What is a Friend?
“…Judah went up to Timnah to his sheepshearers, together with his friend Chirah the Adullamite.” (Bereishis 38:12) One of the most cherished possessions that a person could have is a good friend. It would be appropriate to mention here the saying, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” But [...]
Response-able
“But they answered, “Should our sister be treated like a harlot?” (Bereishis 34:31) Hishtadlus is one of the most important things in all the activities that Jews do, whether it is getting a good chavrusa, finding a wife, or getting a job. We have an obligation to make the best [...]
True Reward
“…that you will not do us harm, just as we have not mistreated you but have always dealt kindly with you and sent you away in peace. From now on, be you blessed of Hashem!” (Bereishis 26:29) Avimelech tells Yitzchak that he is expected not to do any harm to [...]
And the Winner is…
Abraham accepted Ephron’s terms. Abraham paid out to Ephron the money that he had given as a price in front of the Hittites—four hundred shekels of silver at the going merchants’ rate. (Bereishis 23:16) The Medrash tells us that one of the ways the blessing given to Avraham avinu (that [...]
Beyond Reason
The Gemara continues to discuss the sins of the people of Sodom: They had beds on which they would lay their guests; when a guest was longer than the bed, they would cut him (to size), and when a guest was shorter than the bed they would stretch him. Eliezer, [...]
Beauty in the Eyes of the Beholder
“As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are.” (Bereishis 12:11) “…Abraham did not even look at his own wife, as it is written: “Now I know that you are a beautiful woman” (Genesis 12:11). One may learn [...]
Greatness
“…Noach was a righteous man…” (Bereishis 6:9) The gemora (Sanhedrin 108a) tells us about a disagreement regarding Noach’s righteousness. If he had lived in the generation of Avraham, would he have been considered insignificant compared to the giants of Avraham’s time, or would he have been considered even more righteous [...]
Resolve or Dissolve 5785
“…but as for the tree of knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat of it; for as soon as you eat of it, you shall surely die.” (Bereishis 2:17) The source verse above was said by Hashem to Adam Harishon. To me, this seems to indicate that the [...]
The Great Outdoors
But Jacob journeyed on to Succot and built a house for himself and made sukkos for his cattle; that is why the place was called Sukkos. (Bereishis 33:17) The Torah tells us that when Yaakov left Lavan’s house on his way back to Eretz Yisrael, he stopped and built himself [...]
Always a Winner
Aseres yemei teshuva, which culminates on Yom Kippur, brings hope to some, and despair to others. The optimists say, “This year will be the year that I, with Hashem’s help, will turn things around!” The pessimists say, “It hasn’t happened until now, so why should I be able to turn [...]
Sweet Revenge
O nations, acclaim God’s people! For He’ll avenge the blood of His servants, wreak vengeance on His foes, and cleanse His people’s land. (Devarim 32:43) In Avinu Malkeinu we say נקם נקמת דם עבדיך השפוך (avenge the spilled blood of Your servants). While this prayer might be appropriate at certain [...]
Though I Fell, I Will Rise
“And it will be…he will bless himself in his heart saying – Peace will be with me, though I walk as my heart sees fit…HASHEM will not be willing to forgive him…” (Devarim 29:18-19) Parents often tell their children, “If you behave properly, then you will get a very special [...]
An A For Effort
“The priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down in front of the altar of Hashem your G-d. (Devarim 26:4) The Mishnah in Bikurim (3:8) tells us that the rich people brought their first fruits in baskets woven from gold and silver, while the poor people [...]
Forwards, Backwards
When you [an Israelite warrior] take the field against your enemies, and your God delivers them into your hand and you take some of them captive (Devarim 21:10) Rashi: Scripture is speaking here of a war that is not obligatory upon the Israelites… Rashi tells us that it is only [...]
You Can Do It Too
A prophet from your midst, from your brothers, like me, shall Hashem establish for you, to him you shall hearken. (Devarim 18:15) I have a close friend who is an exceptional Talmud chacham. As a child he played ball and had fun like everyone else, and was “one of the [...]
A Relatively Long Trip
“And if the road will be too long for you, so that you cannot carry it, because the place that Hashem, Your G-d will choose to place His name there, is far from you, for Hashem, your G-d will have blessed you.” (Devarim 14:24) The Torah tells us that one [...]
The Real Value of Mitzvos
“This shall be the reward when you hearken to these ordinances…” (Devarim 7:12) Rashi: If even the lighter commands which a person usually treads on with his heels (i.e. which a person is inclined to treat lightly), he will hearken to. Chazal tell us that the mitzvos referred to are [...]
Building on the Rubble
You shall love Hashem your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Devarim 6:5) The Torah tells us that we are obligated to serve Hashem with our hearts and our souls. This mitzvah is referred to in general as “Ahavas Hashem”. Aside [...]