Testing our working definition of Freedom

How does the dicitionary define freedom?
“The condition of being free of restraints.”
Free from restrictions, no limitations, The ability to do or say whatever I want, whenever I want and with whomever I want.  If we did a survey in the high street of any city or town this is probably what most of the general public would answer.  But we wouldn't tell our child that... Read More

How many years do we owe our parents?

  "Yaakov lived in Mitzrayim for 17 years; and the days of Yaakov, the years of his life were 147 years".

We know from Parshas VaYigash (47:9) that Yaakov was 130 years old when he came to Mitzrayim. Once the pasuk informs us that he lived the remainder of his life in Mitzrayim, it is not necessary to state that he remained in Mitzrayim for 17 years. Obviously, if he lived until the age of 147, he had to be in Mitzrayim for 17 years? Daas Zekainim MiBaalei HaTosfos answer, the pasuk is stressing that Yosef repaid the kindness which Yaakov had bestowed upon him in his youth. ...Read More

20/20 Hindsight

 Many have the question, why do bad things happen to bad people.  While there is no easy answer, here is a helpful insight. We say every day in Ashrei, "Shomer Hashem et kol ahavav, ve'et kol har'shaim yashmid" - G-d protects all those who love Him, and all those who are evil, he destroys. This is written in a strange way. As you can see, the verbs are at either end of the pasuk. If someone was to come into shul late....Read More

Baby Vort

  Rashi explains that Hashem went to visit with Avraham on the 3rd day after his Bris Milah, circumcision. Hashem appeared to Avraham in Mamre’s territory because "Shenasan Lo Eizah Al HaMilah". Mamre was one of three people Avraham had gone to with questions on the Bris Milah. Mamre was the only one who gave him positive information.

  Rashi uses the word "HaMilah" ...Read More

Boruch Hashem!

Shmerel went to borrow a horse from his neighbor, Berel. "Sure, you can borrow my horse," replies Berel. "But one thing you have to know about this horse. He is trained to start when you say 'Baruch Hashem' (thank God) and he stops when you say 'Shema Yisrael'." So Shmerel gets on the horse and practices. "Baruch Hashem" he says, and the horse breaks into a trot. "Shema Yisrael" he announces, and sure enough, the horse stops. After practicing a few times, he feels confident and begins his journey. As he is riding along a road, he sees that the road...Read More