Keep It Honest
"Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When any man of you bringeth an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd or of the flock." The word used for “any Man’ in the Torah is ADAM. The usual noun used for man...
Choosing Your Grandfather
"He is a wise child who chooses a good grandfather." I recently spoke at a conference of baalei teshuvah. Someone came over and introduced himself to me as a great grandson of the Pnei Yehoshua. While in college he learned that he had such an illustrious grandfather....
Something to Smile About
The Torah recounts the reunion of Moses and his father-in-law Yisro. Moses tells him of all the wonderful miracles G-d has done for the Jews. In response the Torah tells us "Vayichad Yisro" (Exod. 18:9). Rashi gives 2 explanations for this phrase: (1) Yisro rejoiced...
Heroism
Some Talmudic history. When Rav Yehudah HaNasi died his son suggested that Rebbe Chanina become the new leader of Klal Yisroel. Rebbe Chanina declined. He knew that he had qualified colleagues that had their heart set on the top job. The last thing he wanted to do was...
You Go First!
G-d said, “…And also I heard the cries of the Children of Israel as they are slaves in Egypt; and I will remember My covenant.” G-d also heard! Who else is important? Who else can listen and answer our cries except G-d? Who else should hear our prayers? The answer is...
A Man Without A Name
In Australia I ran a beginners minyan. One Shabbos morning an older man came in. He wasn’t the usual type of attendee, he stood out. He was an old-timer, a European Jew During minyan he sat motionless in the back. It was a participatory Minyan, but he didn’t seem to...
Moshe – A Leader?
‘Anyone who has the humility of Moshe Rabeinu can also have his Torah.’ The more Moshe argued for his under-qualifications, the more God wanted him for the job. God didn’t want a politician. He wasn’t looking for a smooth talker. He wasn’t looking for someone who could work the crowd; He was looking for someone who could work his soul.
Don’t Hog The Blanket!
This Thursday we will commemorate the Tenth of Tevet. The day Nebuchadnezar began his occupation of Jerusalem. All the Jews had lived in the Land of Israel for eight hundred and fifty years. The Bais HaMikdash in Jerusalem, built by Shlomo HaMelech, was four hundred...
Become the Tzadik!
In honor of my Children Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch and Raizy Haber of Los Angeles, who gave birth to a baby boy last night. May all their children walk in the light of Hashem with health and happiness. I marvel at the story of the great Talmudic sage, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi....