Road to Redemption
The Gemara in Avodah Zara (2a-b) opens with a scene so grand—a story that has not yet occurred but waits just beyond the curtain of redemption.
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Emunah and Hashkafah
Emunah and Bitachon
Faith and trust in Hashem, hashgachah pratis and accepting His will.
A Sea-rious Story
The following is a dramatized version of a true story. Over time, the populace of a certain town noticed that there was something fishy about the price of fish. It kept floating higher, not the typical ebb and flow.
One in a Million
The Rema’s cryptic comment, the final one in Ohr HaChaim, has sparked centuries of contemplation. He states, “Some say that one is obligated to increase in joy and feasting on the 14th of Adar I; however, this is not…
Of Mules and Mussar
Daf Yomi learners have become very familiar with the Rashbam. His commentary replaced Rashi’s for most of Bava Basra. At the end of Eruvin, the Mordechai (528) recounts an interesting incident involving the Rashbam.
What’s in a Name?
The Gemara in Bava Basra 91a provides material for some good trivia questions. What was the name of Avraham Avinu’s mother? What was the name of Dovid HaMelech’s mother?
Putting You First
The Gemara in Bava Kama (92) says that whoever davens for his friend and he needs that same relief, he will be answered first. Does this mechanism work even though one knows that he will be answered first?
Marrying for Money
Is there anything wrong with a man marrying a woman solely for her money? What about if money is just one of a man’s criteria? What if he needs his in-laws to support him while he pursues his college degree?
We are Hashem’s Children
This time of year is designated for teshuva. We really should be paralyzed with fear because of the impending judgment. Yet, there is a contradiction. On Rosh Hashana, we enjoy festive meals.
Down In The Dumps
“Dumpster diving” is the practice of sifting through commercial or residential trash to find items that have been discarded by their owners but which may be useful to the dumpster diver.
A Miracle Within a Miracle
Elisha HaNavi miraculously solved the drinking water issue in Yericho. The water there was poisonous and bitter. A group of young entrepreneurs earned a living by supplying the city with bottled water.
Mazal Tov So-and-So!
Mazel tov on the completion of Nazir! In recent years, some organizations have been publicizing their conclusion that it is perfectly fine according to Jewish law for men to marry women who are older than them.
Focusing on the Positive
The daughter of the emperor once said to Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananya, “You are the epitome of magnificent Torah, but it is stored in an ugly vessel!” Apparently, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananya was an unattractive man.
Leave the Rest to Hashem
The Mishna in Yevamos (49a) tells of a mysterious scroll found in Yerushalayim. The Gemara proceeds to enumerate the contents of the parchment.
Something Fishy
It is a staple at most Shabbos tables: fish. Gefilte fish is most popular, but other varieties persist as well. The prices of fish along with many other staples have risen modestly recently.
Tzaraas Rulings
The Medrash Tanchuma (Parshas Tazria 6) cites a story about an impoverished kohen living in Eretz Yisrael. Trying whatever he could to support his family, he just couldn’t make ends meet.
Mitzvah Mission
R’ Pinchas ben Yair was on his way to fulfill the mitzvah of pidyon shevuyim; he came to the Gina’i River and asked it to split for him so that he could continue traveling.
Calm and Collected
The Mishnah in Shekalim says there were 13 monetary collection containers in the Beis HaMikdash. There is no Talmud Bavli on Shekalim; therefore, at the end of Menachos, the Gemara elaborates on the reason for the many…
All Roads Lead To . . . Yerushalayim
The Gemara in Avodah Zara (2a–b) relates a fascinating story, albeit one that hasn’t happened yet. It will take place sometime after Mashiach comes.
Past Prayer
There is a clear halachah in Shulchan Aruch (230:1) that a prayer on the past is a wasted prayer. The two examples offered are based on a Mishnah and Gemara in Berachos.
The Gist Of The Jugs
Rabbah bar Bar Channa met an Arab merchant. The merchant said to him, “Come, I will show you the men of Korach that were swallowed up.” He showed him two cracks that emitted smoke.
A Minor Point
Mazel tov to all those who finished Bava Basra! It was especially monumental considering that Bava Basra is the longest mesechta in Shas, by the number of pages.
Your Loss Is Your Gain
The Gemara (Pesachim 87b) records a conversation that Hashem had with Hoshea HaNavi that is not mentioned at all in Tanach. Tosfos and Rashi both explain, however, how this conversation is alluded to in the verses.
The Iceman Cometh
Rabbi Gross, a community rabbi in Omaha, Nebraska, commented that probably one of the weirdest questions he had to ask a gentile in his tenure as rabbi was “Hey, Mr. Electric Company Guy.
Keep In Touch
[Note: The following is based on a lecture delivered by the author’s father, Rabbi Yaakov Sebrow, shlita, at Chavurat Yisrael.] A pasuk in Bereishis (2:5) says, “Now any tree of the field was not yet on the earth and…
Taster’s Choice
There are certain minhagim that men should keep in their back pocket. One such example is the mitzvah of tasting Shabbos food on Friday.
Gemara stories on Emunah and Bitachon
Rava Comforts Rav Ilish
Rava disproves Rav Ilish's ruling and Rav Ilish is embarrassed, so Rava comforts him: Hashem made sure Rava was there the one time Rav Ilish would have erred.
Dovid HaMelech Takes the Hint
After Hashem lets Dovid miraculously kill a lion and a bear, Dovid understands there must be a reason and offers to fight Goliath.
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and the Daily Manna
His students ask Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai why the manna fell every day instead of once a year, and he answers with a parable of a king and his only son.
The Brisker Rav and the Dropped Wedding Ring
At a Yerushalayim wedding the ring was forgotten, then dropped under the chuppah. When guests called it a sign, the Brisker Rav gave them a different reading.
Rav Scheinberg and the Young Man Who Lost a Fortune
A young man turned $3,000 into nearly a million, gave generously, then lost it all. He asked Rav Pinchas Scheinberg why his tzedakah had not protected him.