Last week, we started discussing the fundamental attribute of middah k’neged middah, measure for measure; how Hashem punishes and rewards to exactly match a person’s own behavior. We cited the Rambam who says that this is a thread that...
As we learn the parsh- ios regarding the pun- ishment of the Egyp- tians, a central theme that runs through them is the attribute of treat- ing people middah k’neged middah, measure for measure. As the Gemara teaches...
In the parshios that we are reading these days, we learn about arguably the greatest person to ever live, Moshe Rabbeinu. Did you ever wonder why we call him Moshe Rabbeinu and not the more customary sequence, Rabbeinu Moshe,...
Let me ask you a question, my dear readers. What would you consider to be the core limb of the body? I was greatly surprised when I saw in the Sifra d’Tzniyusa of the Vilna Gaon, zt”l, zy”a,...
This Shabbos we will be completing Chumash Bereishis. Bereishis is also called Sefer Yesharim, the Book of Upright. This is because of the great men and women such as Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, Leah, the Holy Shevatim,...
The Gemora teaches us, “Smuchin min HaTorah.” There is significance when two subjects are juxtaposed by Hashem in our Torah. The Birchas Ish therefore wonders why the laws not to take revenge and not to bear a grudge are...
At this time of the year, many American homes are lit-up in a sea of brilliantly colored lights. When our children pass by these homes they are likely to comment enchantingly, “How pretty they are.” A precocious child might...
In parshas Ki Teitzei, the Or HaChaim HaKodesh, zt”l, zy”a, tells us that the true enemy of every person is the Yeitzer Hara, the evil inclination. As the Gemara informs us, “Yitzro shel adam misgabeir alav b’chol yom um’vakeish...
The revered and holy Mashgiach of Lakewood, Rav Nosson Vachtfogel, zt”l, zy”a, pondered an interesting contemporary phenomenon. In his sefer, Likutei Reshimos, he wonders why millions of people across the globe have a fascination with soccer. He bluntly depicts it...
Last week, I had a much anticipated family wedding to attend. My cousins, Dr. Sharon and Eric Rosen, were marrying off a child and, having already missed some of their weddings, I made a heroic effort to ensure that...