Festivals
PARSHAS TOLDOS 5778
There is a universal question on this week’s parsha. We see in the beginning of the parsha how Yaakov had to obtain the brachos through trickery. In addition, we wonder why was it that Yaakov wanted to confer the brochos on Eisav when in fact we see that Yaakov followed…
Psalms Chapter 4
To the chief Musician for stringed instruments, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. O you sons of men, how long will you turn my glory…
Psalm 116
“Kos Yeshuos Esah U’Bshaim Hashem Ekra” “I will raise the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Hashem” (Tehilim 116) The Talmud (Pesachim 119b) teaches that God will host a special banquet as a reward for the righteous. It will be called the Banquet of Loving-Kindness. After…
Although we are told that all prayers are answered
Although we are told that all prayers are answered, it seems to us that many requests remain unfulfilled. Though tefilos (prayers) are never rejected, this does not mean that Hashem complies with our total request. He may answer it only partially, or sometimes put it aside, for Hashem knows what…
IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOU!
The B’nei Yissachar (Rabbi Zvi Elimelech Shapiro of Dynov, 1783-1841) writes that upon uttering H-shem’s name in the Mussaf prayer on Rosh Chodesh of each month which ends “Blessed are you H-shem, Who sanctifies Israel and the New Moons.”, one should concentrate on a specific word combination taken from particular…
Prayer’s Purpose
Imagine Adam HaRishon opening his eyes for the very first time. How do we picture it? He sees a beautifull lush garden, a panop1y of color, a gorgeous array of flowers, vegetation, and trees. The first moment of man is a visual delight, a celebration of existence. Wrong! Let’s try…