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Kuntres Sod HaTaanug – Download
This Kuntres is adapted from an English translation of selections taken from Rav Itche Meir Morgenstern shlita’s sefer Yam HaChochmah. This foundational pamphlet, introduced in sefer B’Yam Darkecha, presents a deep perspective on our desire for pleasure and the intense battle with the yetzer hara our generation is fighting before the coming of Moshiach. We hope…
Read MoreFrom There to Here
It was a couple of Thursday nights ago, I don’t exactly remember when. Let’s just say it wasn’t a particularly easy time for Am Yisrael. A group of 14 and 15-year-old girls and I were sitting on the floor in one of their homes. Candles, popcorn, sweets- Voices. A Rosh Chodesh Kumzitz. Not such…
Read MoreSod HaTaanug #1 – What Are We Truly After?
This series, of which installments will be”H be posted twice weekly, is adapted from an English translation of Rav Itche Meir Morgenstern shlita’s sefer Yam HaChochmah. This foundational pamphlet, “Sod HaTaanug”, presents a deep perspective on our desire for pleasure and the intense battle with the yetzer hara our generation is fighting before the coming…
Read MoreI Awoke
Shalom u’veracha brothers & sisters around the globe. We are all processing, grieving, healing… being (fill in the blank) in our own way during this time. You and I are not going to have the same feelings. We will probably have different thought processes. We may have different questions. You may not have any questions…
Read MoreMore Than Just a Segulah
AS I’M SURE everyone knows, this past Thursday was the yahrtzeit of Reb Shayaleh Kerestirer. While I am aware of the possibility that I live in an echo-chamber, it seems that everyone on frum social media was posting about the tzaddik – pictures of candles l’illui nishmaso, stories of his legendary chessed, posters of free…
Read MoreFighting Ice with Fire: The Final Battle Against Amalek
The lifetime of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, incredibly consequential and remarkably brief, may be likened to a flash of lightening in the dead of night whose momentary illumination grants a measure of clarity and direction that remains long after it is gone. But in truth, Rebbe Nachman was more similar to lightening sustained – a…
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 More2 Shevat – The Rebbe Reb Zisha of Anipoli
The Rebbe Reb Zisha of Anipoli zy”a, משולם זוסיל בן אליעזר ליפמאן, left this world on 2 Shevat 5560/1800. (While there are many different spellings of his name, I found this spelling in a letter he signed.) He is buried in Anipoli beside his Rebbe, the Maggid of Mezeritch. As is well known from many…
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…
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