יום רביעי, י״ט תשרי תשפ״זWednesday, September 30, 2026
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By dvora
Life is a series of blunders, missteps, and errors in judgement. We take chances, we err, we grow.
I remember the first time I heard that failure creates courage. I was confused; I thought success made a person confident. Until I actually experienced it.
By Sara Blau
My last name happens to be Blau – which means blue in German. And so, when I get a prompt for the word blue, I automatically associate it with my last name and the Patriarch of my husband's family; his grandfather Rabbi Moshe Yehudah HaKohen Blau.
By Keshet Starr
Throughout the Torah, water too, contains contradictions – it symbolizes Torah itself, but it can also connote chaos, as in the times of Noach when flood waters overwhelmed the earth and destroyed all but vestiges of humanity.
Blue holds a profound significance in Jewish life, symbolizing depth, wisdom, and divine intervention.
By Hillel Fuld
What is it about blue? Well, think about the color blue in nature. It barely exists. Even blueberries are not really blue. Blue is the rarest of colors. That is the lesson of techelet, the uniqueness of Hashem and His children, the Jewish nation.
There are many shades of blue. Royal blue, light blue, navy, are just a handful of colors. Keep expounding on the color blue and you might touch on techeiles. Which is another shade of blue, although people might argue that techeiles is its own color.
By Jordana Baruchov Grreenfield
Just like our prayers and our language; the shekel, our money currency, connects us to our past, present and future. It’s a testimony of us as a people.
By Chaim Saiman
Believers have long been challenged to develop a real and concrete relationship with an abstract G-d. Yet the evolution of the shekel is evidence that modern society has little trouble organizing itself around an abstraction.
In Judaism, quantification is everywhere. That is because halacha understands that just like offering too low a price for an object belittles it, so too does effort incommensurate with the value of an ethical act belittle it as well.
In Parshas Ki Sisa, after Hashem told Moshe to collect half a shekel from the men, He had to show Moshe a fiery image of this coin so that Moshe could comprehend the commandment.
In the modern State of Israel, in 1980 the currency became shekels (replacing the lira), and in 1985 the shekel was replaced with the New Israeli Shekel (NIS), which we use to this day.
In the aftermath of the October 7 Pogrom, it's only natural to shiver as we think of the evil acts of the Hamas Nazis, yemach shemam. But that shiver must be followed up with lighting the greatest fire the world has ever seen, so that warmth reaches every single Jew, and spans the globe.
By Ariela Davis
We shiver at the great privilege of being part of this great people living in this beautiful land and of the sacrifice, the depth and beauty of being here. Even now. Especially now.
I keep dreaming of the day when the hostages are freed and we can hug them. I imagine that they will look at all the support they received from the Jewish people during their time in captivity and know how much we love them.
We hear stories of those who lived there. How they died, but more importantly, how they lived.
By Anat Coleman
Shivering is a signal; it behooves us to pay attention when our body communicates its needs and responses, urging us to tune in and understand these messages to ensure our well-being.
Per the book, the laudable and all-important goal of tikkun olam, or making the world a better place, is accomplished through mitzvot, defined by the theologians at the Jewish Book Council, and by the other characters to Grover, as good deeds.
There are the three mitzvot that are designated as signs, milah, Shabbos and tefillin, which serve as constant reminders of our unique relationship with Hashem via our bodies, our actions and our thoughts.
By Ira Stoll
The concept of a commandment implies the idea of a G-d that issues commands. Plenty of modern people find that concept challenging, reject it as well as all the commandments. They may find the idea of good deeds easier to accept.
I overheard my daughter in the kitchen last week offering our contractors food and drinks from where she planned to order lunch. She was thrilled to report that they took her up on her offer and she could do a mitzvah.
By David Curwin
As noted, mitzvah and tzivah both come from the root tz-v-h. It means to command, order.
The infamous Rabin-Arafat handshake set into motion a nightmarish sequence of events.
There are many rules about the etiquette of handshakes and even preferred ways to stand, which hand to extend and how many shakes you should do.
By Akiva Kra
We’ve all had experiences of handshakes gone wrong. Firstly, the sweaty palm can come at the worst of times. Even more awkward, not realizing a hand is extended to you can lead to a friend feeling insulted.
Think back to your childhood years, when some kids had secret handshakes. Handshakes are more than just trust; they can build a bond.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, zt”l, explained, when two Jews shake hands, the five fingers of one person become intertwined with the five fingers of the other, together forming a covenant reflecting the two tablets of the Ten Commandments.
It is impossible, it seems, that the Torah tells us Hashem was upset, without the anger being actualized in some respect.
Passionate feelings are a mirror into our values. They drive our actions. Our anger has mobilized our people during this time – to care for others, to lobby, to invent, to give, to write, to hold one another.
We know that Hashem is described as Erech Apayaim – being slow to anger. Does this mean that anger is good or bad? If Hashem gets angry, even slowly, where does that put us? Should we be even slower to anger? Or faster?
To effectively manage anger, it's essential to relinquish the need to control the upsetting event and the subsequent thoughts and feelings.
The painful events of the past few months have stirred up many difficult emotions, and for most of us, anger is one of them.
By Rabbanit Dr. Adena Berkowitz
Given what our brothers and sisters in Israel are going through, we have to use our tears to bring comfort to those who are suffering and remind them that they are not alone.
By Jordana Baruchov Grreenfield
We look at life as a prozdor, a corridor getting ready to enter the next stage of life. It is all preparation for what is yet to come.
We live in unfathomable times. This entire year of 5784 has been a disaster to put it mildly. I write this as 14 precious souls serving the Jewish people defending us and our land have been lost over the weekend fighting a brutal enemy.
Since the ultimate reward of Olam Haba is limited by the extent of the connection that a person is able to forge with G-d during his lifetime, the opportunity to return temporarily from Olam Haba in order to enhance this connection is a considerable benefit.
Although the Talmud implies that there are exceptions to this rule, nevertheless, I state unequivocally: Every single Jew will ultimately be resurrected!
By Nachum Segal
The fleeting aspect of fame might be much more than an average observation. It reflects a healthier and more positive perspective of the idea of fame.
While it’s certainly admirable when those who work hard are recognized for their efforts, fame is clearly not the ultimate goal.
If our names are remembered by the masses, it should be due to our contributions, not our pursuit of fame.
Instead of following how many likes and views you have online, ask yourself, who am I when no one is looking? That’s who you really are, and that’s your baseline for growth.
“Millions of people will read about a Jewish basketball player; I want to show what that means.”
Can one use a cane on Shabbos in a place without an eruv? The Shulchan Aruch paskens that a lame person who cannot walk without a stick, may walk with one, even if they are not attached to him.
Such halachic accommodations allow for Jews who would be limited in participating in communal Shabbos activities if they need a cane and were not allowed use of it without an eruv on Shabbos. To be sure, this inclusive accommodation is governed by Hashem’s will.
When I am sitting down and have great grandchildren around, they take my cane and it becomes transformed to a horse or to a magic wand, and that gives me added pleasure, or should I say nachas, watching them play.
I cringed at the collective sigh of relief from the group. It was jarring in front of a man who never leaves the dark. He probably hears it often.
I say, why should the old and frail have all the fun!? A cane can be a remarkably flashy accessory. Indeed, there was a time in which the cane was a sign of high society.
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.
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 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.
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.
As a frum Jewish educator, I am acutely aware of the thousands of “Yitzchaks” in our care. Each child a guarantor of Hashem’s promise to make Avraham Avinu, and by extension all Jews, into a great nation.
We really do have no place in this world. Yet our survival defies nature anchored not in military might or the validation of world leaders, but in our transcendent essence.
By Ira Stoll
Whether Yitzchak or Yitzchok, the biblical explanation of the name from Sarah, in Genesis 21:6, that G-d has brought her laughter, and that everyone who hears will laugh with her, always brings a smile, if not laughter, to my lips.
Tranquility is great, but it's not a reason to live. Joy comes from conquest: from the dragon-slaying campaigns of youth, but ultimately from the self-conquest that is life's fiercest and most silent battle.
By Anat Coleman
Over these past few weeks, with the loss of so many lives and the fates of so many others unknown, it's been a challenge and struggle to laugh.
Learning, questioning and critical thinking are values that Judaism has always naturally fostered, encouraged and celebrated.
Interestingly, it is not one of the fruits for which the Torah praises the Land of Israel. So, it is no surprise that the custom of eating apples on Rosh Hashana did not originate in Israel but in France or Germany.
Apples originated in Central Asia, though not necessarily in edible form. Over time, they were cultivated as an edible fruit, grafted, and brought to Europe.
The common apple (Malus pumila) doesn't quite fit the Eretz Yisrael native bill. Some even propose that these apples might've gone through a Cinderella-like transformation over time, evolving from their humble origins into biblical superstars. Talk about a fruit with a story!
So many people enjoy taking their family out for apple-picking. It's the perfect food for this time of year with Thanksgiving coming up.
By Maayan Zik
If you mess up, miss a note, in the middle of a song, keep playing. Don’t go back and try to replay it. The rest of the orchestra is already moving on and so must you.
By Sara Blau
Sometimes, we experience what we perceive as a failure... But each failure can be repurposed creatively, and channeled into a better future for ourselves and for others.
Eventually the towels weren’t needed anymore, and although the chairs are twenty years old, they mostly remained stain free and we were spared the sticky indignity of the old school plastic covers.
But the key to stickiness is in the sharing. If there is no sharing, nothing sticks. A word can’t become a name. A second question is never asked.
Some people are willing to ignore the bad and focus on the good, while for others, their focus is squarely on the bad, despite the overwhelming good.
It's worth asking ourselves, in this situation, is there something going on for this person that I haven't experienced? Is there something here about which I could be more understanding?
September 25, 2026 
