The Mizmor dedicated to Shabbat encourages singing Hashem’s praises: “Tov l’hodot laShem u’l’zamer l’shimcha elyon.” [Sefer Tehillim 92:2-3] It continues with the famous pasuk: “L’hagid ba’boker chasdecha, v’emunat’cha ba’leylot.” We should speak about Hashem’s kindness in the “boker (morning)” and His faithfulness in the “leylot (nights).” [1] The Mizmor uses the term leylot to refer […]
We would like to return to the subject of personal growth after focusing on achdus over the last few weeks. In light of current events, let’s focus on the subject of suffering. Though we hope and pray for the best, suffering is a part of life, and is difficult to handle. In addition to dealing […]
Though there is a mitzvah of simcha on all Yamim Tovim, only Sukkot is described as “z’man simchateinu the time of our joy.” [1] Of the four times the word “simcha” is used regarding the Yamim Tovim, three of them refer to Sukkos. [2] What is the source of this heightened level of simcha? […]
Day Of Purification Though we generally associate Yom Kippur with atonement, the Torah defines taharah (purification) as the day’s goal: On Yom Kippur, Hashem atones for our sins in order to purify us. The purification relates to both the Beit HaMikdash and the Jewish People. [1] This is why the Yom Kippur Torah readings […]
Fifty years ago, Yom Kippur and the Yamim Noraim took on new meaning. The term “Yamim Noraim” connotes the awesomeness of the High Holiday period and the fear that our lives hang in the balance. This feeling was especially palpable on Yom Kippur fifty years ago both individually and nationally. In just its third decade of […]