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
Mussar
Self-improvement and character in the words of Chazal.
Seizing the Spark: Preserving Inspiration in Halacha and Life
In Maseches Chullin (95a), the Gemara transitions into a discussion regarding the prohibition against nichush (forbidden divination).
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.
Minutes Till Minchah
The very first paragraph in Shulchan Aruch expounding the laws of Minchah raises the following question: “What if there is barely any time left for Minchah?” How appropriate!
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?
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…
The Butterfly Effect
In 1961, Edward Lorenz used a numerical computer model to rerun a weather prediction. As a shortcut on a number in the sequence, he entered the decimal .506 instead of the full .506127 the computer would hold.
A Cut Above
After much pleading from my wife, I agreed to take my children to the barber. The last child to get his haircut was behaving rather well, when suddenly, the screaming started.
A Time for Torah
Hillel says, “He who seeks a name loses it. He who does not increase decreases” (Pirkei Avos 1:13). The first half of Hillel’s statement is easily explained by a well-known dictum in Eiruvin, “Whoever runs after glory…
Eat but Don’t Overeat
The topic of overeating is discussed in the daf this week (Gittin 70a). The Gemara quotes a beraisa that states, “One who fills his belly with anything will become sick.” Rashi explains that eating as much as one…
Life is Precious
HaGaon Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, zt”l, would often adjure his students to treat every moment of life as priceless. He would encourage them to take advantage of every moment to be involved in mitzvos and positive…
The Power to Withstand the Pressure
HaRav HaGaon Avrohom Kanarek, zt”l, of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim in Yerushalayim taught Torah for many years in a humble and unassuming way. He shied away from kavod.
The Fifth Shulchan Aruch
A stateside individual wanted to send clothing to her relative in Eretz Yisrael. She knew of someone going to Israel for an extended stay who had extra room in his luggage, so she asked the traveler if he could deliver…
The Power of Bikur Cholim
In Parshas Korach, Moshe Rabbeinu announced that the events that were about to unfold would establish clearly whether or not Korach was right in his challenge.
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.
Ma’aser Motivations
The Torah awarded kohanim with terumah gifts. After terumah was separated from freshly grown Israeli produce, the farmer would separate 10% of what remained and give that to a Levi. This is termed Ma’aser Rishon.
Clouds in the Forecast
The Sifrei says that Bnei Yisrael brought the Korban Pesach only once during their 40-year sojourn in the desert. This Sifrei says further that this reflects badly on Klal Yisrael.
Without Delay
The Gemara (Sukkah 44a) relates an enigmatic episode: A wealthy man approached Rebbe Elazar Bar Tzadok and told him that he owns villages, vineyards, and olive orchards.
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.
An Ignorant Kohen Gadol?
Rebbi Yose ben Kisma said: Once I was walking by the way when I met a man. He greeted me and said, “Rabbi, where are you from?” I responded, “I am from a great city of sages and scribes.” He said to me, “Rabbi, would…
Six Collection Boxes and Sunny Days
Daf Yomi learners finished their brief foray into Talmud Yerushalmi. Mesechta Shekalim of the Jerusalem Talmud was completed this week, and the cycle continued with Mesechta Yoma of Talmud Bavli.
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.
Courtly Appearances
The Gemara (Shevuos 31a) discusses a situation where two litigants appear before a judge. One is wearing expensive clothing valued at 100 maneh, and one is wearing something akin to rags.
Lifelong Goal
The Gemara quotes the fascinating story surrounding the death of Rav Chisda. It was time for Rav Chisda to return his precious soul to his Creator.
Moral Of The Story
There are well-known stories found in the Gemara that made it to the storybooks. Yet there are stories that are equally important but haven’t been publicized simply because they are not suitable for all audiences.
The Shame Of Sinning
Rav Sholom Schwadron, zt’l, would point out that we have absolutely no concept of how serious a sin is. As proof, he would point to the following passage of Gemara in Nazir 23a: “It is taught in a Beraisa: ‘Her husband…
Visitor Rewards
In Parashas Korach, Moshe Rabbeinu announced that the events that were about to unfold would establish clearly whether or not Korach was right in his challenge.
Keep Calm And Chesed On
Due to improprieties committed by the sons of Eli, a Kohein Gadol, Hashem proclaimed a curse on his descendants that they would die young. Unless some special exception was made, the descendants wouldn’t live past 20.
Every Bit Counts
“Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves G-d and one who does not serve Him” (Malachi 3:18).
Don’t Despair
Little Johnny watched, fascinated, as his mother sprayed furniture polish on her old dining-room table. “Why do you do that, Mommy?” he asked.
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.
The Spinmeisters
The Gemara relates (Yoma 66b) that a wise woman asked Rebbe Eliezer: Since all the people that worshipped the Golden Calf committed a serious sin, why do we find that they received different punishments?
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.
Fresh Bread: The Original Baker’s Dozen
One of my daughters loves the Shabbos zemer “Ki eshmerah Shabbos keil yishmereini, os hi l’olmei ad beino u’veini…” It was written by Rav Avrohom Ibn Ezra. For some reason, some bentchers leave out this particular zemer.
Half And Half
When we use the term half we don’t always refer to 50%. When someone is called a half-wit that doesn’t mean he has half of the intelligence of a regular human.
Gemara stories on Mussar
Rabbah bar bar Chanah and the Porters' Cloaks
Porters break Rabbah bar bar Chanah's wine barrels and he takes their cloaks, but Rav tells him to return them and even pay their wages, beyond the letter of the law.
Palti ben Layish and the Sword
Given Dovid's wife Michal by King Shaul, Palti ben Layish places a sword between them on the first night and keeps that boundary for over seven years.
Reish Lakish's Saffron
Reish Lakish leaves some saffron to his children and laments it, applying a harsh verse to himself for the time he spent earning what he never needed.
The Chofetz Chaim's Pain Over the Seforim He Owned
Rav Kahaneman asked the Chofetz Chaim to lend him a sefer. He did not own it, he explained, and was already pained over the time spent paying for the seforim he did own.