Torah, Judaism and Jewish Networking

All Blog Posts Tagged 'of' (39)

Shabbos: Taam HaChaim Toldos 5770

שבת טעם החיים תולדות תש"ע Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Toldos 5770 Blessings unlimited Introduction So he drew close and kissed him; he smelled the fragrance of his garments and blessed him; he said, “See, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field which HaShem had blessed.” (Bereishis 27:27) In this week’s parasha the Torah records the blessings that Yitzchak conferred on his son Yaakov. The Torah states that when Esav returned from his hunt and discovered that Yaakov had received the… Continue

Added by Ben on November 20, 2009 at 2:14am — No Comments

HEVRON FROM EVER TILL FOREVER -- MORE THAN A SLOGAN

Each evening the declaration of faith contained in recitation of Shema is prefaced by stating that “ . . . they [the words of Torah] are our life and the measure of our days . . .” The Ba’al Haturim ZT’L ZY’A among his observations on Bereshith 1:1 notes Bereshith is an acrostic for From the beginning G-D saw that Israel will accept the Torah. Therefore, these and other sources imply a powerful connection between Israel’s connection to Torah and creation itself. Consequently, words of Torah on a… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on November 13, 2009 at 4:30am — No Comments

MORE THAN JUST A PROMISE

It was no longer tenable for uncle and nephew to live together. Avraham the Patriarch A’H ZY’A tells Lot to separate (Bereshith 13:8-12). Rashi (13:7) explains Lot’s shepherds reasoned since G-D had promised the land to Avraham (12:7) and his heirs, which at the time meant Lot so it was appropriate to allow their flocks to pasture wherever they pleased even if the land was privately owned. Avraham’s shepherds respected the indigenous population and only allowed their flocks to graze on public la… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 29, 2009 at 5:00am — No Comments

Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Lech Lecho 5770

שבת טעם החיים לך לך תש"ע Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Lech Lecho 5770 Fleeing Evil Introduction In this week’s parasha, we find an interesting pattern. The parsha commences with HaShem instructing Avraham to leave his homeland and travel to the Land of Canaan. Avraham was then forced to leave the Land because of a hunger and he descended to Egypt. Pharaoh took Sara and was then struck by a plague. Sensing that Avraham’s presence was detrimental to the Egyptian welfare, Pharaoh sent Avraham away. Furt… Continue

Added by Ben on October 29, 2009 at 4:26am — No Comments

URBAN PLANNING

The Torah describes two events that fundamentally reshaped the human condition, the Flood and the Tower of Babel. The breakdown in society that lead to the flood that laid waste to the world G-D created. Rashi ZT’L ZY’A commenting on 6:13 points out there were rampant sexual perversion , idolatry and theft. Rabbi Joseph Dov Solavechik the Beit HaLevi ZT’L ZY’A emphasized the abandonment of moral restraint was so prevalent that animals and even plant life were influenced by human behavior. Societ… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on October 23, 2009 at 4:52am — 2 Comments

Shabbos: Taam HaChaim Bereishis 5770

שבת טעם החיים בראשית תש"ע Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Bereishis 5770 It must have been something Introduction This week’s parsha discusses the creation of the world, and most important, the creation of man. The Torah describes the birth of Adam and Chava’s two sons, Kayin and Hevel, and the ensuing battle between them. Their struggle still reverberates amongst their descendants today. People are forever staking out their territory and determining their dominance over their fellow man. The rejection… Continue

Added by Ben on October 15, 2009 at 7:37am — No Comments

Shabbos: Taam HaChaim Haazinu-Shuva-Yom Kippur 5770

שבת טעם החיים האזינו- תשובה-יום כיפור תש"ע Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Haazinu-Shuva-Yom Kippur 5770 Repentance is a state of joy Introduction This week is referred to as Shabbos Shuva, Shabbos of Repentance. What is the association between Shabbos and repentance? It is said that the word Shabbos is derived from the word shav, return. Thus, on Shabbos, everything returns to its source. Yet, one must wonder, how this idea is connected to repentance? Prohibition of reciting Avinu Malkeinu on Shabbos T… Continue

Added by Ben on September 24, 2009 at 9:26pm — No Comments

Shabbos: Taam HaChaim Rosh HaShanah 5770

שבת טעם החיים ראש השנה תש"ע Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Rosh HaShanah 5770 Standing and Kingship Introduction Last week’s parasha, Nitzavim, commences with the words (Devarim 29:9) atem nitzavim hayom kulchem lifnei HaShem Elokeichem rosheichem shivteichem zikneichem vishofteichem kol ish Yisroel¸ you are standing today, all of you, before HaShem, your G-d: the heads of your tribes, your elders, and your officers – all the men of Israel. The commentators write that this verse alludes to Rosh HaShana… Continue

Added by Ben on September 14, 2009 at 7:15pm — No Comments

Shabbos: Taam HaChaim Parashas Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5769

שבת טעם החיים פרשת נצבים-וילך תשס"ט Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5769 Teshuvah is right around the corner Introduction In this week’s parasha, Nitzavim, it is said (Devarim 30:11-14) ki hamitzvah hazos asher anochi mitzavecho hayom lo nifleis hi mimcho vilo richokah hi lo vashamayim hi leimor mi yaaleh lanu hashamaymah viyikacheho lanu viyashmieinu osah vinaasenah vilo meiever layam hi leimor mi yaavar lanu el eiver hayam viyikacheha lanu viyashmieinu osah vinaasenah ki ka… Continue

Added by Ben on September 6, 2009 at 8:30pm — No Comments

Shabbos: Taam HaChaim Parashas Ki Savo 5769

שבת טעם החיים פרשת כי תבוא תשס"ט Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Ki Savo 5769 Hear the “words” Introduction Parashas Ki Savo is always deemed to be a frightening parashah. Despite its benign beginning, the majority of the parasha discusses the devastating punishment that HaShem will bring upon the Jewish People if they do not observe HaShem’s will. There is even a custom in most synagogues to read the portion of the Tochacha, the Rebuke, in an undertone, and this demonstrates our discomfort wit… Continue

Added by Ben on August 30, 2009 at 10:00pm — No Comments

Shabbos: Taam HaChaim Parashas Re’eh 5769

שבת טעם החיים פרשת ראה תשס"ט Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Re’eh 5769 The need to be vigilant throughout the month of Elul Introduction The month of Elul is approaching. What is required of us in this month of awe? The Medrash (Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer §46) states that on the first Rosh Chodesh Elul that the Jewish People were in the Wilderness, Moshe blew a Shofar, signifying to the Jewish People that they should be on guard when Moshe ascended upon high. This sounding of the Shofar would ensu… Continue

Added by Ben on August 13, 2009 at 8:12am — No Comments

TISHA B'AV, SUBTLE SOLUTIONS

“As the month of Av enters one diminishes their joy” (see Ta’nit 29a),Schulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 551:1 Sha’arei Zion 1). One is advised not to litigate during this period as the season is inauspicious. Though there are many reason why the Ninth of Av is observed as a fast the main event which overshadows the others is the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem 68 CE.. It is the loss of the Temple which more than anything else that symbolizes the present state of exile. Consider that even… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on July 23, 2009 at 8:10am — No Comments

AVOTH 6:10 5 WAYS TO SEE G-D IN THE WORLD

G-D the Mishnah teaches has ownership over five things, Torah, Heaven and Earth, Avraham Avinu A’H ,The Jewish Nation and The Holy Temple.,. This is perplexing and simply cannot be taken at face value How could one claim any limit on G-D’s dominion over His creation? Therefore, to be a kinyan, an acquisition of G-D’s implies a special relationship. The word Kinyan denotes ownership, exclusive control or as Rabbi Yossef Yavetz ZY’A suggests a kinyan is a profound connection, one of desire, delig… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on July 10, 2009 at 12:26am — No Comments

AVOTH 5:14 COMING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE

Four categories are identified among those who attend the Beit HaMedrash, the place dedicated for Torah Study and prayer. There is one who goes to the Beit Medrash but does not learn, he receives reward for going. The second is one who learns in solitude at home and does not attend the actual Beit Medrash, he receives reward for his learning. The person considered pious both attends and learns in the Beit HaMedrash. Whereas the fourth who nether attends the Beit HaMedrah or learns Torah is deeme… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on July 2, 2009 at 5:13am — No Comments

Shabbos: Taam HaChaim Parashas Korach 5769

שבת טעם החיים פרשת קרח תשס"ט Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Korach 5769 Korach was not for the sake of Heaven Introduction In this week’s parashah the Torah records the incident where Korach challenged the authority of Moshe. The Mishna in Avos (5:17) refers to this dispute as a machlokes shelo lisheim shamayim, a dispute not for the sake of Heaven. There are various explanations for this statement. One opinion is that the Mishna refers to the machlokes as a dispute between Korach and his ento… Continue

Added by Ben on June 25, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

Shabbos: Taam HaChaim Parashas Shelach 5769

שבת טעם החיים פרשת שלח תשס"ט Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Shelach 5769 Our mission in this world Introduction In this week’s parasha the Torah records the incident of the Meraglim, the spies that Moshe sent to ascertain if the Jewish People would be capable of conquering Eretz Yisroel. The spies retuned from their forty day journey with a slanderous report, and this report was the catalyst for the Jewish People to die out in the Wilderness. There are many aspects to this episode, but I wish… Continue

Added by Ben on June 18, 2009 at 3:44am — No Comments

Shabbos: Taam HaChaim Parashas Naso 5769

שבת טעם החיים פרשת נשא תשס"ט Shabbos: Ta’am HaChaim Parashas Naso 5769 It will be good in the end Introduction In this week’s parasha we learn about two seemingly unrelated ideas. One idea is that of the Sota, the adulteress woman who is warned by her husband not to have any contact with another man. The woman is subject to a humiliating process, where, if convicted, her stomach swells and her thigh falls, and she dies because of her deviancy., If she is found innocent, however she merits much… Continue

Added by Ben on June 5, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

Avoth Chapter 1:14 LOST & FOUND

Hillel taught if I am not for myself who will be for me . When I am for myself what am I ? And if now now then when? This is a most challenging comment. Arrogance and humility are fundamental considerations in evaluating one’s spiritual standing. The Orchoth Zaddikim in Chapter 1 denounces arrogance as being “. . currency invalidated by the Creator . . . “ Additionally commenting on Mishlei 16:5 The abomination of G-D is the haughty in heart” the Orchoth Zaddikim describes the person Mishlei as… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on June 4, 2009 at 3:00am — No Comments

The Shabbos Connection

This video moved to here Continue

Added by Rav Mitterhoff on March 6, 2009 at 2:30am — No Comments

Tefillah: Birum Olam: Prayer stands at the Pinnacle of the World Volume I Issue 13

תפילה: ברום עולם Tefillah: Birum Olam: Prayer stands at the Pinnacle of the World Volume I Issue 13 Tefillah Thoughts The reason why our text of prayers are referred to as “the Siddur” We refer to the text of our prayers as “the Siddur.” Why is this so? Should we not refer to our liturgy as something more relevant, such as Tefillos, prayers, or Techinos, supplications? The Sfas Emes (Shabbos HaGadol 5654) writes based on the Maharal that the reason why the Pesach Seder is thus named is becaus… Continue

Added by Ben on November 14, 2008 at 9:25am — No Comments