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, […]
On Rosh HaShanah all the inhabitants of the world pass before Him like a flock of sheep.”(1) – “Like walking on a small narrow road where no two can pass by at the same time.” In this mishnah, the Sages highlighted man’s uniqueness and loneliness in his encounter with God. Human beings are, above all, […]
As the new year draws closer, we enter into a period of personal and national Cheshbon Hanefesh (spiritual accounting) during an extraordinary time in Jewish history. In response to a traumatic summer of heightened international anti-Semitism and a war for Israel’s existence that seemed never ending, Israeli society experienced an unprecedented level of solidarity and […]
The best proof that religious legislation in Israel has failed so badly is what happens here on Yom Kippur, when the driving of cars and other public desecration of the holiday is generally not seen in cities and towns throughout the country. This is not due to a “Yom Kippur Rest Law,” and not due […]
This article appeared in Rabbi Evan Hoffman’s weekly Torah essay titled Thoughts on the Parashah and is posted here with his permission. Scripture places severe social restrictions on the mamzer. “No mamzer shall come into the Lord’s assembly. Even his tenth generation shall not come into the Lord’s assembly (Deuteronomy 23:3).” The meaning of […]
The Torah deals with two primary subjects: Our relationship with G-d, and our relationship with others. There are some who see the Torah’s social and human aspects as its primary message, while others claim that its essence is the religious experience. In my eyes, Judaism’s unique contribution is not either of these two aspects in […]
If you haven’t done so already, download a copy of Beit Hillel’s latest English Torah Journal. This edition includes the following articles: You Might Also Like: Did you enjoy this post? Please click on the buttons below to share with your friends!
Beit Hillel, together with Yeshivat Har Etzion, Matan, and communities in Beit Shemesh held an evening seminar on Halachic prenuptial agreements for prevention of agunot. The evening was held in the Ohel Yona Menachem synagogue in Beit Shemesh. The seminar was organized as part of Beit Hillel’s project to promote change in the public consciousness […]
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. […]
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 […]
With every descent we have suffered has come an even greater ascent. We are all anxiously following the developments of Operation Protective Edge in the South. We are going through tense times, in which the wailing of the sirens, the sounds of explosions and war, and our children, the soldiers, who are at the […]
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 […]
The results of the comprehensive survey of Religious Zionism that we commissioned earlier this year have been tabulated, evaluated, and organized into a graphic format. The results are quite extensive – you can view the survey results or download the PDF file (right click on the link and choose “Save link as…”). You Might Also […]
As the new season of the reality show “The Big Brother” begins, the Beit Hillel Rabbinic organization speaks out against reality shows and against “The Big Brother” which has become popular among viewers. “Reality shows grind away at innocence and educate us to the world of cruel cynicism. The shallow approach taken by reality shows, […]
