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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 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 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 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…
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 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…
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