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,…
Read More “How We Can Sweeten the Judgments this Tisha B’Av” »
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 Why do we celebrate Tu BiShvat, the Rosh HaShanah La’Ilanot, in the middle of the winter– a time when nothing is growing and the world around us descends into a deep, frost-bitten slumber? It seems to be at the wrong time of the year. Shouldn’t the New Year for the Trees come in the…
