Tefillah

Vayakhel-Pekudei – Prayers of a Lion

Why are Betzalel, from the tribe of Judah, and Oholiab, from Dan, specifically chosen for the building of the tabernacle? Why is the Tabernacle referred to as a lion? What is the concept of the lion? Why is the place of God’s presence and our relationship with Him to be found in a place of…

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Vayikra – Prayer and sacrifice

What is the concept of the sacrifices? What is the connection between sacrifice and prayer? Why are both of these concepts called ‘avodah’ – service? What is the difference between service of Hashem and the service of idolatry? What is the deeper reason why the sacrifices were completely consumed by the body with no waste,…

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Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!

This winter has been terribly dry for us in Israel, as many of you may know. The water levels here are dangerously low, and the drought is having a devastating effect on this year’s crops. We have been saying special tefilos for rain every day, and there was even a special fast not too long…

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Feeling their pain

I heard a few interesting stories and thoughts over Shabbos. The one that I got the most from was told by the Rav of my shul. This past week, a couple in Jerusalem came to him with the following scenario. The husband had decided to get his wife something special for her birthday recently. He…

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Miracles in Ashdod

My wife attends a weekly shiur in chinuch from a certain Rebbetzin Fried (name changed). Rebbetzin Fried has a son who lives in Ashdod. Her son went to ask Rav Kanievsky if it was wise to remain in Ashdod, and Rav Kanievsky said that it is NOT a danger to remain there. She then told…

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Aviva Malka bas Leah

I told the story in a previous post about the young girl who came out of the coma saying, “Did I miss the weddings, and did I miss Moshiach coming?” I spoke to her father on Friday. They just returned from a trip to Boston for two weeks with their daughter that was necessary for…

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