In the second chapter of Pirkeh Avot, we read the following teaching of Rabbi Shimon: When you pray, do not make your prayer “permanent,” but rather compassion and pleading before G-d. What does Rabbi Shimon mean when...
The Torah in Parashat Kedoshim presents a large number of Misvot, covering a very wide range of topics. This Parasha begins with G-d instructing Moshe to present these commands “El Kol Adat Beneh Yisrael” – “to the entire...
The middle brachos of the Shemone Esrei are the petitions that we ask Hashem for the full gamut of our needs. The first petition, for knowledge, starts in a peculiar way. It is the only bracha of...
A Degenerate Sanctioned by Torah Four Mitzvos and a Slice of Fish In a small town in Eastern Europe, a poor beggar once approached the home of an extremely wealthy but very stingy man. “Sir, I haven’t had...
Shaving on Friday when Erev Shavuos etc. is Sunday. When either Rosh Chodesh Sivan, the first day of the three preparation days before Shavuos, or Erev Shavuos falls out on Sunday, shaving is permitted on Erev Shabbos even for those who...
Spring allergy season typically starts around Pesach and extends into mid- July. Pollinating trees usually mark the start of spring allergy season. A sensitivity to pollen causes the body to produce an abundance of allergic antibodies. These reactions can lead to various...
The prophet Yehezkel called for the people in his generation to repent with the words, V’shuvu V’chayu– “Repent and live!” On the basis of this pasuk, the Talmud Yerushalmi makes the following fascinating remark: “evil people are considered...
This week is the First yahrtzeit of your brother-in-law, Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein zt”l. Is there someting you would like to say? What can I say that has not been said? The message...
How many people do you know who fast on the 20th of Sivan? The likely answer is zero. It is not one of the minor fast days, and obviously not Tisha...
We all know that on Pesach we say Hamotzi on the Matzah, but does that apply after Pesach as well, or perhaps a different Bracha is recited? The Gemara (מב א ,ברכות (explains that one should say Hamotzi and...