A Proper Good Morning
One should tell their friend a good morning of Simchas Torah, not a good morning of Tisha Be-Av – Reb Mendel Futerfas.
Neirot
Which Yeshivah?
Once, an individual was asked to describe the various advantages of various Yeshivot (Jewish schools.) Instead of explaining the curricula, he merely described the food served at each of the schools. When asked, “What about...
Teshuvah after Yom Kippur
Once, on the day after Yom Kippur, the Previous Lubavitcher entered the office of his father, the 5th Lubavitcher Rebbe and asked: “What now?” Meaning, what is the service of G-d now that Yom...
The Central Prayer
By Rabbi Dovid Markel In the Ne-ilah prayers on the Day of Atonement, we paraphrase the Talmudic (Berachot 29b) statement: “The needs of Your people Israel are many and their mind is small.”...
Except for Acher
By Rabbi Dovid Markel When the wayward sage, Elisha ben Abuyah, desired to sin with a harlot, the Talmud (Chagiga 15a) recounts that she questioned him: “Aren’t you Elisha ben Abuya?” His response was...
Greater than a Tzadik
By Rabbi Dovid Markel The advantage of the Bal Teshuva (penitent) over the Tzadik (righteous), is the sin itself. The very imperfections make him more perfect. Knowing sin, yet abstaining, expresses a tremendous depth the...
Absolution of Sin
They asked wisdom:[1] “How shall the soul that sins be absolved?” She answered: “The soul that sins, it shall die.” (Yechezkel 18:4) They asked prophecy and she answered: “Evil will pursue the sinners.” (Mishlei...
On Forgiveness
By Rabbi Dovid Markel If we truly realized the pain we cause others, we’d never do 99% of the painful things we do. Forgiveness is often about the realization that our fellow never meant...
Kapparot – A Lesson in Empathy
Every year there is a huge outcry about the practice of kapparot. This article attempts to reframe the issue.
Shabbat Shuva – The Repentance of the Tsaddik
This Shabbat is generally referred to as Shabbat Shuva, after the haftarah which discusses repentance.
