinu allowed us to do so together with Jews around the country and the world.
This book has ownership markings and signatures of Milka Paks, wife of Meir Paks, the protagonist of a famous agunah case that the Chasam Sofer presided over during his period of rabbinate in Mattersdorf.
September 25, 2026 
