A true story that happened on the Chanukah Holiday in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. The Grand Rabbi, the Bobover Rebbe risked his life to light the Chanukah candles for the Jews in his camp. On the first night, as he was about to say the 3rd blessing of ‘Shehechiyanu’, he hesitated. Later the people asked him what was this hesitation all about? Rabbi Aaron Pessin shares the story and lesson that we can learn from it
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In the Torah portion of Chukat we read about the song that the Jewish people sung in celebration and thanksgiving for the well that followed them and provided water for them, through out their journey in the desert – however, there is another place in the Torah when the Jews also sing a song of Thanks to God, but there is a difference in the wording of these 2 verses. Why is that? Rabbi Ari Enkin shares the lesson.
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The Talmud from over 2000 years ago tells a fascinating story about Rabbah bar bar Hana, who was on a boat in the ocean, and happened upon an island. Little did he know, that this island was the back of a giant fish. They stopped the boat for a break, and took out a barbecue to cook some food. The heat from the fire triggered the fish, and it flipped over. Had it not been for the boat near by, they would have drowned. The Netivot HaMishpat, (a great Rabbi from around 250 years ago) explains the parable to be referring to what will be when the Jews finally make their return to Israel, the land of Israel…
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The Jewish holiday of Lag Ba’Omer is perhaps the most popular day for weddings…but, can we find a hint to this in the Torah? Rabbi Aaron Pessing shares some sources and a gematria which allude to weddings on Lag BaOmer.
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How long until you’re successful? Well, if you are like many other people out there, then you’ve got these grand visions of what you want to create. Often what happens is that we get upset and frustrated because we are so far from where we want to be. However, in Judaism we have a special day called Shabbat. Rabbi Jacob Rupp reveals one of the core concepts of Shabbat which brings success closer than we thought.
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An Orthodox Jewish student (a friend of Rabbi Alpren – who is telling the story) was studying to be a psychiatrist in the USA, and at the end of the year, the university had brought in a number of different specialists in alternative medicines and various healing techniques to share their knowledge and experiences with the class. For a series of about 3 final lectures, they brought in a Witch, who was apparently involved in black magic. Everything was going fine, but she would not make eye contact with the Orthodox Jew, until one day…
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In the Torah Portion of Ki Tavo we learn about the offering of the first fruits. The farmer would bring his first fruits as an offering to G-d. The rich man and poor man alike would bring the fruits in a basket or platter. Yet, the poor man’s basket was taken by the priest and not returned , while the rich man’s platter was returned. Why does the poor man have to lose his basket as part of the offering while the rich man gets to keep his? What is G-d telling us by this? Rabbi Ari Enkin shares an insight…
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In the Torah Portion of Ki Tetze we read the verses regarding ‘a beautiful woman who is captured at war’ (Known as ‘Isha Yifat To’ar ‘- In Hebrew) and right after that passage, the Torah discusses the laws of the rebellious son who, if guilty, must be put to death. Why are these two uncomfortable scenarios presented next to each other? What lesson is the Torah teaching us, through bringing these two passages together? Rabbi Ari Enkin shares an insight…
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Where does this idea of a flag come from? Over 3000 years ago throughout the Jewish People’s travels in the desert, we learn that every tribe of Israel had their own flag. There are also sources that the Angels who came down to the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai also held flags. What is this all about?
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An Incredible story of an IDF veteran who went on a trip to the African jungles with some friends after[…]
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