Phantom of the Word
(Torah Portion Devorim) Phantom of the Word The fifth book of the Torah is called Devorim – Words, which refers to the words of encouragement, direction, blessings and reprimand that Moshe delicately and expressively offered to the Jewish people at the end of his life. We are currently in the period of mourning over the …
Every Step You Take
(Torah Portion Vaeschanan) Every Step You Take Do you ever wonder if what we do spiritually really makes a difference? Let me share with you a fascinating incident recorded in the Book of Kings and expounded upon in the Talmud and commentaries, which conveys to us that every minute step we take in the right …
120 Days in Heaven!
(Torah Portion Eikev) 120 Days in Heaven! At the end of his life Moshe recounted what occurred following G-d’s Revelation at Mount Sinai. He related that he remained on top of the mountain in the heavenly spheres for forty days and forty nights, studying the Torah from G-d and preparing to descend with the stones …
Expression of Grief
(Torah Portion Re’eh) Expression of Grief The Torah prohibits certain expressions of mourning such as making a cut in one’s body as a sign of mourning, as it says, “You are children of G-d, do not cut yourselves, nor tear out the hair between your eyes over a death.” Yet in contrast, there is a …
Conscious About Guilt
(Torah Portion Shoftim) Conscious About Guilt King David writes in the Book of Psalms, “G-d is close to all those who call upon Him sincerely.” Rabbi Mattisyahu Solomon asks an obvious question: “If one is calling out to G-d, isn’t he naturally calling out sincerely. What does King David mean by, G-d listens – to …
Peace and Blessings at Home
(Torah Portion Ki Seitzai) Peace and Blessings at Home A person once confided to a friend that his marriage had become a bit strained. His friend advised him to seek marriage counseling, which he refused to entertain. His friend then recommended that he go to the great and pious Rabbi Yaacov Yisroel Kanievsky, the Steipler …
Joyful Celebration
(Torah Portion Ki Savo) Joyful Celebration In the early 1900’s in Newark, New Jersey, a very wealthy businessman’s mother passed away. After the burial, he returned to her house to sit Shiva. The next morning, he felt it impossible to stay away from the office for the week, and wished to head to work. However, …
Tradition, Tradition!
(Torah Portion Nitzavim/VaYailech) Tradition, Tradition! The Talmud records a conversation between the Romans and Rebbe Yehoshua. The Romans asked: “From where in the Written Torah do we see that G-d will bring the dead alive and that G-d knows the future?” Rebbe Yehoshua answered, that both are hinted at in a verse in this week’s …
