31 May THE HONOR OF TORAH
How is it possible for a mortal human being to cling to Hashem? The Rambam answers that by cleaving to talmidei chochomim, you are fulfilling this posuk. Why is that?...
24 May TORAH STUDY IS NOT LIKE CALCULUS
As we make final preparations for Shavuos, including a fervent desire to come away from the yom Tov with a renewed commitment to the “learning” of Torah, we need to...
17 May THE SUPREMACY OF TORAH
The posuk describes the pursuit of Torah study as being, “Yikara hi mipninim – More precious than pearls.” Homiletically, the Gemora interprets this posuk to mean, “M’kohein G-dol hanichnas lifnei...
10 May CHANGING THE DYNAMIC IN THE WAR AGAINST THE YEITZER HARA
One of the major goals of life is to achieve many victories against the Yeitzer Hara, the Evil Inclination. The thinking Jew knows that one of his or her greatest...
03 May WHERE SHOULD I SIT IN SHUL?
Rabbi Weiss: Dear Yeitzer Hara! I’ve been thinking lately a lot about the various pitfalls that can disrupt a person’s worship in shul. Can you suggest any tips that can...
27 Apr A SEFIRA MESSAGE
The Gemora calls our ancient sages Sofrim, people who know how to count. This seems to be an odd name for our great men who were endowed with encyclopedic knowledge, erudition, and deep piety. However, the name Sofrim depicts...
12 Apr AS WE APPROACH PESACH
With Pesach incredibly just days away, and as we begin once again to say farewell to pizza and pasta, we need to ask ourselves what spiritual lessons we want to...
05 Apr PESACH INSIGHTS: ENSURING THE LEGACY CONTINUES
At the Seder, we celebrate the anniversary of being chosen by Hashem to be his special people. Thus we eat an egg, which, amongst other things, symbolizes the birth of...
29 Mar GETTING READY FOR PESACH
Pesach preparations are complex and multi-faceted. Way before Pesach, many people personally go to the matzah bakery and physically assist in the baking of the matzos, fulfilling the Talmudic dictum,...
22 Mar THE SEDER AND TESHUVAH
Incredibly, spring is in the air and we’re getting ready for Pesach. Children are told not to carry around their cookies. The global Daf Yomi community, learning Masechtas Yevamos, is careful not to eat food over its open Gemoras,...