יום חמישי, כ׳ תשרי תשפ״זThursday, October 1, 2026
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Many of us, after making an honest and blunt cheshbon hanefesh, a personal reevaluation of our behavior during the past year, might be filled with despair and despondency at our chances for a good judgment.
To analyze the entire book in such a short review is to attempt the impossible, so I will instead focus on a particular question that arises throughout: What, exactly, is teshuva?
All of this would be true even if it were not so that a general education is required for gaining an appreciation of G-d’s wisdom, philosophy, ethics, and laws.
It turns out that this book is so remarkable it works for all levels of learning.
Question: The Gemara in Berachot teaches that the Sages authored our prayers. If so, it would seem that we did not pray before this time. Did we pray before their innovation or not? Menachem Via Email
The heavens have been programmed by G-d to supply rain. Instructing them not to do so is against their nature. It is only harsh and insistent words that will convince the heavens to go against their own nature.
I created the event with the intent to raise awareness, said Haber-Goldstein. We wanted to show the agunot that as a community we are here for them, and they are not forgotten. It seems we have accomplished both goals, at least [as] a starting point.
I present here from my collection several of my favorite artistic depictions of this most sacred Jewish site.
There is much good that we do with our cell phones, and they help us in so many ways. But how often do we take them out to look at them during davening in shul, during family meal times, or at any time when we are conversing with another person?
By Alan Zeitlin
Obviously I’m against antisemitism, Musk told Netanyahu, adding that he’s against anything that promotes hate and conflict.
Rav Kook examines the opening concepts of the parsha: The heavens should listen, the earth will hear, teachings fall like rain and sayings soak in as the dew. He explains that in our world, we find things in a pure state of nature and we also see them altered by the intervention of men.
Arguably the most important concept in life, though often misunderstood, is the nature of the soul.
It's not the time for individual recognition but to shed our persona and unite in one unified voice of prayer and teshuva.
By Martin Bodek
Fun fact: I originally thought the word prompt said “kvittel,” and I wrote several versions of what the lifecycle of a kvittel is once it’s placed in the Kotel. I noticed my error and did teshuva really quick.
In Israel, on Yom Kippur, everyone – religious, traditional, secular – is wearing white. We all stand as equals.
When you remember the kittel has no pockets, as we can’t bring anything with us at death, the message is apparent: our most meaningful experiences in life have nothing to do with our possessions.
On all of the occasions that a kittel is worn it symbolizes beginning life again with a clean slate and with the commitment to continue pursuing a higher level of spirituality.
To be sure, the Biden Administration is seeking Supreme Court review. But isn’t it about time they gave democracy a chance? You know, the kind of government based upon things like the free market place of ideas.
By Marc Gronich
We can’t ignore this issue. We can’t pretend that this type of hatred is not out there and that these issues are not happening. These crimes are not getting the attention that they should in the media, Lewis said.
The long lines and rushed atmosphere typical of erev Yom Kippur Kapparot gatherings frequently lead to invalid slaughter and render the chickens, which are later distributed to the poor, as non-kosher.
Since the beginning of the so-called peace process, thousands of Israelis have been killed, wounded and maimed by Palestinians based in Palestinian controlled areas.
To be honest, even wearing running shoes which many of us, myself included, do on Yom Kippur often feels a bit strange to me.
By Solly Hess
About two minutes into the lesson about the importance of mesorah, Josh realized that this rabbi was different. He talked the kids’ language. He talked Josh’s language.
A word of warning to all… Time Release medications cannot be chewed (or ground up for that matter!) Whilst it might never dawn on you or I to chew this yummy delicacy, there are times when Hubby cannot be deterred.
Berta had no inkling about the journey she and Michael were going to take... For a year following the wedding, Berta’s mother kept bringing non-kosher food into their apartment; she had difficulty accepting the young couple’s choice to learn more about Judaism.
By Irwin Cohen
The Yanks can easily be back in the playoffs next season if the young talent – which there is – can prove they’re ready for the majors.
Despite the misnaggid finding himself in a loony bin of naiveté, surely the Rebbe would not be so brazen and shameless to claim that he was up in Heaven reciting selichos!
When someone buys something for a price stated in the local currency but pays later in a different currency, replied Rabbi Dayan, the exchange rate is determined by the time of payment.
Because written language can be compared to a code, knowing the sounds of letters and letter combinations helps children decode words as they read. Knowing phonics will also helps students know which letters to use as they write words.
Charging a fee for absence from shul likely strikes many of us as unusual. A desire to avoid financial loss (about $260, when adjusted for inflation) feels like the wrong reason to pray.
Moshe relates that people are now coming into the store to talk about the sign, but not to seek an apology.
A Year And A Day ‘Hashem ... Completes the Years of the Righteous' (Kiddushin 38a)
Only use your bed for sleep, so your body knows what to expect when you’re in bed.
It is expected of every Jew, man or woman, young or old, that he (or she) bring in Shabbosdikeit (the spirit of Shаbbos) into all his toil, including also the mundane activities;
Every shul should do what they can to bring in children.
Antiquarian booksellers are often propelled by the excitement that occurs when you stumble across an important discovery that sheds light on otherwise unknown areas.
By Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Schiffman
We can express gratitude for a benefit bestowed by a friend, but that gratitude can also have a spiritual component if we also thank G-d for helping to orchestrate the place of this friend or the significance of the gift in our lives.
There are a million reasons why a wife must forego “extras” because they are not able to cover the cost. But this is not low maintenance or high maintenance. This is life as we hope to work toward more comforts in the future.
We blow the shofar as a part of the Rosh Hashana prayers, but it is unique amongst the tefillos. While all the other prayers utilize words, the shofar is a wordless cry. What is the meaning behind this?
The theme of living a Torah lifestyle became much more important to me and guides my decision-making process today.
I authentically played the role of the 'Chutzie' and gently asked him if he did not feel any sympathy for international critics who pointed to the Supreme Court’s partiality and liberal activism?
When we ask Hashem on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur for renewed life and menuchas hanefesh, a contentment of spirit, our petition is much more effective and successful if we give Hashem a strong reason to grant our request.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Judaism turns life into a work of art. It consecrates the love between husbands and wives, and parents and children. It sanctifies our most physical acts, through the laws of kashrut and family purity.
Question: The Gemara in Berachot teaches that the Sages authored our prayers. If so, it would seem that we did not pray before this time. Did we pray before their innovation or not? Menachem Via Email
Ungar’s book makes the Torah Giant relatable to young children so that they can imagine themselves imitating his ways.
Though the Yamim Noraim should also be a time when we draw close to and strengthen our love of Hashem, they begin with recognizing that He is judging us and determining our fate for the upcoming year.
By Ben Rothke
Those who abstain from using newer methods will often cite the much quoted, and much misunderstood quip from the Chasam Sofer that chadash assur min haTorah – new is forbidden by the Torah. Yet the danger of using that approach is that they do miss out on the new approaches that do work.
Even at a time of such great danger, he forgot his own pain and suffering and only desired to be involved in a heavenly pursuit. It is that devotion that stirred the mercy of Heaven, saving him and all the passengers from certain death.
The first reference to the Jewish practice of written Rosh Hashana greetings may be found in the Book of Customs of Rabbi Yaakov ben Moshe Moelin (1365-1427), aka the Maharil, the religious leader of German Jewry in the fourteenth century.
As a child I was sure that it was our saying of tashlich that caused the East River to be so murky and polluted. After all, the river contained all of the discarded sins of all of Manhattan on one side, and all of Brooklyn and Queens on the other.
It is also explained that performing Tashlich alongside a body of water is intended to recall that kings were historically inaugurated alongside a body of water.
Perhaps most importantly, it should not be lost on Israel’s Arab neighbors that Abbas has plainly acted against their direct interests, whatever the reason.
While it is true that youngsters lack the capacity to appreciate the full meaning and implications of these episodes, I wonder if adults are sometimes guilty of projecting their own discomfort in discussing these matters onto children.
By Chaim Saiman
Avraham turned his inner world inside out for G-d, such that G-d should reverse the world’s course for us.
The shofar that is sounded during Rosh Hashana is connected to the ram that was substituted for Yitzchak and what living as a frum Yid is predicated on – fear and love of G-d.
In all the Torah, restraint is most strongly exemplified by Avraham Avinu working against every human impulse he had, and Yitzchak, holding very still as his elderly father bound him tightly to slaughter him at Hashem’s mysterious command.
While there is a growing surge to read the Akeidah as a “misunderstood test” (an interpretation that has prima facie appeal), it is difficult to accept this conclusion when the Akeidah possesses a central place in our prayers and the Bible itself.
His music represents a departure from most frum Jewish music written in the last 100 years, which centers lyrics, almost entirely unaltered, from Tanach and other classic Jewish sources, set to “Jewish music,” and even that music is often borrowed – from secular pop music.
Both of these words are commonly translated as “nothingness,” but understanding the nuances expressed by these ostensible synonyms will help us better understand what exactly the Torah means to teach us about the state of the world before Creation.
On Rosh Hashana we blow the shofar, recite distinctive prayers, and perform Tashlich to recognize the Creator of the Universe as the source of all mercy and forgiveness.
I started the journaling project with the anticipation that it would bring focus and accountability to the month of Elul. I didn't anticipate, however, that my definition of teshuva would change.
I always found it quite incredible that the first mitzvah that we are called upon to do as Jews at the beginning of the year is to listen. To pay attention to exactly what it is that Jewish destiny is about.
In general, the simanim are not magical entities whose consumption on Rosh Hashana automatically transforms a sinner into a penitent. Rather, these foods are reminders of the kedushat hayom, the unique holiness of Rosh Hashana that reflects the Heavenly judgment that is the essence of the holiday.
We rather think that most people really don’t care whether or not Hunter Biden violated the handgun application law – except, of course, if he got favorable treatment.
The yearning for the redemption is so deep inside of us all, and the hardships and tragedies from all the year's gone by are so great to carry, that we simply have no strength left for punishment.
By Eve Glover
It is a time for forgiveness, repentance, and building character traits like being humble, kind, optimistic, and grateful. It is also time of reflection and return. It’s a return not only to our heritage, but to our true inner selves.
By dvora
In the end, though the young daughters had been crying while the verbal abuse was going on, they now saw how the effect a kind word and a smile could change everything.
It was nice of your neighbor to allow you use of the alley, responded Mr. Stein, but did you ever buy the rights to that strip of property?
They sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights. None spoke a word to him for they saw how very great was his suffering. (Job 2:13)
It is an article of faith with us: in the deepest levels of the self there is a core of purity, of goodness. Beneath the cynicism lies an uncorrupted idealism; beneath the layer of envy, gems of generosity; beneath the crude will for power, the noble desire to serve.
The last time I did this, I had to wait three hours in the clinic. The tears welled up in my eyes. It was the straw breaking the camel’s back. I am the camel.
Question: The Gemara in Berachot teaches that the Sages authored our prayers. If so, it would seem that we did not pray before this. Did we pray before their innovation or not? Menachem Via Email
Though a six-year-old may seem a bit young for bullying, it is great to catch the behavior early because studies have shown that those who act as bullies seem to maintain these characteristics into adulthood, often negatively influencing their ability to develop mature adult relationships.
Both Rise To The Occasion ‘What if his son is his teacher?’ (Kiddushin 33b)
Building a relationship is a skill. If it’s something you need to work on, you can easily improve.
This night proved that Judaism does not belong only to grandma, but also to her grandchildren.
The liturgy for the High Holiday Selichos is not found in most siddurim; rather, it is found in a special Selichos sefer, with a different selection for each day.
We who can bring Shabbos in each week with ease. We who have the opportunity to bring the light of Shabbos into our homes, to welcome the malachei shalom to our tables, to bless our children and plug into the menucha that Shabbos brings – how do we welcome the Shabbos Malka?
Repentance is not the cause of tension in our lives; it is the soothing balm.
The key to enjoying aged wine, besides having a wine cooler or a cellar, is to purchase a few bottles (or better yet, a few cases!) of each wine you intend to cellar.
By Eliana Klein
And while I’m already in full-blown kvetchy mode, now may be as good a time as any to mention the mess!
You are now a girl in shidduchim. This means that everywhere you go and anyone you meet has the potential to help you or hinder you.
Viewing singles exclusively through a we-must-get-you-married prism has terrible ramifications.
Difficult times should inspire reflection and improvement. This is why the word we use to describe life lessons – mussar – shares a root with the word yisurin (suffering). Yisurin should inspire us to learn and internalize mussar lessons.
An unpublished manuscript I acquired recently by one of the greatest Italian Rabbis of the 18th century was an exciting find for me. Being a collection of halachic rulings and chiddushim, it was written by Rabbi Yishmael Ha-Kohen, rabbi of Modena.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The only way to stay young, hungry, and driven is through periodic renewal, reminding ourselves of where we came from, where we are going, and why.
By Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Schiffman
Commentaries are bothered by two main questions. First, what is the symbolism of Torah being referred to as a yoke? Second, what exactly is the mechanism behind what seems to be guaranteed removal of these other responsibilities?
October 2, 2026 
