Search Jewish Dispatch

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...

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,...

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...

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...

by Ram ben Ze'ev The Tragedy of Aher: The Sage Who Could Not Return He was once among the greatest minds of his generation — brilliant, respected, steeped in Torah and philosophy alike. Yet he would become known not by his name, but by his absence from it. The Sages no longer called him Elisha ben Abuyah ; they called him Aher — “the Other.” Elisha was born into privilege in Jerusalem during the late Second Temple period. His father, Abuyah, was a wealthy and influential man who admired Torah...

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...

by Ram ben Ze'ev When Jews Commit Blood Libel It is one of the most infamous lies in human history—one that echoes with the blood of the innocent and the cries of the falsely accused. The term blood libel refers to the grotesque accusation that Jews murder non-Jewish children to use their blood in religious rituals. This slander, born in Christian Europe during the 12th century, became a tool of mass hatred, inciting pogroms, public executions, and expulsions across the continent. From...

by Ram ben Ze'ev The Down Pillow: Lashon Hara, Gossip, and the Irreversible Damage of Public Shame There is a well-known parable often attributed to the Baal Shem Tov, and later expounded by the Alter Rebbe and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of a man who spreads lashon hara (לשון הרע, evil speech) about another member of the community. Realising his grave error, he turns to his Rav for a path to teshuvah (repentance). The Rav instructs him to take a down pillow to the top of a hill, cut it open, and...

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

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

by Ram ben Ze'ev In מסכת שבת (Masekhet Shabbat) 89a, the sages record a striking scene between the heavenly angels and משה רבינו (Moshe Rabbeinu). When Moshe ascends to receive the תורה (Torah), the angels protest, questioning why the most sacred gift of Divine wisdom should be given to flesh and blood. The response: "In reward for the fact that they called you man, you are not an angel and the Torah is applicable to you." At first glance, this line appears to reinforce the chosenness of עם...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Happy Chag Ha’Atsmaut even if for some it is already over. There was much to celebrate. And now...

by Ram ben Ze'ev The Advocate Born of a Mitzvah Our Sages teach in מסכת אבות (Masechet Avot – Ethics of the Fathers) Chapter 4, Mishnah 11:"רבי אליעזר בן יעקב אומר, העושה מצוה אחת, קונה לו פרקליט אחד; והעובר עבירה אחת, קונה לו קטיגור אחד" – "Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov says: One who performs one מצוה (mitzvah – commandment) acquires for himself one פרקליט (praklit – advocate), and one who performs one עבירה (aveirah – transgression) acquires for himself one קטיגור (ketigor – prosecutor)." The...

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

by Ram ben Ze'ev When Defending Israel Crosses a Line: A Torah View on Public Embarrassment In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience , British author and political commentator Douglas Murray confronted comedian Dave Smith about his public criticisms of Israel. Murray, who has emerged as a staunch public defender of Israel — particularly following the atrocities of 7 October 2023 — pointedly noted that Smith had never even visited Israel, let alone the broader region. The tone and...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Yaakov Herzog As we approach Pesach/Passover, I like to reminisce about past experiences. One I particularly...

Sacrifices or deeds? by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Every book of the Torah contains a range of different subjects, ideas and...

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

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...

Shemot 30:11-35 - The Golden Calf by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen While Moshe was absent up on Mount Sinai, the people feared he was dead and...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Giovanni Pico Della Mirandola I first heard of the Christian polymath Giovanni Pico Della Mirandola (1463-1494)...

Exodus Chapter 25-27:20 - The Urim and Tumim by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Those who care about American Ivy League...

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...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Anyone studying the Talmud in depth knows that one enters a very special but complicated world...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen A Personal Tribute Rabbi Aviezer Wolfson ז״ל I have recently pointed out some of the negative aspects of the...

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 Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen What is a Yeshivah? A place where you sit, literally. Of course, you can do many things when...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Since we are in the midst of party season, I am reminded of the strange history of Jewish...

Bereishit Chapters 41-44:17 - Dreams by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Dreams play a very important part in the biblical...

Been There by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen A History of Chanukah We like to think that Chanukah was the great victory of Judah the son of...

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...

by Ram ben Ze'ev The Wisdom of Silence: Avoiding Fruitless Arguments in the Age of Social Media Social media, once envisioned as a platform for meaningful connection and the free exchange of ideas, has increasingly devolved into a digital battleground. Each day, millions engage in heated debates over politics, religion, and culture, often without any hope of changing hearts or minds. Instead, these arguments leave participants frustrated, drained, and further entrenched in their positions....

Bereishit Chapters 28:10-31:54 - Do As You Would Be Done By by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen There is a tradition amongst some Talmudic...

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

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Alroy is the title of novel about a Jewish false Messiah (of which there have been many), written by a young...

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...

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

Genesis (Bereishit) Chapter 6:9 EVOLUTION by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen In some religious fundamentalist circles, the word evolution is a...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Yes, of course, I was delighted to hear that Sinwar met the violent end that he deserved. As the prophetess Deborah...

by Ram ben Ze'ev Talmudic Mentions of Yeshu: Clarifying Jewish Rejection In Jewish tradition, the Talmud serves as a foundational text, building on the Torah and the teachings of the sages. Within its pages, there are brief but notable mentions of Yeshu haNotzri ( Jesus of Nazareth ), which have sometimes been misconstrued as implying agreement with, or even acknowledgment of, his teachings. However, a careful examination of these references reveals quite the opposite. The Talmud’s mentions...

From Serious to Joy by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen There is a line in the Book of Psalms that reads “Rejoice in trembling” (Psalms 2:11) that...

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...

From a discourse delivered by Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l compiled by his grandson, Harav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a We are about to...

It is customary to eat red meat and sweet foods on the days of Rosh Hashanah, as the verse in Nechemia states, “Go eat fatty foods and...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen We are approaching a period of atonement. And sometimes I wonder who should be atoning. I hope you don’t mind my...

Excerpts From the Teachings of Maran Rabbeinu zt”l During the Month of Elul During the Mussaf prayer of Rosh Hashanah we recite, “For You...

Deuteronomy Chapters 29:9-32 - SECRETS by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen הנסתרת ליהוה אלהינו והנגלת לנו ולבנינו עד עולם לעשות את כל דברי התורה...

by Ram ben Ze'ev Tzedakah: The Power of Charity to Heal and Protect The concept of tzedakah (charity) in Judaism goes far beyond the simple act of giving. While often translated as "charity," tzedakah is more accurately understood as "justice" or "righteousness." It is seen not merely as an ethical obligation but as a powerful force with spiritual, physical, and communal implications. In Jewish thought, tzedakah is a pathway to atonement, a source of protection from misfortune, and an act...

Words from Maran zt”l for the Month of Elul In the Selichot, we recite Hashem’s Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, “ Hashem, Hashem El Rachum...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen In 1290 Jews were expelled from England. In 1656 Cromwell failed to persuade parliament to welcome Jews back...

Deuteronomy Chapters 26-29;6 - Two Mountains by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen After two weeks of the most important laws of the Torah, Moses now...

Our Sages (Kiddushin 40b) teach us that one should always view himself as half innocent and half guilty. If one performs one Mitzvah, one...

The verse in Kohelet (11:9) states: “Rejoice young man in your youth and let your heart cheer you up in your adolescence and walk in the...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen We humans love certainties. We think we know, but more often than not, we stumble on. Our history is replete with...

For the Jewish People to succeed in battle they must first be free of the sin or murder, followed by Faith and Trust in Hashem, and then...

Deuteronomy 21;10-26;1 - Who Deserves Respect? by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen These past three weeks have been an impressive and sometimes...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Jews hating Jews has a long history. Going as far back as the Bible. But medieval religions made a real art of it....

Deuteronomy 16-21;9 - Humans and Trees by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen There is a lot to read about this week. Kings, prophets, warfare, civil...

Deuteronomy Chapters 12;26-15;23 - Servitude & Dependency by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen This week, we read “If a fellow Hebrew male or female is...

Deuteronomy Chapter 7;12-11;25 - Do as you would be done by by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen The weekly reading of Eykev follows the pattern of...

Reward and punishment, and creating spiritual garments to wear in the World to Come (From the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef...

Following halachic nightfall on Tisha Be’av which is approximately twenty minutes after sunset (somewhat later in the United States), one...

Deuteronomy 1-3:23 - What’s in a Name? by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Why do we call this, the fifth book of the Torah, that we start this...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE) holds a very special place in Jewish historiography and mythology. It is true...

Understanding the power of the Mouth and Hashem’s Protection of His People, as well as exploring Bilam and other like-minded haters of...

Numbers Chapters 22-24 - Listening to Magicians by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen It seems strange that the whole part of the Torah we read this...

Some insights into the Complex Mitzvah of “Parah Adumah” – How the observance of “Illogical” Mitzvot save Klal Yisrael From the teachings...

Rosh Chodesh Tammuz - Numbers Chapter 16:1-18:31 Miracles by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen One of the amazing features of the Torah over and above...

Numbers 13-16 - Mental Fortitude by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen The reading this week is mainly concerned with the 12 men sent by Moses to tour...

Numbers 7:8-12:16 - A Just War by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Amongst the many topics in this week’s Torah reading is the seemingly incidental one...

Based on the teachings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l compiled by his grandson, Harav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a There are those who read...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Shavuot more than any other festival illustrates the ongoing way in which a Biblical festival and indeed many...