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Just last week, PM Benjamin Netanyahu spent three very full days in Washington DC conferring with President Trump and overseeing his most senior advisers get down to brass tacks with their US counterparts. The expectation – fed by repeated statements made by the President – was that a deal to end the war with Hamas and free the remaining hostages was close. So close. The families of those in captivity dared to allow themselves to feel hopeful. Until the PM returned to Israel. And suddenly, there was yet another impassable breach. This time? Israel cannot agree to withdraw from the Gaza Strip on the terms acceptable to Hamas. Each side blames the other. And at this point, Israelis are so worn out they don't care. More than 75% of Israelis want this war to end now. More than 60% of voters who supported the government coalition want this war to end now. And they all want every last hostage returned to Israel. Now. Not tomorrow. Or the day after. Now. And PM Netanyahu seems impervious to this very grim and determined national mood. Morale has nosedived in recent days and State of Tel Aviv and Beyond's superb military and political analyst, Ya'akov Katz, joins me today to untangle this mess.State of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Yaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column.He is the author of three books: “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards—How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War.”Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.In 2013, Yaakov was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.Find Yaakov Katz on X @yaakovkatz This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe
התוכן 1) אסור ליהודי ליפול ברוחו מחושך הגלות! עליו לזכור תמיד אשר "בני בכורי ישראל"! ומה שרואה דבר בלתי-רצוי, הרי זה גופא מדגיש גודל חיבתן של ישראל אצל ה', "כמשל מלך גדול ונורא הרוחץ בכבודו ובעצמו צואת בנו יחידו מרוב אהבתו". אף שטוב נעלה זה צריך לבוא גם בגילוי לעיני בשר, ע"י שמתגלית גם בחי' "החסיד" (תואר שאא"פ לתאר אפי' ביחס לה' כאשר מעניש וכו'), עד שבנ"י מהללים ומשבחים את ה' על היותו "חסיד", כי הרי [כמ"ש בספר "נעים זמירות ישראל" של דוד מלך ישראל" אשר "חי וקיים"] "מגיד דבריו ליעקב חוקיו ומשפטיו לישראל", ש"מה שהוא עושה אומר לישראל לעשות", ובמזמור שלאח"ז נאמר "וירם קרן לעמו תהילה לכל חסידיו", שאצל בנ"י בחי "חסיד" הוא בגילוי. 2) בשם פ' "פינחס" מודגש הקשר עם הגאולה העתידה, שהרי "פינחס זה אלי'" מבשר הגאולה. והוראה נוספת ממ"ש בראשון פ' פינחס שצ"ל "צרור את המדינים וגו'", ללחום בכל התוקף נגד "ריב ומדון", שנאת חינם – סיבת החורבן. וישנה ההבטחה ש"לא נפקד ממנו איש"! ב' חלקים משיחת יום א' פ' פינחס, ח"י תמוז, צום שבעה עשר בתמוז (נדחה) ה'תשמ"ה ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=14-07-2025 Synopsis (1) A Jew must never lose heart because of the darkness of exile; he must always remember that the Jewish people are “My firstborn son,” and when he sees something undesirable, this itself emphasizes how great Hashem's love of the Jewish people is, “like the analogy of a great and awesome king who personally in his glory washes the filth of his only son out of his great love.” However, this lofty goodness must also be revealed to the physical eye, by revealing the level of “Chasid” (a title which cannot really be used even regarding Hashem when He exacts punishment etc.), to the point that the Jewish people praise Hashem for being “Chasid,” because (as it says in Tehillim, written by Dovid Hamelech, the Sweet Singer of Israel, who “lives and endures”), “He tells His word to Yaakov, His statutes and His judgments to the Jewish people” – “What He does, He tells the Jewish people to do,” and the following kapitel states, “He raised up a horn for His people, praise to all His pious ones,” meaning the quality of “Chasid” is openly revealed among the Jewish people. (2) The name of parashah “Pinchas” emphasizes the connection to the future Redemption, for “Pinchas is Eliyahu,” who will herald the Redemption. And an additional lesson is derived from the verse (in rishon of parashas Pinchas), “Distress the Midianites, etc.” – to fight with the utmost force against all “strife and discord,” baseless hatred, which was the cause of the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash. And we are promised that “not a man among us will be missing.”2 excerpts from sichah of Sunday, parashas Pinchas, 18 Tammuz (17 Tammuz nidche) 5745. For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=14-07-2025
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Yahrtzeit Yomi #1547!!יז תמוזRav Yaakov Yosef HermanAll for the Bossרב יעקב יוסף ב״ר יצחק אייזיק הרמן(1880 - 1967)---------------------------------------------------Tammuz Yahrtzeits!!1. First Bobover Rebbe, Reb Yonah Minsker2. Mike Tress3. Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Shneur Kotler4. Rabbeinu Tam, Baal Haflaah5. Maaseh Merkavah6. Sreifas HaTalmud, Yonatan Netanyahu7. Rav Gedalia Schorr, Lev Simcha8. Imrei Noam9. Klausenberger Rebbe10. Rebbetzin Elyashiv11. Rav Elchonon Wasserman12. The Tur13. Be'er HaGolah14. Rav Ruderman15. Ohr HaChaim16. Kapischnitzer Rebbe17. Rav Yaakov Yosef Herman, Rav Yaakov Weinberg18. Naroler Rebbe, Rav Shmuel Yehuda Levin19. Rav Herzog, Rav Lazer Yudel Finkel20. Rav Avrohom Chaim Na'eh, Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Bloch21. Meitscheter Iluy, The Shtefanester22. Rav Avrohom Grodzenski23. Ramak24. Rav Yaakov Yosef25. Shaagas Aryeh26. Rav Nachman Bulman27. Rav Shmuel Rozovsky28. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Rav Elyashiv29. Rashi, Yismach Moshe---------------------------------------------------Share the Yahrtzeit Yomi link with your contacts!!https://chat.whatsapp.com/JimbwNtBaX31vmRDdnO3yk---------------------------------------------------To dedicate or sponsor, please contact 917-841-5059, or email yahrtzeityomidaily@gmail.com. Sponsorships can be paid by Zelle to the same number. First come, first served.Monthly sponsorships are $540.Weekly sponsorships are $180.Daily sponsorships are as follows:Dedications (l'Zecher Nishmas, Zechus shidduch/refuah/yeshuah, etc.) are $50.Sponsorships (fliers, advertising, promotions, additional links, etc.) are $100.The cost to request and sponsor a specific Tzaddik (unlisted on the Yahrtzeit Yomi schedule) is $180.MAY THE ZECHUS OF ALL THE TZADDIKIM PROTECT US FROM ALL TZAROS, AND MAY HASHEM GRANT US, AND ALL OF KLAL YISROEL, YESHUOS, NECHAMOS AND BESUROS TOVOS!!!
Why does Bilaam say he wants to have his death be in the lot of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov?
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התוכן כשהפסוק מתאר הענין דקבוץ גלויות לא"י מארבע הרוחות, אומר "ממזרח אביא זרעך וממערב אקבצך, אומר לצפון תני ולתימן אל תכלאי". דבנוגע למזרח ולמערב נאמר שהקב"ה יביא ויקבץ אותם משם, בנוגע לדרום נאמר שלא תהא מניעה מצדו – "אל תכלאי", אבל בנוגע לצפון נאמר "אומר לצפון תני" – ש"צפון" עצמו יסייע לגאולה. וזהו גם מה שראו בגאולת י"ב תמוז [שמדינת רוסיא היא צפונה לא"י] שהמדינה עצמה סייעה בשחרור. ואדרבה – כ"ק מו"ח אדמו"ר העמיד תנאים בזה – שלא יסע בשבת וכו', ובעת יציאתו מהמדינה אמר והתעקש שלא ייצא בלי הספרים, עד שהוכרחו להרשות לו לקחת את כל הספרים וכו'. וזוהי גם הוראה איך תהי' הגאולה האמיתית והשלימה ע"י משיח, וכמ"ש בהפטורה דפ' בלק: שאע"פ שבנ"י יהיו באופן של "שארית יעקב בקרב עמים רבים", ו"כארי בבהמות יער", ובכ"ז תהי' הגאולה באופן "אשר לא יקוה לאיש ולא ייחל לבני אדם", שלא יבקשו רשות מאף א', ודוקא ממקום שישנם המתייאשים ר"ל היל"ת, הנה "אומר לצפון תני" בקרוב ממש.א' השיחות דהתוועדות י"ג תמוז ה'תשכ"ב ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=11-07-2025 Synopsis Regarding the Redemption the verse says, “From the east I will bring your seed, and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, ‘Give,' and to the south, ‘Do not refrain…'” Regarding the east and west, it says that Hashem will bring and gather them from there, and regarding the south it says that there will be no obstruction from that side. But regarding the north it says, “I will say to the north, ‘Give,'” meaning the north itself will assist in the Redemption. We also saw this in the redemption of 12 Tammuz (in a country that is to the north of Eretz Yisroel) – that the government itself assisted in the liberation. Moreover, the Rebbe set conditions for his release, refusing to travel on Shabbos and refusing to leave the country without all the sefarim and manuscripts, and the government was forced to comply. This also serves as a lesson as to how the true and complete Redemption through Moshiach Tzidkeinu will take place, as it says in the Haftorah of parashas Balak: although the Jewish people will be in the state of “the remnant of Yaakov in the midst of many peoples,” and “like a lion among the beasts of the forest,” nevertheless, the Redemption will come about in such a way that the Jewish people “will not hope for any man and not wait for the sons of man” – they will not seek anyone's permission. And specifically from the place where there are people in despair, Rachmana litzlan, the verse says, “I will say to the north, ‘Give,'” and very soon.Sichah from farbrengen of 13 Tammuz 5722 For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=11-07-2025 לע”נ הרב אורי עזרא ב"ר יוסף יהודה ע"ה ליום היארצייט שלו ט"ו תמוז. ת.נ.צ.ב.ה.נדבת בנו ר' ישעי' מנחם מענדל שי' ליפש
Balak | Mah Tovu Ohalekha Yaakov, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom What motivated Bil'am to bless as he did? Following the progression of Bilam's blessings. The lyrical, uplifting blessings with which Bil'am blessed Bnei Yisrael are among the most elegant and moving series of passages in Tanakh. What motivated Bil'am to bless as he did - was he simply a mouthpiece of Hashem, or did he, at some point, identify with the mission to bless God's people? A careful look at the text of his blessings, along with the passages that stitch those blessings together, reveals a more complex reality and a more profound answer.
Yahrtzeit Yomi #1544!!יד תמוזRav Yaakov Yitzchak HaLevi Rudermanרב יעקב יצחק ב״ר יהודה ליב הלוי רודרמןראש ישיבת נר ישראלעבודת הלוי(1900 - 1987)---------------------------------------------------Tammuz Yahrtzeits!!1. First Bobover Rebbe, Reb Yonah Minsker2. Mike Tress3. Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Shneur Kotler4. Rabbeinu Tam, Baal Haflaah5. Maaseh Merkavah6. Sreifas HaTalmud, Yonatan Netanyahu7. Rav Gedalia Schorr, Lev Simcha8. Imrei Noam9. Klausenberger Rebbe10. Rebbetzin Elyashiv11. Rav Elchonon Wasserman12. The Tur13. Be'er HaGolah14. Rav Ruderman15. Ohr HaChaim16. Kapischnitzer Rebbe17. Rav Yaakov Yosef Herman, Rav Yaakov Weinberg18. Naroler Rebbe, Rav Shmuel Yehuda Levin19. Rav Herzog, Rav Lazer Yudel Finkel20. Rav Avrohom Chaim Na'eh, Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Bloch21. Meitscheter Iluy, The Shtefanester22. Rav Avrohom Grodzenski23. Ramak24. Rav Yaakov Yosef25. Shaagas Aryeh26. Rav Nachman Bulman27. Rav Shmuel Rozovsky28. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Rav Elyashiv29. Rashi, Yismach Moshe---------------------------------------------------Share the Yahrtzeit Yomi link with your contacts!!https://chat.whatsapp.com/JimbwNtBaX31vmRDdnO3yk---------------------------------------------------To dedicate or sponsor, please contact 917-841-5059, or email yahrtzeityomidaily@gmail.com. Sponsorships can be paid by Zelle to the same number. First come, first served.Monthly sponsorships are $540.Weekly sponsorships are $180.Daily sponsorships are as follows:Dedications (l'Zecher Nishmas, Zechus shidduch/refuah/yeshuah, etc.) are $50.Sponsorships (fliers, advertising, promotions, additional links, etc.) are $100.The cost to request and sponsor a specific Tzaddik (unlisted on the Yahrtzeit Yomi schedule) is $180.MAY THE ZECHUS OF ALL THE TZADDIKIM PROTECT US FROM ALL TZAROS, AND MAY HASHEM GRANT US, AND ALL OF KLAL YISROEL, YESHUOS, NECHAMOS AND BESUROS TOVOS!!!
For a 10% discount on Rabbi David Sutton's new book A Daily Dose of Perek Shira click the link below https://www.artscroll.com/Books/9781422644584.html Yesterday, we quoted a pasuk brought by Rabbi Avraham ben HaRambam from Hoshea 12, 7: ואתה באלקיך תשוב, חסד ומשפט שמר, וקוה אל אלקיך תמיד / As for you, return to Hashem, observe kindness and justice, and always hope to your God." That was his source showing that we have a command from God to constantly hope to Him and never to despair. Today I'd like to share the context of this pasuk with you. In pasuk 3 of that chapter it says, ריב לה' עם יהודה / Hashem has a contention with Yehudah (the Jewish people), ולפק ד על יעקב /and will visit upon Yaakov. What is Hashem's complaint? It says in the next pasuk: בבטן עקב את אחיו / In the womb he seized his brother's heel. ובאונו שרה את אלקים / And with his strength, he struggled with an angel. Rashi explains: Hashem is describing all that He did so Yaakov would become the chosen one. He seized the heel, he fought the angel, he prevailed. Basically, Hashem is saying: " Look how much I've done for you, from the beginning of your existence, Jewish people." Then in pasuk 6 it says, וה' אלקי הצבאות ה' זכרו / Hashem, the God of Legions, Hashem is His remembrance. Rashi explains: כאשר הייתי מאז כן אני עתה / Just as I was then, so am I now. אם הייתם הולכים עמי בתמימות כיעקב אביכם / If you would act with Me with simplicity like Yaakov Avinu (your father), הייתי נוהג עמכם כאשר נהגתי עמו /I would treat you as I treated him. Rabbi Yehudah HaChassid, in Sefer Gematriot , letter 152, connects יעקב איש תם to תמים תהיה. Yaakov is called איש תם, Ish Tam meaning " simple" or " pure " — and תמים תהיה Tamim Tihyeh means go with God in simplicity. Rashi on Devarim 18:13 says on תמים תהיה: התהלך עמו בתמימות ותצפה לו – Go with God with simplicity and l ook forward to Him. In other words. do not turn to fortune-tellers or sorcerers etc… Rather, כל מה שיבוא עליך קבל בתמימות/ Accept whatever happens to you with simplicity. ואז תהיה עמו ולחלקו /Then you will be with Him and part of His portion. (That's why the famous Meshech Chochmah says that when a person has bitachon , he fulfills the mitzvah of dveikut / cleaving to God.) So what is Hashem telling us through Hoshea HaNavi? Again, the words of Rashi: אם הייתם הולכים עמי בתמימות כיעקב אביכם/ If you went with Me with simplicity like Yaakov Avinu, I would act with you like I did with him. The Sefer Ikvot Moshe on Parashat Vayishlach, by Rav Moshe Akiva Tikutchinski, Mashgiach of Slabodka in Bnei Brak, writes: This shows that every Jew is capable and asked to go with the same Temimut/ simplicity and trust as Yaakov Avinu. And if we reach that level of connection, God will act with us like that. In the famous Mizmor in Tehillim perek 20 it says: יענך ה' ביום צרה, ישגבך שם אלקי יעקב /May Hashem answer you in a time of trouble; may the Name of the God of Yaakov lift you up. The Midrash says on that pasuk says it doesn't say אלקי Elokei Avraham or Elokei Yitzhak — only Elokei Yaakov. David Hamelech is saying: מי שענה ליעקב אביכם, הוא יענה אתכם – the One who answered Yaakov, will answer you. Furthermore, in Bereshit 35:3, it says about Yaakov לאל העונה אותי ביום צרתי / the God who answers me on my day of trouble. With that introduction, we come back to: ואתה באלקיך תשוב, חסד ומשפט שמר, וקוה אל אלקיך תמיד As for you, return to your God, observe kindness and justice, and always hope to your God." Rashi explains: What does it mean to hope to Him? בהבטחתו ובמשענתו /count on His guarantee and the ability to lean on Him. שהוא מבטיחך, אתה יכול לסמוך /He guarantees you; you can rely on His guarantee. And what should you do? לקוות לישועתו תמיד /constantly look forward to His salvation. This is all Rashi's explanation of God's words. But the very next pasuk (7) says : כנען בידו מאזני מרמה לעשק אהב – Instead, you are a Canaan/traitor who holds dishonest scales and loves to cheat. Rashi explains: Instead of relying on Hashem, you rely on shenanigans and crooked business. And you say about your wealth, אך עשר תי / I have become wealthy. ולא עבודת הקב״ה / I don't need to serve God. It wasn't God, it was me. Pasuk 8: ויאמר אפרים אך עשרתי מצאתי און לי – Ephraim says: I have become wealthy , I have found power for myself . כל יגיעי לא ימצאו לי עוון אשר חטא / I've worked hard and no one can find any sin in me. I'm clean. The Radak says this is the opposite of Kaveh el Hashem Hashem/ hoping to Hashem: They do not hope in Hashem. They do not admit that it is He who gives the power to succeed. Instead they say: כחי ועוצם ידי עשה לי את החיל הזה / My strength and my hand made this wealth. And they forget: ה' אלקיך, שנתן לו כח / that Hashem gave him the strength. They say: עשרתי מעצמי / I made myself wealthy. These are the two opposite paths. Either the person lives with the program of קוה אל אלקיך תמיד – constantly hoping to Hashem, or they take the אך עשרתי / I made myself rich approach.. Let's choose the path of קוה אל אלקיך תמיד Hope to Hashem constantly
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Ein Yaakov: Aggadah and Its Place in Torah by Rabbi Weinreb 05 by Shapell's Rabbeim
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The Torah tells us in this week's parashah, Chukat, that the nation of Kena'an waged war against Bnei Yisrael. Rashi explains that they weren't actually Kena'anim, but Amalekim who disguised themselves as Kena'anim. Their goal was that when the Jews would pray to Hashem to save them from Kena'an, their prayers would go unanswered—because in reality, the attackers were Amalek. The next pasuk says that the Jews made a neder: if Hashem would help them succeed in the war, they would donate all the spoils to Him. And indeed, the next pasuk states: וַיִּשְׁמַע ה׳ בְּקוֹל יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּתֵּן אֶת־הַכְּנַעֲנִי וַיַּחֲרֵם אֶתְהֶם וְאֶת־עָרֵיהֶם וַיִּקְרָא שֵׁם־הַמָּקוֹם חָרְמָה Hashem heard their voice, gave them victory, and they fulfilled their promise by dedicating everything to Him. We find a similar idea with Yaakov Avinu when he fled from Esav. He made vows to Hashem in the merit of being protected. Although in general Chazal discourage making nederim, they allow it in times of distress. The Gemara in Masechet Eruvin (64a) learns from the vow the Jews made regarding their war against Amalek the tremendous power of using one's money for mitzvot in order to receive Hashem's extra mercy. The Gemara explains that if a convert passes away without any heirs, his possessions become ownerless. If someone acquires them and suddenly becomes wealthy, that wealth is at risk due to ayin hara. But if he uses part of it for a mitzvah, like buying a sefer Torah, the mitzvah protects the rest of the wealth. Another opinion says this also applies to someone who marries a woman who brings a large dowry into the marriage; he should use part of that money for mitzvot to guard it. A third opinion adds that even someone who profits handsomely from a business deal should invest part of the earnings in mitzvot to protect the rest from ayin hara. A final opinion mentions a sofer who writes tefillin. Rashi explains that even buying tefillin helps guard the wealth. However, the Maharsha explains differently: even a sofer who doesn't make much must use part of his earnings for mitzvot. Why? Although he may not have ayin hara on him, he might think his parnasah is coming from his skill and beautiful handwriting, forgetting that Hashem is the One giving him success. That attitude— כֹּחִי וְעֹצֶם יָדִי עָשָׂה לִי אֶת הַחַיִל הַזֶּה —can itself be a danger. To counter that, he must give some of his earnings to Hashem to express true recognition that He is providing. The Maharsha explains this is why the Gemara uses the case of Bnei Yisrael's war with Amalek as a proof rather than Yaakov's flight from Esav. In war, they could have believed it was their own strength that brought the victory. But they showed they knew it came from Hashem by pledging everything to Him. And this is why the Pasuk uses the words אם נתן תתן regarding the Jewish people's vow. Meaning אם נתן -if it will look like things are happening on their own in the natural way of the world, then please Hashem, תתן - we want to recognize that you are the One giving us the victory. The Me'iri writes similarly: people with yirat shamayim constantly reflect that their success comes only from Hashem. That awareness makes them enthusiastic to use what they have in Hashem's service. May we always remember that all we have and achieve is from Hashem, and may our recognition fill us with sincere hakarat ha-tov that drives us to give back with open hearts. Shabbat Shalom.
התוכן עה"פ בפ' חוקת "וישלח ישראל מלאכים" מפרש"י בפשוטו של מקרא: "ובמקום אחר תולה השליחות במשה . . הכתובים הללו צריכים זה לזה זה נועל וזה פותח שמשה הוא ישראל וישראל הם משה לומר לך שנשיא הדור הוא ככל הדור כי הנשיא הוא הכל" (וזהו גם הביאור שבאותו פסוק "דרך כוכב מיעקב" ישנן ב' דרשות: א' שקאי על משיח וא' שקאי על כאו"א מישראל – כיון שבכ"א יש הניצוץ של משיח, ובמשיח יש הניצוץ של כ"א). וכ"ה ב"אתפשטותא דמשה בכל דרא", ועד לנשיא דורנו. בדוגמת מלך שהוא עצם המציאות של כל אנשי מדינתו (שלכן "מאן דמחוי במחוג קמי מלכא" מתבטל מציאותו). ועפי"ז מובן שההוראה מי"ב תמוז – ירידת נשמת נשיא בישראל למטה – שייכת לכל אנשי הדור, וביכולת כל א' (אם הוא רק בטל להנשיא, מקבל מלכותו) להיות השליח לפעול מה שהנשיא צריך לפעול, ועד להיות "כמותו" ממש. [המשך יבוא]ב' חלקים משיחת י"ב תמוז ה'תשל"א ל"הנחה פרטית" או התרגום ללה"ק של השיחה: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=01-07-2025 Synopsis On the verse, “The Jewish people sent messengers…,” Rashi states as the plain meaning of the verse: “But elsewhere the sending is attributed to Moshe…these verses need one another: one “locks” and the other “opens” – Moshe is the Jewish people and the Jewish people are Moshe, telling you that the Nasi of the generation is like the entire generation, for the Nasi is everything.” (This also explains why, on the verse, “A star will shoot forth from Yaakov,” we find two interpretations: that it refers to Moshiach, and that it refers to every Jew – because there is a spark of Moshiach in every Jew, and there is a spark of every Jew in Moshiach.) And the same applies to the “extension of Moshe in every generation,” including the Nasi of our generation. The Nasi is like a king, who is the very existence of his subjects (which is why “one who gestures in the presence of the king” loses his existence). Accordingly, it is understood that a lesson from 12 Tammuz – the descent of the soul of a Nasi of the Jewish people into this world – is relevant to every member of the generation, and everyone has the ability (as long as he accepts the Nasi's kingship and is batel to him) to be his shliach to accomplish what the Nasi needs to accomplish – and even to be literally “like him.” (To be continued.)2 excerpts from sichah of 12 Tammuz 5731 For a transcript in English of the Sicha: https://thedailysicha.com/?date=01-07-2025
Ein Yaakov: Aggadah and Its Place in Torah by Rabbi Weinreb 04 by Shapell's Rabbeim
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This week's learning is sponsored anonymously in gratitude to Rabbi Carl Perkins, a learned and compassionate rabbi, a gifted teacher, whose love of Judaism inspires all who are blessed to know him. Today's daf is sponsored by Paul and Danielle Nacamuli. "Mazel tov to our daughter and son-in-law on their marriage, may you enjoy many years of joy together!" Today's daf is sponsored by Natanya Slomowitz in loving memory of her mother, Haviva Lilka bat Necha and Avraham. Onkelos converted to Judaism. The emperor sent three different groups of troops to seize him, but he convinced each group to convert to Judaism by explaining to them that God takes care of his people better than the Roman leaders. The prophecy told to Rivka when she was pregnant with Esau and Yaakov, "There are two nations in your womb," is explained as meaning "two proud/great ones" and refers to Rebbi and Antoninus, who were both blessed with plenty. What is the basis of the argument between Rabbi Meir and the rabbis regarding whether it is forbidden to do business with idol worshippers on the day of the death of their king, only if there is burning or even if there is not? How does that connect with the braita that says the Jews burn the items of a king, and it is not forbidden because it is the way of the non-Jews? They would burn items not only when kings died, but also heads of the Sanhedrin. What types of items would be burned? The Mishna mentions the day of shaving his beard and his locks. Is this referring to two separate days - one of shaving the beard and one of shaving the locks on the back of his neck to be offered to the idol, or the day where one shaved his beard, but kept his locks to grow, to later be offered to the idol? The Gemara concludes that both answers are correct. Another Roman holiday is described where they would celebrate their dominion over the Jews. This one is not listed in the Mishna as it happened only once in a lifetime, or very infrequently. What were the Babylonian and Persian holidays? Rav Huna son of Rav Chisda listed several pagan temples with which it was forbidden to ever do business, as they offered sacrifices daily to the idols. Shmuel was lenient with holidays in the Diaspora and forbade only the day of the holiday itself.
This week's learning is sponsored anonymously in gratitude to Rabbi Carl Perkins, a learned and compassionate rabbi, a gifted teacher, whose love of Judaism inspires all who are blessed to know him. Today's daf is sponsored by Paul and Danielle Nacamuli. "Mazel tov to our daughter and son-in-law on their marriage, may you enjoy many years of joy together!" Today's daf is sponsored by Natanya Slomowitz in loving memory of her mother, Haviva Lilka bat Necha and Avraham. Onkelos converted to Judaism. The emperor sent three different groups of troops to seize him, but he convinced each group to convert to Judaism by explaining to them that God takes care of his people better than the Roman leaders. The prophecy told to Rivka when she was pregnant with Esau and Yaakov, "There are two nations in your womb," is explained as meaning "two proud/great ones" and refers to Rebbi and Antoninus, who were both blessed with plenty. What is the basis of the argument between Rabbi Meir and the rabbis regarding whether it is forbidden to do business with idol worshippers on the day of the death of their king, only if there is burning or even if there is not? How does that connect with the braita that says the Jews burn the items of a king, and it is not forbidden because it is the way of the non-Jews? They would burn items not only when kings died, but also heads of the Sanhedrin. What types of items would be burned? The Mishna mentions the day of shaving his beard and his locks. Is this referring to two separate days - one of shaving the beard and one of shaving the locks on the back of his neck to be offered to the idol, or the day where one shaved his beard, but kept his locks to grow, to later be offered to the idol? The Gemara concludes that both answers are correct. Another Roman holiday is described where they would celebrate their dominion over the Jews. This one is not listed in the Mishna as it happened only once in a lifetime, or very infrequently. What were the Babylonian and Persian holidays? Rav Huna son of Rav Chisda listed several pagan temples with which it was forbidden to ever do business, as they offered sacrifices daily to the idols. Shmuel was lenient with holidays in the Diaspora and forbade only the day of the holiday itself.
Dr. Ruth Calderon joins the podcast to reflect on the personal and intellectual journey behind her book, A Bride for One Night. She begins by discussing her background and the role her parents played in nurturing her love of Torah, as mentioned in the book's dedication. She then unpacks her approach to the Talmud, describing how she reads aggadic texts not through a religious, academic, or educational lens, but as stories that have the power to move us. This perspective shaped her call for integrating the Talmud into Israeli culture and education, regardless of religious ideology, because these texts continue to speak to the modern Israeli experience. She also shares the thinkers who helped shape her methodology. The conversation concludes with a look back at her iconic Knesset speech—what led to it, the core message she hoped to convey, and its ongoing impact.---*This episode is dedicated to the refua shelema of Sarah Miriam bat Tamar, Binyamin ben Zilpa, and our dear friend Yaakov ben Haya Sarah Malakh---• Bio: Dr. Ruth Calderon is an Israeli Talmud scholar, educator, and former member of Knesset. Born in Tel Aviv to a Sephardic father from Bulgaria and an Ashkenazi mother from Germany, she was raised in a home that bridged religious traditions and cultures. She earned her BA at Oranim Academic College and the University of Haifa, and completed her MA and PhD in Talmud at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 1989, she established Israel's first secular, pluralistic, and egalitarian beit midrash, and in 1996 she founded ALMA: Home for Hebrew Culture in Tel Aviv, to bring secular Israelis closer to their textual heritage. In 2013, she was elected to the Knesset on the Yesh Atid list, where her opening speech—teaching Talmud from the Knesset floor—became a national sensation. Calderon has held fellowships at the Shalom Hartman Institute and served as a visiting professor at Harvard Law School. She has received numerous honors, including the Avi Chai Prize, the Samuel Rothberg Prize for Jewish Education, and honorary doctorates from Brandeis University, the Jewish Theological Seminary, and Hebrew College. She is the author of A Bride for One Night, a collection of Talmudic tales interwoven with creative retellings, and continues to be a leading voice in the renewal of pluralistic Hebrew culture in Israel.---• Watch her infamous Knesset speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8nNpTf7tNo---• Welcome to JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED: A PODCAST FOR THE PERPLEXED | Co-hosted by Benjy & Benzi | Thank you to...Super Patron: Jordan Karmily, Platinum Patron: Craig Gordon, Rod Ilian, Gold Patrons: Dovidchai Abramchayev, Lazer Cohen, Travis Krueger, Vasili Volkoff, Vasya, Silver Patrons: Ellen Fleischer, Daniel M., Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal, Fred & Antonio, Jeffrey Wasserman, and Jacob Winston! Please SUBSCRIBE to this YouTube Channel and hit the BELL so you can get alerted whenever new clips get posted, thank you for your support!
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Ein Yaakov: Aggadah and Its Place in Torah by Rabbi Weinreb 03 by Shapell's Rabbeim
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Join Emily and Holly as we sit down with Rabbi Yakov Menken, executive VP of the Coalition for Jewish Values, for a profound and eye-opening conversation on what Judaism teaches about miracles. From the parting of the Red Sea to personal stories of divine intervention, Rabbi Yakov shares how Jewish tradition sees every moment of existence as miraculous. They explore why some people resist calling anything a miracle, how science and faith can coexist, and what the Hebrew word for "miracle" really means.
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Ya'akov Katz and I get into the dramatic overnight developments in the Middle East and brace for the possible scenarios that may unfold. We discuss the US military action, Iranian retaliation so far, and how this global conflict may escalate, or resolve.State of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriberYaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column.He is the author of three books: “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards—How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War.”Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.In 2013, Yaakov was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.Find Yaakov Katz on X @yaakovkatz This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe
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It has been a five-day blitz of attacks by the Israeli Air Force over Iran. The IDF has taken out many key Iranian military and other strategic sites and capabilities. Civilians are very deliberately not targeted. In recent days Tehran has been evacuated—responding to IDF warnings. Based on photos we have seen, it is a ghost town. And now we are waiting to see what happens next. The nuclear centrifuges—located deep underground in a mountain bunker at Fordow, Iran—must be destroyed to truly end the country's nuclear ambitions. State of Tel Aviv and Beyond regular (and military expert) Ya'akov Katz gets into the details of what may be the next move in this critical military operation. Will the U.S. step in and finish off Fordow? Or will Israel continue to bear the burden, largely alone?For those of you continuing to enjoy our podcasts and articles—if you have not yet done so—please consider supporting our work with a paid subscription. We're going 24/7 here, getting very little sleep and continuing to bring you reports. Because we believe it is important to get quality information out there. And if you're here, then you agree. We are independent and supported by our listeners and readers. Please show your appreciation today. Many thanks.Also, there are some good visuals in the YouTube version of this podcast that you shouldn't miss. So consider watching/listening there—in particular, today. Podcast NotesState of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Yaakov Katz is an Israeli-American author and journalist. Between 2016 and 2023, Yaakov was editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post where he continues to write a popular weekly column.He is the author of three books: “Shadow Strike – Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power”, “Weapon Wizards—How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower” and “Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War.”Prior to taking up the role of editor-in-chief, Yaakov served for two years as a senior policy adviser to Naftali Bennett during his tenure as Israel's Minister of Economy and Minister of Diaspora Affairs.In 2013, Yaakov was one of 12 international fellows to spend a year at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University.Originally from Chicago, Yaakov has a law degree from Bar Ilan University. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Chaya and their four children.Find Yaakov Katz on X @yaakovkatz This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe
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Today’s daf is sponsored by Rabbi Art Gould “in gratitude to HaShem for helping me to find a new partner to love and be loved by, and to walk with on a new journey.” The Gemara continues by presenting cases involving disputes between lenders and borrowers regarding debt repayment, along with the ruling given in each case. In the Mishna there is a contradiction because it is written that we do not administer oaths to a minor and it is also written that we administer oaths to a minor. Rav and Shmuel each interpret the case of administering oaths to a minor in different ways. Rav says it refers to a child who makes a claim for their deceased father's money, and therefore we administer an oath because the loan was to an adult, even though he is not the actual creditor who gave the money originally. According to his explanation, the Mishna matches the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov because the Sages disagree in such a case and do not obligate. The Gemara brings two different explanations to understand what the point of dispute is between Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov and the Sages. Shmuel's explanation is that the Mishna refers to the oath of one who tries to collect his father's loan from an orphan. There is no oath for cases of land, slaves, documents, and consecrated property. Also, there are no laws of double, four and five payment, and oaths of guardians for these type of items. From where is this derived in the verses?
At the end of this week's Parashat Naso , the Torah goes into great detail describing the donations brought by the Nesi'im to inaugurate the Mishkan. Remarkably, each Nasi brought the exact same offering, yet the Torah repeats the full list of items again and again—spanning about 56 pesukim . Why such repetition? The Torah is teaching us a profound lesson: Hashem treasures the efforts of every individual . Even when people perform a mitzvah as part of a group, Hashem values the actions of each person separately. In a shul, there might be hundreds of people reciting the same words, but to Hashem, every word uttered by each person is uniquely precious. There is no such thing as Hashem getting "bored" of repetition. He cherishes everything we say and everything we do—every tefillah, every act of kindness, every mitzvah. The same applies when we experience His presence in our lives. Even when similar moments of hashgachah peratit repeat, each one feels new and meaningful. We're often moved by others' stories of hashgachah , and they awaken in us a desire to see Hashem's hand in our own lives too. Sometimes, we think: Those stories are inspiring, but they never happen to me. Yet we are encouraged to always hope and pray that they do. About a month ago, a story circulated about a chatan who wished to feel his late father's presence at his wedding. Miraculously, around that time, someone from Israel arrived in New York with a letter that the chatan's father had written decades earlier. Through an incredible sequence of events, the letter ended up in the hands of this chatan —dated with the exact date of his wedding. The letter, addressed to a chatan on his wedding day, was written by his father years earlier on that very same Hebrew date. The message felt as though it had come directly from his father, offering blessings from shamayim . This story was shared at a siyyum on Masechet Bava Metzia . In the crowd sat a man named *Yaakov. Hearing the story, he silently wished that he too could receive something from his late father, who had passed away over 20 years ago. The very next day, as Yaakov opened his mail, he noticed an envelope that looked like another routine request. But inside, to his astonishment, was a handwritten letter—written by his father 50 years earlier to a close friend. That friend had just discovered the letter while cleaning for Pesach and thought it would be meaningful to send it to the son of his old friend. Yaakov was overwhelmed. He couldn't stop reading the letter. As he reached the bottom, he noticed a few words written in the opposite direction—a postscript from his father asking his friend where he was up to in Masechet Bava Metzia . Yaakov was stunned. He had just returned from a siyyum on Bava Metzia , where he had wished for a message from his father. Still in disbelief, Yaakov went to his sefarim shelf and opened his Gemara Bava Metzia . Inside was a sticky note marking that he still had to complete pages 50 through 54. It was as if his father was reminding him: Your siyyum isn't complete yet—finish it properly. In that moment, he felt a powerful connection, a personal hashgachah that touched his soul. Yes, the stories we hear really can happen to us. Hashem treasures everything we do, and we are uplifted when we recognize His presence in our lives. May we always feel close to Hashem. May we always sense His guidance. And may we continue to be inspired by the miracles—big and small—that surround us every day. Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro and I speak about the theological principles of Judaism, and the political dimensions of Zionism.https://www.youtube.com/@RabbiYaakovhttps://x.com/yaakov_shapirohttps://www.amazon.com/Empty-Wagon-Zionisms-journey-identity/dp/1642555541Support this channel:https://www.paypal.me/benjaminboycehttps://cash.app/$benjaminaboycehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/benjaminaboyce