Parshat Vayishlach – Taking It Slowly
By Rabbi Dovid Markel When Yaakov met with his brother Esav after having not seen him for many years, they hugged and kissed. The Torah says, that when they took leave from one another, Esav...
Neirot
Now That’s Humility
By Leibel Estrin Rabbi Yosef Rosen (1858-1936) was known for his diligence in Torah study. Even as a young boy, he spent his time pouring over religious texts. It wasn’t long before the teachers...
Men and Women: Their Roles within Judaism
By Leibel Estrin Some women feel that not having as many opportunities to fulfill G-d’s commandments is represents some sort of discrimination. Perhaps it does, but not in the way they think. Throughout...
Parshas Vayishlach – Whatever the Situation, Trust in HaShem
By Avner Friedmann In the Parshah of this week, Yaakov is traveling back from Choran to Canaan with his family and entourage. We are told that he was apprehensive on hearing the news that...
With Simple Faith
The chossid Reb Zalman Gurary once had an audience with the Lubavitcher Rebbe to request a blessing for the success of an upcoming surgery. When he told the Rebbe what he was his seeking,...
A Portrait
The chossid, Reb Velvel Villenker would often say: A misnaged is akin to a portrait that never changes. His state today is like it was yesterday and his tomorrow will be like today. A...
The Ladder of Prayer
By Rabbi Dovid Markel When Yaakov left the Land of Israel to travel to Charan, he first stopped on Mt. Moriya. As he slept there, the verse (Bereishis, 28:12) states, “And he dreamed,...
Divine Euthanasia
Can a person pray to G-d for the death of an individual who is going through immense suffering?
The Mitzvos
By Leibel Estrin The term mitzvah means “Commandment.” However, the word is connected to the phrase ‘tzavtza v’chibur, which means “Connecting and joining.” A mitzvah connects the One who commands (G-d) with the...
The Value of a Mitzvah
By Leibel Estrin Once upon a time, two souls met each other at a crossroads. One was going to Heaven, the other was going to a body on Earth. “Tell me,” the Neshoma on his...
