There is a halachah which, at first glance, does not seem to have any practical relevance to us, but in truth, as the Vilna Gaon explained, conveys a vitally important lesson for each and every person. The halachah...
Parshas Behar contains both the mitzvah of the Shmitah [Sabbatical] year and the mitzvah of the Yovel [Jubilee] year. The Yovel year follows seven of the seven- year Shmitah cycles. This 50th year was basically an extra year of...
As we draw nearer to the conclusion of our countdown of sefira, our thoughts are turning more and more to the culmination of these seven weeks of waiting, namely Shavuos. And as we make our preparations for the...
Tzaddikim said that the preparation for a mitzvah is greater than the performance of the mitzvah. Proof of this concept is that Chazal (Tanchuma, Emor 2) tell us that the four days after Yom Kippur, we don’t have any aveiros....
Is one allowed to have dairy meals on Yom Tov? When the Beis Hamikdash stood, the mitzvah of Simchas Yom Tov (Rejoicing on Yom Tov) was fulfilled by partaking of the Korban Shelamim. However, when there is no Beis...
Years ago, someone gave me a Tony Robbins cd to listen to. I was excited to hear what one of the most inspirational people of modern times would have to say and how it could change...
This past week, tens of thousands in Israel received the message from the IDF that they are being called up, yet again, not for a few days, but for several weeks or months. Children will have to adjust...
The following article addresses an issue raised regarding a popular song about Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, often sung on Lag BaOmer. As with previous articles—such as the discussion on the song “I Will Always Have Only Good” and...
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I started dating a wonderful man in the autumn and things were all falling into place. I was so excited for our future to begin together. We were...
Lag B’omer Lag B’omer is a day which people celebrate with great simcha and joy. What is the reason for this great celebration? When does it start? At night or by day? Why do so many people go to Meron...