Olami rabbis seeking a new compelling way to engage their students this Tisha B’Av can turn to Rabbi Michoel Gros’ Talmud shiur on Understanding the Story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza. Beginning on the bottom of Gittin daf 55b, the Gemara recounts several tragedies at the time of the destruction of the second Beis HaMikdosh.... Read more »
This essay is Part Two of a three-part series on “Understanding and Accepting Nechama.” Click here to read Part One. Rav Moshe Weinberger, based on an essay from Rav Kluger, explained the meaning of nechama: “A family was sitting shiva for their loved ones that had died in a terrible accident. They were trying to think... Read more »
It’s never a good time to prospect for new donors. Or, at least, it never feels like a good time. The economy’s down. You don’t have any recent events or accomplishments to show off. Your prospect doesn’t have openings for in-person meetings, and you’re worried a phone call just won’t cut it. But here’s a... Read more »
“And behold it was very good.” This is the yetzer hara (the bad inclination) … [For] without the yetzer hara, a person would not build a home or marry a woman; he would neither have children nor engage in business. Midrash Rabbah Genesis (9:7) The deepest part of us — our souls — genuinely wants... Read more »
When my chavrusah was a kid, he used to ask his parents for things. Fancy this, cool that, you name it.When it got too much, they would try to turn off the requests by quoting Mishlei: “Sonei matanos yichyeh,” “He who hates gifts shall live.”His response (smart kid): “Yeah, but the person who loves gifts will REALLY... Read more »
Do you have “fluffy-idea antennae?” When you hear something beautiful and inspiring, is there a sensor in your mind that occasionally sends you the message, “Sounds nice, but beware lack of depth?” Some of us might have gotten that sense after reading last week’s email. We may have been thinking, “It’s really nice to talk... Read more »
The Rebbe Story Who will inherit the dynasty? There was once a Chassidic Rebbe who was the leader of a large community. He had three sons, each one of them posing an important quality. One was the eldest; another, the biggest scholar; and the third, the most charismatic. It was understood that upon the Rebbe’s... Read more »
This essay and source sheets are from the book, “The Encyclopedia of Jewish Values” published by Urim, and the forthcoming book, “The Encyclopedia of Jewish Values: Man to G-d Issues and Rituals.” This essay is not intended as a source of practical halachic (legal) rulings. For matters of halachah, please consult a qualified posek (rabbi).... Read more »
Korach is the paradigm of a machlokes not for the sake of Heaven. At first glance it is shocking to think that a Jewish leader of Korach’s stature would be the archetype of leadership gone awry. Unfortunately, it is a recurring theme in Sefer
הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, עֲשֵׂה רְצוֹנוֹ כִּרְצוֹנֶךָ, כְּדֵי שֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂה רְצוֹנְךָ כִּרְצוֹנוֹ. בַּטֵּל רְצוֹנְךָ מִפְּנֵי רְצוֹנוֹ, כְּדֵי שֶׁיְּבַטֵּל רְצוֹן אֲחֵרִים מִפְּנֵי רְצוֹנֶךָ. (אבות ב:ד) We previously learned about the importance of our intentions. The Mishnah in the beginning of the second perek of Avot relates to another aspect of our psyche — our will. He (Rabban Gamliel... Read more »
