Great Aspirations – the nature of marriage
R’ Shamshon Refael Hirsch relates a concept where the first use of something in the Torah enlightens how it is used everywhere else. He cites the blessing by a Pidyon Haben as an example; זה קטן, גדול...
View ArticleBenefiting from Miracles
R’ Chaim Brisker wonders how the jug of oil the Hasmoneans found in the Chanukah story was suitable for use beyond the first day. It wasn’t natural olive oil after the first day – it was the product of...
View ArticleWhy did G-d “relent” to Isaac and Rivka’s prayers?
When it was clear that they would be unable to have children, Isaac and Rivka prayed, and the Torah says: “וַיֶּעְתַּר יִצְחָק לַיהוָה לְנֹכַח אִשְׁתּוֹ, כִּי עֲקָרָה הִו וַיֵּעָתֶר לוֹ ה – And Isaac...
View ArticleTorah: A mother’s duty
As Esav caught up to Yakov, he did not attack, and the two brothers conversed: וַיִּשָּׂא אֶת עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא אֶת הַנָּשִׁים וְאֶת הַיְלָדִים וַיֹּאמֶר מִי אֵלֶּה לָּךְ וַיֹּאמַר הַיְלָדִים אֲשֶׁר...
View ArticleEverything happens for a reason
Whilst imprisoned, Yosef predicted his fellow inmate, the butler’s redemption and restoration to office. He requested not be forgotten: כִּי אִם זְכַרְתַּנִי אִתְּךָ כַּאֲשֶׁר יִיטַב לָךְ וְעָשִׂיתָ...
View ArticleIs there a hidur mitzva after the mitzva is done?
There is a concept called hidur mitzva, which means that we enhance mitzvos we do to make them beautiful. Examples of this principle include using beautiful esrogim on Succos, using larger tefillin and...
View ArticleAramaic with a Kittel
We begin the story telling aspect of the Seder, Magid, with a short prayer, הא לחמא עניא – This is poor man’s bread… But next year, may we have liberty in Jerusalem. It is classically understood that...
View ArticleWhat’s the egg on the Seder plate for?
On the Seder plate, there is a designated section for an egg. All the sections have a more obvious role; but the egg’s place is less clear. The Ishbitzer teaches that the egg is symbolic of the nascent...
View ArticleConcession
When it was clear that they would be unable to have children, Yitzchak and Rivka prayed: ‘וַיֶּעְתַּר יִצְחָק לַה’ לְנֹכַח אִשְׁתּוֹ, כִּי עֲקָרָה הִו וַיֵּעָתֶר לוֹ ה – Yitzchak begged the Lord for...
View ArticleIs There A Hidur Mitzva After The Mitzva Is Done?
There is a concept called hidur mitzva, which means that we enhance mitzvos we do to make them beautiful. Examples of this principle include using beautiful esrogim on Succos, using larger tefillin and...
View ArticleThe Egg On The Seder Plate
On the Seder plate, there is a designated section for an egg. All the sections have a more obvious role; but the egg’s place is less clear. The Ishbitzer teaches that the egg is symbolic of the nascent...
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