Reading between the Lines
On a flight from New York to Frankfurt, a woman sitting nearby was engrossed in her book. She was riveted, swallowing page after page, not bothering with the meals or even looking up once during the entire flight. Her expressions changed according to the drama of the novel. When the long trip finally ended and […]
A Novel Approach
My mentor, Rabbi Chaim Shmuel Lopian, zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva of the yeshiva in Sunderland, England, who wrote the sefer Ravachah Shmatetah, related that when the author of the sefer Ketzot Hachoshen would sit down to study Torah, he would precede his study session by reciting the verse in Tehillim (50:16), “But to the wicked […]
A Sterling Investment
I once attended a hachnasat Sefer Torah which touched me deeply, as it was conducted amidst much majesty and grandeur. Throughout all Jewish communities, Sifrei Torah are often brought into the Beit Hakeneset. Men, women, and children accompany a new Sefer Torah to its home amidst music and dancing. Often, torches are lit in honor […]
Dying in an Atmosphere of Torah
We had a student who merited recognizing his Creator and doing complete teshuvah. His thirst for more Torah knowledge was unquenchable. When I would lecture in the yeshiva on Shabbat, I could see him voraciously drinking in every word. He never hesitated to ask that I clarify anything he did not understand. A shiur in […]
Torah Marks the Boundaries
Torah Marks the Boundaries I am acquainted with a family in France, all fine Jews. The parents raised their children with an awareness of Torah and mitzvot. Unfortunately, one of their sons decided to change the course of his life and pursue a college career. He threw himself into physics and other secular subjects. His […]
The Place Where I Belong
I once accompanied my father, zy”a, to the grave of Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, in Morocco. When we reached the Mellah, the Jewish section of the city, Father began describing the glorious community that lived there in the days of his father. He talked about life in that era; simple and modest, but rich in […]
Torah
“This Book of the Torah shall not leave your mouth; rather you should contemplate it day and night in order that you observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful, and then you will act wisely” ^(Yehoshua 1:8) &“Thus said Hashem: If not for […]
Rays of Holiness
An elderly man once approached me. His eyes were swollen, his leather face was withered with wrinkles, and his entire body was burnt by the sun’s rays. When I asked him how he had reached such a state, he explained that his face was wrinkled and dark from spending excessive time under the sun’s strong […]
Digesting Disappointment
Digesting Disappointment I was scheduled to take a plane from Paris. But the flight was detained for a number of hours due to a delay in the arrival of the food. All the passengers had to remain in the airport until the time of departure. I tried to spend the time constructively, writing glosses on […]
Eaten up with Worry
In a city abroad, I came across a huge supermarket which sold kosher products. The name of this store: The Kosher Connoisseur. This unusual name captivated me. Aren’t Jews enjoined to restrain their desire for food, eating only l’shem Shamayim, so that we can have strength to serve Hashem? How can a person profess to […]
Donating to Noble Causes
A wealthy individual once presented me with an expensive and valuable gift. It was wrapped in layers of paper, protecting it from damage. I opened them, one by one, until I reached a small box containing a beautiful designer watch, worth tens of thousands of dollars. I instinctively knew I would never wear it. People […]
A Fruitful Lesson
A Fruitful Lesson As I was about to leave a country abroad, a friend offered me two unique fruits as a parting gift. I was pleased with these fruits, which were, indeed, wonders of Creation. I decided to save them to share with my family upon my homecoming. We enjoyed one of the fruits on […]
