Every month, we pray when we bentch Rosh Chodesh that Hashem should grant us “Yiras Shamayim v’yiras cheit – Fear of Heaven and fear of sin.” Practically speaking, fear of sin includes fear of punishment which results from...
In our Maariv prayers, we thank Hashem for being, “Machalif es hazmanim – Changing the seasons.” Since it adds spice and variety to life, we acknowledge our appreciation for this on a daily basis. And although every season...
The Torah says about a nazir (6:8) that throughout the time that as he is a nazir, he is kodesh to Hashem. The Lev Simchah of Gur zt’l (Naso, 5743) asks, what did the nazir do already that he...
Can I drink coffee at a restaurant? It is not possible to make one universal statement about the kashrus of coffee prepared in a non-certified restaurant because each establishment is unique. Investigation has shown that theoretically, coffee served...
Parashat Naso begins in the middle of the section that tells of the census taken of the tribe of Levi. This tribe was assigned special roles, including the role of transporting the Mishkan when Beneh Yisrael traveled in...
We were just blessed on Shavuos by the kohanim. How uplifting it was to receive their bracha, and listen to their melodious chants. It truly felt that we were the recipients of HaShem’s brachos. This...
The Levi Family Tree Levi, one of the 12 sons of Yaakov (the third of our forefathers, a grandson of the first Jew Avraham), had three sons - Gershon, Kehas and Merari - as well as a daughter, Yocheved....
Every year, about 11 million children in the United States participate in school- level spelling bees. The most prestigious competition is the annual Scripps National Bee that has been held since 1925. The words have gotten progressively more difficult over...
In recent months, President Donald Trump has taken aim at elite academic institutions—most notably Harvard—accusing them of moral hypocrisy, Woke indoctrination, and tolerance of antisemitism. His rhetoric reflects the growing frustration of many Americans who believe that once- respected universities...
Dear Rabbi and Shira I’m engaged to a great young woman. We connect well, have similar life goals, and are excited to get married and spend the rest of our lives together....