From Day One Hashem put the world He created in man’s hands. He fashioned man in His own image and gave him the ability and

In Bava Batra 90b, fourth-generation Rav Pappa bar Shmuel instituted a measure of three kefiza. His rabbinic colleagues object to him saying that this conflicts

לעילוי נשמת יואל אפרים בן אברהם עוזיאל זלצמן ז”ל Question: When do we say that thinking or doing things that indicate the end of a

The location of Har Gerizim and Har Eival would seem to be rather straightforward—and not just because there are mountains with those names in Israel

Teshuva, repentance is about returning to God after sin. However, it is not enough to change yourself. You also have to attempt to undo your

Parshat Ki Tavo This haftarah—the 60th perek of sefer Yishayahu—is one of complete nechama, a chapter of total solace and consolation and includes the following

It is the custom within the community of Klal Yisroel to light a yahrzeit candle on the day that a relative has passed away. This

יִפְתַּח יְדוָד  לְךָ אֶת־אוֹצָרוֹ הַטּוֹב אֶת־הַשָּׁמַיִם לָתֵת מְטַר־אַרְצְךָ בְּעִתּוֹ וּלְבָרֵךְ אֵת כׇּל־מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶךָ וְהִלְוִיתָ גּוֹיִם רַבִּים וְאַתָּה לֹא תִלְוֶה׃ One of the brachos written in our

Sometimes, it’s the simplest events that leave the greatest impressions. Several summers ago, a camper crossed the line and needed to be disciplined. I was

Bikkurim carries the important theme of gratitude. When the farmer would give his first fruits to the Kohen, he would pronounce a meaningful declaration acknowledging

I. The Cause of His Leaving Spain In 1263, when Nachmanides debated Pablo Christiani, Nachmanides was coerced to participate. But he was promised by the

 Parshat Ki Tavo speaks of the curses and blessings awaiting Bnei Yisrael. While we all want blessings and would like no curse placed on us,