23 Iyar 5783 – 14 May 2023 R’ Yisroel Meir HaKohen of Radin (the Chofetz Chaim) was once called to court as a character witness. However, he said he would not be sworn in because his entire life he avoided taking any oaths. The attorney tried to explain to the… Read More »He Did not Want to Swear an Oath
20 Iyar 5783 – 11 May 2023 Two men had purchased plots in the same cemetery and each wanted the better one. They came to to R’ Moshe of Ponovezh after arguing back and forth and not being able to settle their dispute. R’ Moshe ruled, “Whoever dies first will… Read More »20 Iyar – How to end an Argument
18 Iyar 5783 – 9 May 2023 When asked, “What is the power of free will?” the Rebbe (Rebbe Nachman) answered, “Simple. If you want, you do. If not, not. Too many people are trapped in the customs of their habits, but if they truly want to, they can easily… Read More »18 Iyar – Free Will
12 Iyar 5783 – 3 May 2023 The Gaon of Vilna was studying with his students when suddenly, a huge clap of thunder was heard. The students immediately paused and recited the blessing for hearing thunder but noticed their teacher looked upset. Rebbe, did we say the wrong blessing? “No,… Read More »12 Iyar – Thunder
9 Iyar 5783 – 30 April 2023 When a person’s faith is lacking, he must expend a lot of exertion in his devotions to G-d (Likutey Moharan II, 86). We can have faith in G-d, but sometimes we lack faith in ourselves. Rabbi Nachman teaches that a lack of confidence… Read More »9 Iyar – Faith in G-d and in oneself
7 Iyar 5783 – 28 april 2023 Rebbe Nachman of Breslov used to say, “The Yetzer Hara (inner adversay/evil inclination) is like a person circulating among a crowd with his fist clenched and asking each person what they think is inside his clenched fist. Each one believes that what’s inside… Read More »7 Iyar – Whats in the hand?
6 Iyar 5783 – 27 april 2023 R’ Simcha Bunim of P’shischa would say that we should view our Yetzer Hara (inner adversay / evil inclination) as an executioner with his sword drawn poised to cut off our head at any moment. One of his Chassidim asked, “What if I… Read More »6 Iyar – What if you can’t see the Yetzer Hara?
4 Iyar 5783 – 24 april 2023 The Metzora’s process of purification includes two birds (Leviticus 14:4). Our sages teach that ‘tzara’as’ is an affliction that comes as a result of the person speaking negatively about others (Arachin 15-16). But if it is to atone for ‘lashon ha’ra’ (evil speech),… Read More »4 Iyar – Why 2 birds?
Inside and outsideMan is afraid of things that cannot harm him and he knows it; and he covets things that will not bear him fruit, and he denies it; but in reality it is something in man himself that he fears, and it is something in man himself that he… Read More »27 Nissan – Inside and Outside
24 Nissan 5783 – 15 April 2023 חׇ֭כְמוֹת בָּנְתָ֣ה בֵיתָ֑הּ חָצְבָ֖ה עַמּוּדֶ֣יהָ שִׁבְעָֽה׃ Wisdom has built her house,She has hewn her seven pillars. Proverbers 9:1 Parshat Shemini ended today with the text on the laws of kosher animals, describing which animals are clean or unclean. In next week’s Parasha, parshat… Read More »24 Nissan – Human or Animal
