February 23, 2012

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OPENHANDEDNESS

This week’s Torah reading has Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses our Teacher) calling upon the Israelites to donate towards the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in the desert (Exodus 25:1-8). They responded by giving liberally. Each person gave as much as he wanted of what he had. Almost overnight, the Israelites donated more than enough of the … Continue Reading

February 23rd, 2012, In Parsha, Shemot, by

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Proud to be Jewish

Dvar Torah for Rosh HaShanah Proud to be Jewish We’re on the threshold of Rosh HaShanah, the Day of Judgment, when we’re scrutinized, weighed in the balance and then written down for a good year (hopefully), all in less time than it took to read this sentence. Rosh HaShanah is two days long not because … Continue Reading

September 26th, 2011, In Articles, Festivals, Inspiration, Pathways, by

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A Midrash for Monday (#10)

A Midrash for Monday “Appoint for yourselves judges and police in all your gates, for your tribes … They will judge the people mishpat tzedek (fairly; literally, with charitable justice)” (Deuteronomy 16:18). “In all your gates” means in every city. “For your tribes” teaches us that even if all the people in the city are … Continue Reading

August 29th, 2011, In Articles, Devarim, Parsha, by

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A Midrash for Monday

A Midrash for Monday “When God your Lord will expand your borders…” (Deuteronomy 12:20). This relates to the verse (Proverbs 18:16), “A person’s gift expands him.” When a person is generous, God gives him greatness. There’s a story about Avun Ramaah (Trickster) who lived in Batzrah. Our Sages went there on a fund-raising mission. Although … Continue Reading

August 22nd, 2011, In Articles, Devarim, by

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A Chassidic Story (#7)

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August 6th, 2011, In Articles, Inspiration, by

Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov #67 [The compiler of Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov writes] I heard this from Reb Gedaliah of Linitz. There was a somewhat wealthy Jew who lived in Mezritch. As he reached late middle-age he thought to himself, “What have I done with my life? What’s going to happen to me for having … Continue Reading

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A Chassidic Story (#5)

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July 24th, 2011, In Articles, Inspiration, by

Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov #65 {This story was also told by Reb Zelig to the compiler of Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov. Even though it is not about the Baal Shem Tov, it is included because it teaches some important lessons. The one whose dream-vision it is, is assumed by many to be Reb Yaakov Yosef … Continue Reading

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A Chassidishe Maaseh #2

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July 3rd, 2011, In Articles, Inspiration, by

Shivchei HaBaal Shem Tov #60 Reb Yosef the Melamed (cheder* teacher) once visited Linitz and told the following story. Reb Yosef was a trustworthy individual and held money in escrow for many people. During a certain period, he had many people’s money in his care. One of those people was the rebbetzin** of his town, … Continue Reading

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Charity in Nisan

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March 31st, 2011, In Articles, Festivals, Inspiration, by

With thanks to Halacha for Today, a most worthwhile site and mailing list. 1. The month of Nisan is a very opportune time to increase one’s giving of charity. Charity given in Nisan helps accelerate God’s acceptance of our tefilot (prayers). (Shelah HaKadosh, beginning of the section Masekhta Pesachim. See also Kav Hayashar #88.) 2. … Continue Reading

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Giving Charity

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January 17th, 2011, In Articles, Inspiration, by

The importance of giving charity is not so much the mitzvah itself (although that is very important) or the poor person having your gift (also important), but your learning to be generous even when you don’t want to be. How can you open the door to God if you can’t open the door to your … Continue Reading

Dvar Torah for Parshat Pinchas

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July 1st, 2010, In Uncategorized, by

Based on Likutey Halakhot, Shavuot 2:35 and Rabbi Nachman’s Wisdom #96 “Therefore, proclaim, Behold! I [God] give [Pinchas] My covenant: Peace” (Numbers 25:12). We know that God acts measure for measure. How, then, does a spear-toting, tribal-head killing “zealot” (a loaded word, if ever there was one!) get rewarded with God’s covenant of shalom, peace?! … Continue Reading

 












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