Podcasts about eretz yisrael

Bamidbar 10 is a momentous chapter. After a year at Mount Sinai, the nation embark to realize Jewish history, the promises to the Patriarchs, the fulfillment of the Exodus - they begin the march to Eretz Yisrael!

B"H Dear antisemites of the internet, Antisemitism is a waste of time; it's futile. The Jewish people are called ma'aminim bnei ma'aminim — believers, children of believers. That doesn't only mean theology. It means loyalty. Faithfulness. A deep, inherited commitment in our kishkas to Hashem, to Torah, to our people, to Eretz Yisrael. You can attack institutions. You can distort history. You can try to intimidate individuals. But you cannot uproot something that lives in the soul of a people. For thousands of years, attempts to erase us have only strengthened our clarity about who we are. We don't seek anyone's destruction. We love life. We love the world. We are loyal to our mission. Am Yisrael is not going anywhere. If you want to argue, fine. If you want to learn, even better. My door is open. #Israel #Zionism #Judaism #Antisemite #Antisemitism To watch Torah Thoughts in video format, click HERE Subscribe to the Torah Thoughts BLOG for exclusive written content! Please like, share and subscribe wherever you find this!

B"H Do Jewish converts need to be Zionists? Conversion isn't only about keeping mitzvot in the abstract. The Torah speaks about living this life ba'aretz — in the Land. Hashem, Am Yisrael, and Eretz Yisrael are not separate stories. They are one story. You can debate policy. You can criticize leadership. That's part of being a thinking Jew. But the Torah itself is unapologetically tied to the Land where it shines in its fullest expression. To join the Jewish people is to join their destiny. And our destiny has always included the Land. That connection isn't political first. It's spiritual, historical, and woven into the Torah itself. #Judaism #Conversion #Zionism #Israel #JewishConvert To watch Torah Thoughts in video format, click HERE Subscribe to the Torah Thoughts BLOG for exclusive written content! Please like, share and subscribe wherever you find this!

The Rebbe thanks Reb Shneur Zalman Schmerling for a manuscript. He clarifies a historical point: the organized Aliyah of Chabad Chassidim was primarily during the time of the Mitteler Rebbe, not the Alter Rebbe. He explains that in 1777, Chassidus Chabad had not yet emerged as a distinct movement or "sect" separate from general Chassidus. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/016/005/6034

The Rebbe acknowledges a report from a Farbrengen in the Holy Land. He discusses the concept of "Scattering for the Needy" (Pizar Natan), particularly regarding Tzedakah for Eretz Yisrael. The Rebbe blesses the recipient that his "horn shall be raised with honor," signifying that spiritual merits will manifest as visible material success. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/016/005/6030

Different views exist regarding the congregation's "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" response during Kaddish. All agree that this response is associated with the number 28, but there is a disagreement as to how this association is to be expressed. The significance of this number in the context of the "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" response is indicated by the Gemara, which speaks of the great rewards for reciting this response "Bechol Koho" – with all one's strength. The word "Koah" ("strength") in Gematria equals 28, and so we associate this response with the number 28. The Abudarham (Spain, 14 th century) maintained that the congregation should respond with 28 letters – "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" through "Almaya." This response consists of seven words and 28 letters. Rav Yishak Abuhab (Spain, 14 th century), cited by the Bet Yosef, ruled that one should recite 28 words – from "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" through "Da'amiran Be'alma." The Bet Yosef writes that the first view is incorrect, as one may not end the response after the word "Almaya." He brings a Midrash warning of grave punishment for those who make a separation between this word and the next word, "Yitbarach." This point is emphasized also by the great Kabbalist Rav Yosef Gikatilla (Spain, 13th century), who writes of the importance of not separating between these two words. Accordingly, the Shulhan Aruch writes that those who end their response with the word "Almaya" act incorrectly. The Magen Abraham (Rav Abraham Gombiner, Poland, 1635-1682) understood the Shulhan Aruch to mean that one should continue his response through the word "Be'alma," though the Magen Abraham himself maintained that one should respond only through "Almaya." Regardless, we generally follow the customs of the Arizal, who taught that one should respond through "Da'amiran Be'alma." There are some who respond through "De'Kudsha Berich Hu," but this practice has no halachic basis and is incorrect. Those who are accustomed to doing so should discontinue this practice. Among the Ashkenazim, many have the custom to respond only through "Almaya." This was the view of the Gaon of Vilna (1720-1797). He disputed the view that "Yitbarach" must be recited immediately after the word "Almaya," arguing that "Yitbarach" begins the next sentence. Nevertheless, some Ashkenazim add "Yitbarach" and conclude their response at that point. The Aruch Ha'shulhan (Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein, 1829-1908) observed that this was the prevalent practice among Lithuanian communities, despite the view of the Vilna Gaon. It is worth adding further insight into the connection between Kaddish and the number 28 – which, as mentioned, is the Gematria of the word "Koah." Rashi, in his opening comments to the Humash, writes that the Torah begins with the story of the world's creation in order to establish that the entire world belongs to G-d, as it is He who created it, and He thus had the authority to give Eretz Yisrael to the Jewish People. If the gentiles challenge our rights to our homeland – which they of course do, especially in our day and age – we must know that Hashem created the world and distributed it as He saw fit, and He decided to give us the Land of Israel. Rashi cites the verse in Tehillim (111:6), "Koah Ma'asav Higid Le'amo, La'tet Lahem Nahalat Goyim" – "He told His nation the power of His deeds, in order to give them the nations' territory." The story of G-d's "power," the creation of the world, is our response when nations challenge our right to the territory that we seized from the people of Canaan. Not coincidentally, the opening verse of the Torah ("Bereshit Bara Elokim…") consists of seven words and 28 letters – just like "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba…" – and Rashi links this verse to the verse "Koah Ma'asav Higid Le'amo," which begins with the word "Koah." Through our response to Kaddish, then, we access Hashem's unlimited power, expressed most strikingly through the act of creation, and this gives us the ability to withstand any challenge from our adversaries. It is worth noting in this context the famous Midrashic tradition that Moshe Rabbenu recited 515 prayers asking for the privilege of entering Eretz Yisrael (the numerical value of the word "Va'et'hanan"), and if he would have recited a 516 th prayer, Hashem would have had to grant his request. The commentaries explain that this 516 th prayer that Moshe would have recited was Kaddish, which begins with the words "Yitgadal Ve'yitkadash Shemeh Rabba." The first letters of these words (Yod, Vav, Shin, Resh) have a combined numerical value of 516 (10+6+300+200). This sheds additional light on the connection between Kaddish and Eretz Yisrael. When we recite and respond to Kaddish, we are asking that Hashem's Name should be glorified through our nation living in the land with the Bet Ha'mikdash under the reign of Mashiah, and this prayer has special power and significance. In light of this association between "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" and the number 28, it is critically important to enunciate each word. If one responds too quickly, he might likely fail to pronounce the word "Min" in the phrase ("Le'ela Min Kol Birchata"), and will thus recite fewer than 28 words. The Poskim write that one should respond "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" slowly and carefully, ensuring to properly pronounce each word. Summary: Our custom is to respond during Kaddish from "Yeheh Shemeh Rabba" through "Da'amiran Be'alma" – a total of 28 words. This number is very significant, and therefore one must ensure to respond slowly and properly pronounce all the words.

B"H What does it mean to be a Kiddush Hashem? It doesn't only mean giving a sermon or wearing something visibly religious. Sometimes it means being excellent in your field and being unapologetically Jewish while doing it. When athletes like Deni Avdija or Zach Hyman speak openly about their Jewish identity, their connection to Hashem, or to Eretz Yisrael, that matters. It plants something in the people watching. Kiddush Hashem means bringing Hashem's Name into whatever arena you're in. Sports, business, medicine, tech, construction — anywhere. You never know who is watching, and you never know what spark it might ignite. Pride, integrity, and presence are never insignificant. #Judaism #KiddushHashem #NBA #NHL #Jewish To watch Torah Thoughts in video format, click HERE Subscribe to the Torah Thoughts BLOG for exclusive written content! Please like, share and subscribe wherever you find this!

The Rebbe notes concern over public Shabbat desecration on ships between Eretz Yisrael and the U.S., calling it a serious offense before G_d and the nations. He urges decisive action, citing prior success in Haifa as proof that correction is possible if Torah guidance is upheld openly. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/016/004/6010

The Rebbe emphasizes that the Torah-prescribed name Eretz Yisrael must be maintained, distinct from “Medinat Yisrael,” and clarifies the difference between settling the land and the Shivat Tzion of redemption. The sequence of Geulah is divinely mandated, not subject to popular vote, and preserving the true names hastens the ultimate redemption. https://www.torahrecordings.com/rebbe/igroskodesh/016/004/5992

Yitro | Reliving Sinai, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom In his farewell speech, Moshe continually refers to the day of Matan Torah as יום הקהל, and even recalls Hashem's command הקהל לי את העם - to gather all of the people. This historic experience and the obligation to always remember it and to transmit it to the next generation seems to be the impetus for the Mitzva of Hakhel - to gather everyone for a public reading of the Torah "that they will learn to fear Hashem..." (Devarim 31). But this practice, although modestly revived about 140 years ago, was not activated for hundreds of years - yet, it seems that there was a more local and regular practice which was, at least partially, formulated in order to maintain the memory of the Stand at Sinai. We explore the Eretz Yisrael tradition of completing the Torah over 3 and a half years - or twice in a seven-year span, and explore its relationship to Hakhel and, ultimately, to a weekly (at least) reexperiencing of Sinai.

Sometimes the salvation of Hashem comes right away, and sometimes the salvation comes at the very last possible moment. A situation may look like it has reached its breaking point. Every option appears exhausted. Every door seems firmly shut. And then, at the last possible second, the salvation arrives. Both kinds of salvations are exhilarating. Hashem is never late when He waits, and He is never random when He acts suddenly. Each form of salvation is perfectly calculated according to the needs of the person experiencing it. We must always hope for Hashem's help. We must believe that it can come in an instant, and we must also believe that no matter how long it has been delayed, it can still come. I read a story about a man named Reuven from Lakewood who, Baruch Hashem, had a large family but was living in a very small house. He did not want to move, because he lived in an excellent location. He had a non-Jewish neighbor whom he had asked several times if she would be willing to sell her house. She had agreed in principle, but the price was far too high for him, eight hundred thousand dollars. Not to mention that the house itself was small and would only be useful as part of an expansion to his own home. One Chol HaMoed, Reuven traveled to Eretz Yisrael with his family for a week. On Shabbat afternoon, the family walked to the Kotel to pray Arbit, while his wife stayed back at the apartment where they were staying. The entire family was excited to pour out their hearts to Hashem and ask Him for larger living quarters. They prayed at the Kotel sincerely, from the depths of their hearts, entreating the Borei Olam. On Motzaei Shabbat, before they even returned to the apartment, Reuven's wife's phone rang. It was the neighbor calling to say that she was ready to sell the house for a lower price, because she had decided to move into an assisted living facility. She told them the new price would be five hundred thousand dollars. Reuven was overjoyed. When they returned to Lakewood, they discovered certain technical issues with the house, and in the end, she sold it to them for just three hundred thousand dollars. They were able to renovate and move into a much larger home, exactly what they had been hoping for. Hashem answered their prayers at the Kotel instantly. A woman told me another story, one where the salvation came at the very last moment. She and her husband had bought a new home to meet the needs of their growing family. They planned to help pay the mortgage by renting out the house they had been living in. However, month after month passed, and they were unable to find a renter. They were under tremendous pressure, because this rental income was the only way, b'derech hateva, they could afford the new mortgage payments. For the first three months, they managed to make the payments using money from a loan they had taken for renovations. The stress was overwhelming. She said she could not sleep at night and could barely function during the day. She tried very hard to strengthen her emunah, but it felt as though it just was not sinking in. She asked Hashem to send them opportunities to do chesed with their new home as a zechut to find a renter for their old one. Indeed, Hashem sent them many chesed opportunities, but still no renter appeared. They gladly embraced every opportunity and continued begging Hashem for salvation. Eventually, it came to the point where their next mortgage payment was due on January fifteenth, and they had absolutely no way to make the payment. It would have been extremely embarrassing for them to miss it. On January fourteenth, the very last day, Baruch Hashem, they found a renter who paid the first month's rent on the spot. On that same day, her husband unexpectedly received an insurance refund check. Also that very day, they temporarily rented out part of their new home, and that person paid as well. Together, they received the exact amount needed for the mortgage, without her husband having to dip into any of his regular income. It all came together literally at ten o'clock at night, just hours before the payment was due the next day. Hashem sent them the yeshuah at the last possible moment. The salvations of Hashem are truly amazing. Our job is to believe, always, that they can come at any moment.

B"H One of the clearest signs of redemption in our tradition is when the Land of Israel gives its fruits generously. Rashi teaches that when Eretz Yisrael begins to bloom again, it means the land is awake and responding to its people. Today, we see this with our own eyes: wine, agriculture, innovation, and abundance. That's why Tu Bishvat has become so elevated in our time. Tasting the fruits of Eretz Yisrael isn't just physical; it's spiritual. It's a way of connecting to the land, its kedushah, and the unfolding story of return. When the land flourishes, so does the soul of the people. L'chaim. #TuBishvat #Israel #Judaism #Mashiach #Geulah To watch Torah Thoughts in video format, click HERE Subscribe to the Torah Thoughts BLOG for exclusive written content! Please like, share and subscribe wherever you find this!

In this Thinking Talmudist episode on Gittin 57b, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe concludes the tragic narratives surrounding the destruction of Betar and the broader Roman massacres, drawing powerful lessons on reckless reaction, lashon hara, and ultimate divine justice.The Gemara recounts how Betar's custom of planting cedar trees for boys and pine for girls (later used for wedding canopies) led to disaster: Roman attendants cut a local cedar to fix Caesar's daughter's carriage, prompting Jewish outrage and attack. This escalated into full Roman slaughter (80,000 division leaders entered, millions killed, blood flowing to the sea and fertilizing vineyards for seven years without other fertilizer). The rabbi explains the overreaction stemmed from superstitious attachment to the tree as a child's future symbol—yet halacha warns against excessive worry (e.g., not lighting yahrzeit candles yourself to avoid superstition if one extinguishes).The rabbi connects this to lashon hara (slander) about Eretz Yisrael by the spies, which doomed a generation, and urges intentional Jewish living over burial myths (e.g., tattoos or lashon hara don't bar Jewish burial—focus on living Jewish now with daily teshuva). He details horrific Babylonian carnage (Nuvuzaradan's 2.11 million in a valley, 940,000 in Jerusalem), Zechariah's boiling blood refusing to rest until appeased (even by mass slaughter), and Nuvuzaradan's repentance and conversion. Descendants of Haman, Sisera, and Sanheriv became Torah teachers—showing redemption is possible.The episode closes with reflections on Holocaust horrors (44,000 camps, personal family stories), modern Israeli miracles, and the need to live vibrantly Jewish—investing in mitzvot, family purity (niddah separation creates 12 annual honeymoons), and trust in Hashem over fleeting things._____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by David & Susan MarbinRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on January 16, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 30, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-talmudist-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1648951154Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cZ7q9bGYSBYSPQfJvwgzmShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content._____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Talmud, #Gittin, #BetarDestruction, #FamilyPurity, #NiddahLaws, #JewishMarriage, #Gittin, #Beitar, #FamilyPurity, #Niddah, #JewishMarriage, #RecklessAnger, #RageMonster ★ Support this podcast ★

In this Thinking Talmudist episode on Gittin 57b, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe concludes the tragic narratives surrounding the destruction of Betar and the broader Roman massacres, drawing powerful lessons on reckless reaction, lashon hara, and ultimate divine justice.The Gemara recounts how Betar's custom of planting cedar trees for boys and pine for girls (later used for wedding canopies) led to disaster: Roman attendants cut a local cedar to fix Caesar's daughter's carriage, prompting Jewish outrage and attack. This escalated into full Roman slaughter (80,000 division leaders entered, millions killed, blood flowing to the sea and fertilizing vineyards for seven years without other fertilizer). The rabbi explains the overreaction stemmed from superstitious attachment to the tree as a child's future symbol—yet halacha warns against excessive worry (e.g., not lighting yahrzeit candles yourself to avoid superstition if one extinguishes).The rabbi connects this to lashon hara (slander) about Eretz Yisrael by the spies, which doomed a generation, and urges intentional Jewish living over burial myths (e.g., tattoos or lashon hara don't bar Jewish burial—focus on living Jewish now with daily teshuva). He details horrific Babylonian carnage (Nuvuzaradan's 2.11 million in a valley, 940,000 in Jerusalem), Zechariah's boiling blood refusing to rest until appeased (even by mass slaughter), and Nuvuzaradan's repentance and conversion. Descendants of Haman, Sisera, and Sanheriv became Torah teachers—showing redemption is possible.The episode closes with reflections on Holocaust horrors (44,000 camps, personal family stories), modern Israeli miracles, and the need to live vibrantly Jewish—investing in mitzvot, family purity (niddah separation creates 12 annual honeymoons), and trust in Hashem over fleeting things._____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by David & Susan MarbinRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on January 16, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 30, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-talmudist-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1648951154Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cZ7q9bGYSBYSPQfJvwgzmShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content._____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Talmud, #Gittin, #BetarDestruction, #FamilyPurity, #NiddahLaws, #JewishMarriage, #Gittin, #Beitar, #FamilyPurity, #Niddah, #JewishMarriage, #RecklessAnger, #RageMonster ★ Support this podcast ★

Hashem trained Bnei Yisrael in the Midbar through the manna not to be anxious about tomorrow's parnassah, teaching them that although in Eretz Yisrael they would go through the natural process of working the land and earning a living, all sustenance truly comes from heaven. By collecting only what was needed each day for forty years, they learned that even when engaging in human effort and natural systems, it is Hashem alone who provides. Our role is to make a kli by working, because it is a mitzvah, but we must always recognize that the outcome is entirely from Hashem. This same lesson is reflected in Shabbos, where we are told to rely on Hashem for our needs while still going through the practical process, understanding that repayment and success come only from Him.לקו״ש טז-ג

Hashem is involved in every second of everyone's lives. It is a great avodah when we recognize His hashgachah and attribute events and happenings to His Divine Providence. Aside from the fact that recognizing His involvement in our lives brings us closer to Him, it also gives us tremendous chizuk. It allows us to know that Hashem can always help us, no matter what situation we find ourselves in. It is so clear that He is constantly controlling everything. A woman once told me that her father's flight was recently canceled, and he was unable to get a return flight home for another three days. The problem was that he was taking a very important medication that he could not miss, and he had completely run out. He was unable to obtain more of it in the place where he was stranded. Remarkably, around that same time, someone casually mentioned to her that she was traveling to that very location the next morning. The woman immediately called her, and Baruch Hashem, the medication reached her father exactly when he needed to take his next dose. A man whom we will call Yehudah shared another powerful story. The institution where he worked arranged a special Shabbaton to honor its employees. It was meant to be uplifting and inspiring. Yehudah very much wanted to attend, but he had a minhag to go to the mikveh every morning, and he would only go if there would be a mikveh available. When Yehudah told his boss that he might not come if there was no mikveh, his boss was visibly upset. He told him how important it was that Yehudah attend, and he assured him that he would make sure there would be a mikveh nearby. Yehudah trusted him and decided to go. When they arrived at the hotel before Shabbat, they discovered that many things were operated by automatic electricity that could not be adjusted. It became clear that it would be impossible to stay there over Shabbat. The boss was extremely frustrated. He had the phone number of someone who managed a refugee camp that had been established three years earlier for orphans from Ukraine. He called him, and it turned out that the camp had a completely kosher kitchen, a dining hall, guest rooms, and was ready to host them for Shabbat. At that hectic moment, Yehudah was hesitant to approach his boss about the mikveh. But as they were boarding the buses to travel to the new location, Yehudah gathered the courage to ask whether there would be a mikveh there. His boss answered honestly that he had no idea. Yehudah then said that if that was the case, he really could not join, and asked if he could please have the phone number of someone from the nearest Jewish community so he could stay in a private home instead. His boss replied that they would figure it out when they got there and told him to just get on the bus. With no real choice, Yehudah went along. When they arrived, he tried desperately to find out if there was a mikveh within walking distance, but no one knew of one. With just a little more than an hour before Shabbat, Yehudah learned that there was a nearby matzah bakery owned by a Jew who lived in Eretz Yisrael. At one point, the owner had wanted to build a mikveh next to the bakery so that he would have one available whenever he visited. Yehudah managed to obtain the phone number of Daniel, the bakery manager, and called him. When Yehudah asked whether a mikveh had been built near the bakery, Daniel responded with clear excitement in his voice, saying that there was indeed a mikveh. Daniel then offered to come by on Shabbat morning at six o'clock and bring whoever wanted to go. Yehudah was overjoyed. On Shabbat morning, when Daniel arrived, he asked Yehudah if he knew when the mikveh had been completed. Yehudah replied that he did not. Daniel then revealed something astonishing. That past Monday, they had completed everything necessary to finish the mikveh. On Tuesday, they opened the roof so rainwater could enter. And only the night before, there had been such heavy rain that the pit finally filled with enough water. Now, on Shabbat morning, Yehudah would be the first person ever to use this mikveh. Yehudah said that his entire body trembled when he realized the hashgachah of what Hashem had done, orchestrating everything so precisely just so he could have the mikveh he so desperately wanted. Another man related a different story. Someone had given him a gift of seven hundred and ninety dollars to buy a specific product. He already knew the exact price, and the amount he was given matched it perfectly. He then began to wonder whether he should separate ma'aser from the money. On the one hand, it was a gift meant for a specific purpose. On the other hand, it was still money that had come to him. Without asking a rabbi, he decided to act above the letter of the law and gave eighty dollars as ma'aser. When he arrived at the store and went to pay, the owner told him the price was seven hundred dollars. Surprised, he asked if it was not supposed to be seven hundred and ninety. The owner smiled and asked what was wrong with getting a discount. Hashem is even in charge of the price we pay for the merchandise we buy. He is involved in every detail of our lives, and it is a great avodah each time we recognize it.

In this Ask Away #28 episode of Everyday Judaism, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe answers live and emailed questions on practical halacha and deeper Jewish life:Netilat yadayim technique — One continuous flow is ideal; your wrist-to-fingers method is fine if uninterrupted.Running water / faucets — Requires human force (koach gavra); turn faucet on/off repeatedly so first spurt washes each hand.Morning blessings order — Body needs first (restroom), then wash hands + Al Netilat Yadayim, Asher Yatzar, Elokai Neshama (attach them); Modeh Ani immediately upon waking.Aliyah in current times — Massive wave of aliyah is real and prophetic; if livelihood transfers easily, move (great mitzvah—every moment/step in Eretz Yisrael is a mitzvah); if not, stay and be intentional (e.g., spread Torah, as Rabbi does in Houston). Cultural/language barriers for children over 6 are real; prepare spiritually (Torah growth, closeness to Hashem) for Moshiach—have a "go bag" ready.Tattoos & henna — Tattoos forbidden biblically; henna generally permitted (ask rabbi); neither blocks hand-washing unless substantial chatzitzah.Infidelity & King Solomon — Torah forbids casual intimacy outside marriage; Solomon's 1,000 wives/concubines is a cautionary tale—he later warns against it. Rabbinic decree limits men to one wife at a time. Modern promiscuity/infidelity rises with internet; use filters/accountability, delete temptations, prioritize emotional depth via niddah laws.Shabbat automatic toilets — Triggering sensors is problematic (creative labor); if unavoidable, some poskim permit as gram/indirect; best avoid or use manual options.Finding a rabbi — Pursue actively (run after them); persistence (e.g., persistent voicemails) works; rabbi guides halacha/life; don't wait for one to chase you.The rabbi shares personal stories (mikvah healing soul-leaving sensation, persistent rabbi outreach) and stresses intentional Judaism, community, and using modern tools for good while guarding against harm.Please submit your questions at askaway@torchweb.org_____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #82) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on January 4, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 29, 2026_____________Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Everyday Judaism PodcastApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-judaism-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1600622789Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3AXCNcyKSVsaOLsLQsCN1CShare your questions at askaway@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#AskAway, #Torah, #Halacha, #Q&A, #Jewish, #Halacha, #NetilatYadayim, #HandWashing, #Mikvah, #Rabbi, #Tzedakah ★ Support this podcast ★

In this Ask Away #28 episode of Everyday Judaism, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe answers live and emailed questions on practical halacha and deeper Jewish life:Netilat yadayim technique — One continuous flow is ideal; your wrist-to-fingers method is fine if uninterrupted.Running water / faucets — Requires human force (koach gavra); turn faucet on/off repeatedly so first spurt washes each hand.Morning blessings order — Body needs first (restroom), then wash hands + Al Netilat Yadayim, Asher Yatzar, Elokai Neshama (attach them); Modeh Ani immediately upon waking.Aliyah in current times — Massive wave of aliyah is real and prophetic; if livelihood transfers easily, move (great mitzvah—every moment/step in Eretz Yisrael is a mitzvah); if not, stay and be intentional (e.g., spread Torah, as Rabbi does in Houston). Cultural/language barriers for children over 6 are real; prepare spiritually (Torah growth, closeness to Hashem) for Moshiach—have a "go bag" ready.Tattoos & henna — Tattoos forbidden biblically; henna generally permitted (ask rabbi); neither blocks hand-washing unless substantial chatzitzah.Infidelity & King Solomon — Torah forbids casual intimacy outside marriage; Solomon's 1,000 wives/concubines is a cautionary tale—he later warns against it. Rabbinic decree limits men to one wife at a time. Modern promiscuity/infidelity rises with internet; use filters/accountability, delete temptations, prioritize emotional depth via niddah laws.Shabbat automatic toilets — Triggering sensors is problematic (creative labor); if unavoidable, some poskim permit as gram/indirect; best avoid or use manual options.Finding a rabbi — Pursue actively (run after them); persistence (e.g., persistent voicemails) works; rabbi guides halacha/life; don't wait for one to chase you.The rabbi shares personal stories (mikvah healing soul-leaving sensation, persistent rabbi outreach) and stresses intentional Judaism, community, and using modern tools for good while guarding against harm.Please submit your questions at askaway@torchweb.org_____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #82) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on January 4, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 29, 2026_____________Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Everyday Judaism PodcastApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-judaism-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1600622789Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3AXCNcyKSVsaOLsLQsCN1CShare your questions at askaway@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#AskAway, #Torah, #Halacha, #Q&A, #Jewish, #Halacha, #NetilatYadayim, #HandWashing, #Mikvah, #Rabbi, #Tzedakah ★ Support this podcast ★

In this Thinking Talmudist episode on Gittin 57a, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe concludes the tragic stories of Kfar Sekania's destruction and delves into the Roman massacre of Betar (Beitar), using it to illustrate the dangers of reckless reaction and the power of lashon hara (slander) in causing national catastrophe.The Gemara recounts how Betar's custom of planting cedar trees for boys and pine for girls—later used for wedding canopies—led to disaster: when Caesar's daughter's carriage broke, her attendants cut down a local cedar, prompting Jews to attack them in outrage. This sparked Roman retaliation, resulting in the slaughter of millions (80,000 division leaders entering, blood flowing to the sea, streets running red). The destruction stemmed from overreaction to a perceived personal affront (the tree symbolizing a child's future), mirroring how lashon hara about Eretz Yisrael by the spies doomed a generation.The rabbi emphasizes intentional Jewish living over myths (e.g., tattoos or lashon hara barring burial), urging daily teshuva and vibrancy in mitzvot. He shares powerful personal reflections on family purity laws (niddah): physical separation (no touching, separate beds) creates 12 annual honeymoons, nurturing emotional depth and preventing relationships from becoming stale or objectified—preserving long-term love and holiness.The episode closes with a call to invest in authentic Judaism now, not just "die Jewish," and to recognize that all is in Hashem's hand._____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by David & Susan MarbinRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on January 9, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 23, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-talmudist-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1648951154Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cZ7q9bGYSBYSPQfJvwgzmShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content._____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Talmud, #Gittin, #BetarDestruction, #FamilyPurity, #NiddahLaws, #JewishMarriage ★ Support this podcast ★

In this Thinking Talmudist episode on Gittin 57a, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe concludes the tragic stories of Kfar Sekania's destruction and delves into the Roman massacre of Betar (Beitar), using it to illustrate the dangers of reckless reaction and the power of lashon hara (slander) in causing national catastrophe.The Gemara recounts how Betar's custom of planting cedar trees for boys and pine for girls—later used for wedding canopies—led to disaster: when Caesar's daughter's carriage broke, her attendants cut down a local cedar, prompting Jews to attack them in outrage. This sparked Roman retaliation, resulting in the slaughter of millions (80,000 division leaders entering, blood flowing to the sea, streets running red). The destruction stemmed from overreaction to a perceived personal affront (the tree symbolizing a child's future), mirroring how lashon hara about Eretz Yisrael by the spies doomed a generation.The rabbi emphasizes intentional Jewish living over myths (e.g., tattoos or lashon hara barring burial), urging daily teshuva and vibrancy in mitzvot. He shares powerful personal reflections on family purity laws (niddah): physical separation (no touching, separate beds) creates 12 annual honeymoons, nurturing emotional depth and preventing relationships from becoming stale or objectified—preserving long-term love and holiness.The episode closes with a call to invest in authentic Judaism now, not just "die Jewish," and to recognize that all is in Hashem's hand._____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by David & Susan MarbinRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on January 9, 2026, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 23, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-talmudist-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1648951154Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cZ7q9bGYSBYSPQfJvwgzmShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content._____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Talmud, #Gittin, #BetarDestruction, #FamilyPurity, #NiddahLaws, #JewishMarriage ★ Support this podcast ★

This Q&A tackles a hard question Jews are asking right now: stay in the diaspora… or build a serious plan for Israel.In this conversation, Rabbi Leib Kelemen addresses:- Can history repeat itself—and what feels “too familiar” today- How October 7th changed the global reality overnight- Why “no panic” matters—but “no plan” is dangerous- Israel safety vs diaspora safety (and what the numbers miss)- A Torah framework: the mitzvah of living in Eretz Yisrael + the complexity of real family life- How to think when different family members will be affected differently- Why there's no one-size-fits-all answer—and how to make a responsible decisionThis is not a call to fear. It's a call to clarity, wisdom, and preparation.Want more Q&A and free new material from Rabbi Kelemen?Go to https://www.lawrencekelemen.com/#Aliyah #EretzYisrael #Antisemitism #JewishLife #Torah #IsraelSafety #DiasporaJews

Rabbi Kalish

Can redemption begin if we don't yet believe we deserve it? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Judy Klitzner explore Parshat Va'era at its lowest point, when redemption seems to move backward and hope feels out of reach. Through close literary reading, they trace how slavery erodes self-worth, distorts memory, and traps both the people and Moshe in a cycle of despair. God's response reframes redemption not only as freedom from suffering, but as a restoration of identity, covenant, and purpose—challenging the Israelites to see themselves as worthy of redemption before they can fully receive it. ----------- This week's episode is generously sponsored by Francine Stein in loving memory of her mother, Mollie Siegel z”l, Malka bat HaRav Yaakov and Chana Sara, who recently passed away on the 8th of Cheshvan. A woman ahead of her time who earned her Master's degree in the 1940s, Mollie was a devoted listener who found great meaning in this podcast's Torah lessons, even in her final days. She was dedicated to her family, Klal Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. May her memory be a blessing.

The pasuk says in this week's parashat Shemot, וַתֵּתַצַּב אֲחֹתוֹ מֵרָחֹק לְדֵעָה מַה־יֵּעָשֶׂה -לוֹ Simply, this refers to Miriam, Moshe's older sister, who was standing by watching what would happen to him when he was put into the Nile River. Rabbi Menashe Reizman quoted the Midrash which explains that this pasuk is referring to the Shechinah, standing there watching from afar. The Midrash proves from other pesukim how every word in that pasuk is a reference to the Shechinah. The Maharsha, Masechet Sotah, explains the Midrash is teaching us that although Moshe being thrown into the river seemed like an act of destruction, the ways of Hashem are very far from us. Miriam had a prophecy that the savior was going to be born, and this looked like a nullification of that prophecy. However, this was actually the way in which the prophecy became fulfilled. It was through this that Moshe was raised safely in the palace by the daughter of Pharoah. It also teaches us that although this took place when the harshest slavery began, it appeared that Hashem was so distant, but He was right there standing with them. During their darkest time, Hashem was making the greatest miracles—causing the daughter of Pharoah to go down to the Nile at the exact time Moshe was placed there, and then making the miracle of her arm stretching out to reach him. Rabbi Reizman pointed out that the Torah only devotes six pesukim to discussing all of the slavery in Mitzrayim. Right after that, begins the story of the redemption—how Moshe was born and how he became the go'el. Even the pesukim that speak about the throwing of the babies into the Nile mention Miryam and Yocheved, the mother and sister of the go'el. Perhaps one explanation of this is that we are not meant to dwell too much on the difficulties that we are given. It is hard for us to comprehend how pain and suffering could possibly be good for us, and therefore it is incumbent upon us not to analyze the details too deeply, but rather to trust in Hashem. When Hashem called to Moshe from the burning bush, the pasuk says that Moshe was afraid to look. Hashem appeared to Moshe in a thorn bush, symbolizing עִמּוֹ אָנֹכִי בְצָרָה -He was with us during that hard time. Moshe did not see all the harsh slave labor because he was in Midyan. The Mefarshim explain that here Hashem began showing Moshe the suffering that the Jewish people were going through, but Moshe was afraid to look because he did not want to lower his level of emunah and potentially have questions on the way Hashem was dealing with them. One of the harshest decrees was that Pharoah was killing 150 babies every morning and another 150 every evening, bathing in their blood because he had tzara'at. When Moshe heard about this, along with the fact that Jewish babies were being built into the walls as bricks, he asked Hashem what they did to deserve this. Hashem told Moshe that all of those babies were from previous generations and were receiving their tikkun. It was all chesed, meant to purify them. Hashem told Moshe that if he really wanted, he could save one—and Moshe did. That one baby-Micha- brought about the worst destruction. He was the one who took the Shem Hashem that Moshe used to bring Yosef's aron out of the sea, threw it into the fire when the Jews were waiting for Moshe to come down from Har Sinai, and caused the Egel(golden calf) to emerge alive. Until today, we are still suffering from the effects of the Egel. He later made an idol when they entered Eretz Yisrael, causing countless tragedies to befall the Jewish people. He was also known as Nevat, the father of Yeravam, who caused the exile of the Ten Tribes. That destruction came from just one of those babies. The Lev Aryeh writes that all those who perished in Mitzrayim were neshamot from earlier generations that returned for a tikkun—the generations of the Mabul, Dor HaPelagah, and the people of Sedom. The Mishnah says in Pirkei Avot, אַל תִּסְתַּכֵּל בַּקַּנְקָן אֶלָּא בְּמַה שֶּׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ (Avot 4:20) The Lev Aryeh explains homiletically that this also refers to the tragedies in Mitzrayim. The word קן has the numerical value of 150. Do not look at what happened to the 150 babies in the morning and the 150 babies in the evening; rather, look at who those people really were—resha'im who needed a tikkun. Hashem is always standing near us, but He appears to be afar because His ways are so far beyond our understanding. Everything He does is chesed. We do not have the ability to comprehend His ways in this world, but we do have the ability to trust in Him. We should not dwell excessively on the difficulties; rather, we should believe that everything is chesed done out of love. And if we have that emunah, then we will be considered people who are truly loyal. Shabbat Shalom

There are moments in a person's life when Hashem is calling upon him to elevate himself to true greatness. At times, Hashem will give a person an extremely difficult test, one that requires him to summon every ounce of inner strength to withstand it. Some people fail the test and never realize the tremendous potential that lay within them. Others seize the moment, rise to the challenge, and are catapulted to heights they could never have reached otherwise. The sefer Even Sapir brings a powerful story that illustrates this idea. There was a young man, seventeen years old, named Shalom, from Teiman. He was already a budding Torah scholar and was exceptionally handsome. To earn a living, he worked as a spice merchant, going door to door selling his goods. One day, a non-Jewish woman called out to him and asked him to bring in some spices so she could look at them. Shalom stepped just slightly inside, making sure to leave the door wide open. Suddenly, the woman shut the door and told him that her husband was the head of the city. She threatened him that if he did not sin with her immediately, she would have him put to death. In that moment, Shalom was faced with a test similar to that of Yosef HaTzaddik. He asked the woman if he could use the restroom, and she showed him where it was. The apartment was on the third floor of the building. Inside the bathroom, Shalom noticed an open window. He turned to Hashem and said that he would rather jump out of the window than commit the aveirah. He vowed that if he survived, he would make aliyah to Eretz Yisrael. He jumped. Miraculously, he landed on his feet, unharmed, and immediately began running. From there, his journey took him through India, Baghdad, and Damascus, until he finally arrived in Yerushalayim. Once there, he went to Rav Gedaliah Chayon, the head of Yeshivat Beit El, the great yeshivah for Kabbalah, and asked if he could serve as the caretaker. He asked for nothing in return other than a roof over his head and food to eat. His thirst for Torah was so great that he wanted nothing more than to hear the holy words of Torah spoken by the great chachamim of the yeshivah. As he cleaned the bet midrash and served the rabbis, he listened carefully to the shiurim and absorbed every word. One day, the rosh yeshivah posed an exceptionally difficult question. None of the rabbis in the beit midrash could answer it. There were scholars there in their sixties and seventies who had devoted their lives to Torah, yet no one could offer a satisfactory response. That night, before the rabbis returned to learn at chatzot, Shalom, the caretaker, took out a pen and began writing a detailed teshuvah to answer the rosh yeshivah's question. He quoted numerous sources and wrote a masterful explanation. He quietly placed the paper inside the rosh yeshivah's sefer and returned to his work. When the rosh yeshivah opened his sefer to begin his shiur, he was astonished. After reading the teshuvah, he asked who among them had written it. No one answered. He said that such writing could only have come from a sage of earlier generations—perhaps even from Eliyahu HaNavi. A week later, the same thing happened again. Another brilliant teshuvah appeared. Again, no one claimed authorship. The entire yeshivah buzzed with speculation about the mysterious Torah giant in their midst. The rosh yeshivah lived across from the yeshivah, and his daughter, aware of her father's deep curiosity, began watching the bet midrash late at night. One evening, she saw Shalom, the caretaker, writing a teshuvah. She told her father what she had seen. Rav Gedaliah approached Shalom and demanded the truth. Shalom admitted that he was the one writing the teshuvot. The rosh yeshivah was stunned that someone so young possessed such mastery, especially in the hidden wisdom of Torah. Although Shalom tried to conceal his greatness, it was now revealed. He eventually married the rosh yeshivah's daughter, and when Rav Gedaliah passed away, he appointed Shalom as the new rosh yeshivah—at the age of twenty-seven. This Shalom was none other than Rav Shalom Sharabi, known as the Rashash, one of the greatest mekubalim who ever lived. Rav Chaim Palachi wrote that the Rashash possessed the neshamah of the Arizal. Rav Yitzchak Kaduri said that one who has not learned the writings of the Rashash has not yet entered the true realm of Kabbalah. When Rav Shalom Sharabi was later asked about the source of his extraordinary greatness in Torah, he attributed it to that moment of test with the woman. After overcoming it, he said, his mind opened, and Torah began to flow from him like a wellspring. When Hashem sends a person an especially difficult test, it may very well be His way of calling that person to greatness. The test may feel overwhelming, but if a person perseveres and follows Hashem, he will reap rewards that last for all eternity.

This week's parashah, Vayechi, is known as a parashah setumah —a closed parashah—because there is no space in the Torah between the end of Vayigash and the beginning of Vayechi. Rashi explains that one reason for this is that the eyes and hearts of the Jewish people became "closed" when Yaakov Avinu passed away, from the pain and pressure of the bondage. The mefarshim ask a powerful question. Rashi himself writes elsewhere that the actual slavery in Mitzrayim did not begin until after the last of the Shevatim passed away. If so, how can Rashi say that immediately after Yaakov's passing their hearts became closed because of the slavery? The Be'er HaParashah, citing the Ma'agalei Tzedek, explains this beautifully. We know from other pesukim that the Shevatim originally came down to Mitzrayim only because of the famine. Once Yaakov passed away, and they went back to Eretz Yisrael to bury him in the Me'arat HaMachpelah, the famine was already long over. Logically, they should have stayed in Eretz Yisrael. Yaakov himself had been commanded to go down to Mitzrayim, but his children had not been given such a command. So why did they return to Mitzrayim? The answer must be that Hashem closed their eyes and hearts from even considering the possibility of staying in Eretz Yisrael. Hashem wanted the decree of slavery to unfold, and therefore He guided them back to Mitzrayim in a way that felt natural and unquestioned. It didn't have to make sense to them, because it was Hashem leading them where they needed to be. This, explains the Ma'agalei Tzedek, is what Rashi means when he says that their eyes and hearts became closed. Not that they were already enslaved, but that Hashem closed off certain lines of thought so that the process He willed could move forward. This is a lesson that repeats itself constantly in our lives. Many times, years later, a person looks back and asks himself: Why did I choose that path? From where I stand now, I never would have made that decision. The answer is often that Hashem wanted him led in that direction. Hashem guides us not only through clear signs, but through closed doors, missed opportunities, delays, and distractions. What looks like nature is pure hashgacha. Rabbi Elimelech Biderman shared a remarkable story that illustrates this idea in a very tangible way. In Brooklyn, there is a man named Rabbi Yosef who learns regularly with another Jew who, until about a year ago, was very far from Judaism. They learn together by phone several times a week, and slowly, with siyata d'Shmaya, this man has been growing in his observance. A few weeks ago, on Erev Chanukah, Rabbi Yosef discovered that his learning partner had put on tefillin only once in his entire life. Rabbi Yosef spoke to him about the importance of the mitzvah and encouraged him to start wearing tefillin daily. The man replied that he didn't own his own tefillin. He only had an inherited pair—small tefillin of Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam, as was his family custom to wear both together. But the straps had faded from black to white. Rabbi Yosef immediately understood that the tefillin were almost certainly pasul. At the same time, he knew that this man was not yet ready to hear that he needed to spend a large sum of money on new tefillin. So Rabbi Yosef decided, quietly, that he would try to raise the money himself and buy him proper tefillin according to his custom. The very next day, Rabbi Yosef woke up early, as usual, and learned with a different chavruta by phone at six in the morning. After that, however, a series of unusual delays began. One thing after another went wrong, and he missed his regular minyan. He went to a different shul on the same block, but again encountered obstacles and could not pray with that minyan either. Finally, he walked to another shul a block away, where the minyan was much later than the time he normally prays. As soon as he entered the shul, his eyes were drawn to a small tefillin bag. Attached to it was a sign that read: "Anyone who needs this may take it." He opened the bag and could hardly believe what he saw. Inside were two small pairs of tefillin—Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam. He sent them to a sofer to be checked, and they were found to be completely kosher. At that moment, everything became clear. All the delays, all the missed minyanim, all the frustrations of that morning were not accidents. They were Hashem closing one door after another in order to lead Rabbi Yosef precisely to the place where those tefillin were waiting. Finding tefillin left for the taking is rare enough. Finding two small, kosher pairs of Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam was nothing short of astonishing. It was as if Hashem had prepared them in advance, custom-made for this man, and simply needed Rabbi Yosef to arrive at the right place at the right time. This is the message of the parashah. Hashem is constantly leading us—sometimes by opening our eyes, and sometimes by closing them. Our job is not always to understand in the moment, but to trust that every delay, every detour, and every missed plan is part of a precise Divine guidance. Shabbat Shalom.

The sanctity of the land & air of Eretz Yisrael and Yerushalayim

B"H The Tenth of Tevet marks the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem — the moment that set the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash into motion. Jews fast today not only to remember what was lost, but to recognize how much still needs healing. This day asks us to strengthen our connection to Torah, to Am Yisrael, and to Eretz Yisrael — and to stand openly and responsibly in this moment of Jewish history. #Judaism #Israel #Fasting #Jerusalem #JewishHistory To watch Torah Thoughts in video format, click HERE Subscribe to the Torah Thoughts BLOG for exclusive written content! Please like, share and subscribe wherever you find this!

B"H If you want to understand what being a Jew means and feels like at the end of 2025, today matters. The Ninth of Tevet is associated with the passing of Ezra HaSofer, and possibly Nehemiah as well. After the first exile, Jewish life as a land- and Temple-centered reality collapsed. What they led was a renaissance — rebuilding Jewish life through Torah learning and a renewed return to the Land of Israel. Two things changed then, and they define us now. Torah became democratized, meant for every Jew, and Jewish life was once again rooted in Eretz Yisrael. Today, Torah is more accessible than ever, and the Jewish people are back in their land. Let's take advantage of this opportunity — to learn more Torah, strengthen Jewish life, and understand the moment we're actually living in. #Israel #Judaism #JewishPeople #JewishIdentity #Torah To watch Torah Thoughts in video format, click HERE Subscribe to the Torah Thoughts BLOG for exclusive written content! Please like, share and subscribe wherever you find this!

When a person is in need of a yeshuah, whether big or small, he must remember one simple truth: Hashem can bring it in an instant, and He has unlimited ways of doing so. Our job is not to pressure the messengers, argue with the intermediaries, or become consumed with how it will happen. Our job is to speak to the Sender. Very often, it is our spiritual hishtadlut that opens doors that once seemed firmly locked. A man related that he was part of a kollel with several learning tracks. Each track had a different style and focus. Once someone committed to a particular track, it was extremely difficult to switch before a certain amount of time passed. This individual chose a track that he soon realized was not right for him. When he discovered another track that felt perfectly suited to his abilities and learning style, he strongly wanted to transfer. He approached the person in charge, but was denied and reminded of the rules. So he continued learning every day, accepting that Hashem had placed him in this situation. He understood that the test was to continue learning Torah even when it was difficult, even when it wasn't in the style that fulfilled his heart's desire. One day, he shared his struggle with a friend. The friend asked him a simple question: "Did you pray to switch?" He realized that he hadn't. Immediately, he began to pray. In addition to mentioning it in his regular tefillot, he began saying Tehillim every day, specifically asking Hashem to help him switch tracks to the one he wanted. Some time later, several people were allowed to switch into that very track. Encouraged, he went back to the person in charge and asked again. Once more, he was denied. This time, instead of becoming frustrated or pleading with the administrator, he made a quiet decision: I'm not going to argue with messengers. I'm going to keep speaking to the One truly in charge. Not long after, one morning on his way to kollel, a man pulled up beside him and offered him a ride. During the conversation, the topic of kollel came up, and he mentioned his desire to switch tracks. When he said the name of the person in charge, the driver replied that he knew him very well and would try to help. Within a few days, the switch was approved. This man didn't waste his energy fighting the messengers. He spoke directly to the Boss, and Hashem sent him exactly the messenger he needed. Another man, an electrician, related that he sat at home for two full days with no work at all. He and his wife sat together, trying to strengthen their emunah, when he received an email from someone asking for help with hachnasat kallah. They spoke it over and decided that tzedakah would be their hishtadlut. They donated $250, in addition to the $118 they had given someone else just an hour earlier. They said that the $368 they had just given would count as the ma'aser for the parnassah that Hashem would send them. The very next day, he received several job calls and earned a total of $3,675—almost exactly the amount that would require the ma'aser they had already given the day before. Hashem can bring the right messengers in a moment. A rabbi told me that a student flew him in from Eretz Yisrael to serve as the mesader kiddushin at his wedding. When the rabbi arrived at the airport, he briefly left his belongings to use the restroom. When he returned, he noticed his hat was gone. He searched everywhere, but it had vanished. The wedding was only hours away, and the city he was in had no stores that sold hats. On the way to the wedding hall, he called a relative who lived in that city and asked what he should do. The relative told him to come to his house immediately. When he arrived, the relative handed him a brand-new hat, still in its box. It was almost identical to the one he had lost and fit him perfectly. The relative explained that seven months earlier, his son had bought a hat in New York and gone straight to the airport afterward. When he got home, he realized the wrong hat had been placed in the box. It didn't fit him, and they had no idea what to do with it. The hat sat unused in their home for months. Now, at the exact moment this rabbi needed a hat, it was waiting for him. Hashem uses His messengers at all times, in all places, often long before we even realize we'll need them. Our main hishtadlut is always with Him.

Chanukah is central to our Jewish Calendar and way of life, but there are many unanswered questions: Why celebrate defeat? What was the real role of Kohanim during the Second Temple? Why was this Yomtov chosen to reflect the ultimate ideal ? Tracing the story from Alexander the Great and Shimon HaTzaddik through the corruption of the Second Temple and the rise of Hellenism, the podcast redefines the central idea of Chanukah - the only festival established by the Sages post-prophecy Connecting the ancient clash of civilizations to the battles which echo down through Russia, America and Eretz Yisrael; It defines Who is a Jew.   Timestamps [0:00:00] Introduction to Greek Exile and Historical Context [0:01:07] Podcast Dedication and Welcome [0:02:05] Setting Up the Hanukkah Discussion [0:04:13] Questioning the Purpose of Hanukkah Celebration [0:14:44] Historical Prequel: Alexander the Great and Shimon HaTzadik [0:22:49] Corruption of the Priesthood [0:26:38] Empire Dynamics After Alexander [0:31:05] Jewish Attraction to Greek Culture [0:40:41] The Spiritual Victory of Hanukkah [0:49:26] Comparing Purim and Hanukkah [0:50:44] Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-up

As we know, shidduchim are from Hashem. Even what appear to be mistakes are all part of the Master Plan. Someone told me that their friend, who is six foot two, became engaged to a girl who is four feet eleven. When the question of her height came up, the initial response was, "almost five feet." Somehow, on the other side, this was heard as five foot three. And based on that, they said yes. Clearly, this was Hashem setting things up so that the meeting would take place and the proper match could come to be. It reminds us that even when details seem unclear or inaccurate, Hashem is orchestrating the outcome. It is important to remember that even when things don't work out, even when the process feels slow, confusing, or painful, it is also from Hashem—and it is for our benefit. A man told me that just before Shavuot, a boy was suggested for his daughter. However, she was scheduled to be out of town until after Shavuot. Then the boy went away. After that, she was leaving for Eretz Yisrael for the summer. The other side initially sounded willing to wait. But when the girl returned in September, they discovered that the boy had already begun dating someone else. A few weeks later, they found out that he was getting engaged to a family friend. The girl's mother was crushed. She felt sure that this boy was perfect for her daughter, and it didn't seem that there were any other options. The father asked their rav to speak to his wife and give her chizuk. The rav told her that in Shamayim, not only is each person's match decided, but there are also several suggestions that a person must hear along the way. Before meeting the right one, a person often has to pass by others who are not meant to be. This process itself brings a person closer to their true zivug. The woman felt comforted and they moved forward. Baruch Hashem, a few months later, another boy was suggested, and this time the shidduch moved quickly to an engagement. The mother later said, "Now that I see the boy she actually got engaged to compared to the previous one, it's so clear that this match is far more compatible for her." We don't know what's truly good for us. Only Hashem does. And therefore, the only logical response is to accept His decisions with trust and happiness. Rabbi Reuven Elbaz shared a powerful story about a young man who had been offered an outstanding shidduch. The girl had wonderful qualities and came from an aristocratic family. After three meetings, however, the girl ended it. The young man was deeply hurt, and because his middot were not refined, he decided to take revenge. He approached a friend he didn't like and suggested this girl to him. The friend took it seriously, looked into her, and reported back that he was interested. The young man then told him that he arranged a meeting for the next night at seven o'clock and gave him the girl's address—without ever asking the girl or her family. The next night, the friend knocked on the door asking for the girl, and the father had no idea what he was talking about. The young man was mortified. The father, realizing something wasn't right, asked who had sent him. When the boy mentioned the young man's name, the father understood immediately what had happened. Rather than sending him away, the father invited the boy to sit for a few minutes to ease his embarrassment. In the course of that short conversation, the father was extremely impressed with him. After looking into him properly, he decided that this young man was suitable for his daughter. Baruch Hashem, they eventually got married. There are no mistakes. Everything is biyad Hashem. And everything He does is for our very best.

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, we sit down with Rabbi Elchanan Shoff (Los Angeles, USA) and Rabbi Michal Weichbrod (Yehuda, Israel) for a rare, honest, and passionate conversation about one of the most charged topics in the Jewish world today: Do Jews belong in America—or is it time to move to Eretz Yisrael? Together, they dive into:

In this shiur, delivered in Ba'er Miriam, Rav Burg explains why it is specifically Rachel who is buried on the side of the road and why her tears return us to Eretz Yisrael and the ultimate redemption.

Aliyah isn't just a flight and a moving truck.It's a total reset of how you think about parnassah, gashmiyus, bitachon, and what “quality of life” actually means.In this episode, I sit down with Eli Freedman, founder of Cork & Cellar Wine Club, to talk about what it really takes to move to Israel and stay – spiritually, emotionally, and financially.Eli shares how he:Went from Boston → Wall Street → Montreal → Beit ShemeshHad zero interest in Aliyah… until COVID, a grandchild in Israel, and a breaking point in CanadaSold his house and business with no Plan B so he couldn't run backWent through the “Eretz Yisrael car wash” – a painful but powerful reset of his gashmiyus and bitachonRebuilt his career from scratch, launching Cork & Cellar, a boutique Israeli wine club for U.S. customersFound a real rav and kehillah after years of feeling disconnectedBuilt a serious morning learning seder and finished Shas multiple times while running a businessWe also talk about:Why you must come with a realistic parnassah plan – and still expect it to breakThe mindset shift from “keeping up with the Joneses” to “being happy with less but living with more”How living in Eretz Yisrael forces you to actually use your emunah and bitachon, not just talk about themThe balance between enjoying good wine and not turning gashmiyus into your ikarAbout our guest:Eli Freedman is the founder of Cork & Cellar Wine Club, connecting small Israeli wineries with wine lovers in the U.S., and helping boutique winemakers who would never make it to American shelves. He lives in Beit Shemesh with his family.If this episode gave you chizuk or clarity about Aliyah and mindset,please follow Shtark Tank, leave a rating, and share it with a friend who's thinking about moving to Israel.

Shiur given by Rabbi Bezalel Rudinsky on Halacha Chanuka. Shiur recorded in Yeshivas Ohr Reuven, Monsey, NY.

At the beginning of Parashat Chayei Sarah, the Torah goes into great detail regarding Avraham Avinu's purchase of the Me'arat HaMachpelah. The Ramban writes that this story is told at length because it represents one of the greatest tests of Avraham's life. Chazal tell us that when Moshe Rabbeinu questioned Hashem about making the work harder for Benei Yisrael in Miẓrayim, Hashem replied that He missed Avraham and gave an example of Avraham's steadfast emunah. Hashem had promised Avraham the entire land of Eretz Yisrael, yet when he needed a place to bury Sarah Imeinu, he could not find one until he was forced to pay an exorbitant sum — and still, he did not question Hashem. The Mefarshim are bothered, because from the pesukim it seems Avraham easily found a burial site, and the Benei Chet offered it to him free of charge. The Alshich HaKadosh explains that Avraham requested an "Achuzat Kever", a permanent burial place — one in which Sarah would rest until Tichiat HaMetim. However, the Benei Chet were only willing to offer a temporary plot; they did not want Avraham to hold a permanent stake in the land. Avraham then asked to speak directly with Efron Hachiti, offering to purchase the entire property where the Me'arah stood. Efron hinted that it would cost an enormous amount, and Avraham paid it in full, without the slightest complaint or question of Hashem's promise. Think about what Avraham was experiencing at that moment. He had just passed what may have been the greatest test in history — the Akeidat Yitzchak — and upon returning, he learned that his beloved Sarah had suddenly passed away. Wanting only to perform the mitzvah of k'vurah as quickly as possible, he found himself dealing with the most difficult, dishonest people imaginable. He was denied a place to bury his wife in a land that the Creator Himself had promised him as an eternal inheritance. When a person suffers loss and grief, it is natural to be emotionally fragile; to then face new frustration can easily cause one to lose patience or become angry. Yet Avraham Avinu maintained the same calm, pleasant demeanor throughout. He treated the Benei Chet and Efron with the utmost respect and paid an outrageous price — all while knowing that Hashem had already granted him this very land as a gift. This unwavering composure and acceptance were what impressed Hashem so deeply. Hashem was showing Moshe Rabbeinu the greatness of Avraham: that no matter how far Hashem pushed him, he never lost himself; he never let the test diminish his emunah. Whenever a person faces a situation in which he could easily lose control or complain, he must remember: Hashem put him there. Hashem is watching to see if he will rise above it. Avraham accepted everything that came his way with joy, knowing it was the Ratzon Hashem — the will of HaKadosh Baruch Hu. That was what Hashem "bragged" about to Moshe Rabbeinu. A man told me about his daughter who lives in Lakewood. Her brother-in-law asked to borrow her car for a night. She gladly agreed, but he unfortunately totaled it. Just a few days later, her brother asked if he could borrow her other car for the night. After what had just happened, she easily could have refused, saying she needed a break from lending her car. But Hashem was testing the depth of her middat hachesed. She smiled and handed him the keys. That night, he too got into an accident and caused major damage to the second car. She could have become upset, blaming them for carelessness — yet she accepted everything from Hashem with understanding and calmness. A few days later, their name was drawn in a local yeshivah raffle, and they won a brand-new Toyota Sienna worth $40,000. If a person worries about damage to his car, he must remember that Hashem can give him ten cars if He wishes. Our concern should not be about possessions — but about our character, our response to challenges, and how we accept Hashem's will. The harder the test, the greater the potential for growth.

Shiur given by Rabbi Bezalel Rudinsky on Halacha Chanuka. Shiur recorded in Yeshivas Ohr Reuven, Monsey, NY.

This episode discusses an apparent contradiction between two Rashis: In Bereishis 13:7 , he says that Lot had no right to take land in Eretz Yisrael because it wasn't yet given to Avraham. But in Bereishis 23:4, he says that Avraham threatened to rightfully take land in Eretz Yisrael if they didn't sell him a burial spot for Sarah.

By Rabbi Josh WanderThere is a painful and uncomfortable reality that we rarely speak about publicly:Nearly one million Israelis have left Eretz Yisrael to live in the Diaspora.Not because of pogroms.Not because of famine.Not because they were expelled.They chose to leave.They walked away from the one thing that generations before us would have given their lives for: the privilege of living in the Land of Israel.And this can only happen in a vacuum — a vacuum of education, a vacuum of emunah, and a vacuum of understanding the true value of Eretz Yisrael. When someone does not know what something is worth, it becomes very easy to trade away.Creatures of Comfort, Prisoners of ExileMany of these Israelis are “successful” abroad. They live in modern suburbs, earn comfortable salaries, eat in kosher restaurants, and send their children to schools with Hebrew signs on the walls.Some are even “religious.”But spiritually, they have moved from Geula (redemption) to Galut (exile).From light to darkness.From open skies to a tunnel.Choosing exile over Israel is like voluntarily crawling into the spiritual equivalent of a Hamas tunnel — darkness, disorientation, disconnection.It is a self-imposed spiritual prison.They convince themselves that their “spirituality is more uplifting” in New York, Miami, or Los Angeles.What a perversion.How twisted our values have become that we equate kosher supermarkets, valet parking, and kiddush clubs with spirituality.Do We Know Better Than Hashem?Let's ask the only question that matters:If Avraham Avinu and Sara Imeinu were told by Hashem to leave Charan and move to Canaan, would they respond:“Actually, Hashem, our ruchniyut is better here. The housing market is cheaper and the shuls are more comfortable”?Absurd.Yet today, many Jews speak this way.Not explicitly — but this is the core of their argument:“I know Hashem said Eretz Yisrael is our home,but I know better what's best for me and my family.”Chutzpah.Ignorance.Hashem gave us 613 mitzvot. Nearly one-third can only be performed in the Land. How can a thinking, believing Jew read the Torah and still say:“It's better for my neshamah to stay in exile.”The Intellectual Justifications and the Halachic AcrobaticsOf course, excuses always need footnotes.So we hear:* “The Satmar Shitta says the Three Oaths forbid returning before Moshiach.”* “Rav Moshe Feinstein wrote that aliyah isn't obligatory today.”* “Tosafot says due to danger one may stay in exile.”All true — in context.Yet deeply misunderstood and conveniently misused.Even Satmar Chassidim weep over Eretz Yisrael.Even Rav Moshe Feinstein praised the holiness of the Land.None of them said:“Exile is a spiritually superior environment. Stay there for comfort.”For thousands of years, our rabbis begged, prayed, and sacrificed to reach this Land. They endured malaria-infested swamps, starvation, and Ottoman decrees.Not for comfort.For covenant.They understood what we have forgotten:Comfort is not the goal of Judaism. Destiny is.The Real Price: Their ChildrenLet us speak plainly.For the “religious diaspora Jew,” the loss is spiritual blindness.But for the vast majority who leave?It is nothing less than a demographic suicide mission.In Israel:* Intermarriage rate: ~4%In the United States:* Intermarriage rate: 70–90%That means that in America, one generation later,your grandchildren may not be Jewish.Nobody “plans” for assimilation, yet it swallows entire family trees.Leaving Eretz Yisrael puts your children into the currents of history — currents that have erased millions of Jews before them.No Israeli parent moving abroad ever says:“I'm choosing to end my family's Jewish story.”But statistically, that is exactly what they are doing.Kosher-Style Judaism Is Not JudaismThose who leave often say:“We will stay religious abroad. Judaism is not tied to geography.”False.Judaism is born in a place.Rooted in a place.Fulfilled in a place.Eretz Yisrael is not a backdrop.It is a commandment.לא בשמיים היא — It is not in the heavens.It's right here. In the Torah. In every parsha.From Lech Lecha to Ki Tavo.You don't need a PhD to understand the Torah's geography.Only a willingness to listen.The Darkness of Egypt — ReplayedThe Midrash teaches that 80% of Jews never left Egypt.They chose to stay — and they died during the plague of darkness.They disappeared from Jewish destiny.Today, the parallel is clear.We are living in spiritual darkness.Exile is the darkness.Israel is the light.Every Jew today is being asked:Will you join the redemption — or remain behind?Conclusion: The Door Is Still OpenThe tragedy of the yordim is not only that they leave.It's that they don't know what they're leaving.The greatest generation in Jewish history — ours — is living with the opportunity that our ancestors would have given their lives to taste for one hour.The door to redemption is open.The gates of Eretz Yisrael are open.The only question is:Will we walk through them?Or will we choose to remain in the darkness of a self-imposed exile? This is a public episode. 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A man who owns a store in the lobby of a hotel once approached a Gadol in Eretz Yisrael with a question. His store wasn't doing so well, and he wondered if perhaps opening a second store in a different location would bring more blessing. The rabbi told him, "You already opened a pipeline for Hashem to send you berachah. Do you think you need another one?" Then he added a mysterious line: "The Melech Malcheh HaMelachim can send a melech at any moment." The man left confused. The King of Kings can send a king? What does that even mean? But a few weeks later, the meaning became crystal clear. The king of Morocco came to town—and stayed in the very hotel where this man had his store. At one point during his visit, the king walked into the store with his entire entourage and bought two million dollars' worth of merchandise. The man developed a relationship with the king, and they continued doing business afterward as well. In an instant, his financial situation transformed dramatically. We must do something to open a pipeline—but once we do, Hashem can send every penny He wants us to have through that single pipeline. We often become so wrapped up in our hishtadlut that it consumes our lives. We forget what truly matters—because we are too busy worrying about parnasah. A man who learned Torah full-time began dabbling in the stock market. Very quickly, it took over his life. He couldn't concentrate on his learning because he was constantly worried—would the stock go up? Would it go down? Should he sell? Should he buy? He started coming late to shiurim, leaving in the middle, checking his phone in between. Finally, he caught himself. He realized this wasn't living. He pulled out of the volatile investments and moved into something far safer, something that wouldn't take over his mind and heart. Yes, we must open a pipeline—but no, we must not be consumed by it. A powerful segulah for blessing is to know with full certainty that Hashem alone sends parnasah. People, products, markets—they are merely tools, not sources. A man from Israel came to New York to collect money to pay off heavy debts. He heard about a very generous wealthy man and did everything he could to secure a meeting with him. He traveled to one city, only to be told the man spends his summers in another. He chased him there, only to be told that the wealthy man gives his sedaka through a gabbai. He met the gabbai, but the assistance he received was much smaller than he hoped. He still wanted to speak to the wealthy man personally. He went to the shul where the man prayed—but that day he wasn't there. Someone told him he was attending a berit milah at another shul. The man was about to order a car service to rush over when suddenly he stopped himself. He said, "Why am I chasing this one person as if he is the only one who can help me? I've done more than enough hishtadlut with him. I don't want to go beyond what I'm supposed to." At that exact moment, someone pointed out a different wealthy man who happened to be in the same shul—someone this fundraiser knew very well from years earlier. He had no idea that this acquaintance had become wealthy. He approached him, explained his situation, and to his amazement, this man gave him far more than he ever expected—even more than he had hoped to receive from the wealthy man he had been pursuing endlessly. We never need any specific hishtadlut or any specific individual to help us. Hashem can send salvation through anyone, at any moment, through messengers we would never imagine. Our main hishtadlut is always with Him—and Him alone.

The Sefer Emunash Shalema quotes the Sefer Mitzvot Zemaniyot , who teaches that it is incumbent upon us to thank Hashem for everything He created for our benefit—and that this form of service is the most powerful of all the mitzvot. The Midrash on Mishlei says that even though Hashem has millions of malachim singing His praises, all He truly desires are the praises of His children. The Kedushat Levi writes that one of the intentions of David HaMelech in composing Tehillim with such magnificent praises of Hashem was his awareness that thanksgiving and praise have the power to nullify all harsh decrees and transform them into mercy and kindness. Recently, I attended a Pidyon HaBen for the eldest of twin boys. During the seudah, the grandfather of the newborns shared the remarkable story that led to this joyous occasion. He explained that his daughter and son-in-law had been childless for nearly six years, with little reason to hope. Doctors could not agree on what the problem was; there were conflicting diagnoses, and they found themselves at a painful standstill. Then, last year, while living in Eretz Yisrael, the couple was taken to a certain rabbi for a berachah . When they arrived, the rabbi advised them to become people who constantly thank Hashem for everything. He acknowledged how hard it was for them to be happy in their situation, yet he told them how wondrous it is to express gratitude even when it feels impossible. He urged them to spend time every single day thanking Hashem for all their blessings—and even to thank Him for not yet having children. He gave them a sefer on the subject of hakarat ha-tov , and said, "In the merit of your thanking Hashem, you should be blessed with children." At first, it was difficult for them to feel genuine appreciation in their circumstances. But they persevered, practicing gratitude each day until their hearts began to change. Soon they truly felt grateful for everything Hashem had given them. A few months later, the woman called her father in America, her voice bursting with excitement. "It's a miracle!" she exclaimed. "Baruch Hashem, we're expecting!" The family rejoiced, celebrating with tears of happiness. But only three days later, tragedy struck—the pregnancy was lost. The joy turned to heartbreak. Yet in the midst of their pain, the husband gently told his wife, "Maybe this is our test—to see if we'll still be thankful after disappointment. Let's rise to the challenge and keep thanking Hashem, even for this." They continued their daily words of thanks with renewed faith. A few months later, another miracle occurred: she was expecting again. This time, it was double joy—they were told it was twins. Nine months later, she gave birth naturally to two healthy boys, and the family celebrated two berit milot and a Pidyon HaBen . (The earlier miscarriage did not affect the pidyon , since it had occurred very early on.) Thanking Hashem is one of the greatest acts we can perform—especially when it's hard to do. Each of us has so much to appreciate. And when we cultivate hakarat ha-tov , we draw down mercy, kindness, and blessing upon ourselves and the entire world.