05 Nov The Real 20/20 Vision
When it comes to learning Torah, one of the more popular yeitzer haras , evil inclinations, is the BTDT syndrome: the Been There Done That temptation which whispers in our...
Shabbos Times for Feb 07, 2025 | 9 Sh'vat, 5785 | Parshas Beshalach | Candle Lighting Time: 11:42 PM | Havdalah (72 min): 1:12 AM
29 Oct Noach’s Crowning Virtue
Perhaps the most ‘titled’ person in the entire Tanach is Noach. The Torah tells us that he was an, “Ish tzadik tamim… es HaElokim hishalech Noach – A man of...
23 Oct How to Dance With the Torah on Simchas Torah
There is a custom before Kol Nidre to walk around the shul with the sifrei Torah after saying the posuk “Ohr zerua latzdik.” Of course, everyone kisses the sefer Torah....
07 Oct The Central Theme of Sukkos
The Bach teaches us that one of the unique features of the mitzvah of sukkah is that it is imperative to have the correct kavanah, concentration, when doing the mitzvah....
02 Oct Teshuvah, Tefilah, Tzedakah
The three ingredients to negate an evil decree before Yom Kippur are Teshuvah, Tefilah and Tzedakah – Repentance, Prayer and Charity. As we approach the awesome days of Rosh HaShannah...
24 Sep Feel Awe But Never Give Up
The posuk says, “Aryeh shoag, mi lo yirah – The lion roared, who is not afraid?” The verse is interpreted homiletically to reflect on the feelings of fear and trepidation...
17 Sep Where Hashem is Found in our Marriage
We postpone once again our crash course on tefilah for another Elul discussion. The Torah teaches us the importance of the shanah rishonah, the first year of marriage. It recommends, “Noki...
10 Sep Are Our Prayers Repulsive?
We interrupt our series on tefilah for a timely discussion about Elul. About 45 years ago, I was a student in the Yeshiva of Staten Island. One Rosh HaShanah, Rav Moshe...
03 Sep 18 Ways to More Effective Prayer (Part 6)
Once again, we continue our crash course on skillful prayer. Effective Way Number Seven: One’s prayers are always heard by Hashem when one davens in a minyan. On the other hand, when...
27 Aug 18 Ways to More Effective Prayer (Part 5)
We will continue now our crash course on skillful prayer. We are taught in the third perek of Masechtas Kallah Rabosi, “Kol hamevakeish shalom, ein tefiloso chozeres reikom – Whoever...