BS”D On Tisha B’Av, we face two main, somewhat contradictory themes: aveilus (mourning) and teshuva (repentance). Though the ultimate goal of Tisha B’Av and the three weeks that proceed it is teshuva, the main focus on the ninth day of Av itself is aveilus over the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash. Throughout most of the day,…
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BS”D The three weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av is a period of constriction and introspection. It is a time when we collectively mourn over the destruction of the First and Second Temples and the devastating events that led up to it. It’s a time when we are also forced…
Chanukah may fall out at the darkest time of the year. But, the very darkness gives the intense spiritual light Chanukah brings to the world the ability shine its brightest. This light is known as ohr haganuz, the hidden light of creation: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֖ים יְהִי־א֑וֹר וַֽיְהִי־אֽוֹר And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there…
BS”D Straight after the first day of Pesach we enter a seven-week cycle known as Sefiras HaOmer (the Counting of the Omer). The 49 days from Pesach to Shavous really represent a journey of 49 steps to spiritual growth and emotional refinement that help us renew our acceptance of the Torah on an individual level. On the first…
There are two big takeaways from the continuing upheaval and the events of the past few weeks: Hashem is running the world. In an instant and unexpectedly, our lives can dramatically change. While that change may be uncomfortable, we can choose to remember the One Who is Pulling all the Strings and work to focus…
Read More “Seeing Ourselves As if We Personally Left Egypt” »
