Posts by Yaakov Klein
The Inner Light of Pesach #1: The Final Eradication of Amalek
There is a machlokes in the Gemara (Pesachim 6a) regarding when one should begin to study the halachos of Pesach. The Rabbanan hold that one should begin to learn hilchos Pesach thirty days before the chag, whereas Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel holds one should begin only 2 weeks in advance. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 429:1)…
Read MoreA Brief Guide to a Fulfilling Purim
Dearest friends, Over the years, many have reached out in the days leading up to Purim asking if I could share some ideas, kavvanos, and avodas that can enable us to get the most out of the Purim experience. This year, I decided to sit for a while and compile a few of the thoughts…
Read MoreInfinite Light, Eternal Love: The Inner Dimension of Purim
Believe it or not, it’s that time of year again! Winter will soon be losing its icy grip on the world as the days grow longer and the warmth of spring begins to cautiously emerge. Even the most stubborn snowdrifts will soon be melted away, forgotten by gleeful children whose parents (to their great relief)…
Read MoreDig Deeper!
Shalom friends! I hope you had the most beautiful Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Adar! I know we are already gearing up for parshas Terumah, but I want to share a thought I had over Shabbos on the opening pesukim in parshas Mishpatim. (The tzaddikim teach that the first three days of the week draw their energy…
Read More14 Shevat – Rav Daniel Frisch
Rav Daniel (ben Naftali Hertzka) Frisch zy”a passed away 14 Shevat 5765/2005. He was one of the chashuvim of the Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Chassidim. He revolutionized the learning of Zohar Hakadosh with his popular pirush titled Masuk Midvash, which translates and explains the Zohar Hakodosh in a relatively simple manner. He also penned pirushim on…
Read More“Mesiras Moda’ah”: Understanding the Purpose of Aggadah (Part Three)
Translated by: R’ Yaakov Klein The article that follows is part three of a remarkable essay entitled, “Mesiras Moda’ah.” This work, which is printed in the back of sefer Derech HaMelech, was penned by Rav Kaloynimus Kalmish Shapira zy”a, the Piacezner Rebbe, as an introduction to his commentary on the Zohar HaKadosh, “Reshimos HaZohar”. Aside…
Read More“Mesiras Moda’ah”: Understanding the Purpose of Aggadah (Part Two)
Translated by: R’ Yaakov Klein The article that follows is part two (of three) of a remarkable essay entitled, “Mesiras Moda’ah.” This work, which is printed in the back of sefer Derech HaMelech, was penned by Rav Kaloynimus Kalmish Shapira zy”a, the Piacezner Rebbe, as an introduction to his commentary on the Zohar HaKadosh, “Reshimos…
Read More“Mesiras Moda’ah”: Understanding the Purpose of Aggadah (Part One)
Translated by: R’ Yaakov Klein The article that follows is part one (of three) of a remarkable essay entitled, “Mesiras Moda’ah.” This work, which is printed in the back of sefer Derech HaMelech, was penned by Rav Kaloynimus Kalmish Shapira zy”a, the Piacezner Rebbe, as an introduction to his commentary on the Zohar HaKadosh, “Reshimos…
Read More21 Teves – Reb Yisroel Dov Ber of Vilednik zy”a
21 Teves is the yahrtzeit of Reb Yisroel Dov Ber (ben Yosef) of Vilednik zy”a, a talmid muvhak of Reb Mottel Chernobyler. He was known for his great Ahavas Yisroel through which he brought many Jewish souls to teshuvah. He was a great miracle worker, and his kever in Vilednik, Ukraine, was always known as…
Read MoreChoosing 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…
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