Purim marks a transition point in Jewish history. It ushers in the time period of hester panim…
Brachot 55: People Power
Leadership is not for the faint of heart. A leader, by definition, must make decisions that are…
Terumah: Child's Play
Judaism sees the sparks of the Divine within the most mundane of activities. Revelation at Sinai is…
Brachot 48: Pumpkin, Pumpkin Look to the Sky
I imagine that many of us had elementary school classmates whom we knew were going to reach great…
Brachot 43: Learning from Tamar
We have often noted that the Talmud was edited with great precision. A simple example is the…
Brachot 43: Sweet Smells
When one is consumed with hatred, one is liable to act in ways that are out of the norm, to say the…
Mishpatim: Free the Slaves
One of the revolutions that Judaism brought to the world was its attitude towards, and its…
Brachot 31: Channa's Prayer
“Rav Hamnuna said: How many important halakhot can be derived from these verses of…
Brachot 29: The Simple Jew
“Our Sages taught: Shimon Hapekuli arranged the eighteen blessings before Rabban Gamliel…
Yitro: The Essence of Torah
Fulfilling G-d's commandments is the essence of Torah. "If not for my covenant, day…
Brachot 29: The Changing Nature of Prayer
It is hard to think of a mitzvah that has undergone as much change over time as that of prayer.…
Brachot 28: Saving Judaism
It is fair to say that, if not for the leadership of Rav Yochanan ben Zakkai, you would not be…
Beshalach: Dying in the Desert
“And Pharaoh approached...they saw the Egyptians marching at their rear, and the people…
Brachot 28: The Education of Rabban Gamliel
The years following the destruction of the Temple were fraught with great danger and uncertainty.…
Brachot 26: Prayer is Mercy
As we transition from the third to the fourth chapter of masechet Brachot, our focus shifts from…
Bo: Timing is Everything
Judaism places great emphasis on the proper use of time. For serious students there is practically…
Brachot 21: Before and After
Shehechiyanu vekemanu vhegeyanu lazman hazeh. It was when daf yomi last reached Brachot 27…
Brachot 21: What Did I Say
One of the things I love about the Gemara is how realistic and human it is—how it portrays…