Davka in cooperation with Moshe Berman (developer) has released its a new iPhone | iPad app called Torah Notebook. Torah Notebook is the ideal tool for creating and managing Torah content on on the go. Torah Notebook includes: – 1200 Divrei Torah, drawn from both classical and modern sources. Selections can can be tagged, edited, printed [...]
“Silver from the Land of Israel: A New Light on the Sabbath and Holidays From the Writings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook” by Chanan Morrison Because of their poetic and mystical nature, Rav Kook’s writings are dificult even for readers who are fluent in Hebrew and rabbinic texts. Silver from the Land of Israel [...]
Gold from the Land of Israel – A New Light on the Weekly Torah Portion from the Writings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook (Kindle Edition) Gold from the Land of Israel presents Rav Kook’s thoughts in easy-to-read chapters that are sure to provide inspiring new perspectives on the weekly reading. – Rabbi Ari Enkin [...]
. Human beings are hopeful by nature. For instance, we go into business with little more than a dream that “somehow we will succeed.” Likewise, we should be optimistic that HaShem will help us, for He promises “My salvation is imminent.” Yet, for some reason, our hope in HaShem that all will be good is [...]
In His love for the People of Israel, HaShem illuminated us with the light of the holy Torah, the Divine Wisdom. In addition, He planted treasures of knowledge within these eternal words. For instance, the Torah states (Shemos 25:2): “And let them take for Me a portion,” and (Shemos 25:9): “They shall make Me a [...]
The more advice, the more wisdom. The ancients used to say, “Take advice and follow your own judgment.” Although this statement seems contradictory – in truth – it reveals a great secret. A person who is asked to give advice cannot see the whole picture because he is viewing the problem from “the outside.” Whereas [...]
This week’s Torah reading states: Do not afflict any widow or orphan (Shemos 22:21). The injunction implores us to show extra care to widows and orphans because they are very delicate and more vulnerable than other people. However, this instruction is not limited to the compassionate treatment of widows and orphans. Included in this verse [...]
“Rabbi Tarfon said: If you learned a great amount of Torah, you will receive a great reward.” A man traveling on the road found a pouch full of precious diamonds. He quickly returned to his house in order to get a closer look at his find. When he opened the pouch the sparkling gems lit [...]
The holy Ten Commandments comprise the basic ethical and religious rules of mankind. Most of these injunctions relate to a specific action, e.g., “Keep the Sabbath,” or “You shall not steal.” However, the first commandment does not call for any specific action. Rather, it gives us the instructions for belief in HaShem, the G-d of [...]
“Rabbi Yishmael said, ‘Greet every person cheerfully.’” Every member of Israel is descended from our Patriarchs – Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaacov. When we meet any person who is from the People of Israel, we remind ourselves that they are the offspring of our holy Forefathers. Therefore, it is important to greet them with happiness and [...]
The Torah states (Bereishis 47:28) “And Yaacov lived in Egypt for 17 years.” We understand why he lived there during the years of the famine. However, after his being in Egypt for 5 years the famine ended. If so, why did Yaacov not return to Eretz Yisrael? Our Patriarchs – Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaacov – [...]
“Ben Azai said: The reward of a Mitzvah is a Mitzvah. The performance of a Mitzvah awakens joy in the soul of man. What’s more, the delight and joy that we experience through performing the Mitzvah is a separate Mitzvah, in and of itself. That is, HaShem counts the pleasure and happiness that we feel [...]
From the time of the destruction of the Temple, and the subsequent 2000 year exile, we often assume that HaShem has distanced Himself from us. In fact, it is just the opposite — He has never been closer! When Yaacov set out on his journey to Egypt, he experienced a prophecy at night. HaShem promised [...]
The lone cruse of oil that the Macabees found was of sufficient quantity to kindle the Menorah for one day. Miraculously, it burned for eight days. Since the Macabees had one day’s supply of oil to start with, the miracle of the oil burning occurred for seven days. This being the case, we should celebrate [...]
The Medrash Raba applies the verse, “And darkness covered the abyss (Bereishis 2),” to the “darkness” that the Syrian-Greeks imposed on Israel. Not only did the persecution cause physical hardship, it also cast them into spiritual darkness. When Klal Yisrael triumphed over the Syrian-Greeks, the situation reversed itself. That is, darkness descended upon the Syrian-Greeks, [...]
