B'reshit 5779

“and [He]… caused the man to sleep, and he slept…”

(Bereshit 2:21)

Child(don’t)care

Shani Levi opened the car door, and sank down into the seat. She smiled at her husband, David, and thanked him again for his great idea. He was the one who had suggested getting their twelve year old neighbor, Baruch, to watch the Levi’s two young children, so that Shani and David could go out together that evening, to celebrate their anniversary. It had been so nice for Shani and David to get out of the house for a little while, and enjoy each other’s company.

As the car came within a block of the Levi’s house, Shani’s phone rang. It was Naomi, the Levi’s neighbor. “Uh, Shani, are you home?” Naomi began.

“Actually, no. Why do you ask?” Shani inquired.

Shmini Atzeret - Simchat Torah 5779

Elevated Priorities

Rabbi Asher Weiss, shlita relates an incident that happened one year, during the Simchat Torah dancing. Rabbi Yisrael, a respected, learned older man, was greatly enjoying the exalted atmosphere. He sang along heartily with the rest of the congregation, savoring the opportunity to display his great love for the Torah. One of the other congregants approached Rabbi Yisrael, and handed him a Torah scroll. Rabbi Yisrael’s heart leapt, at the opportunity to dance with the Torah on this special day. He clutched the scroll tightly, as teared welled up in his eyes.

Sukkot - Megilat Kohelet 5779

“I provided myself with various musical instruments… it was clear that it was all futile” (Kohelet 2:8-11)

Radio Interference

The students had arrived earlier that day, bearing expressions of confidence, seriousness and excitement. They filed into their dorm rooms, and began unpacking freshly washed clothing, delicately scented with fabric softener and wistful prayers for a good school year.

That evening, the entire student body gathered together, for the first assembly of the year. The principal went through the usual welcome, review of policies, procedures, and other miscellany. Before the meeting ended, he added one final note.

Sukkot 5779

Undercover Mitzva

Yossi and Leah had been planning for weeks. The logistics, the cooking, the packing, the traveling. It would all be worth it once they arrived in Jerusalem for Sukkot, and had the opportunity to spend the holiday there. Yossi had spoken with the owner of the apartment which Yossi and Leah would rent, and the owner had assured Yossi that he had a fully kosher sukkah, which would be set up and ready for use.

Shabbat Shuvah 5779

Every person must engage in acts of kindness and have mercy on others, and as a result of this, his sins will be atoned, as it says "with kindness and truth sins will be atoned," and they will have mercy on him from Heaven, and increase his life, as our sages said "all who have mercy on others, they have mercy on him from Heaven."

(Mishneh Berurah, Laws of Yom Kippur, 615, se'if 6 2, Sha'ar Hatziyun)

Charity Clarity

(From the book Kol Mishalotecha, parshat Vayera)

Yossi is a very busy man. However, he makes sure to take some time out of every week to help people who are going through a tough time. The local social service agency knows him well, and regularly refers him to families in need.

Rosh-Hashana 5779

Sound Effect

(Based on Igrot Moshe, Orach Chaim section 2)

Shacharit prayers had just ended. The congregants stood in their places expectantly, eyes focused eagerly on the men standing at the bima. Many held their fingers in place in their machzorim, pointing to the prayers recited before the blowing of the shofar.

Ki Tavo 5778

Negative Developments

Thank you to the husband of Ayala (not her real name) in the story, who shared this story, as well as the written response of Rabbi Yaakov Ariel and the oral response of Rabbi Asher Weiss.

Ayala smiled happily. She had just spent the past few hours angling her camera, adjusting lights, and telling people to smile, trying to capture the highlights of the Bat Mitzva party which she had been hired to photograph. She enjoyed photography, and got a particular thrill from turning meaningful moments into treasured memories, for her clients to enjoy in the future. She packed her equipment into her car, and drove home, eager to start working on the Bat Mitzva album, the next day.

Ki Tetze 5778

The expensive trip to Meron

In preparation for Rosh Hashana, a few teenage boys decided to organize a trip to Meron, so that they could pray at the grave of Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai. They called a taxi company, and requested a van, large enough to accommodate the group.

Shoftim 5778

“This is the matter of the murderer, who shall flee there, and live, who will strike his friend without intent…”

(Devarim 19:4)

Sick and Tired

(From the book “Sichot L’Sefer Bamidbar,” written by Rabbi Avigdor Nebenzal, shlita,
sicha 29, page 315)

All was peaceful and quiet on Narkis Street. Until Yossi moved in. Narkis Street was a friendly enough neighborhood, and the locals were pleased to see that that vacant apartment in building 14 finally had a new tenant. Their excitement didn’t last long. Within days, it became obvious that Yossi’s driving habits left much to be desired. The first time Yossi sped through the street, ignoring the speed limit, the cross walk, or anything else that seemed to be in his way, the neighbors dismissed it as a one-time event. It didn’t take long to realize, though, that Yossi was completely oblivious to the fact that there might be other people on the street.

Re'e 5778

This segment is In memory of Maran Harav Avraham Yitchak Hacohen Kook zt’l,  who’s yahrtzeit is on the 3rd of Elul. The questions and answers used this week are taken from his works on halacha. 

Charity Disparity

(Orach Mishpat, page 234)

Yosef is a physics teacher, with an excellent reputation. Throughout his city, it’s known that no student, whether adult or child, comes away without understanding the material which Yosef has taught. Therefore, many people come to Yosef for private tutoring.

One evening, Yosef got a call from a non-Jew who lived in his area. “Hello, my name is Sam,” the man said. “My son, Nate, could use some tutoring in physics. Do you think you could help him out?”