BS”D The Yom Tov festivals of Pesach, Shavuos, and Sukkos are days of spiritual growth, movement, and renewal (as opposed to Shabbos, which is a state of being and receiving). We are meant tap into the spiritual energy of these days and come out on the other end in a higher place– a place where…
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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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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 In Sefer Tehillim (95:7) it says that we are Hashem’s people “today, if you hear His Voice.” But, what does it mean in a practical sense to “hear” Hashem’s Voice? What exactly are we supposed to be listening for? A Bas Kol from Shamayim? And [Hashem] said: “Go out and stand in the mountain…
BS”D On the surface, the days of Sefiras HaOmer seem to have two, somewhat contradictory themes: On one hand, it’s a time a mourning when we limit joyous activities, like making a wedding, listening to music or buying new clothes. According to the Talmud, in the weeks between Pesach and Shavuos, Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 students died in a…
Read More “Chodesh Iyar: The Key to Unlocking Divine Compassion” »
