There is a known question asked by the Bais HaLevi and others:  Why is it that only by Chanukah do we find that there is a basic mitzvah, mehadrin, and then mehadrin min hamehadrin? The Bais HaLevi answers that, in truth, the whole nes of Chanukah only came about because the Bnei Yisrael were performing … More Mehadrin Min HaMehadrin

In פרק ק”ה of תהילים, which recounts the wonders of יציאת מצרים, there is an unusual תרגום יונתן בן עוזיאל on the words “ויוציאם בכסף וזהב ואין בשבטיו כושל” – “And ה’ took them out with gold and silver; and in His ‘שבטים’, there is no stumbling block.” (פסוק ל”ז) The word שבטים is normally … More Our דין תורה with מצרים – The Story of גביהא בן פסיסא

When the B’nei Yisrael approached Eretz Yisrael after leaving Mitzrayim and traveling in the Midbar, they fought their first battle against Sichon, the king of the Emori. When did this battle take place? The Midrash Rabba in Parshas Chukas says that it happened during the month of Elul. During the month of Elul, we all … More The War in Elul and the War of Elul

Throughout the ages, and especially on Tisha B’Av, Jews have always gathered at the Kosel HaMaaravi, (the Western Wall ), to pour out their hearts to Hashem and to ask Him to draw us close once again. We know that to daven at the Kosel is to daven at the holiest site in the world, … More The Kotel and Techiyas Hameisim

There is a well known midrash cited by the Ramban at the beginning of Parshas B’haaloscha.  The midrash says that when Aharon saw how all of the leaders of the tribes of B’nei Yisrael brought their korbanos to inaugurate the mizbeiach in the Mishkan, he felt saddened that his tribe was not included. Hashem told Aharon not to worry, because his … More Chanukah: The Holiday of Shalom

The first part of this Dvar Torah was excerpted from the sefer “He’aros B’Parsha” by the Rosh Kollel. Apropos to Rosh Hashana and the judgement that takes place during this period of the year, let’s examine an interesting item in our daily Shmona Esrei and in the davening of Rosh Hashana. In the bracha that begins “השיבה שופטינו,” “Return our judges,” … More “Just Ask” – A Dvar Torah for Rosh Hashana and Aseres Yemei Teshuva

The following Dvar Torah is largely based on ideas heard from HaRav Yaakov Friedman, SHLIT”A, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Bircas Mordechai, Beitar, Israel. Any mistakes in interpretation or errors are solely the fault of the author. The Rambam in his explanation of the Mishna in Maseches Rosh Hashana says something which, at first glance, seems … More The Duality of Elul