Tag: Jewish life
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As Moshe closes his song of Haazinu and prepares to leave this world, he gives us one last message: “For it is not an empty thing from you, for it is your life. And through this matter you will lengthen your days on the land…” (Devarim 32:47) The Torah is never empty. If it ever…
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Parshat Matot opens with a curious halacha: vows. If a Jew says something like “I won’t eat bread today,” it becomes halachically binding. Words alone create new spiritual realities. No action, no ritual—just speech. That’s the power Hashem gave us. It mirrors the opening of the Torah itself: “Vayomer Elokim—Yehi or.” Hashem spoke—and light came…
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What Korbanot, Birkat Kohanim, and Shmoneh Esrei Teach Us About Showing Up With Kavana Sometimes, I catch myself in the middle of Shmoneh Esrei and realize… I’m not even there. I said the words. I bowed in the right places. I even remembered to pause before Modim. But my head? Somewhere else entirely. And yet…
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Parshat Acharei Mot tells us not to live like the nations of the world: “Like the ways of Egypt… and of Canaan… do not do.” (Vayikra 18:3) Why? Because their society was built on a belief that this world is all there is.If life ends at death, then why hold back?Why not mourn with despair?…
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The very first word in Sefer Vayikra is Vayikra — “And He called.” Rashi points out something beautiful:This wasn’t just a call. It was a call of love. Hashem didn’t just speak to Moshe Rabbeinu —He called him, warmly and affectionately, by name. The Power of a Name And this isn’t a one-time thing.Throughout the…
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It starts with who—and what—you surround yourself with. Every morning, I get to live what feels like the dream. I head to shul a bit early for Shacharit. And I don’t rush out. After davening, I stay. I do Shnayim Mikra, say some Tehillim, whisper a few extra tefilot, and then sit down to learn—with…
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In Parshat Beshalach, Hashem tells Bnei Yisrael: “If you follow My ways and do what you’re supposed to do, I won’t strike you with the plagues I gave to Mitzrayim, because I am Hashem, your healer.” At first glance, this seems a little strange. Hashem, our healer? Healing happens after sickness. But here, Hashem is…
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We read in the Torah about Bnei Yisrael’s journey out of Mitzrayim, and honestly, it’s frustrating to watch. Hashem saves them from slavery with incredible miracles—the ten plagues, the splitting of the sea—and what happens? The next moment, they’re panicking. “We’re trapped! The Egyptians are coming! We’re all going to die!” So Hashem splits the…
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Angels in Disguise Have you ever wondered why life’s struggles can feel so overwhelming? What if I told you that they’re actually angels in disguise? Today is the yortzeit of the Bat Ayin, Rav Avraham Dov of Avritch, a great Chassidic master. I want to share a beautiful teaching from his Torah that can completely…
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We’re Doing It All Wrong How many times have you rushed through Modeh Ani in the morning? You barely open your eyes, mumble the words, and before you know it, you’re scrolling your phone or racing into the chaos of the day. It’s automatic—just something to check off the list. I’ve been there. For years,…
