Archive for December 2020
Choosing God on the Stage of “The Voice”
At this point in our courtship with the technological revolution and the depth to which we are sunken in a seemingly endless ocean of information, it is difficult for a single piece of content to truly make an impression. When it does, the very fact of its endurance itself demands that we revisit it and…
Read More“My Abba!”
I was sitting at the dining room table this morning with my wife and our Shmuel. I was in tallis and tefillin, davening, and Shmuel was coloring. It was silent, serene, a rare and welcome break from the frequent chaos of quarantine. Suddenly, Shmuel looks and says, “Abba?” I look up and smile, nodding my…
Read More14 Teves – Reb Alter Elazar Menachem Biderman of Lelov
14 Teves is the yahrtzeit of Reb Alter Elazar Menachem (ben Moshe Mordechai) of Lelov zy”a. (1935-2001) I was zocheh to know him for the last few years of his life. I have never since met anyone like this. He was what I imagine a Rebbe from 200 years ago to have been like. By…
Read More13 Teves – Reb Moshe Lelover zy”a
To Bring Moshiach 13 Teves is the yarzeit of Reb Moshe (ben Dovid) of Lelov zy”a. (1776-1851) Reb Moshe Lelover traveled from Poland to Eretz Yisroel with the intention of bringing Moshiach. Before he left, the tzaddik said he would go to the Kosel HaMaaravi and wouldn’t leave until Moshiach appeared. When he arrived…
Read More10 Teves – Reb Nosson of Breslov zy”a
Reb Nosson of Breslov’s Life-Changing Torah “Reb Nosson, Heilege Reb Nosson, you mamash changed my life!” Three years ago on Reb Nosson’s yahrzeit, these words echoed within my heart and mind. Thinking about them today, it is clear that this statement is truer than ever. While I write about many great tzadikim, for the past…
Read MoreThe Inner Light of Chanukah #3: To Illuminate Our World
A DISCUSSION IN the Gemara (Shabbos 22a) regarding the proper placement of the menorah concludes that the menorah should be placed on the left side of the doorway so that it will be surrounded with mitzvos; mezuzah on the right side and menorah on the left. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 671:7) rules this way l’halacha,…
Read MoreAnd Calm Prevails: A Chanukah Poem
Wind howls against the window Swirling sheets of rain slice the air It is cold outside, bitterly so A hibernating city, shrouded in darkness Inside it is warm Light, silent Inside I am dry Content, awake But the windows of my soul are wet just the same Time stands still Steady is my hand Time…
Read MoreThe Inner Light of Chanukah #2: EVERYTHING is a Miracle!
THE GEMARA IN Shabbos states that the proper time to light Chanukah candles is, “Mishetishka hachamah ad shetichleh regel min hashuk”, “From the time the sun sets until the marketplace is emptied of people.” There is much discussion in the Rishonim and Achronim regarding the definition of these parameters. With regard to the starting time,…
Read More“V’acharei chein” – The Menorah’s Reflection of a Brighter Future
Chanukah is upon us once again, and, like every year, it couldn’t come at a more perfect time. Sure, Chanukah 2020 will likely look a bit different than in years past, but even Corona surely can’t touch the essence of a chag that is already so bound with a yearly “stay-at-home order” we are most…
Read MoreMy Chanukah Miracle: Thank You Rabbi Weinberger
The following letter was written to Rabbi Moshe Weinberger shlita by a well-known posek, author, and teacher who discovered Rabbi Weinberger’s shiurim a number of years ago and experienced a paradigm shift in his avodas Hashem. I received permission to share this letter publicly (all details have been changed) as I feel that it powerfully…
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