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Remedying the Sin of Theft Ahead of the Yamim Noraim

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

by Ram ben Ze'ev How Public Talk of Terror Strengthens Our Enemies In times of terror and tragedy, good people often struggle to know how to respond. The natural instinct — particularly in an age of relentless media and instant communication — is to speak: to share, to bear witness, to denounce evil aloud. Yet in doing so, many unintentionally serve the very purposes of those who commit such heinous acts. This truth must be confronted, particularly by those who seek to live in accordance with...

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...

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,...

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...

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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....

“Seek Hashem When He is Present” Our Sages teach us (Rosh Hashanah 18a) teach us that the words of the verse “Seek out Hashem when He is...

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

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...

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...

Maran zt”l was quite fond of the following story because it illustrates how great the level of one who distances himself from sin and...

The Torah (Bereshit 49) states: “Zevulun shall dwell by the seashore; he shall be a haven for ships and his flank shall rest on Sidon....

Exploring what the role of Zechut Avot (Merit of the Forefathers) played in enabling the Bnei Yisrael to accept the Torah, and the Great...

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

Today is the public fast day of the Seventeenth of Tammuz. We fast in order to rouse ourselves to repent and atone for our sins, which...

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

Concerns About Ayin Hara“ Ayin Hara” (the Evil Eye) refers to a phenomenon whereby someone admires something another individual has and...

A wife like ben Pelet’s and not a wife like Korach’s! And understanding the meaning of “Mizmor LeAsaf” From the teachings of Maran...

The Litmus Test to ascertain our approach to fulfilling Mitzvot From HaGaon Rav Zevadia HaCohen Shlit”a, The Head of the Batei Din in Tel...

Trading Places! From the teachings of Maran Rebbeinu Ovadia Yosef ztvk”l (translated by our dear friend Rav Daniel Levy Shlit”a, Leeds...

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...

Our Sages taught: One who observes, honors, and enjoys Shabbat will enjoy even more reward in this world than what is set aside for him...

The verse in the book of Yeshaya (Chapter 58) states: “And you shall call Shabbat [a day of] pleasure.” We see from here that there is a...

Today marks Lag Ba’Omer, a day of immense rejoicing in honor of the holy Tanna, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and this custom can be found in...

The period of the counting of the Omer is exalted indeed and filled with sanctity, as the Ramban writes in his commentary on Parashat...

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 Haphtarah of the “Dry Bones”, resurrecting the dead and the Zechut of Tefillin From HaGaon Rav Yigal Krispal Shlit”a (debuting at...

How by making the effort we can achieve, Hashem will then take us to unimaginable heights A ma’amar from HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a,...

The Days of Purim There are four primary Mitzvot on Purim: Megillah reading, Mishloach Manot, Matanot La’Evyonim, and the Purim Feast....

Hashem’s “Hidden Face” and learning how to live under His “Divine Providence” A ma’amar from HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a, Maran’s zt”l...

Great people are concerned with the needs of others! A ma’amar from HaRav Yaakov Sasson Shlit”a, Maran’s zt”l grandson (translated by our...

During these days, when the world is an absolute upheaval, many people ask what they can do to be saved from the terrible calamities...