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...
When Leah had her third child, she explained, “Hapa’am yilave ishi eilai – This time my husband will walk alongside of me.” And the Torah concludes, “Al kein, kara sh’mo Levi – Therefore, she called her son Levi...
In our Maariv prayers, we make a very important request of Hashem. “V’haseir Satan mil’faneinu u’mei’achareinu – Remove the Satan from in front of us and from behind us.” The simplest explanation of this petition is that we ask...
Last Monday, the very significant yet little known days called BHA”B ended. In two locations (Masechtos Kiddushin [81a] and Bava Kama [82a]), Tosefos mentions the minhag of fasting on the first Monday, Thursday, and following Monday of the months...
Every morning at the end of our Birchas HaShachar, we petition Hashem, “Us’neinu hayom uv’chol yom l’chein, ul’chesed, ul’rachamim b’Einecha...
The tragic demise of mankind during the era of the flood was not just a punishment for that wicked generation. Even more so, it was perhaps a series of powerful lessons to be studied by G-d fearing...
As we approach the joyous festival of sukkos, we reflect back at the long, hard period of Elul and the High Holy Days. We put in a lot of effort and time in trying to improve our...
One of the most urgent segments of our Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur liturgy is the proclamation we say with great feeling, “Us’shuvah us’filah u’tzedakah ma- avirin es ro-ah hagizeirah – And Repentance, and Prayer, and Charity remove a...