Skipping Steps or Grabbing Dessert?
The Gemara (Chullin 105a) records a fascinating statement by Mar Ukva: “I am like vinegar from wine compared to my father. For if my father ate meat one day, he would not eat dairy for another 24 hours!
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Middos and Mussar
Humility
Anavah: humility of Moshe, Hillel and the Sages.
Torah Toil
A man once wanted to buy a bar mitzvah present for a relative. He went to Zundel Berman together with his son and thought that a newly re-typeset Ketzos HaChoshen would be a wonderful gift, something a budding talmid…
A Humbling Metaphor
The Ravens from the dark northern crags descended onto the southern plains to face the crimson-crested Falcons riding the rising wind.
The Truth of the Matter
President Donald Trump once met with Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea. At the time, Mr. Kim promised to begin dismantling his country’s nuclear program. When Mr. Trump was asked whether he believed Mr.
A Standout Moment
It was an electric moment. The 50th Anniversary Dinner for Yeshiva Darchei Torah was already underway, but a buzz suddenly rippled through the room: HaRav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, had just arrived.
Words of Advice
Which is the better option: a yeshiva located in a premises with a cave, dragon, and dungeon, or a brand-new, modern building? Why would anyone choose an ancient building over a new, state-of-the-art one?
Hitting the Target With All Talmidim
The Gemara in Bava Basra (134a) relates that Hillel the Elder had 80 students. Thirty of them were of the stature that they should have merited the Divine Presence descend upon them as it did on Moshe Rabbeinu.
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.
Two Points of View
There is a Mishnah in Bava Metzia that at first glance seems understandable. Yet when the Gemara (41a) tries to elucidate it, it seems that the first law in the anonymous Mishnah represents the opinion of Rebbe…
Drunk on Mitzvos
Those who study the daf will notice that the last word of Friday’s daf (Bava Metzia 23b) can be translated as “bed” or “Purim.” Rashi translates it as bed. The Maharsha says it means Purim.
Do Not Despair
An intense debate erupted in the Beis Medrash. According to the Gemara, the debate spanned at least three decades (Bava Kama 67b). The debate was so long that there were three different Roshei Yeshiva during this time.
Misplaced Modesty
The Gemara in Gittin (55b) tells the famously regrettable story of a wealthy man in the first century who sends his servant to deliver an invitation to his friend, a man named Kamtza, for an upcoming party.
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.
A G-d-Based Moral Bucket List
David Brooks, a columnist for the New York Times, wrote an article entitled “The Moral Bucket List.” Soon after it was published, it climbed to number one on the list of New York Time’s most emailed articles.
Glimpse of a Gadol: Rav Dovid Feinstein, zt’l
Klal Yisrael suffered a tremendous loss last week with the passing of Moreinu Rav Dovid Feinstein, zt’l. There will be much written, be’H, about the gadol ha’dor.
Toil For Torah
Avimi was Rav Chisda’s rebbe. Or was it the other way around? As presented in the Gemara, it is difficult to determine who was the rebbe and who was the talmid. Avimi was a very demanding rebbe.
Excuses, Excuses
President Donald Trump met with Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea. Apparently, Mr. Kim promised to start dismantling his country’s nuclear program. Mr. Trump was asked if he believed that Mr.
Happy Accidents
The Mishnah tells us that Rebbe Nechunya ben Hakanah used to utter a short prayer upon entering the beis midrash. Those who witnessed his custom asked about the nature of this prayer.
Humblebrags
A tale is told about a visitor to a yeshiva. Upon entering the study hall, he noticed that the students were engaging in self-improvement techniques to acquire the trait of humility.
Find The Missing Word
A Gemara in the middle of Berachos reminded me of a lesson I recently learned in humility and judging favorably. The Gemara says that Hashem’s kingship is mentioned extra times in the fourth blessing of bentching.
Beyond The Letter Of The Law
What is the definition of a chumrah? It is an optional stringency in halachah that one takes upon himself. There are certain practices that some may view as chumros, but which others view as halachic requirements.
Our Rosh Yeshiva
I am embarrassed to even attempt to write an article about my rebbi, HaRav Alter Henoch Leibowitz, zt’l, the longtime rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim in Queens. Anything I write will be woefully insufficient.
Gemara stories on Humility
Rabbeinu Tam Stops the Rashbam's Wagon
The Rashbam, eyes always lowered, nearly boards a wagon pulled by a horse and a mule. His brother Rabbeinu Tam stops him: 'Don't be a big tzaddik!'
The Chofetz Chaim's Hidden Tears on Tishah B'Av
A visitor watches the Chofetz Chaim say Kinnos just like everyone else, then passes his home that night and hears him sobbing uncontrollably.
Rabba, Rav Yosef and the Rosh Yeshiva Seat
The Sages choose Rav Yosef's vast knowledge over Rabba's genius to lead the yeshiva, but Rav Yosef steps aside for twenty-two years and later solves Abaye's question.
Rav Henoch Leibowitz Declines to Prove He Was Right
Rav Henoch Leibowitz finds his view in a great Acharon after arguing with gedolim, but won't show them, so as not to appear to gloat.