The Zohar (Chadash 7:) writes, “Klal Yisrael gives parnassah to their Father in heaven.” The Nefesh HaChaim (2:6) explains that just as food makes the connection between body and neshamah (and without food, the neshamah departs), similarly, the Zohar teaches, Hashem’s connection to the...
Is one permitted to bathe, take a haircut or listen to music on Taanis Esther? The Meiri (Sefer Magen Avos 23) writes that Taanis Esther is different than other communal fast days. Other communal fast days...
The Torah in Parashat Teruma presents the laws for the construction of the Mishkan, which is where sacrifices were offered until the building of the Bet Ha’mikdash in Jerusalem. Later, in Parashat Vayakhel, we read of the fulfillment...
I am writing these lines from Ir HaKodesh, the holy city of Yerushalayim. A city where spirituality is in the air. Where one can’t help but be uplifted. A Shabbos sheva brochos was taking...
The Smuggler Tony comes up to the Mexican border on his bicycle. He’s got two large bags over his shoulders. Joe, the border guard, stops him and says, “What’s in the bags?” “Sand,” answers Tony. Joe says, “We’ll just see...
And you shall make for Me a sanctuary, and I will dwell among you. Shemos 25:8 Introduction Yeshiva students have a tendency to keep late hours, often diligently extending their learning late into the night. This leads to...
Now that we’ve read Mishpatim, we can proceed to Terumah. The Beis HaLevi, Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik zt”l (d. 1892), makes a sharp point in his opening remarks on this week’s Torah portion. Parshas Terumah begins the...
STEAK TIPS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS INGREDIENTS: For the Marinade • 1 cup ketchup • 1⁄2 cup Coca-Cola • 1⁄2 cup sugar • 1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil • 1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar • 1⁄2 cup Worcestershire...
Stop pursuing it and start experiencing it. When the Founding Fathers included the pursuit of happiness as an American right and entitlement, it is almost as if they conceded that happiness can be pursued, but it is unlikely...
We are finally entering the happiest month of the year — Adar. This month is inherently joyful, yet even those who do not feel that joy are obligated to rejoice, as Chazal teach (Taanit 29): when Adar...