יום שלישי, כ״ט תמוז תשפ״וTuesday, July 14, 2026
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This pathology in human herd mentality has been successfully exploited by Russian Communists, German Nazis and Arab Islamists over the past century, and has led to disastrous results, not least for the inhabitants of those nations. Standing diametrically opposed to this superficial populism is the Jewish people.
As an interesting aside that only etymologists like myself could appreciate, the name Juanacita itself sort of has a connection to Chanukah. This is because that name derives from the name Juan/John, which is a Latinization of the Hebrew name Yochanan.
I began putting on tefillin daily for the first time in nearly five years, more out of a transactional hope – a gumball machine theology – than genuine devotion. I figured if I gave something to G-d, maybe He’d give something back.
The IDF Rabbinate’s guidelines aim to answer many of the countless questions of Jewish law it has received in recent weeks regarding how to best fulfill the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles during wartime.
By Avi Ganz
While we often think of Chanukah as a tale of great victory for the Jews (and for good reason! The Al Hanissim only mentions this aspect of the story), the fact is that Chanukah and its accompanying tails of bravery were and are about the temporary victory of a few brave and strong-hearted men.
About a week later when my melt Google doc remained blank and silent, I realized that my word was actually too good. Although theoretically I had many options, all of them fell flat when I tried to write them down.
The Chofetz Chaim said that Chazal gave us the holidays of Chanukah and Purim in the winter, representing the long and dark galus, to give us hope for eventual redemption.
By dvora
It is a metaphor for a world experiencing a severe meltdown of morals and rationality. A dangerous, combustible situation, spreading everywhere.
A story can be true in the sense that all the details are technically factual. Yet the way it’s conveyed may not be the way it happened.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez made a lot of progressive noises from the moment she entered Congress in 2019 as its youngest female member... She quickly became the face of disruptive progressivism in Congress and seemed destined to ride to future fame and prominence on the crest of a wave of progressive inevitability.
In the secular society gift-giving on Chanukah was influenced by the Christian holidays. If the gift-giving mimics the non-Jewish world, it is definitely not proper. If, however, it is done to promote the joy and family spirit of Chanukah and done in modest manner, there doesn't seem to be a reason to forbid it.
When the shidduch Josh was in the middle of didn’t work out, he turned back to Moishy to hear about his sister. Eventually the couple met and realized that yes, it really was a match. When Josh and Sari got engaged, Moishy was the happiest of all.
As I have mentioned in a previous chapter (Parallel Realities), Hubby has become very confused by the programs he sees on our television. They are too complicated for him to follow. He often thinks that they are in a different language, when they are not.
The little engine, despite the fact he wasn’t built to pull a large train, wants to try. If he doesn’t, then for sure he won’t succeed.
They Ate Chametz On Pesach ‘Declared By A Beis Din Of Three’ (Sanhedrin 10b)
Women have a particularly difficult time with shame because there are different (often stricter) societal expectations for women as mothers, fashion figures, and careerists. Therefore, it’s really important to recognize the negative effects of shame on your life and to transform yourself in an effort to control it.
In terms of content, an organized and clear introduction was added to the siddur written by Professor Dov Rafel, and the prayers themselves were accompanied, as promised, by basic and brief halachic instructions, as well as midrashic and machshava passages which were included in the margins of each page, with clear lettering and in a different color.
There have been many events expressing unity and support that have taken place in the Jewish world in recent days, but many of them have not been reported in the press. It seems that only a rowdy demonstration, a fight on Twitter, or a sharp exchange in the Knesset are considered newsworthy.
By Irwin Cohen
On Sunday nights, my father was glued to the radio when Drew Pearson and the news came on and he hung on to every word coming out of the radio regarding Israel as the new Jewish state founded on the biblical Jewish homeland of the Jews, repelled most of the invading Arab armies of Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Egypt still remained a threat to the tiny nation of an estimated 650,000.
Question: Because of the Torah’s sanctity, we do not place any object on a Torah scroll except for its mantle or a tallit during Torah reading. Is it a violation to put a siddur or other sefer (holy book) on top of a printed Chumash when these are placed on shelves or tables? Alex Poultman Via Email
First try to figure out what is making your husband angry. He may have an issue with anger in general, but perhaps you can isolate the trigger points.
Rassco has already seen several completed TAMA-38 projects, and a number of Pinuy Binuy initiatives are in the pipeline. These developments are breathing new life into a neighborhood that has long retained its charm but needed modernization.
In 1747, Rabbi Gershon traveled to Jerusalem, becoming one of the first chassidim to establish a presence in the Holy Land. There, he aligned himself with the study of the Rashash and the Kabbalistic circle, immersing himself in the study of mystical traditions.
Permanent Daylight Saving Time would force us to be late for about two months a year rather than two weeks. This would significantly affect the employment status of many people.
When we are faced with adversity and challenges that are difficult for us to bear, it is a mitzvah to accept His judgment with grace and dignity.
It's okay not to attend. You don’t need to give a reason. You can just say that you wish her the greatest happiness but you won’t be able to fly in. That’s it. No explanation necessary.
Hashem equated His relationship with us to that of a father with his son. Though Hashem created all human beings in His image, He chose us as His children (Avot 3:14). All humans resemble G-d; we, the Jewish people, have a personal relationship with Him.
The book is recommended to anyone fascinated by the ironies and serendipities that make up early Jewish-American history.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
To be sure, a persistent theme of the patriarchal stories is the two promises G-d made to each of them, namely that they would have many descendants and that they would inherit the land of Canaan.
What if the person has full intent to not only take the action, but also cause the harmful result. However, in this case, the person has the wrong information, so he thinks that he is doing something good, when in fact, he is about to do something very bad.
Onkelos was always heroic in my mind. Before sitting down to write about the book, I couldn’t resist this opportunity to check how accurately I remembered the stories of my youth.
It is surprising that the names are not in chronological order, for first Moshe Rabbeinu was saved from the sword of Pharoah and only then was he a fugitive in Midyan. So why did he give the name Gershom first?
Schwartz also skillfully shows the vicious similarities between the Arab massacres of Jews in Mandate Palestine in the 1920s and the Arab massacre of Jews in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
By Jason Ciment
Like the Maccabees, these individuals fought not just with weapons but with purpose, resilience, and a deep love for their people and their land. Their stories remind us that, even when the odds seem stacked against us, miracles are possible – but we must take the first step.
Yosef was being taken away from his father’s house, sold as a slave to be taken down to Egypt, from which place no slave ever escaped. Yet Hashem grants him this great kindness that he should not be assaulted by the offensive odors of tar and petroleum? This would be comparable to indulging a person going to prison by giving him a ride there in a limousine.
For those ignorant or confused with the Lubavitcher movement’s beginnings and dynasty, Rebbe weaves its history into a beautiful and comprehensive tapestry.
Klemperer was deeply affected by the plight of Jews during the Holocaust and was supportive of the State of Israel and Jewish cultural institutions. His decision to conduct the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra was partly driven by his connection to his Jewish roots and his support for Jewish causes, but he did not actively engage in Zionist political activities.
Spiritual debate has been a recurring phenomenon since the beginning of time. Chanukah is when we tap into the spiritual debate between the Jews and the Greeks, as the Greeks specifically attempted to destroy our spiritual way of life.
This plan will excite the targeted populations and demonstrate that you care for them, especially in blue urban centers like New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles, which today are probably your weakest areas of voter support.
Most analysts of Middle East geopolitics agree that Israel’s recent degrading of the military capacities of Iran and Hezbollah, the primary supporters of the Assad regime, convinced the rebels that there was an opportunity to topple it. Yet their background and current warnings to Israel suggest that they will not be an improvement over Assad.
When we think of the great Sages of the Talmudic (and later) eras, mathematical sophistication isn’t the first quality that comes to mind. Yet they were far ahead of their time in that regard, especially since they lived centuries before the invention of algebra.
It would be stupid not to recognize there are plenty of good people still in the Democratic party who abhor the Squad and other of their most extreme party members.
By Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Schiffman
Rabbi Elazar’s frank realization that from the time we are born we are destined to die frames the entirety of the Mishna. This knowledge is meant to instill our awareness of G-d and His judgment, informing our religious decision-making.
By Marc Gronich
Governor Kathy Hochul has been touring the state, crowing about $300 rebates New York residents will receive in the fall of 2025. As much as she can, Hochul is also avoiding questions about her low poll numbers.
Many people feel that they would know exactly what to do if they won the lottery. The many stories of lives destroyed by sudden windfalls notwithstanding, they feel that they would know how to proceed.
By Solly Hess
The Judaica items around us can either be inanimate relics that turn sections of our living rooms into mini-museums, or they can be used as intended – keepers of our heritage that remind us of a full and storied past while propelling our history forward.
Each of us must ask: is this Judaica enriching my practice or serving as a status symbol? Does it deepen my joy in the mitzvah, or overshadow it?
By Hillel Fuld
When I hear the word Judaica, I think about our rich history and our indigenous land, Judea. That’s right, what the world calls The West Bank today is actually Judea and Samaria.
By Keshet Starr
On one hand, there’s a value in a hiddur mitzvah, adding elegance and beauty to our observance. But on the other hand, what happens when the focus on beauty and presentation obscures the mitzvah itself?
What about the Judaica shops! Yes, the shops that sold Jewish books, music, candle sticks, sefarim and many other Judaica.
To stand in solidarity with Israel, two days after Oct. 7, the Australian government decided to display images of the Israeli flag on the sails of the Sydney Opera House. Palestinian supporters retaliated by gathering at that landmark (while the Jews were warned to keep away) to set alight the Israeli flag, which they stomped on while shouting profanities. Police stood by and watched.
To learn our holy and ancient texts properly, we must beware of idioms that deceptively translate but are not quite the same.
Can anyone forget his legal gymnastics to conjure up a case against Donald Trump in the so-called hush money case?
By Naama Klein
In retrospect, I really should have been clued-in as soon as I entered the store. Despite the fact that it was erev a three-day yom tov, the store looked more like a regular Tuesday night than what should have logically been a typical Thursday night on steroids.
In all fairness, I do not kid myself that wrinkles are chic. I would never have worn linen in years past because it wrinkled. So, what has changed? Everything.
The Acharonim dispute the fundamental nature of kinyan kessef. Sma (190:2) and Avnei Milu’im (29:2) maintain that the money is compensation for the real estate, like the money Avraham paid to acquire Me’aras HaMachpelah.
The Longest Mesechta? ‘We Shall Return To You…’ (Bava Basra 176b)
The siddur originally came out in two volumes, numbering a total of 330 pages. Despite Rabbi Halevi’s desire to produce a complete siddur, he ultimately only managed to cover weekdays and Shabbat (alongside berachos).
While I truly believe that most people in the investment business conduct themselves with high ethical standards and are motivated to help investors achieve their financial goals, there are a few bad apples out there that are usually the loudest and most skilled salespeople.
Indeed, this enemy gives Yaakov an enormous blessing. He bestows upon him a new and much more powerful name: ‘No longer will it be said that your name is just Yaakov, but also Yisrael.’ And this is our name until today.
Question: Because of the Torah’s sanctity, we do not place any object on top of a Torah scroll, except for its mantle or a tallit during the Torah reading. Is it a violation to put a siddur or other sefer (holy book) on top of a printed Chumash when these are placed on shelves or tables? Alex Poultman Via E-mail
The most important thing is to keep reminding yourself that you are okay and safe to try to not encode this experience in a traumatic way.
By dvora
Tischler knows firsthand the unique challenges the disabled and their families face, and he is passionate about ensuring that they receive the support and services they need.
The obvious question arises: what changes once the fetus leaves the womb? Why is it permitted to sacrifice the fetus to save the mother while the fetus is in utero, but the moment the fetus leaves the womb, we can't choose one life over another?
By Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Schiffman
Desire, Maimonides notes, will interfere with a person’s mission in life to strive for knowledge and pristine character. This will automatically negatively impact his well-being in this world.
Rachel’s influence was to unify Israel, to remind us to welcome and accept one another just as she was a mother to all Yaakov’s sons and her sons never treated any of the other brothers with disdain or disrespect.
By Ariela Davis
As much as they had a rich life in England, the Saverys didn’t give up on their dream of aliyah (even though eight years later, no one believed they would actually make it!).
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Jews don’t stand still except when standing before G-d. The universe, from galaxies to subatomic particles, is in constant motion, and so is the Jewish soul.
We all know that sibling relationships reenact themselves when in the presence of parents. Even when we are older and married, we slip back to the times that we were children.
People look different in person, and you know… when they are not two dimensional. People look different after we talk to them, after we connect with them, and certainly after we LIKE them.
It is clear that Yaakov felt that danger of assimilating his brother's ways was the more dangerous of the two possibilities.
In truth, Yaakov wanted to know the essence of the Satan, so that he could be better equipped to fight evil. He wanted to understand the Satan’s power that enabled him to ensnare people and bring them down.
Although he drew an estimated 50,000 cartoons in his life, relatively few of them were related to the eponymous machines for which he remains best known.
It is not only our land and our money that belong to Hashem; everything was created by Him and thus belongs to Him. This is why we are prohibited from benefiting from the world before we recite berachot, which recognize Hashem as Creator (Ber. 35a).
Hopefully, the amputation of its longest, most powerful tentacle will, at least temporarily, hamper Tehran’s ability to keep the terrorists on Israel’s Lebanese border fortified with arms and manpower.
It seems that Rabbi Yitzchak may have approached the disagreement with Rabbi Abba as if it were an abstract halachic debate rather than a personal dispute.
By Alan Zeitlin
Fans like to use sports to distract themselves from war, from family stress, job stress, not being as in shape as one would like, or at the very least, as a way to feel a part of something bigger than yourself – that you can cheer for and see tangible results. If only a rabbi could give a derasha and get 40,000 people to show up!
Have you ever felt like everything worthwhile in life eventually fades? The energy of youth fades into old age, the excitement of beginnings fades into routine, and the inspiration of a new goal fades into habit. This pattern extends to almost all spheres of the human experience.
Descended from the illustrious lineage of Hillel and Rabbi Gamliel, who were heads of the Sanhedrin, he was famously wealthy yet he was personally content with little.
Possibly the most pertinent description of Rebbi, found in Gittin 59a, where he qualifies on the very short list of those who have Torah u’gedulah be’makom echad, Torah knowledge and political greatness simultaneously.
By Rabbanit Dr. Adena Berkowitz
Worried that the Oral Law, the Torah She'ba'al Peh, would chas v’shalom be forgotten or accidentally changed, he decided to gather the laws, organize them and compile them as a permanent record that lasts to this very day.
Most focus on the writing of the corpus of the oral Torah (which may actually not have happened until later). Yet much more significant was how he organized its contents, something one might easily dismiss as merely technical.
While we’re complaining that we don’t have time for seder because of some shtus, Rebbi was writing the Mishna with one hand, holding up the klal with the other, and still finding time to give kavod to every last talmid chacham like they were Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai himself.
After our son's injury my life has suddenly been enveloped in a fog of doubt and uncertainty – on every front... My entire life has been put on hold – all my plans suspended as I try to be the best parent that I can possibly be.
The lesson is that living according to the mandates of G-d is not to confine and restrict, but to ensure that we live an elite connected life within the confines of biblical morality.
The turning point for many Americans was the foiled assassination attempt on Donald Trump this past summer. It was a turning point for Mr. Trump as well. He proclaimed that he felt the hand of G-d saving him.
That the very first parcel of land purchased in Eretz Yisrael was a burial cave is remarkable. That acquisition was not a home or a building, but rather a memorial, an eternal memorial that connects us to our past, to our forefathers, and to our land.
While there may not be a direct prohibition against looking at holiday lights and enjoying them, I think it’s important for us to always keep in mind some of the history of our people and of this very long exile.
July 10, 2026 
