Friday
Apr042014
THE FINAL GENERATION – AND 3 MORE
April 4, 2014Now begins a new stage in the ongoing avoda of Yosef, extending to future generations – “And Yosef saw Efraim’s children of the third generation.”
Thursday
Apr032014
“WHO IS A JEW?” OR “WHO IS AN ISRAELI?”
Regrettably, many of the politicians in Eretz Yisroel fail to understand the difference between an Israeli and a Jew. Again and again, we hear about the efforts to redefine who is a Jew according to the national definition of a citizen of the state of Israel. The fulfillment of Torah and mitzvos is no longer the formula for belonging to the Jewish People; instead it’s the fervent devotion to the nuances of Israeli culture.
Thursday
Apr032014
AND THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED IS HE, SAVES US FROM THEIR HANDS
11 Nissan / April 1, 1882. Hungary Mrs. Solymosi raced through the streets of Tiszaeszlár, a Hungarian village. She was frantically looking for her daughter, Eszter, who had disappeared.
Thursday
Apr032014
R’ MOTTEL THE SHOCHET – THE MAN AND THE LEGEND
R’ Boruch Mordechai Lifschitz, as Mordechai in his day, did not bend nor bow to the communists. In Adar seventy-five years ago, he was arrested by the communists, interrogated harshly and exiled for three years. * Even after being released he continued working in various cities as a mohel and shochet. * He recently passed away at the age of 97. * The life of the man of mesirus nefesh known as R’ Mottel der Shochet.
Thursday
Apr032014
RECIPROCITY
The Torah commences this week’s parsha with the following description of the purification process for the person who has contracted tzaraas, an enigmatic skin disease (commonly confused with leprosy): “This will be the law of the Metzora; on the day of his purification. He should be brought to the Kohen-priest. The Kohen should go forth to the outside of the camp; the Kohen shall look, and behold! – the tzaraas had been healed from the Metzora…”
Wednesday
Apr022014
THE CHASSID WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS SHLICHUS
About the Chassid, R’ Avrohom Levik Slavin, a Chassidishe rav and shliach of the Rebbe Rashab to Kulashi and Kutais in Georgia. He was moser nefesh to spread Judaism among Georgian Jews until he was arrested and sent to a labor camp, his whereabouts unknown. He did not merit Jewish burial but his yahrtzait was established by the Rebbe Rayatz. This article is based on the book “Arba’ah Chassidim” by Shneur Berger.
Wednesday
Apr022014
ARE WE STILL IN EGYPT?
When Hashem asked Moshe to take the Jewish people out of exile, Moshe responds, “Please send your other messenger.” Rashi explains that he is referring to Moshiach. At first glance, it is puzzling: We all know that Hashem knows best. Why would Moshe argue with Hashem’s decision?
Wednesday
Apr022014
LET THE SUN SHINE
By default, the sun emanates light. The circumstances through which the light is blocked are all external obstacles – whether they be natural or man-made. As long as there is some obstacle between me and the sun, the light will never shine on me. I definitely want to let more light into my life. Who doesn’t? So, if I want to let more light into my life – more meaning, more spirituality, more goodness – then the question I have to ask myself is: What’s blocking the light? The light is certainly shining, but something is stopping it from getting to me. If I can figure out what the blockage is, then I can remove it and allow the light to shine through.
Tuesday
Apr012014
FROM HODU TILL KUSH
Twin sisters, shluchos from the day they were born, have ended up with one in Hodu-India and one in Kush-Ethiopia, and not just for Purim! * Shlichus stories of Chaya Mushka Sudry and Devorah Leah Chaviv, of the Gromach family of Beit Dagan. * Shlichus which entails going completely out of that which is familiar and comfortable, in order to transform the world.
Tuesday
Apr012014
USHERING IN PESACH IN THE LUBAVITCH OF THE REBBE RASHAB
On Erev Pesach in Lubavitch there was a feeling of satisfaction and joy that grew out from the great hopes that Moshiach was finally coming, the Beis HaMikdash would be rebuilt and the Korban Pesach brought. * A compilation of stories about the Rebbe Rashab and Pesach, to mark Beis Nissan, the Yom Hilula of the Rebbe Rashab and the upcoming holiday.
Friday
Mar282014
MALCHUS: ALL PEOPLE OF OUR GENERATION
In the wake of the Rebbe Rayatz’s histalkus, the capacity has been granted to the seventh generation (corresponding to the s’fira of Malchus), to experience the ultimate revelation of 770. * All the people of our generation – men, women, and children – comprise the s’fira of Malchus. * From Chapter Six of Rabbi Shloma Majeski’s Likkutei Mekoros (Underlined text is the compiler’s emphasis.)
Tuesday
Mar252014
GROW UP, POLITICIANS – AND GET TO WORK!
With a little mutual respect and true Ahavas Yisroel, the national-religious community would be more connected to us. Rather than cursing one another, there could be more outreach activities with this sector, many of whom identify with the ultra-Orthodox in a joint effort to neutralize destructive political forces. However, none of this was done. They chose instead to focus their energies on a religious civil war. Anyone who didn’t conform to the messages conveyed by Torah Judaism party leaders became an enemy of the Torah and Judaism.
Tuesday
Mar252014
MIVTZAIM EXPERIENCE
Hi, I’m Berel. Although two weeks have gone by, I think I can still tell you about my Purim experience. Ready?