Rosh Hashana — A Time to Party!
Rabbi Zvi Teichman We stand poised once again to celebrate the anniversary of Man’s creation and to contemplate how well we are living up to the task of restoring his former stature. We face the reality that we have certainly come up short on many accounts, despite many noteworthy accomplishments, and we still have quite […]
Rosh Hashana
Rabbi Berel Wein Rosh Hashana marks the beginning of a reflective period in the Jewish calendar year. At one and the same time, we look back at the accomplishments and failures of the past year and we also look forward to our lives and hoped-for achievements in the coming good year now dawning upon us. […]
Parshas Nitzavim-Vayelech
Rabbi Berel Wein He harkens back to the covenant of remembrance as being the instrument of his continuing presence throughout all of Jewish history. Parshas Nitzavim-Vayelech These final parshiyot of the Torah always coincide with the approaching end of the old year and the beginning of the new year. This is in line with the […]
Wheel Of Fortune
Rabbi Zvi Teichman Once again Rosh Hashana is approaching. Most people as they return to this point in our yearly cycle feel a sense of ‘here we go again’. We have been here before and we are right back where we started from. Looking back, we do not necessarily feel we are in a much […]
Parshas Ki Savo
Rabbi Berel Wein The explicit descriptions of the disasters, personal and national, that make up a large portion of this week’s parsha raise certain issues. Why do Moshe and the Torah paint such a harsh and unforgiving picture of the Jewish future before the people? And if we expect people to glory in their Jewishness, […]
Parshas Ki Teitzei
Rabbi Berel Wein The idea of the necessity of a fence on one’s roof and exposed staircases and high landings is a very logical and realistic one. The Torah itself advances this simple reasoning by stating that otherwise one may fall from that exposed area with painful if not tragic consequences. Halacha and practicality indicate […]
Parshas Shoftim
Rabbi Berel Wein This week’s parsha emphasizes, albeit in an indirect fashion, the litigious nature of human society and the requirement for the appointment of judges to decide disputes and for police to enforce those decisions. A perfect world needs no judges or courts, police or bailiffs. Our very imperfect world cannot reasonably hope to […]
Take Control
Rabbi Zvi Teichman The great Rebbe, Reb Zusha of Anipoli, upon observing one of his disciples tearfully inspired towards repentance, felt suddenly inadequate as he had yet to repent and emote similar fervor. In anguish he turned his eyes towards heaven expressing, “Oy Gutt, teshuva is such an elevated goal, yet it is so difficult […]
Parshas Re’eh
Rabbi Berel Wein In this week’s parsha, the Torah continues with the theme that runs through the previous parshiyot of Devarim, that we are always faced with stark choices in life – either blessings or curses, good or evil. The words of the Torah seemingly offer little option for middle ground on these basic issues […]
The Whole Truth, and Nothing but The Truth
And it will be, if you hearken to My commandments that I command you this day to love the Lord, your God… Each day we recite this paragraph which reiterates the obligation to love G-d. Rashi adds on this directive, לאהבה את ד, to love the Lord : You should not say: I will learn […]