Regarding the case of the Aguna of Vilna I see you are leaning toward stringency. You feel the woman should not remarry. The reason you are leaning this way is because you are not here. You do not hear the crying of this woman nor do you see her tears. If I would be...
The Nachas Vacuum
Moshe was eighty years old. He was commanded to become the leader of the Jewish Nation. G-d determined that he had what it takes to be the greatest Jewish leader of all times. Yet, he insisted on the approval of his older brother Aharon. Let's take a closer look....
The Merkaz HaRav Shiva is Over
Remember how you felt when you first heard that Yeshiva students from Merkaz HaRav were brutally murdered last week in Jerusalem? Have you calmed down? Tens of young boys just returned from the Kotel where they went to recite the Yom Kippur Kattan prayers. They were...
The Merkaz HaRav Shiva is Over
Our reaction to Mercaz Harav massacre. What Amalek did to us. Have we gotten used to the idea?
Teruma – Finding Our Purpose in Life
Whatever happened to Betzalel? The Talmud tells a story. Rabbi Tarphon was ill and his very important friends, Rabbi Akiva, Rabban Gamliel and others, came to visit. They met his mother at the door crying. She pleaded with the Tzaddikim to “please pray for her son...
What happened to Moshe’s Children?
There is an interesting story told in the Book of Judges, Chapter 17. Someone by the name of Michiyahu founded an idolatrous cult. He had an idol and built a temple for this purpose. He sought someone with leadership qualities, charisma and spirituality to lead his...
Rise to the Call (2006)
Perhaps our minds are clouded by our idea of what we should become, and G-d's idea just gets in the way. Whatever happened to Betzalel? The Talmud tells a story. Rabbi Tarphon was ill and his very important friends, Rabbi Akiva, Rabban Gamliel and others, came to...
What Is Your Purpose? (2004)
Perhaps our minds are clouded by our idea of what we should become, and G-d's idea just gets in the way. Whatever happened to Betzalel? The Talmud tells a story. Rabbi Tarphon was ill and his very important friends, Rabbi Akiva, Rabban Gamliel and others, came to...
Rise to the Call (2006)
Perhaps our minds are clouded by our idea of what we should become, and G-d's idea just gets in the way. Whatever happened to Betzalel? The Talmud tells a story. Rabbi Tarphon was ill and his very important friends, Rabbi Akiva, Rabban Gamliel and others, came to...
Connecting with Jerusalem (2005)
When in the synagogue we are the nerve endings of Yerushalayim. The book of Shmos tells a forty year story of the Jewish people. In this story, we grew from humble beginnings as slaves in Egypt to a Kingdom of Priests and a holy nation. The story culminates with the...
What Is Your Purpose? (2004)
Perhaps our minds are clouded by our idea of what we should become, and G-d's idea just gets in the way. Whatever happened to Betzalel? The Talmud tells a story. Rabbi Tarphon was ill and his very important friends, Rabbi Akiva, Rabban Gamliel and others, came to...
Jerusalem Needs A Hug (2004)
Every stone in Yerushalayim wants to be hugged. The Eastern gates to the Courtyard of the Beis HaMikdash in Jerusalem were called "Shaarei Nikoner" or the gates of Nikoner. They were beautiful bronzed structures that greeted the guests as they arrived from all over...
Darkness
Sometimes we are so preoccupied with our suffering that we don't realize we are causing pain to others. "What time can I daven in the morning? It seems to get light so late!" There are a number of answers to this question. If you are one of the 38% of those privileged...
Parshas Vaeira 2002
"I have come to set you free! G-d has made me a messenger to facilitate the Geula!" But the hopeful and encouraging words of Moshe fell flat. "They did not listen to Moshe because of shortness of breath, kotzer ruach, and because of strenuous work" What is this...
Terumah 5761 / 2001
When Yerushalayim was destroyed and we once again had to take up the wanderer's staff, wherever we went we never forfeited our spiritual centers. As soon as we were able to rest our feet we built a synagogue. That Shul became a mikdash m'at. The whole life of the Jew,...
Parshas Yisro 5761 / 2001
A serious change took place with the Jewish people. When in Egypt, Moshe observed that the people he was to lead were a difficult people. He saw Jews beating each other and informing on each other. He was frustrated by how they didn't get along, and complained to...
Parshas Bo 5761
In Kabbalah there is a concept called "awakening from above" and there is another concept called "awakening from below". "Awakening from below" means that sometimes we, down here, can take an action that prompts G-d above to react. What triggered the Exodus from...
Parshas Vaeira 2001
We must never let ourselves get old. We must never get stuck.
Ki Sisa 2000
There were at least two million Jews traveling together with Moshe in the desert. Amongst them were relatives of Moshe, Kohanim and elders. Yet almost from nowhere rose a protégé to Moshe called Yehoshua. Yehoshua was at Moshes' side at all times. He led Moshe's war...
Parshas Tezavah 2000
Last Saturday night I was dancing under the stars in Jacksonville, Florida. As I whirled around in a circle I admired the beautiful fountain on one side of the garden and the gorgeous illuminated stained glass windows towering over us on my other side. For twenty...
Parshas Bo 5760
I’d like to quote the words of the great Gaon and Tzadik Rav Chaim of Valozhin in a letter he wrote to one of the great poskim of his generation. "Regarding the case of the Aguna of Vilna… I see you are leaning toward stringency. You feel the woman should not remarry....
What Went Wrong at Sinai?
Parshas Terumah 5749 / 1989
Do not be Happy with your Lot
We should never be satisfied with our spiritual attainments, but strive to improve them