Search Jewish Dispatch

What really interests a person and who stole the gold?

How wise women may be forces for good to influence their husbands to avoid strife and their downfall

The Bet HaMikdash Below and the Bet HaMikdash Above - Harnessing our energy and composing ourselves when fulfilling the mitzvot (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series The Parashah states, “Speak to Aharon and say to him, when you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall illuminate the Menorah”...

Trading Places! (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) Parashat Naso in the Diaspora The Parashah states, “The sacred offerings of each individual remain his own property. When they are given to the cohen, they become the [cohen’s] property” (Bamidbar 5:10). What does the Pasuk mean? Tosafot (Ta’anit 9a) quote the Chachamim from the Sifrei who...

To what extent will you go to try to study Torah and more so Halachah? The determination of the Gaon of Brisk, Rav Yosef Dov Bear Soloveitchik z”l (1820-1892) to study by Rav Shlomo Kluger z”l (1785-1869) (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series It states in Parashat Bechukotai, “If you will...

Exploring why Am Yisrael as a whole and the Cohanim specifically, are expected to achieve high standards in their lives (HaRav HaGaon Rav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a, a grandson of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) Parashat Emor This Shabbat we shall read the mitzvah that the Cohanim may not become ritually impure through contact with the dead (meaning, it is forbidden for a cohen to touch a cadaver, or remain in a...

Spiritual growth and holiness are not automatic and there is no quick-fix for them, rather they are achieved through tenacity and prayer (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) Painting by Raphael Perez (Flickr)—not connected to the dvar Torah, but a beautiful work nonetheless It states in Parashat Kedoshim, “You shall be holy, since I am Hashem...

Based on the words of Maran zt”l on Yom Ha’atzmaut, 5733 (1973) Israeli Independence Day (“Yom Ha’atzmaut”) The prophet Yeshaya states: “I greatly rejoice in Hashem, my whole being exults in my G-d; for He has clothed me in garments of triumph, wrapped me in a robe of victory, like a groom adorned with a turban, like a bride bedecked with her finery.” We must analyze this verse which likens the way the Jewish nation will one day rejoice in Hashem to the way a groom wears fine clothing a bride...

The Severity of the Sin of Lashon Hara and the danger of being a journalist (From the teachings of Maran Rabbenu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series In the Parashah, our Holy Torah speaks at length about the leper. Our Chachamim in the Gemara (Erachin 17a) say, why does the leper deserve such a punishment? Due to the sin of...

The Midrash states (Midrash Rabba, Parashat Beshalach) that Pharaoh regretted having freed the Jewish people. Why was this so? From a Sermon of Maran zt”l for the Holiday of Pesach The Vines in Blossom Give off Fragrance We can use a parable to illustrate this point: Once, a man owned a field that, after a long period of time of not being maintained, fell into a state of disrepair and was no more than a mere pile of dirt and rubble. This man sold the field to another. The buyer invested time,...

The significance of Shabbat HaGadol – Preventing the “Final Solution” in Egypt (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a)(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) Parashat Tzav – Shabbat HaGadol Our Chachamim z”l said (Tur and Shulchan Aruch siman 430), that the Shabbat prior to Chag HaPesach is called “Shabbat HaGadol” – “The Great Shabbat”, in commemoration of the great miracle that...

Shiny Happy People – How Moshe Rabbenu’s humility led to his radiant complexion (From the teachings of Maran Rabbenu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) Parashat Vayikra Our Parashah opens with the Pasuk, “Hashem called to Moshe, speaking to him from the Communion Tent saying”” (Vayikra 1:1). In Parashat Ki Tissa it states, “Moshe came down from Mt. Sinai with the two Tablets of...

Small aggravations gradually and accumulatively atone for our sins From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series This Shabbat, we shall read, “These are the accounts of the Mishkan (the Mishkan of Testimony), which were calculated by Moshe’s order by the Levi’im under Itamar, son of Aron the Cohen” (Shemot 38:21). Rashi, in his...

A Person is Their Thoughts From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series This Shabbat we shall read, “When you take a census of the Bnei Yisrael to determine their number” (Shemot 30:12). Rabbenu the Orach Chaim HaKadosh a”h (Rav Chaim ibn Attar or Rav Chaim ben Moshe ibn Attar c. 1696-1743) explains in his commentary on the Torah...

The unity of Am Yisrael is an antidote to evil decrees (Based on the Ma’amar of HaRav HaGoan Rav David Shaltiel Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) Parashat Tetzaveh - Shabbat Zachor It states in the Parashah, “You, [Moshe], must command Bnei Yisrael to bring you clear illuminating oil, made from hand crushed olives, to keep the lamp constantly burning. Aharon and his sons shall arrange for [the lamps to burn] from evening until morning in...

It isn’t enough to study Torah and observe the mitzvot ourselves, we must also merit others (From the teachings of Maran Rabbenu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) Parashat Terumah It states in the Parashah, “[Separate **] your brother Aaron and his sons from amongst Yisrael [and] bring them close to you, to be Cohanim to Me” (Shemot 28:1). Meaning that Hashem said to Moshe,...

What is the connection between Shabbat Shekalim and a vaccine or antidote? From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) Parashat Mishpatim - Parahsat Shekalim This Shabbat, Parashat Mishpatim, is also Shabbat Shekalim. We will take out 2 Sifrei Torah. In the first we will read the Parashah of the Week, Mishpatim, and in the second Parashat Shekalim, which appears in Parashat Ki...

A Truly Correct Judgement – Your Clothes or Mine! From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) Parashat Yitro This Shabbat we shall read about Yitro, Moshe Rabbenu’s father-in-law, who saw his son-in-law, Moshe Rabbenu, adjudicating the people’s cases from morning until evening. He advised him how best to manage the judicial process for the people. In the Torah’s words, “The next...

Are we pioneers or latecomers? Commitment to Hashem or flaky belief? (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds, United Kingdom) Parashat Beshalach – Shabbat Shirah In our Parashah, we find two similar pesukim. One, “Am Yisrael entered the sea bed on dry land. The water was on their right and left like [two] walls” (Shemot 14:22). Meaning that the water functioned...

How Moshe Rabbenu ensured that Paro freeing Am Yisrael had Halachic validity (From the teachings of Maran Rabbenu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series It states in the Parashah concerning the plague of the Smiting of the Firstborns, “Paro stayed up that night [lit. got up that night (see further on)], along with all his...

Moshe in the Basket - The potential impact of paying attention for just one moment From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series This week we read about Paro’s decree against the Jewish children, to abort their lives as soon as they were born. In the Torah’s words, “The king of Egypt spoke to the [chief] Hebrew midwives, whose...

Yoseph’s belief in Hashem’s Oversight of him, gave him the strength to forgive his brothers A Ma’amar From HaGaon Rav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a, Head of Halachah Yomit(Translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) Parashat Vayechi It states in the Parashah, “After he buried his father, Yoseph returned to Egypt along with his brothers and all those who went with him to his father’s burial. Yoseph’s brothers began to realise [the implications] of their father’s...

Taking an appropriate stand when things are wrong in our families, and ensuring our children attend school that educate Torah values (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) Parashat Miketz – Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Chanukah It the Haphtarah of Shabbat Chanukah we will read, “The He showed me Yehoshua, the Cohen Gadol, standing before the angel of...

Difficulties are facts of life, however, how we respond to them is our choice From HaGaon Rav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a, a grandson of Maran zt”l(Translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series It states in the Parashah, “Meanwhile, Yaakov settled in the area where his father had lived in the land of Canaan” (Bereshit 37:1). Our Chachamim say that Yaakov sought to live in tranquillity and then the ordeal of Yosef...

Loving Me, Loving You! Two Types of Love From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series We read in the Parashah Yaakov’s exit from Be’er Sheva to travel to Charan and his labour by Lavan for 20 years; 7 years for Leah, 7 for Rachel and 6 further years. During that time, he also married Zilpa and Bilha, and they bore 11 children. We...

When may we and when should we, be economical with the truth From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, the Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) Image Source: My Jewish Learning (Click) This Shabbat we shall read that Yitzchak wished to bless Esav. However, Yaakov, with his mother Rivka’s assistance, succeeds in receiving the berachot instead of Esav. He wears Esav’s best clothing and places on his hands and neck the...

Belief in Hashem at all times and regarding Shidduchim too, and why a young man studying well in one Yeshivah shouldn’t change yeshivot to enhance his Shidduch prospects! From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel Aviv(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds United Kingdom) From Christina Mattison Ebert’s D’rash Designs series This Shabbat we shall read how Avraham sent Eliezer to find Yitzchak a bride. Throughout the whole journey we see...

Torah-Study shakes the Yetzer Hara (Evil Inclination) off our scent From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in...

The joy of friendships that enable a person to achieve their best in serving Hashem and contributing to the Community From HaGaon Rav...

For a person to be better than a donkey it is not enough just to avoid doing bad, they must do good too From HaGaon Rav Yaakov Sasson...

Imagine that you are the only Jew, with just this mitzvah to fulfil today - Don’t procrastinate, crack on with it now! (HaRav HaGaon Rav...

The potent power of prayer, especially when praying for our children, plus the MK whose wife prayed that her children be like the Chazon...

Today, we observe the public fast day of Tisha Be’av. Tisha Be’av this Year Greetings on Tisha Be’av One may not greet others (especially...

Paradoxical Feelings; Transitioning From Shabbat to Tisha B’Av From HaGaon Rav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a, The Head of Halacha Yomit...

A person is like a hired labourer, rewarded for every step of their work; so let’s fulfil our missions (From the teachings of Maran...

Exploring why Pinechas was rewarded with Shalom and becoming a Cohen, and when may true “Zealousness for Hashem” be acted upon (From the...

May each of us be inspired to fulfil our potential (HaRav HaGaon Rav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a, a grandson of Maran Rabbenu Ovadia Yosef...

Mitzvot performed in private are superior to those which are broadcasted (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef...

Explaining why Levi’s second son Kehat carried the Ark of the Covenant and that success in Torah is the greatest of all achievements From...

The Torah is in the Hands of the Jewish Nation Our Sages teach us in the Gemara (Berachot 5a) that Hashem does not conduct himself like...

Why Bamidbar is always read prior to Shavuot? Am Yisrael’s unity neutralises them from any prosecutions From HaGaon Rav Yaakov Sasson...

Exploring why the Torah chose the prohibition of Cohanim not having contact with the Dead to highlight the importance of educating...

Spiritual growth and Holiness are not automatic and there is no quick-fix for them, rather they are achieved through tenacity and prayer...

Lashon Hara! [The Power of the Tongue and Speech] From the Team at Halacha Yomit(translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a,...

The True Hero is One Who Vanquishes His Desires Our Sages teach us in Pirkei Avot (Chapter 4, Mishnah 1): “Who is a [true] hero? One who...

The hazards of eating non-Kosher food and the protection accorded to those who are meticulous in observing Kashrut, as well as the...

Based on a Derasha delivered by Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l When the Jewish nation left Egypt and the Red Sea split for them, the...

The Torah states (Vayikra 21, 15): “And you shall count for yourselves, from the day following the Shabbat, from the day the waved Omer...

Each lady shall borrow from her neighbour - explaining why they said “borrow” when in fact they were intending to keep it permanently!...

Hashem does not desire our sacrifices per se, but rather our submission and obedience to His will (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu...

Important Notice About Pesach and Subscribe & Save on Amazon IMPORTANT NOTICE BEFORE PESACH Many people in the United States have...

The donations to the Mishkan and the Bet HaMikdash are collateral for our Sins (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef...

The intention of a donor determines how their money is best utilised by the Tzedakah From the teachings of Maran Rebbeinu Ovadia Yosef...

Although we have explained in the previous Halacha that Pesach food items must have special Kosher for Passover supervision to ensure it...

The Salvation of the Jewish Nation on Purim Today is the 16th of Adar, when Purim continues to be celebrated in walled cities from the...

Explaining why the Jewish People were punished so harshly for eating non-kosher food at Achashverosh’s Feast From HaGaon Rav Zevadia...

Yesterday, we explained how most places around the world would celebrate Purim tomorrow, Friday, the 14th of Adar. On the other hand, in...

Tomorrow is the public fast day known as the “Fast of Esther” and it is customary among the entire Jewish nation to fast on this day In...

Holding the Purim Feast at Night The holiday of Purim is different than all other holidays we celebrate in that whereas regarding other...

The Mitzvah of Joy and Torah Learning on Purim Day There is a Mitzvah eat heartily during the Purim Feast. One should preferably eat...

“Remember What Amalek Has Done to You” On the Shabbat preceding Purim, which is this coming Shabbat, after the opening of the Ark...

The Custom of the “Commemoration of the Half-Shekel”- The Seventh of Adar In the beginning of Parashat Ki-Tisa, which we read again not...

Will we be like the Cherubs above the Ark of Testimony, like pure and innocent children, or like the destructive angels guarding Gan...

Reward and punishment isn’t based simply on the act itself but the way the act is done too - We should always try to prevail upon...

Exploring Why the Angels Argued to Keep the Torah in Heaven (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l) (written by his...

The Significance of Tu Bishvat The Fifteenth of Shevat or Tu Bishvat is the Rosh Hashanah for trees (Rosh Hashanah 2a). Most people...

Examining the significance of certain phrases used regarding the plagues, and the difference between the Exodus from Egypt and the Future...

Hashem’s Divine Providence (Hashgachah Pratit) and The Epic Story of Hananyah, Mishael and Azariyah who were Miraculously Saved by Hashem...

Emulating Moshe Rabbeinu’s primary virtues of Mercy and Compassion for all Creatures, and how Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef’s ztvk”l...

Samuel Anoints David as King (1 Samuel 16) In the Book of Shmuel (Chapter 1), an incident is recounted that Hannah, wife of Elkana, could...

By Yosef forgiving his brothers, Hashem forgives us (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l)(written by his grandson...

Yosef’s rebuke to his brothers: Avoiding eternal shame by ensuring that we give at least the same attention and money to mitzvot, if not...

A historical account of the Chanukah miracle is recorded in Megillat Antiochus quoted by the Siddur Bet Oved (page 165) and Sefer...

Women are generally exempt from all positive, time bound Mitzvot, such as the Mitzvah of Shofar on Rosh Hashanah and Sukkah and Lulav on...

Exploring why the oil for the Bet HaMikdash came all the way from Asher’s territory in the Northern Region (From the teachings of Maran...

Chanukah Candles in a High Building Chanukah candles should preferably be placed in a place where they will be visible to the public in...

Lighting the Chanukah Candles The Mitzvah of Lighting Chanukah Candles There is a Mitzvah to light Chanukah candles throughout all eight...

How Yaakov Avinu’s prayers endure for us too, why Yaakov didn’t want to kill Eisav and how Eretz Yisrael was saved by General Rommel’s...

Explaining the complex dynamic between Yaakov and Lavan, as well as Yaakov, Rachel and Leah, which led to Leah being substituted under...

The unimaginable wickedness of Eisav, and how Yaakov Avinu outwitted him and rightfully acquired the birthright and received the Berachot...

Avraham Avinu utilised every moment to serve Hashem, and the importance of educating children in Torah institutions and not secular...

Do kindness to everyone, unconditional of whether or not you think they are a great person, and regardless of whether they are a Jew or a...

A fascinating explanation as to why Avraham Avinu saved Lot from the Four Kings! From the teachings of Maran Rebbeinu Ovadia Yosef...

Today, the Third of Marcheshvan, marks eleven years since the passing of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l. The Torah states in Parashat...

Believing but Not Quite Believing (HaRav HaGaon Rav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a) (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds...

During the past few days, we have discussed the Mitzvah of honoring one’s parents. We have mentioned that those who honor their parents...

The Opinion of the Rambam The Rambam (Chapter 6 of Hilchot Mamrim) writes: “Honoring and revering one’s parents is a great Mitzvah...

As was mentioned in the previous Halacha, the Mitzvah of honoring one’s parents includes two different aspects: honoring one’s parents...

Honor Your Father and Your Mother The Baraita (Kiddushin 30b) states: “One verse states, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ while...

The Rambam (end of Chapter 8 of Hilchot Lulav) states: “Even though it is a Mitzvah to rejoice on all the festivals, there was an...

The Final Judgment and the Custom to Remain Awake All Night The primary days of judgment are from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, however,...

The Turei Zahav (Chapter 21, Subsection 2) writes that it is worthy not to use the wood of the Sukkah for mundane purposes since these...

The Torah commands us to sit in the Sukkah during the seven days of the Sukkot holiday and to rejoice more during this holiday than...

The Gemara (Sukkah 11b) explains that the Mitzvah of Sukkah is in commemoration of the clouds of glory that surrounded our ancestors when...

A Meal of an Established Character Throughout the entire Sukkot holiday, both during the night and day, it is prohibited to eat a meal of...

The days between Yom Kippur and the Sukkot holiday are indeed holy ones during which we are involved with the building of the Sukkah in...

As Yom Kippur closes we must ensure that we have repented and be like HaShem’s children! Ideas which Maran tz”l said on Yom HaKippurim in...

Adding From the Mundane Onto the Holiness One must add some of the mundane weekday onto the holiness of Yom Kippur upon its exit, i.e....

Regarding the custom of Kapparot, we have discussed in the past that this custom may be fulfilled through money. A bill is taken ($10,...

The Mitzvah to Eat on Erev Yom Kippur The Torah (Vayikra 23) states: “And you shall oppress yourselves on the ninth of the month at...