The subject of hishtadlus, how much effort should one make for certain objectives, is a very complex subject. Let’s take, for example, the hishtadlus for our parnassah, our livelihood. Quoting the Chovos HaLevovos, Rav Elya Lopian, zt”l, zy”a, says...
In the Eishes Chayil (Woman of Valor) ballad where our wives are serenaded before Friday night kiddush, we praise them that they are tzofiah halichos beisa, they oversee the ways of their home. Even stronger are the words in...
It has been my practice, with the help of Hashem, throughout my Rabbonus, to give a variety of shiurim throughout the night of Shavuos. This year, from 2:30 to 4:00 a.m., we had a lively question and answer...
When a boy is born, we wait eight days before making a bris. While we might take this for granted, it is still very surprising. The eight-day wait is not for medical reasons. Many hospitals routinely circumcise boys...
The late Munkatcher Rebbe, Grand Rabbi Chaim Elazar Spira, zt”l, zy”a (1871-1937), known as the Minchas Elazar, one of the great pre-war Chassidic Rebbes, was once traveling on a train. Sitting across from him was an ordinary looking man...
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...
Shavuos is the celebration of the great gift of the Torah that Hashem continues to give us. The Rambam, in Hilchos Chanukah, says that the central theme of the Torah is shalom, peace. As the posuk declares, “Derachehah darchei...
As we draw nearer to the conclusion of our countdown of sefira, our thoughts are turning more and more to the culmination of these seven weeks of waiting, namely Shavuos. And as we make our preparations for the...
Lag b’Omer marks the conclusion of the time period of the tragic deaths of the twenty-four thousand holy talmidim of Rebbi Akiva. This horrific tragedy even trumps the mourning period of twenty-one days leading up to the day...