Monthly Archives: December 2021

Unlike in the morning, at night, after Shema we say אמת וֶאֱמוּנָה – We discuss emuna (faith and trust in Hashem) at night. That is because the primary emuna is to believe that even when everything is dark, and there … Continue reading →

When I was young, I went to Manhattan to see the Empire State Building. I was amazed at the allure of the streets, the splendid cars, the well-dressed people, the elegant stores. Then, we went up to the tower, and … Continue reading →

Jealousy makes a person lose more than any other negative trait.  Jealousy is not just a negative trait, it is a serious and dangerous disease. Examine all the stories of the Torah and you will see that all failures can … Continue reading →

In Crown Heights, there was a Jew, Yankel, who owned a bakery. He survived the camps. He once said… “You know why it is that I’m alive today? I was a kid, just a teenager at the time. We were … Continue reading →

R’ Pinchas ben Yair famously states that the study of Torah leads to watchfulness. Watchfulness leads to an energetic performance of the commandments, which in turn leads to spiritual purity, etc. – a ladder for us to embark upon. However, … Continue reading →

The Medrash Taplios, according to the version of the Chida, states that Yaakov’s  son, Asher, will stand by the doors of Gehinnom and not let anyone who regularly studies Mishnayos in.  Not only that, but the Arizal adds that Asher … Continue reading →

Whoever says Birkas Hamazon with kavanah (concentration) will have abundant sustenance all his life. ~ Chinuch, mitzvah 430 Consider this: Even if you bench really slowly, it will probably still take you less than 3 minutes to complete Birkas Hamazon. … Continue reading →

Those who make their Torah their main purpose in life and their worldly occupation secondary will succeed in both. ~ Berachos 35b

As a person behaves here below, so he is treated above. Perhaps someone once tried to tell you about the ugly deeds of another. Perhaps you responded, “I’m not interested.” And you didn’t listen. Then there will be a time … Continue reading →

If we spent less time trying to make Hashem’s world a better place to live in, and more time trying to make ourselves better persons to live with, Hashem’s world would be a better place to live in. ~ R’Shraga Silverstein zt”l