Parking On The Pavement
Question Chanina is on his way out of the apartment block where he lives when he finds his path blocked once again by the neighbour's van parked on the pavement. As the neighbour gets out of his vehicle, Chanina rebukes him for his inconsiderate parking. The driver retorts, "Where is it written in the Torah…
Not-So-Great Expectations
Most people, including myself, expect everything to go our way, and become upset when they don't. All the years I've been a rav, nobody has ever come to me and said, "Rabbi, I got up this morning and I feel fine, my wife and kids are fine… How come?" Nobody ever asked me why they…
Sefiras HaOmer and Educating Children
How does the korbon Omer differ from other korbonos (sacrificies)? While each korbon effects the day on which it is brought or the person offering it, the korbon Omer triggers a daily counting of 49 days climaxing in the holiday of Shavuos. Now, the sefer Hachinuch counts the counting of the Omer and the offering…
Problems: A Torah Approach
Problems are an unavoidable part of life. But they are not to be regretted; on the contrary, they can be a source of strength, if one has the right approach. There's a Midrash in Yalkut Melachim that says the eye sees from the black of the eye, not the white. A person gets a better…
Sefer Torah (VI)
It is good and fitting that the cord or belt that is used to close the Sefer Torah be connected with a clasp or some other device that avoids making a knot. From the Shulchan Aruch we see that it was once customary that a member of the congregation was honored with the task of…
Water Partners
Question As Pesach approaches, many of the residents of 56, Freedom Avenue wish to use the fire hoses installed in the entrance lobby for cleaning their cars and their window blinds. However, Yehudah, who does not own a car but has his own private hose, objects. He claims that although the fire hoses are jointly-owned…
The Not-So-Simple Neshama
It is a common misconception that the human being is divided into two more or less equivalent parts: body and soul, guf and neshama. The spiritual composition identified by Jewish tradition is far more complex than that. Body is animated by spirit. All the biological functions, physical and emotional drives, as well as the intellectual…