יום שני, י״ח אלול תשפ״וMonday, August 31, 2026
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The new bow word association signifies more than my expanded knowledge base of girl matters with which I was previously unfamiliar. It more broadly highlights a willingness to learn new things and expand my horizons.
It was a moment that proved the teaching true: we’re all connected. And just like a bow can send an arrow across a distance, ahavas Yisrael can bridge the gap between souls.
The 49 days are not just a countdown to Shavuot; they are a time to prepare oneself spiritually for the receiving of the Torah. Each day of counting brings a person closer to being ready to accept and internalize the teachings of the Torah.
By Anat Coleman
Let the bow remind us: Draw close what matters. Aim your life with intention. And when it’s time – let go.
By Martin Bodek
Well, perhaps because I just turned 50, what immediately came to mind is something I have yet to master: tying a bow on my shoes.
By Sara Blau
Loving our children equally does not mean treating them identically. Each soul carries its own nature, its own calling. To raise them well is to know them deeply – to nurture their individual strengths and guide them along their unique paths.
By Eli Lebowicz
My legacy will hopefully be the things I've taught my kids, which may or may not include a sense of comedic timing. And sure, instilling some middos in them is fine and good, but I'm talking about things that give you real nachas.
After having our two lovely girls, we wanted to have a boy as well. We went to our friend Rabbi Elchanan Shoff's son's brit before I became pregnant, and he gave us a blessing that we should soon have a son.
When the Rebbe would write his public letters to the Jewish people, they would begin To the Sons and Daughters of Our People Israel, Everywhere...
At the bris a surprise guest, the mekubal’s gabbai appeared, without prior knowledge of the date or location, to represent the mekubal.
By Rabbanit Dr. Adena Berkowitz
As a religious Zionist, I say the Tefillah L’shlom HaMedina – the prayer for the State of Israel recited in shuls across the world every Shabbat. It includes the iconic words that the creation of the State of Israel is reishit smichat geulateinu – the first flowering of our redemption.
By JJ Eleff
We compare Moshiach times to the ocean because, when you stand at the shore and look at the ocean, all you see is water. But there is an entire world living inside that ocean.
Is the founding of modern Israel the beginning of our geulah? I don't have much to say about whether this is or isn't a messianic moment, but it seems fairly clear to me that the events of the past 80 years can be described as a geulah.
The Chofetz Chaim kept a Moshiach suit pressed and ready. Just as a soldier must be ready for battle, every Jew must be prepared for Moshiach.
When people or publications can't differentiate between evil and the fighting back against it, then there really is no point in engaging in conversation.
By Jordana Baruchov Grreenfield
In Jewish thought, the raven/crow represents transformation, change, and the hard-earned wisdom that comes from going through darkness.
Noah’s logic is solid. If something is good for neither material nor for spiritual reasons, does it have a purpose?
In an attempt to respond to this quirky Word Prompt word, I googled crows and I learned something fascinating. There is actual meaning behind those annoying shrills and shrieks.
Sometimes in life we are like the raven, tested by Hashem in areas that are precisely our very weakness.
The karpas initiates a curiosity about our redemption and mission in this world. This aligns with the Sefas Emes, which comments that karpas represents the first stage of avodas Hashem.
By the time we get to that portion of the seder, we are so famished, that even a plain potato or bitter parsley and celery taste delicious!
The salt water represents the tears Bnei Yisrael shed while in servitude and the green vegetable symbolizes spring and the renewal of spirit.
Karpas in my home was parsley, although celery was another option. (We did not use potatoes as karpas...)
In Judaism we always have the ability for a fresh new start. The story of Passover depicts us as slaves in Egypt, never giving up the hope of being freed and we persevere, and gain our freedom.
For generations, a Jewish state in Eretz Yisrael was the great hope – Hatikvah – of countless Jews. In 1948, that hope was realized. Yet, hope did not end there – Od lo avda tikvateinu – nor did the challenges.
If a person feels like change is impossible, we encourage hope. If they feel like they can't be fixed, we show them their value.
When we focus on this healing future that exists beyond time, we bring tomorrow's comfort into today's pain. Our suffering doesn't disappear, but it changes as the light of our destination brightens our difficult journey.
This Pesach will be the second year of a wartime Seder and so our Hope for Hashem’s protection will be even more pronounced.
Imber’s words testify to the enduring spirit of Am Yisrael. Even in the shadow of loss, our hope remains. Our deep connection to the land, to our people, and to the promise of renewal endures.
But if "all Jews are Jews, except the Jews I really don't like" is your stance, then you don't actually believe in achdut.
By Solly Hess
There have been moments of national unity in the U.S., where Americans banded together after terrifying circumstances. Think of the kindness and care shown to one another after 9/11. Sadly, that grand-scale unity is more of a distant memory than the ubiquitous flags on everyone’s car window.
Let us also remember that the biggest obstacle to achdut is ego. As people strive to defend their image and self-importance, this can become its own type of avodah zarah that undermines the spiritual values that they think they are fighting for.
According to Ohr HaChaim: The kingdom of Israel will only endure if the heads of the people assemble together (keep the peace amongst themselves).
When we look at others, we should recognize that they carry a spark of Hashem Echad within them. When we think about ourselves, we must also remember that we, too, hold a part of Hashem Echad.
We each have our own characteristics and prefer our own path of worship. Our paths are unique to ourselves, but here is where we differ from angels: angels cannot veer from their characters, we can.
By Keshet Starr
In many ways, the twelve tribes are a beautiful symbol of Jewish unity; twelve different groups within a larger nation, each contributing in their own way.
Each of my children has different strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. With Hashem’s help, they will all find their own individual paths.
The picture will become clearer when Moshiach comes. In the meantime, let’s daven and pray for an easier time and a redemption of mercy for the people of Israel!
By Hillel Fuld
Interestingly, the word shevet is spelled the same way in Hebrew as other words including the month of Shevat, and the Hebrew word for cloning.
Spring is also allergy season. Time to stock up on the Zyrtec. For some reason, this always surprises me and feels terribly unjust. Why, oh why, just as things are getting so beautiful do I also have to feel goopy and miserable?
Each year, when the snow starts to melt for the last time of the season and I hear the sounds of children dragging their bikes out of the shed, or the rhythmic bounce of a basketball on the court next door, I feel grateful for the change in seasons.
Spring reminds me that each and every day is truly a blessing.
Passover in the spring is all about remembering that freedom. But it's not just ancient history; it's about us, now, shaking off whatever is holding us back.
By Maayan Zik
Judaism teaches, Ein mazel l’Yisrael, which means The Jewish people aren’t ruled by mazel. That’s another way of saying that while circumstances influence us, they don’t control us.
I believe, and tell my children and talmidim so, that we have the opportunity to be matzliach in ways the defy luck of the draw, nature and happenstance.
By Ariela Davis
How many of us who live relatively happy lives with families and full refrigerators and spend much of our time focusing on what we don’t have and complaining about the small things that don’t go our way?
Lucky people make successful decisions by using their intuition and gut feelings.
The images of the Bibas family – two redheaded, cherub-cheeked babies and their mother – will forever be burned in our minds along with all of the others we refuse to forget.
One of the most curious mitzvot we have is to remember to blot out Amalek. The worst way to rid them from our psyche is to annually read about them. We must forever remember the importance of stamping out evil in the world.
By Eli Lebowicz
There’s stuff I remember that I’d be fine forgetting, like getting out first in the 4th grade spelling bee on the easiest word possible (wholesome, by the way).
The years ahead were filled with grandchildren who have given me wonderful memories, and now my life is filled with great-grandchildren and we are making memories together. With Hashem’s help we will go on making memories for many more years.
The Torah’s commandment to remember is about shaping the future. The Holocaust and October 7 teach us that the world can change in an instant – and that if we don’t take history seriously, it will repeat itself.
Our society is results-focused. You can be the second-fastest runner in the world, but society doesn’t care. You lost. You’re not getting the endorsements.
When I am old, and my hair is silver or white or gray, I know that I won't remember this stress. All I will remember is the happy times, and I will probably say, I'd do anything to get back to that place.
By David Curwin
Interestingly, the English word “silver” may also have Semitic origins. One theory suggests that silver derives from the Akkadian word sarapu, meaning to smelt, refine.
By dvora
What exactly is a silver lining? It is a metaphor conveying a glimmer of hope, in the midst of despair.
By Akiva Kra
It's amazing how one metal can carry so many memories and so much importance. Oftentimes the tarnished silver candlesticks in a home carry more emotion and hold more memories than the colorful pictures around them.
By Rabbanit Dr. Adena Berkowitz
We might think that today batei din just adjudicate cases of divorce and conversion. Yet, Jewish courts can resolve business disputes and damages.
To me, the best part of beis din is that it allows us to not have to air our laundry in civil courts...
By Chaim Saiman
While din ensures that legal principles are upheld without deviation, it can sometimes lead to harsh or impractical outcomes.
Halacha, like other legal systems, provides us with rules and values around which we are meant to organize our lives. Our ability, however, to comply with halacha requires that we learn and teach its rules. After all, you can’t comply with the rules you don’t know.
The salient distinction is that civil law is secular and Jewish law is G-dly... Jewish law, by contrast, is a combination of civil and religious law, e.g., if one steals, he is simultaneously sinning against the victim and against G-d.
Just as there are no two more similar stories than the respective exiles of Yaakov and Moshe, it is hard to find two more disparate parallels than the roles of their respective fathers-in-law.
By Sara Blau
Most of us can’t handle unsolicited advice, and in-law relationships can be a touchy thing. And yet Moshe’s humility astounds me. To be able to receive the feedback and make the necessary improvements based on his father-in-law’s advice is truly something I admire.
By Avi Ganz
Lavan wasn't just a bad father-in-law; he was a bad person. In contrast, Yitro is a man with a significant past and what seems to be a very strong moral compass. And he wants to help.
I smile when I remember how, when we lived in Florida, they spent a week together converting a garage into two fully carpeted bedrooms with outlets and lights. There really wasn’t anything the two of them couldn’t repair together.
Yitro teaches us the importance of having a confidant in your family, who sees things through a different set of eyes, and can be trusted for sage advice.
When Noach sends off the raven, the Torah provides no reason, but rather Noach unceremoniously ejects the poor bird from the ark. No wonder it flounders and goes nowhere. With the dove, though, the text adds these words to see whether the waters had abated.
By Jordana Baruchov Grreenfield
The dove’s unwavering loyalty mirrors my devotion to my family, community, and faith. I aim to spread positivity, wisdom, and spiritual nourishment.
The dove was sent by Noah three times. It returned to the ark twice, portraying the middot of commitment and loyalty, both to Noah and its mate. It took its responsibilities to heart.
I cannot think of doves without considering their counterparts, ravens. I'm from Baltimore, a city that named its football team after Poe’s famous poem. Perhaps next year thinking about the Ravens will bring me a bit more joy…
Despite being part of the pigeon family – a far less beloved creature, typically associated with urban grime – doves represent purity. (Contrary to universal imagery, however, they come in other colors besides white.)
By Nachum Segal
This Torah discussion and the family custom of giving it the exclusive slot at a family bar mitzvah gave us all a common thread and association. I have always found that connection very meaningful.
By JJ Eleff
Dozens of men worldwide who had no connection to a rabbi are now members of a shul in their neighborhood. IDF soldiers fighting on the front lines to protect us have a new source of protection that they wrap daily.
As a mother, tefillin is something else to think about for my teenage sons' trips and carpools, something else to organize during bar mitzvah planning.
Not just because it's a physical way to literally tie into Judaism and to prepare for prayer and not just because it's the same action that my father, sheyichyehi, my grandfather, and my ancestors have done since Sinai.
Once Jews were allowed to daven at the Kotel again for the first time in 20 years, Chabad set up a table at the Kotel encouraging Jews to put on tefillin.
By Adina Broder
Since real truth is unique to Hashem, the word emes is considered Hashem’s seal or signature.
This world is a journey of uncovering that infinite truth of who you actually are. When you align with your divine core, you're not becoming something new – you're revealing what was always there.
By Anat Coleman
Much of the time, people are already aware of the truth of the situation and have avoided thinking about it or taking action until it reaches a crescendo.
I’m proud to be a Jew. I’m proud of my roots and that I get to wear a kippah on my head every day. I’m proud I get to put on tefillin and be part of our amazing religion.
Isn’t it ironic that Am Yisrael can’t agree on how to pronounce the word emes – or is it emet? It’s a small detail, but it reminds us that we live in a world where the very essence of truth is challenged. Today, the concept of truth feels fractured. Phrases like “your truth” and […]
August 28, 2026 
