Monthly Archives: July 2011
The Sons of Noah
On our daf, Rav Acha bar Yaakov notes that the rule of Reish Lakish leads us to a fascinating situation. The Jewish people have a law of shechita, and the meat of an animal is permitted to be eaten as … Continue reading
I’ll Get By With a Little Help
Welcome to today’s “bonus” meditation. Teshuvas Torah L’Shmah was asked whether a person who would not be able to concentrate while davening (praying) should daven or not. Seemingly, if he will not be able to concentrate he should be exempt … Continue reading
Masei: In the Desert
The Torah portion Masei begins by stating: “These are the journeys of the Children of Israel who left Egypt..” (Numbers 33:1) The Torah then goes on to recount all the places where the Jews resided during their 40-year trek from … Continue reading
Within the Sound of Silence
A parable: A father answers the questions of his child and they are happy together, in joyful dialogue. Then the child asks a question, and the father must think deeply—not just for the answer, but to reach to the essence … Continue reading
Light in the Darkness
As impossible as it sounds, as absurd as it may seem: The mandate of darkness is to become light; the mandate of a busy, messy world is to find oneness. We have proof: for the greater the darkness becomes and … Continue reading
Broken
A certain man was profoundly depressed. He perceived his many flaws and failings and they pained him, but he did not feel confident that he could atone for them. How could he possibly rectify such serious wrongs? When Rav Yissachar … Continue reading
Gateway to Eden
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to … Continue reading
Days of Mourning
During the 3 weeks from 17 Tammuz leading up to Tisha B’Av, the 9th of Av, the Jewish people mourn the loss of the Holy Temple. The Talmud attributes this loss to the prevalence of Sinas Chinam, baseless hatred, among … Continue reading
Finding Freedom
Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. … Continue reading
The Side of Merit
Judge every man to the side of merit. -Ethics of our Fathers 1:6 On the most elementary level, this means that if you discern a negative trait in your fellow or you see him commit a negative act, do not … Continue reading
