Rabbi Asher Resnick

Three Essential Prerequisites First — Definition of Yissurim The Hebrew word yissurim deals with the classical theological and philosophical issue — “Why do bad things happen to good people?” and “Why do good things happen to bad people?”While yissurim is often translated as “suffering,” if we examine a verse in the Torah containing the word... Read more »

Rabbi Asher Resnick initially addressed how we are meant to relate to communal challenges in an earlier essay, “Understanding Communal Difficulties & Challenges – Part I” that is found here. We now continue with Part II… Rambam on the Mitzvat Asei (Positive Commandment) of Tza’akah (Crying out to G-d) While the Rambam and the Ramban argue about the mitzvah of tefillah (prayer),... Read more »

Respond to the “coronavirus plague” and work on Yirat Shamayim (fear of Heaven) by making sure to say at least 100 brachot every single day by clicking on this chart. The Significance of 100 Brachot (Blessings) Every Single Day In the days of David HaMelech, there was a terrible plague afflicting the Jewish nation,

When we speak about yissurim (difficulties and challenges), we usually think about their impact and their justice in terms of individuals, as in the famous question — Lamah yeish tzadik v’ra lo? — Why do the righteous suffer? But, of course, just like there are yissurim for individuals, there are also yissurim

Why call it “Anti-Semitism”? Let’s begin by focusing on the term “anti-Semitism” itself. Why do we need a specific term for hatred against the Jews?

The Yom Tovim we just experienced are filled with so much simcha (joy). Where does that, however, leave those who have gone through, or are currently going through serious and painful life challenges? This article addresses this issue from classical Torah sources.

Viduy, confession, is an integral part of the Yom Kippur service; we say it each of the five times we pray the Shemoneh Esrei on Yom Kippur, both in the individual Shemoneh Esrei (at the end) and in the repetition of each Shemoneh Esrei (in the middle) by

This essay is a continuation of Rabbi Resnick’s first essay on “Appreciating the Benefits of Difficulties & Challenges.” Yissurim weaken our attachment to physicality, to purify us in preparation for Olam Haba (the World to Come). The Gemara Brachot (5a) discussed a sequence of three ways to understand and relate to Yissurim: First, one should examine his deeds;... Read more »

Every Shabbat we request from G-d in our davening (prayers): Sab’einu mituvecha v’samcheinu bishuatecha — Satisfy us from Your goodness, and give us simcha (joy or happiness) with Your salvation. These words seem quite puzzling. If something is from G-d’s own good, then why do we need to ask G-d to “satisfy” us? Won’t that happen automatically? And if what... Read more »

Pesach is probably the most widely known of all of the Jewish holidays. And if we would ask people what is its central theme, almost everyone would give the same answer — freedom. After all, the central focus of the holiday is the journey of the Jewish people from slavery to freedom.

Pages By: Rabbi Asher Resnick

Pain Is a Reality, Suffering Is a Choice – Why Painful Things Happen to Good People

Understanding Communal Difficulties & Challenges – Part II

Responding to Difficulties with a 100 Blessing Chart

Understanding Communal Difficulties & Challenges – Part I

What Makes Anti-Semitism So Distinctive?

Maintaining Simcha within Painful Difficulties

Fully Translated Text of Viduy

Appreciating the Benefits of Difficulties & Challenges – Part 2

Appreciating the Benefits of Difficulties & Challenges – Part 1

Passover and Freedom (Pesach and Cherut)

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