Divrei Torah
World Siyum in Belarus Highlights The Eternity of Torah and Klal Yisrael
One of the only countries in the world that Hashem has spared from corona celebrates Siyum Hashas.
“I looked at the orchestra and had to rub my eyes. Was I dreaming? We were in the middle of a festive Siyum HaShas and the orchestra playing lively Yiddishe niggunim was the orchestra
Rabbi Hershel Schachter, Shlita, Issues Piskei Halacha on Coronavirus Issues
Over the last two weeks, Rabbi Hershel Schachter, rosh yeshiva at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University, where he has been teaching for more than 50 years, has been asked multiple complex halachic questions. As a result, he has issued at least 10 public piskei halacha (Jewish law decisions) in relation to
Corona Diary #2 : Praying for Jews and Praying for Humans
By Rabbi Moshe Taragin
During the past few weeks, we have all prayed as never before. Most of us have been unable to attend our normal houses of prayer. Nonetheless, the level of fervor and passion with which we pray is unprecedented.
Facing this global pandemic, we pray in a universal manner—for humanity at large. This pandemic has highlighted
Coronavirus Diary Week #1
The current coronavirus crisis has toppled the world order, sent stock markets plummeting and has reshaped human consciousness. For many it is, and will remain, the most shocking event of their lifetimes. We certainly don’t know why God is challenging humanity, but we acknowledge that the crisis challenges us to reconsider our modern
The Month of Nissan: Learning From Our Previous Redemption
As I write this dvar Torah for the coming week, I don’t know what will be. Hopefully, we will all soon be together in Yerushalayim with Mashiach and the Beit Hamikdash rebuilt! It’s now the month of Nissan. It’s the month of miracles. Anything is possible.
Ninety years ago, when Rav Shimon Schwab
Talmudic Advice on Epidemics
While we have lived through multiple pandemics (SARS, Ebola, AIDS to name a few), most of us have not experienced it as personally and directly as we are with coronavirus. It is worthwhile to review what the Talmud teaches about living through an epidemic. We have to keep in mind that even in the times of the Gaonim, over a thousand years
Hashem Still Answers
It is known that as Jews we are stronger in numbers. We are supposed to be united and be a nation with one heart and when we are all united together Hashem hears and answers our tefillot. When a parent sees his children working together, how can he deny them. The parent is Hashem and us, the Jews, are his children.
HaGaon HaRav Shimon Galei With an Urgent Message of Chizuk, And the Imperative of Kabbolas Ol Torah in Times of Crisis
“Everything has changed, nothing is routine or normal in my life anymore,” said Moshe R*, a ben Torah from Brooklyn. “The bais medrash where I daven is closed, the bais medrash where I learn is closed, my workplace is closed, my children are home from school... The only thing that remains constant in my life is my Torah
The Crowning Glory of Shabbos
After Maariv on Motzei Shabbos, someone next to me said, “Oh good! Only six more days to Shabbos!” I thought that was so refreshing! A similar perspective comes from Rabbi Effy Buchwald, founder of NJOP. He runs a beginner’s program called “Turn your Friday night into Shabbat.” On the other hand, many people can’t wait until
Getting Our Money’s Worth
This week’s parsha discusses the idea of donations: “Take from yourselves an offering for the Lord; every generous-hearted person shall bring it—Hashem’s offering: gold, silver, and copper.” Rabbeinu Bachya in the beginning of the parsha discusses the idea of tzedakah, describing how while on one hand a part of us wants to refrain
How a Fly Changed History
In last week’s parsha, we read that a census would be taken by having the Jewish people donate a half shekel each. This would prevent a plague from taking place (Shemot 30:12.) Rashi explained that actually counting people, such as in the days of King David, would cause the influence of an evil eye to descend upon the people and
Paris Siyum on Brachos: Torah Never Stops, No Matter What
As someone who has covered many siyumim in various locations around the globe, I have been granted a unique bird’s-eye view into the unparalleled growth that has taken place from the previous Siyum Hashas cycle seven and half years ago to this one. But while there has been Torah growth everywhere, a revolution has just
