Parashat Naso includes birkat kohanim the special blessing with which the kohanim are commanded to bless the rest of the nation. The first portion of this berachah is: Yevarechecha Hashem Veyishmerecha– “G-d shall bless you and protect you” (6:24). Rashi...
An Important Rokeach to Know When Listening to Birkas Kohanim Outside Eretz Yisrael, we only say Birkas Kohanim on limited occasions—the Shalosh Regalim, Rosh HaShanah, and Yom Kippur. Rav Zalman Sorotzkin, in his sefer Oznayim L’Torah, stresses that when the...
At this time of the year, Klal Yisroel breaks out one of its national treasures: the Mishnayos of Pirkei Avos. This anthology of select ethical teaching, transmitted to us by our gigantic teachers, presents us with a truly...
In this week’s parashah there is birkas kohanim, which emphasizes shalom, peace, as the final words state (6:26) “Hashem will...
The Nightingale The story is told of a king who once decided to reward a peasant who had done him a great service. “Shall I give him a sack of gold? A bag of pearls?” thought the king....
A year ago, the Jewish world followed the heartbreaking story of Tze’ela Gez, Hy”d. She and her husband, Chananel, were driving to the hospital for the birth of their fourth child when terrorists opened fire on their car....
We wrote in the past that the Torah teaches us that we have three types of relationships with Hashem: that of a servant and master, a son and father, and a husband and wife. The idea is that...
Dear Rabbi and Shira, My friend recently got engaged to a woman I don’t approve of and I’m very disappointed in him. He’s been on over 100 dates and decided to settle...
There is a widespread custom to remain awake on Shavuos night to learn Torah. This custom spawns many halachic queries. Why should we stay up learning on Shavuos night? What should be learned? Should one learn the tikun leil Shavuos? How do...
There is a widespread custom to eat dairy products on Shavuos. What is the source of this custom? What are the reasons for this custom? Does it apply to both days? Should the dairy meal be eaten with bread?...