07 Jun 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? Because a talmid chochom has Torah in him....
04 Jun 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 understand a unique aspect about Torah study. In the...
28 May GIVING RESPECT TO HASHEM AT THE END OF SHMONE ESREI
At the conclusion of the Shemone Esrei, we take three steps backwards. In explanation, the Mishnah Berurah [223:2] sends us to the Beis Yoseif, who says many reasons for this custom. Looking there, one will find a reason...
21 May PRAYING FOR HEAVENLY PEACE
Elokai n’tzor concludes as we back up three steps and say a final petition. “Oseh shalom bimromav, Hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu v’al kol Yisroel, v’imru amein – He who makes peace in heaven, may He make peace amongst us...
14 May DAVENING FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE BAIS HAMIKDASH
The tfilah Elokai N’ztor continues with, “V’chol hachosh’vim alai ra’ah, meheirah hafeir atzasam v’kalkeil machashavtam – All those who plot evil against me, may their plans be quickly foiled and their machinations be ruined.” The Avudraham beautifully explains that this...
07 May USING OUR HEADS IN SHUL
Here, on the eastern coast, spring finally seems to be here. It looks nearly certain that we won’t see snowplows until next year and, as the plants start to bloom and the temperatures rise, Klal Yisroel collectively takes out...
16 Apr A BLUEPRINT FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE
In families all over the world and through the millennia, the Seder ritual has started off with the chanting of Kadeish, U’rchatz, Karpas...
09 Apr DAVENING FOR A PURE MOUTH
After saying the Yi’h’yu l’ratzon following Sim Shalom, some people have the minhag to say the kapital of tehillim “Shir lama’alos, esa einai el haharim,” before commencing Elokai n’tzor. This is based on the opinion of the Asora...
02 Apr 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, “Mitzvah bo yotzeir m’b’shlucho – It is a...
26 Mar PESACH CLEANING
The world over, Jews will soon be wrapped- up in the annual search for chometz. Most of us are also aware that this is not simply s p r i n g - c l e...