“To give you the land of Canaan, to be G-d unto you”
“To give you the land of Canaan, to be G-d unto you” (Vayikra 25:38) Rashi explains: Whoever resides in Eretz Yisrael, I am a G-d to him. Beloved is Eretz Yisrael, for it atones for all sins and transgressions (Masechet Geirim 84). Hashem told Moshe, “This land is beloved to Me, as the pasuk states […]
The Promise That Materialized
The Promise That Materialized For many years, I used to receive the public in Vienna, Austria, in the home of Mr. Papa, may he live long. Then, for four years, I stopped this custom. Mr. Papa consistently pressed me to come again, saying, “Why doesn’t the Rav wish to visit? The Jews of Vienna await […]
Kosher Supervision
Kosher Supervision One time, our family was making a simchah. We hired a religious Jewish woman to bake the cakes in our home. We also hired a mashgiach kashrut to constantly watch that the baking was done according to halachah. However, when we brought the cakes to the hall, the owners did not rely on […]
Pursue Righteousness
Pursue Righteousness A non-observant Jew once visited me. In the course of the visit, he turned to my wife and told her, “I know you are the wife of the Rav. You certainly are punctilious with all mitzvot, and observe taharat hamishpachah. I, too, understand that faith in Hashem is the ultimate truth and your […]
The Power of Self-interest
The Power of Self-interest During one of my speeches, a man in my line of vision constantly chuckled to himself, acting as though he were repudiating my words and insinuating that I offered nothing new to my audience. In my heart, I agreed with the man. My words were divrei Torah, told already to Moshe […]
The Truth Is Recognizable
The Truth Is Recognizable I once shared with a distinguished Jew something wonderful that I had heard. I thought that he, too, would be moved by the narrative. To my surprise, he was not impressed in the least. I was stunned. How could this man remain impassive, displaying not a hint of excitement, after hearing […]
Nothing but the Truth
Nothing but the Truth I once was staying somewhere and had a private room. As I sat in my room, I overheard two people speaking about me. What they said was not complimentary. I did not want to embarrass them, so I remained in my room for a long time, not even opening the door. […]
Looking Truth in the Face
Looking Truth in the Face There is a certain governor who stands above the rest of the populace. The people treat him with utmost respect and obey him. I once had occasion to meet him. To my chagrin, I noticed that he refused to look at me. He would turn his head and look in […]
A Truthful Answer
A Truthful Answer I once attended a dinner on behalf of a Torah institution. In spite of the difficult world economic situation, the organizers, with siyata di’Shemaya, were able to raise a substantial sum for their establishment. Rabbi Aharon Leib Steinman, shlita, also attended this function. At the home of Maran Rosh Hayeshiva, HaGaon Rabbi […]
A Seeing Eye and a Hearing Ear
A Seeing Eye and a Hearing Ear When I was a young boy, I once came home from a friend’s house. “David,” my father began, “where were you these past few hours?” “I was visiting at so-and-so’s home,” I replied. “And what did you do there?” he continued. “We reviewed the Torah lesson that we […]
One who lies shall not be established before my eyes”
One who lies shall not be established before my eyes” (Tehillim 101:7) Hashem’s seal is truth (Shabbat 55a) Rava says that Yerushalayim was de&“stroyed because people stopped telling the truth (Shabbat 119b) Four groups will not receive the Shechinah… the group of liars… (Sotah 42a) Rabbi Elazar says, “He who speaks falsehood is akin to […]
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words My student, Refael Amar, related the following amazing story. It taught me how far trust in the Sages can reach. I once had occasion to travel to Morocco with my business partner, who is a pilot in the Israeli Air Force. He had just recently begun embracing Judaism. […]
