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PARSHAS VAYISHLACH: A TALE OF TWO PHILOSOPHIES
In this week’s parsha we read about the reunion of Eisav and Yaakov after many years of separation. Eisav, responded to the generous gifts that Yaakov sent to him, by…
REVITALIZING OUR DAVENING – PART NINETEEN
In the fourteenth blessing of the Shemone Esrei, we focus on the city of Yerushalayim. We must know as Jews that the most beautiful and important city in the world…
VAYISHLACH: KIBUD AV V’EM
The Chayei Adam (siman 67) writes, “Honoring parents is a mitzvah from the Torah, and it is from among the most stringent obligations. A person must honor his father and…
CHANUKAH Q & A WITH RABBI MOSHE ELEFANT
When is the optimal time to light Chanukah candles? The Talmud (Shabbos 21a) relates that Chanukah candles should be lit when the sun disappears from view, and should remain lit…
PARASHAT VAYISHLAH: EVERY PENNY HAS A PURPOSE
We read in Parashat Vayishlah the famous story of Yaakob’s wrestle with an angel, whom our Sages identify as “Saro Shel Esav” – Esav’s angel that was sent from the…
YEARNING FOR THE LIGHT
“We stand with Israel” has become popular phrase seen on posters at solidarity rallies, spotted on store windows, and placed on front lawns. I would like to add to it……
SPECIAL CHANUKAH RECIPES!
FRIED COOKIE DOUGH BALLS INGREDIENTS: For the Cookie Dough • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature •…
VAYISHLACH: THE LAST CONVERSATION BETWEEN RACHEL AND YAAKOV WHY ARGUE ABOUT A NAME MOMENTS BEFORE HER DEATH?
The Final Moments It is not unusual for a husband and wife to have an argument. But all would agree that for everything, including a dispute, there is a proper…
DAVENING FOR SOLDIERS DOESN’T CONFLICT WITH FAITH IN HASHEM
For the last month and a half, nobody I know has slept through the night. Certainly, those in Israel, especially those married to soldiers, and those who are parents or…
PRINCIPLED OPPOSITION: THE BRISKER ROV’S REJECTION OF A NAZI-MUFTI ALLIANCE
The Mufti, Haj Amin ימח שמו Husseini-al וזכרו, was a Palestinian Arab nationalist and Islamic leader who collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II and vehemently opposed the establishment…
DATING AND RELATIONSHIP ADVICE
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I’m not sure what to do. My chasan who is generally responsive and attentive has become very distracted now that football season has started. He spends…
AL HANISSIM ON CHANUKAH
On Chanukah, we insert Al Hanissim into our davening and bentching. It is very practical for us to discuss all the halachos that apply to this. Some questions we will…
SHABBOS SHOES
I. Shabbos Clothes We greet Shabbos and spend the entire day clean and proper, dressed in fine clothes. Do we also need to wear fine shoes that we have designated…
CHANUKAH: CONTINUING THE BATTLE
Chanukkah is one of two holidays that the Rabbis instituted to celebrate great miracles that happened to our nation, the other, of course, being Purim. Several differences exist between the…
KASHRUS QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK WITH RABBI MOSHE ELEFANT
Q: Is Turkey Kosher? – I have heard that there are some Jews who do not consider turkey kosher. Can you tell me the reason for this? As far as…
PARASHAT VAYESEH: THE ENDURING IMPACT OF OUR ACTIONS
The opening verse of Parashat Vayeseh tells, “Va’yeseh Yaakob Mi’Be’er Sheba Va’yelech Harana” – “Yakaob left from Be’er Sheba, and he went to Haran.” Rashi notes that the first half…
STONES AND LADDERS
Vayeitzei… And he left. This week’s parsha, Vayeitzei, opens with Yaakov Avinu on the run, fleeing the wrath of his brother Eisav. “Vayifga bamakom, And he (Yaakov) arrived to the…
THE JEW’S ETERNAL WEAPON
This is the time for courage, resolve, and to embrace your Jewish identity. The Jewish world is on fire. The bloodbath orchestrated by Hamas and Iran on Saturday, October 7,…
IS IT BETTER TO BE LOVED OR FEARED? A REFLECTION ON THE WASHINGTON RALLY
According to a new Reuters poll, a majority of Americans now back a ceasefire in the war Israel is fighting again Hamas. Disturbingly, nearly 70 percent of Americans said the…
THE STARK CONTRAST: EXAMINING THE DIFFERENCE IN YOUTH BEHAVIOR
If you had your first child, and that child is the first of the holy Shvatim who are the building blocks of Klal Israel, what would you name him? Considering…
GREEN BEANS WITH TOMATOES, OLIVES AND CAPERS
INGREDIENTS: 2 pounds of colorful cherry tomatoes 1 dozen chopped Kalamata olives 2 tablespoons capers 2 pounds of trimmed green beans DIRECTIIONS: Green beans are such a fantastic vegetable. Anyway…
TALKING DURING KRIAS HATORAH
One can look at many shuls during Krias Hatorah and people can be speaking, looking in a sefer etc. One of the biggest times where talking takes place in shul…
RELIGIOUS INSPIRATION IN RESPONSE TO CRISIS
I. Aliyah in Response to Crisis We learn from Ya’akov that the common response to danger, to plead with G-d, is proper. People promise to become better if they or…
VAYETZEH: TURNING THE BAD INTO GOOD
Rashi brings a very famous Midrash in his commentary to Parashat Vayetzeh, about Yaakov’s experiences when he ran away from the Land of Israel. The Torah says that when the…
PARSHAS VAYEITZEI EISAV HAD IT EASY. YAAKOV TRAVELS A DIFFERENT PATH
The first Rashi in the parsha notes that the pasuk [verse] beginning “And Yaakov departed” appears to be a little out of place. At the end of Parshas Toldos, the…
REVITALIZING OUR PRAYERS – PART EIGHTEEN
The bracha of Al HaTzadikim, where we pray for the welfare of the righteous ones, is the thirteenth blessing of the Shemone Esrei. Perhaps this is because thirteen is the…
VAYEITZEI: THE PARNASSAH TRAP
Chazal (Pirkei Avos 3:16) say, “A trap is spread out before all people.” The Baal Shem Tov zt’l explains that the trap is the pursuit of parnassah. The Maor Einayim…
TOLDOS: THE SANDY PATH TO INSPIRATION WHY WERE THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF JUDAISM ENTHRALLED BY WELLS?
Free Plowing Back in the ‘40s, a Jewish guy was arrested for smuggling guns into Israel, then known as Palestine. He was taken into one of the British prisons. While…
NATURE OR NURTURE? THE REMARKABLE STORY OF TWINS SEPARATED AT SIX MONTHS OLD
As twins, Jack and Oskar shared the same DNA, the same nature, and yet, they emerged radically different people. Born in Trinidad in 1933, they were six months old when…
BIRTH OF ISHMAEL: UNRAVELING THE ENIGMA SURROUNDING AVRAHAM’S OFFSPRING.
In this article, we will address the intriguing question of how two children—Yitzchak and Ishmael—both born to the same father, Avraham, manifested as polar opposites: one embodying the epitome of…
DATING AND RELATIONSHIP ADVICE
Hi Rabbi and Shira, My wife is constantly late to literally everything in her life. She’s had trouble holding employment due to her tardiness. I’m so sick of being late…
TURKEY AND THANKSGIVING
Much has been dis- cussed over the years regarding Thanksgiv- ing dinner. We will discuss whether such a party is allowed, and if turkey may be served. The underlying point…
WAGING WAR ON SHABBOS
Religious Jews violate Shabbos in response to even a life threatening situation. Religious soldiers fight war 24/7 in order to protect lives. This is widely understood nowadays. But was it…
SPECIAL THANKSGIVING RECIPES!
SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE INGREDIENTS: Topping: 1 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup flour 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans preferred) – you can omit if there are nut allergies 1/2 cup margarine…
TOLDOT: SAYING “NO”
In the beginning of Parashat Toldot, the Torah tells us that Yitzhak married Rivka, “the daughter of Betuel…from Padan Aram, the brother of Lavan.” Rashi points out that we already…
PARSHAS TOLDOS: CLOTHING ALONE DO NOT MAKE THE MAN
This week’s parsha contains the story of Yakov and Eisav, the two brothers who went their different ways. Yakov was righteous and Eisav was wicked. The Rabbis teach that although…
HOW TO RESPOND TO THE WAR OF 5784 – PART FOUR
As the scary, tumultuous events of the Israel- Hamas conflict unfold daily, we see before our eyes the fulfillment of many Biblical and Midrashic forecasts. About Yishmael, the Torah tells…
TOLDOS: TEACHING EMUNAH
When we teach emunah, we receive Hashem’s brachos. Avraham Avinu would teach emunah when he performed hachnasas orchim. He would tell his guests, “Do you think you ate my food?…
OU KOSHER ADDS TWO NEW OPTIONS TO CONSUMER PRODUCT SEARCH WEBSITE
Dairy Equipment and Yoshon Categories Offered in Response to Community Requests Of the hundreds of weekly queries OU (Orthodox Union) Kosher fields from consumers via its Kosher Hotline and Webbe…
PARASHAT TOLEDOT: A CHILD IS ALWAYS A CHILD
The Torah tells in Parashat Toledot that Yishak Abinu had special love for Esav because “Sayid Be’fiv” (25:28). Rashi gives two explanations for this phrase: 1) Esav would hunt animals…
DOING OUR PART
The weeks pass, the war continues. The hostages – men, women, children, babies – still have not come home. Our hearts ache just thinking of them in the Gehinnom of…
DATING AND RELATIONSHIP ADVICE
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Hi, I hope you can answer this question for me. My boyfriend and I are really struggling with this issue and we can’t seem to get…
PAYING THE SHADCHAN
The Mitzvah There is a great mitzvah for one to be involved with making shidduchim between a boy and girl. Hashem was the first shadchan in the world who made…
PUBLISHING WITHOUT PERMISSION
A few weeks ago, we discussed the debate between Rav Shaul Yisraeli and Rav Shlomo Goren regarding the siege of Beirut. As mentioned, on August 6th, 1982, then Chief Rabbi…
HAYEH SARAH: “I GOT THIS”
One of the most famous passages in Rashi’s commentary to the Humash is found in the beginning of Parashat Hayeh-Sarah. The Torah tells us that Sarah Imenu lived 127 years,…
PARSHAS CHAYEI SARAH BEING ON GUARD FOR THE SATAN BEHIND US
Sarah is the only one of our Matriarchs whose age at the time of her passing is documented in the Torah. We are explicitly told the age of each Patriarch…
BEHIND THE NAMES OF EFRON AND KETURAH
There are many fascinating secrets hidden in Biblical Names and here are two intriguing examples from this week’s parsha Chayei Sorah. The Torah tells us about Efron HaChiti. Here was…
CHAYEI SARA: SATISFIED WITH YOUR LOT
Chazal tell us, “Who is wealthy? He who is satisfied with his lot.” That is true wealth. As we wrote, “Hashem blessed Avraham with everything.” The Midrash states that “everything”…
POT LEMON CHICKEN WITH ORZO
INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs pargiot diced salt, pepper, onion, garlic and paprika Olive Oil 1 cup orzo 2 cups chicken broth juice of one lemon 5 ounces spinach DIRECTIONS: 2 lbs…
KASHRUS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH RABBI MOSHE ELEFANT
The Food and Drug Administration has cleared lab-grown meat, created from cultured animal cells, for human consumption. What is the OU’s take on this? Is it kosher? It’s still being…
PARASHAT HAYE-SARA: MAKING A PROFIT
Parashat Haye-Sara tells the story of Avraham’s search for a burial plot for his wife, Sara. We read that Avraham purchased the site of Me’arat Ha’machpela in Hevron from a…
THE SPIRIT LIVES ON
While this week’s parsha, Chayei Sara, tells us of the death of Sara Imeinu, it opens with the words “Chayei Sara, the life of Sara”. Why the “life of” when…
16 MILLION JEWS WAITING FOR MARCHING ORDERS LET’S NOT FORFEIT A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY
Touched to the Core The Jewish world is on fire. The bloodbath orchestrated by Hamas and Iran on Shabbos Simchat Torah (October 7, 2023) in Southern Israel has woken up…
DO JEWISH LIVES MATTER?
In the early 20th century, universities in America, including elite Ivy league schools, imposed a Jewish quota, denying many qualified and worthy applicants’ entry, simply because they were Jewish. For…