Out of truthful and grateful contemplation, and commitment to halachah and our liturgical tradition, Beit Hillel has issued a 70-word long Al Ha’nisim text that aspires to accurately and faithfully describe the great wonder of Israel’s Day of Independence, of the Jewish people’s revival and its State. Beit Hillel proposes that the public adopt this new Al Hanisim text – in synagogues and at home. We recommend that it be […]
In recent years, the relationship between segments of the religious community and Israel’s civil courts has been fraught with tension over rulings by the Supreme Court perceived by some as antagonistic to religious values or institutions. This friction stems partly from those in the judiciary who are determined to preserve the democratic nature of the […]
At the annual Beit Hillel Shabbaton, held in late December 2014, we had the privilege of the company of two sets of parents from last summer’s tragic kidnapping and subsequent murder of three youths, both families closely affiliated with Beit Hillel. Rabbanit Rachel Sprecher Fraenkel is one of the Rabbaniyot of Beit Hillel; and Ofir […]
The Beit Hillel rabbinic organization has initiated a public campaign within the religious communities to encourage bar mitzvah celebrations in synagogues across the country for children with mental disabilities and developmental issues. For years, Orthodox synagogues in Israel rarely offered disabled children the opportunity to enjoy a bar mitzvah celebration. Now, Beit Hillel wants to […]
Soon after October’s Shabbat Israelit we published a post with some of the preliminary results and responses. We have now compiled a more detailed analyze of this amazing event – download the 16-page PDF “Review of Shabbat Israelit 5775/2014” and see the details of all of the events, activities, and responses. Want to see more […]
This past weekend, we celebrated the Second Annual Shabbat Israelit, and the reviews are in from among those who participated: it was a massive success! The goal of Shabbat Israelit is to connect different sectors of Israeli society through the medium of Shabbat dinner: to get to know one another, to learn from one another, […]
The Sefer Yetzirah (Chapter 1, Mishna 1) relates that God created the world with a story. This teaches us that life itself is an ongoing story, and a true story does not end. Five years ago, on Rosh Hashanah, I was part of one of the most influential stories of my life, and this month, […]
Marriage and the merit of living in the Land of Israel have much in common. After Sarah’s death, Avraham buys a portion in the Land of Israel, including the Cave of Machpelah, for the purpose of burying her there. Speaking to Ephron, the owner, Avraham says, “I am giving you the money for the field. […]
This coming week will commence the fast of the 9th of Av, which signifies, more than anything else, the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temples. Regarding this fast, Our Sages said: “Anyone who mourns Jerusalem deserves to see its rejoicing, and those who do not mourn Jerusalem will not see its joy” (Taanit 30b). The […]
Every war has its unique character; every war has its vocabulary, its symbols, its memories. There is no question that when the dust settles from the Protective Edge Operation, along with the shock of the extent of the terror tunnels, the astonishing success of the Iron Dome defense system and the inclusion of Tel […]
Whenever I think of the huge demonstration of Chareidi yeshiva students earlier this year, I think of Gateshead Yeshiva in England where I spent many years studying Talmud. It is Europe’s most famous yeshiva and a bastion of Torah study in the Chareidi world. Paradoxically, I also think of Spinoza’s incomparable masterpiece, the Ethics, written […]
The struggle against violence in Israeli society needs to be led by spiritual and social leaders Earlier this week, upon hearing the devastating report confirming that a group of young Jewish men had murdered Mohammed Abu Khdeir, I felt as if someone had plunged a knife into my heart. I could not manage to shake […]
In these very sad and difficult moments, I wish to share with you something I wrote in the past, which unfortunately became so relevant now, when Hashem said “no” to our prayers. Rabbi Ronen Neuwirth “Avraham instituted the morning tefillah, as it says: “וישכם אברהם בבקר אל המקום אשר עמד שם” – And Avraham […]
Unfortunately, we have become far-too knowledgeable in Israel about terrorist attacks and kidnappings. Every occasion is shocking, painful and heartbreaking. Yet oftentimes, they take place in some other part of the country, providing a false sense of safety and distance. This time, however, it has happened right in front of us, affecting us very differently. […]
It is easy to miss the point of Yom Ha’atzma’ut. The main point of Yom Ha’atzma’ut is not that we were saved from our enemies and won The War of Independence; the war actually intensified as a result of the Declaration of Independence and only won a year later. It is also not the Return […]
