SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER DAY 35 MONDAY NIGHT/TEUSDAY

MALCHUT OF HOD Walking humbly is walking tall. Dignity is the essence of humility and modesty. The splendor of humility is majestic and aristocratic. Humility that suppresses the human spirit and denies individual sovereignty is not humility at all. Does my humility make me feel dignified? Do I feel alive and vibrant?

[Aneinu] Tefillos Requested

From an Aneinu member: "Please daven for NOACH BINYAMIN ben HINDA FREYDEL, a young teen who underwent complicated surgery Monday and came out with a good prognosis, boruch Hashem."

[Aneinu] Please Daven for Odelia Nechama

Arutz 7 Odelia Asulin was critically injured in the Central bus station bombing in Jerusalem some two years ago, and has finally arrived home to be cared for by her family. Her classmates assemble around her for Friday night prayers every Sabbath, and her mother Michal says, "We have witnessed great miracles despite the prognosis. We now await the miracle of regained consciousness and recovery." Please pray for the full recovery of Odelia Nechama bat Michal.

Nachum Segal Features the Yess Legacy Project with Gershon Veroba, Moshe Antelis, Moshe Hecht, Tali Yess & Yerachmiel Ziegler

It was a great Live Music Alert Monday morning as Nachum hosted the legendary Gershon Veroba along with Moshe Antelis, Moshe Hecht, Tali Yess & Yerachmiel Ziegler to explore the recently released Yess Legacy project; a tribute to the music of Moshe Yess a”h and Shalom Levine a”h, the Megama Duo. Nachum and guests discussed the making of this landmark double CD endeavor and then performed some of the timeless selections live on the air.

SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER DAY 34 SUNDAY NIGHT/MONDAY

YESOD OF HOD Humility should not be a lonely experience. It ought to result in deep bonding and commitment. There is no stronger bond than one that comes out of humility. Does my humility separate me from others or bring us closer?

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SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER LAG BAOMER DAY 33 MOTZI SHABBOS/SUNDAY

HOD OF HOD Examine the humility of humility. Everyone has humility and modesty in their hearts, the question is the measure and manner in which one consciously feels it? Am I afraid to be too humble? Do I mask and protect my modesty with aggressive behavior? Learn to cultivate your humility by interacting with people who are more refined than yourself, evoking in you modesty and humility that motivates you to grow. Humility must also be examined for its genuineness. Is my humility humble?

SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER DAY 32 FRIDAY NIGHT/SHABBOS

NETZACH OF HOD Examine the strength and endurance of your humility. Does my humility withstand challenges? Am I firm in my positions or do I waffle in the name of humility?

OU TORAH Lessons of the Land By Shira Smiles

CLICK HERE FOR SHIRA SMILES SHIUR AND SOURCE SHEETS ON PARSHA BEHAR and BECHUKOSAI.

SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER DAY 31 THURSDAY NIGHT/FRIDAY

TIFERET OF HOD Examine if your humility is compassionate. Does my humility cause me to be self-contained and anti-social or does it express itself in empathy for others. Is my humility balanced and beautiful? Or is it awkward?

[Aneinu] Please Daven

Please daven for a refuah shlema for Aharon Dov Ber ben Miriam Rochel.

SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER DAY 30 WENSDAY NIGHT/THURSDAY

GEVURAH OF HOD Humility must be disciplined and focused. When should my humility cause me to compromise and when not? In the name of humility do I sometimes remain silent and neutral in the face of wickedness?

BAIS HAVAAD ON THE PARSHA 5773 PARSHAS ACHAREI MOS-KEDOSHIM YICHUD PROHIBITION

PRINT VERSION CLICK HERE.

BAIS HAVAAD ON THE PARSHA 5771 PARSHAS Kedoshim: Embezzlement- From a Penny to a Ponzi

This week’s Parsha discusses many mitzvos which govern the relationship between man and his fellow man. One of these mitzvos is the prohibition of stealing.Parshas Kedoshim Feature Shiur: Embezzlement: From a Penny to a Ponzi Issues relating to theft and stealing arise frequently in the mitzvos between man and his fellow man.

THE BAIS HAVAAD'S PARSHA PERSPECTIVES Parshas Acharei Mos-Kedoshim:Our Duties Versus Their Rights By: Rav Yehonoson Dovid Hool

Throughout history, the relationship between employer and employee has been fraught with tension and disagreement. Workers have always attempted to claim various rights in their pursuit of better terms of employment. An early example was the Peasants’ Revolt in medieval Britain, when laborers demanded better wages and working conditions. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the early nineteenth century, the demands of workers for better conditions, the right to organize, and the counter demands of employers to restrict the powers of workers’ many organizations and to keep labor costs low gave rise to the introduction of labor law. Modern labor law is the body of laws, administrative rulings, and precedents which address the legal rights of, and restrictions on, working people and their organizations. The debate however is essentially framed in terms of workers’ rights, and the contrasting rights of the management.

NAALEH.COM SHIRA SMILES ON PESACH SHEINI and MORE

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NAALEH.COM and YU TORAH Productive Planting Parshat Acharei Mot -Kedushim 5773 By Mrs. Shira Smiles

In this class (shiur) Mrs. Shira Smiles discusses Parshat Acharei Mot - Kedushim Available online in streaming video, and for download in mp3 and mp4(Ipod video) formats Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein Among the mitzvoth in these parshiot is the mitzvah of orlah. The verses state: “When you come to the land and you shall plant any fruit tree … for three years [the fruit] shall be forbidden to you … In the fourth year all its fruit shall be sanctified to laud Hashem, And in the fifth year you may eat the fruit so that it will increase its crop for you – I am Hashem your God.” Like all the mitzvoth, the mitzvah of orlah can be understood in a broader manner than referring to the stated specifics of the particular mitzvah. What can we learn from the concept that for three years we help a tree to grow yet may make no use of its fruit, that the fourth year’s fruit is dedicated to praising Hashem, enjoying it or the proceeds from its sale only in Yerushalayim, and only in the fifth year may we enjoy its fruit without restriction?

[Aneinu] Please Daven for Victim of Terrorism

Please continue to daven for Adele bas Adve, the toddler from Israel that was severely injured in a rock throwing attack.

NAALEH.COM and YU TORAH Parshat Acharei Mot - Kedoshim 5772: Life Force By Mrs. Shira Smiles

In this Torah shiur (class) on Parshat Acharei Mot and Kedoshim, Mrs. Shira Smiles explains the importance of living a true spiritual life. Available in streaming video, mp3 and ipod downloads. Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein CLICK HERE

OU TORAH Respecting Parents By Shira Smiles

CLICK HERE FOR SHIRA SMILESSHIUR AND SOURCE SHEETS ON PARSHAS KEDOSHIM.

RABBI WEIN ON PARSHAS ACHREI MOS – KEDOSHIM

To a great extent, reaction to defeat and tragedy is the true defining moment of one’s inner strength and faith. Aharon’s silence in the face of the loss of his two older sons is reckoned in Jewish tradition as an act of nobility and sublime acceptance of the unfathomable judgment of Heaven.

RAV KOOK ON Yom Ha'Atzma'ut: Rav Kook and Zionism

To summarize the salient points in Rav Kook's views on Zionism: There are historical precedents for significant Jewish movements in which irreligious Jews played a major role. The special merits of Eretz Yisrael will elevate those who participate in its settlement and rebuilding. The original roots of Zionism are holy, going back to the disciples of the Gaon of Vilna and the Baal Shem Tov. Zionism must be returned to these authentic holy roots. The success of secular Zionism is due to its non-sectarian concern for the entire Jewish people, and it serves as a necessary correction for the imbalances caused by centuries of statelessness.

[Aneinu] Please Daven

Please daven for the uncle of a Chicagoan, Yitzchok Reuven ben Leah, who needs a refuah shlema.

RABBI WEIN ON ISRAEL AT SIXTY FIVE

The Jewish state celebrated its sixty-fifth Independence Day commemorations this week. Though sixty-five years occupies most of the time span allotted to humans on this earth, in the eyes of history it is a relatively short time. Nevertheless, I think that one must marvel at what has occurred here in the Land of Israel over the past sixty-five years.

CHASSIDIC PEARLS BY RABBI LAZER BRODY PARSHAS KEDOSHIM

"And you shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Vayikra 19:21). At a superficial glance, the Torah's commandment that we love our neighbor as we love ourselves seems peculiar and virtually impossible. How can a Jew from Yemen be expected to love a Jew from Belgium, when the two have so completely different customs, mentalities, and attitudes? How can a "Chossid" love a "Litvak" when the two have been arguing for centuries already about the proper way to serve HaShem? How can a religious Jew love a secular Jew when the two differ on so many basic issues?

CHASSIDIC PEARLS BY RABBI LAZER BRODY PARSHAS ACHAREI MOS

"In the hand of a designated man to the desert" (Vayikra 16:21). The task of the "designated man" is tremendously important, namely, to lead the scapegoat to the desert. The entire atonement of the people of Israel is dependant on the "designated man" doing his job properly. Yet, the designated man is an unsung hero, a simple Jew, and not necessarily a Cohen. There is no record anywhere in Jewish historical or holy texts of a scapegoat escaping from the designated man, or of a designated man not doing his job properly.

RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT KEDOSHIM Sha'atnez - A Glimpse into the Future

While first introduced here in Lev. 19:19, the prohibition of sha'atnez is more clearly defined later on in the Torah: "Do not wear sha'atnez — wool and linen together" (Deut. 22:11). Why does the Torah prohibit using wool and linen in the same article of clothing? Also, the special garments of High Priest contained both wool and linen. Why was he allowed to wear sha'atnez?

RAV KOOK ON Parshat Achrei Mot PART 2

Translated and abridged by Rabbi Chanan Morrison Parshat Achrei Mot The high priest was permitted to enter the inner sanctuary of the Temple only one day in the year — on Yom Kippur. "Speak to your brother Aaron, that he may not enter the sanctuary within the partition at any time... so that he may not die, for I appear over the Ark cover in a cloud." (Lev. 16:2) What exactly was this cloud inside the Holy of Holies? In Yoma 53a, the Talmud explains that this was a cloud of incense smoke. The ketoret (incense) played a central role in the holy service of Yom Kippur. Only after burning the ketoret inside the Holy of Holies was the high priest allowed to enter, as it says: "Then he shall take a fire pan full of burning coals ... together with both hands' full of finely pulverized incense ... so that the cloud from the incense will envelope the ark cover." (Lev. 16:12-13) What is this special connection between the ketoret and the Yom Kippur service? And why did it need to be finely pulverized, more than the incense that was offered on other days? Beyond Time Once a year, the kohanim would prepare an entire year's supply of ketoret — 368 portions. Why 368? One portion for each day of the year, plus an extra three portions for Yom Kippur. Why did Yom Kippur require an extra three measures of incense?

RAV KOOK ON Parshat Achrei Mot PART 1

Translated and abridged by Rabbi Chanan Morrison Parshat Achrei Mot Perhaps the most unusual of all the Temple services was the Yom Kippur ceremony of Azazel, "the scapegoat", sending off a goat into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the sins of Israel. No other Temple offering was treated in such a fashion. Even more surprising, immediately after describing the Yom Kippur service, the Torah warns, "And they will stop sacrificing to the demons who tempt them" (Lev. 17:7). The text implies that the goat sent to Azazel is the sole exception to this rule, in apparent contradiction to the fundamental principles of the Temple service. Was this unusual ritual a 'sacrifice to the demons'?

BRESLEV.CO.IL GOD OF REBBI MEIR ANSWER ME!

TODAY BESIDES BEING PESACH SHENI ITS ALSO REBBI MEIR BAAL HANESS YORTZEIT.Rebbe Meir, a third-generation Mishnaic sage or Tanna, is affectionately known as Rebbe Meir "Baal HaNess", or "master of the miracle". He is one of the most quoted sages in the entire Talmud and one of the five (some say seven) latter pupils of Rebbe Akiva. His father, a righteous convert, was a descendant of the Emperor Nero.

CHABAD.ORG ON PESACH SHENI

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OU TORAH Rav Hirsch on Emor By Michael Gutmann

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SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER DAY 29 TEUSDAY NIGHT/WENSDAY

CHESED OF HOD Week Five - Hod If endurance is the engine of life humility is its fuel. As gevurah (discipline) gives chesed (love) focus, hod gives netzach direction. Humility is the silent partner of endurance. Its strength is in its silence. Its splendor in its repose. Humility leads to yielding, which is an essential element of Humility - and the resulting yielding - should not be confused with weakness and lack of self-esteem.

[Aneinu] Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey Hospitalized

Tuesday April 23, 2013 7:09 PM The Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, Rav Mordechai Hager, was hospitalized today at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. The 91-year-old admor, who leads his chassidus in Kaser Village in Monsey, NY, had been feeling unwell. He apparently contracted pneumonia and was thus taken to hospital for tests. Hospital physicians said that the Rebbe would remain hospitalized for a few days for observation and further tests. The Rebbe has battled various ailments over the last few years. Chassidim are hopeful that the Rebbe will be released in time for Lag Ba’omer, when he traditionally leads a large tish, in addition to presiding over a gathering on Motzoei Lag Ba’omer marking the day of his rescue during the Holocaust. Vizhnitzer chassidim have gathered at the Shomrei Shabbos Zichron Meir Bais Hachaim to daven at the kever of the previous Vizhnitzer Rebbes as a zechus for the Rebbe. The Rebbe’s brother, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Rav Moshe Yehoshua Hager, the Yeshoas Moshe, was niftar last year. All are asked to daven for a refuah sheleimah for Rav Mordechai ben Margolia. {Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}

OU TORAH Boston Strong(parshas Emor) Harry Rothenberg

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SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER DAY 29 MONDAY NIGHT/TEUSDAY

MALCHUS OF NETZACH Sovereignty is the cornerstone of endurance. Endurance that encompasses the previous six qualities is indeed a tribute and testimony to the majesty of the human spirit. Is my endurance dignified? Does it bring out the best in me? When faced with hardships do I behave like a king or queen, walking proudly with my head up, confident in my G-d-given strengths, or do I cower and shrivel up in fear?

[Aneinu] Tefillos Needed

Please daven for Channa bas Blumah who needs a refuah shlema.

[Aneinu] Please Daven

Please daven for Esther bas Rochel who is in the hospital with a blood clot in the brain.

JI AND JMR The Maccabeats – Smart Ways to Live

Music video for “Smart Ways to Live” by the Maccabeats. Animation produced by Elie Gabor http://www.eliecreative.com “Smart Ways to Live” is a parody of “Dumb Ways to Die” by Tangerine Kitty

[Aneinu] Please Daven

Please daven for a Chicagoan Shoshana Chava bas Sarah.

SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER DAY 27 SUNDAY NIGHT/MONDAY

YESOD OF NETZACH Bonding is an essential quality of endurance. It expresses your unwavering commitment to the person or experience you are bonding with, a commitment so powerful that you will endure all to preserve it. Endurance without bonding will not endure.

[Aneinu] Please daven!

Please daven for Tikvah Naema bas Neshama Chana who is in the emergency room.

OU TORAH Yerushalmi - Berachos 18 By Rabbi Yosef Grossman

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SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER DAY 26 MOTZI SHABBOS/SUNDAY

HOD OF NETZACH Yielding - which is a result of humility - is an essential element of enduring. Standing fast can sometimes be a formula for destruction. The oak, lacking the ability to bent in the hurricane, is uprooted. The reed, which yields to the wind, survives without a problem. Do I know when to yield, out of strength not fear? Why am I often afraid to yield?

SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER DAY 25 FRIDAY NIGHT /SHABBOS

NETZACH OF NETZACH Examine the endurance aspect of endurance, its expression and intensity. Everyone has willpower and determination. We have the capacity to endure much more than we can imagine, and to prevail under the most trying of circumstances. Ask yourself: Is my behavior erratic?

OU TORAH Counting Towards Commitment By Shira Smiles

CLICK HERE FOR SHIRA SMILES SOURCE SHEETS AND SHIUR ON PARSHAS EMOR.

NAALEH.COM Get your copy of Mrs. Shira Smiles book on Sefer Vayikra

Torah Tapestries by Mrs. Shira Smiles on Sefer Vayikra is now out! This is volume 3 in her Parsha book series and includes an additional article about Sefira. To order a copy please send an email with your mailing address to: tehren93@gmail.com The book will be mailed via priority mail, and you will pay for the book after you receive your copy!

SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER DAY 24 THURSDAY NIGHT/FRIDAY

TIFERET OF NETZACH Healthy endurance, directed to develop good qualities and modifying bad ones, will always be compassionate. The compassion of endurance reflects a most beautiful quality of endurance: an enduring commitment to help another grow. Endurance without compassion is misguided and selfish. Endurance needs to be not just loving to those who deserve love, but also compassionate to the less fortunate. Does my determination compromise my compassion for others?

[Aneinu] Please Daven - Critical

Please say Tehillim for the nephew of a Chicagoan who was hit by a speeding bicycle and is in critical condition on a respirator. Yehuda Simcha ben Esther Bracha. Thank you, May he have a Refua shlaima bsoch sha'ar cholei Yisroel.

Nachum Segal speaks w/ Jordan B. Gorfinkel about the new "A Capella Treasury Yom Tov" CD

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SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER DAY 23 WENSDAY NIGHT/THURSDAY

GEVURAH OF NETZACH Examine the discipline of your endurance. Endurance must be directed toward productive goals and expressed in a constructive manner. Is my endurance and determination focused to help cultivate good habits and break bad ones? Or is it the other way around?

OU TORAH Rav Hirsch on Acharei Mos Kedoshim By Michael Gutmann

CLICK HERE FOR HIRSCHIAN THOUGHT ON ACHAREI MOS KEDOSHIM.

BAIS HAVAAD ON THE PARSHA 5773 ~ PARSHAS TAZRIA-METZORAH ~Contagious Diseases

Are Diseases Contagious? Hashkafic and Halachic Perspectives By: Dayan Yitzchak Grossman "All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be."[1] Chazal famously construe the metzora's seclusion theologically, as a punishment midah ke'neged midah for causing dissension (by speaking lashon ha'ra): "he caused a separation between husband and wife; the Torah therefore says 'he shall dwell alone ...'"[2], but they also offer a lesser known, naturalistic explanation: to avoid contagion. The Medrash enumerates a variety of prophylactic habits of various amoraim of avoidance of metzoraim, culminating in that of Resh Lakish - "[W]hen he would see one of them in the state, he would pelt them with stones. He said to him: 'leave [and return] to your place; do not contaminate the outside.'" - and cites our verse as a source.[3](AUDIO HERE) PRINT VERSION CLICK HERE.

NAALEH.COM PARSHAS TAZRIA NARROW VISION By Shira Smiles and more

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BAIS HAVAAD'S PARSHA PERSPECTIVES PARSHAS TAZRIA-METZORA Searching Ancient Walls, Solving Today’s Questions By: Rabbi Tzvi Price

SEARCHING ANCIENT WALLS, SOLVING TODAY’S QUESTIONS Someone recently asked the Bais HaVaad the following question. The person had gone to a thrift shop that sold used clothing and had succeeded in finding a nice suit. While wearing the suit for the first time he reached into one of the pockets and found a hundred dollar bill that must have been left in the suit by the original owner. He wanted to know if he was allowed to keep the money or was he required to return it to the thrift shop. This kind of question can arise at estate auctions, antique stores, used book stores, etc…. Basically, anywhere that used items are being bought and sold there is a possibility of finding something of value that had been placed in the merchandise by the original owner and forgotten there. Where does the discussion regarding these common scenarios start?

NAALEH.COM Sefirat HaOmer: Striking a Balance By Mrs. Shira Smiles

In this shiur (Torah class) on Sefirat HaOmer, Mrs. Shira Smiles delves into the commentaries that speak about the death of Rabbi Avkiva's students, thereby getting a sense of the depth and breadth of Torah. This Torah class is available online in streaming video and for download in mp3 and ipod video formats.

NAALEH.COM AND OU TORAH Sefirat HaOmer - The Inner Count By SHIRA SMILES

On Pesach night we were inspired by G-d’s revelation of the Torah. By counting upward, as we work on ourselves, we ascend in greatness. We have the opportunity over the next 49 days to return to the level of matan Torah. Each person should determine where they need improvement in their service of G-d (Avodat Hashem) and spend each day developing and growing closer to Him.

YU TORAH AND NAALEH.COM Sefira: Setting the Stage By Mrs. Shira Smiles

In this Torah shiur (class) on Sefirat Ha'omer, Mrs. Shira Smiles speaks about the statement of the Sfas Emes that the entire year is spiritually dependent on these days. This Torah class is available online in streaming video and for download in mp3 and ipod video formats. Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein CLICK HERE.

RABBI WEIN ON PARSHAS TAZRIA-METZORA

We, in our current milieu and society, find it difficult to intimately relate to the facts, descriptions and rituals outlined for us in the subject matter of the parshiyot of this week. The laws and rituals of negaaim are addressed to those of past generations that were on a far different spiritual level than ours. Even the Talmud Bavli did not assign any specific volumes in its vast compendium of Torah to explain and elucidate the sections of Mishnah that do deal with these issues.

RABBI WEIN THE AMBIVALENT COUNT

We are currently in the season of the counting of the days of the Omer that will lead us to the grand holiday of Shavuot. In the tradition of rabbinic commentary regarding this process of counting the days between Pesach and Shavuot, the emphasis has always been on the countdown towards Shavuot – towards the revelation at Sinai and the granting of the Torah to Israel.

CHASSIDIC PEARLS BY RABBI LAZER BRODY PARSHAS METZORA

"They shall not die as a result of their impurity" (Vayikra 15:31). Never in all of history has there been such a widespread Jewish spiritual rebirth and thirst for Torah as in the present generation. Nevertheless, the yetzer hara, the Evil Inclination, doesn't surrender. He tells the Jew that was born far away from Torah that the war's over – he or she is finished. "You might as well return to the pub or the discotheque," says the conniving, lying yetzer hara. "You'll never make it as an observant Jew. You won't be able to understand a word of Gemorra – it's all in Aramaic. You won't be able to relate to a word of religious law, much less fulfill its ordnances. You're finished! Get out of here and go back to the bowling alley!" The yetzer knocks a person down, robs him of his confidence, and injects despair in his heart. The yetzer hara's poisonous arrows incapacitate a Jew, especially a Baal Teshuva, unless that person fights back.

CHASSIDIC PEARLS BY RABBI LAZER BRODY PARSHAS TAZRIA

"If an affliction of leprosy will be in a person, he will be brought before a Kohen" (Vayikra 13:9) God doesn't punish; He educates us, leads us on the right path, and helps us attain our necessary tikkun, or soul correction, so that we'll be worthy vessels of His Divine light, both in this world and the next. As such, God directs our lives with unfathomable lovingkindness and mercy. The casual observer may ask, "Granted, a person must be punished for slander; but leprosy? That's a terrible affliction! Why is a person afflicted with leprosy for gossiping?" [editor's note, although tzaraat is commonly translated as "leprosy" it was really a spiritual disease that only superficially resembled the physical ailment of leprosy. The answer is twofold: First, loshon hora, or the "evil tongue" that is guilty of slander and gossip, leaves a terrible blemish on the soul that corresponds to the manifestation of the physical disease. Only the atonement and correction process of the soul will lead to a physical cure. In that light, the tzaraat is a "favor" from God to help a person correct a spiritual blemish that otherwise would have gone uncorrected. Second, only a Kohen is qualified to determine whether a person has tzaraat. Consequently, a person with suspected tzaraat is "brought before a Kohen," even against his wishes. Under normal circumstances, that person may have never gone to the Kohen. But since a connection with a Kohen is critical for that person's spiritual health, God afflicts him with tzaraat so he is forced to visit the Kohen. Our sages teach us that every mention of the Kohen in the Torah alludes to the true tzaddik of each generation. Homiletically, if a person doesn't go on his own accord to see a true tzaddik, God sends him a difficulty in life, a proverbial tzaraat – whether in health, livelihood, or in family troubles – that compels him to seek help and relief from the tzaddik. Reb Nosson of Breslov writes (Likutei Etzos, Tzaddik, 10), that a person's clogged heart and blind eyes block out truth and prevent him from repenting, from doing teshuva. But after clinging to a tzaddik and accepting the tzaddik's advice, one's faculties are opened to truth and the individual is privileged to repent. According to the above principle, visiting a true tzaddik is vital for a person's spiritual welfare

RAV KOOK ON Metzora: The Power of Speech(SPECIAL Sapphire from the Land of Israel A New Light on the Weekly Torah Portion From the Writings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook by Rabbi Chanan Morrison PREVIEW)

Only in Israel What is the root cause for the disease of tzara'at as described in the Torah? The Midrash explains that this skin disease is a punishment for gossip and slander. A person suffering from tzara'at is called a metzora because he is "motzee sheim ra" — he spreads derogatory reports (Vayikra Rabbah 16:1. See Rambam, Hilchot Tzara'at 16:15, that one fulfills the mitzvah "Be careful regarding tzara'at" (Deut. 24:8-9) by avoiding gossip). Given that tzara'at is brought about by slander, one would expect that all peoples would be afflicted, since even non-Jews are culpable for personal damages. Yet, Maimonides wrote that tzara'at is not a natural phenomenon, but a unique sign found only among the people of Israel. Why should only the Jewish people suffer from this ailment? COMING THIS FALL SAPPHIRE FROM THE LAND OF ISRAEL.

RAV KOOK ON Parshat Tazria

Translated and abridged by Rabbi Chanan Morrison Parshat Tazria Why does the Torah only discuss the laws of tahara (ritual purity) in people after teaching the analogous laws concerning animals, differentiating between those which may be eaten and those which are unclean? Should not humanity, the crown of creation, come first? Rabbi Simlai, a third-century scholar, explained: "Just as man's formation took place after all animals ... so too, the laws pertaining to him are set forth after the laws regarding animals." (Vayikra Rabbah 14:1) In short, the order here in Vayikra parallels the account of creation in Bereishit. But what is the significance of this order? The Midrash elaborates the implied moral lesson: "If a person merits, he is told, 'You came before all of creation'. And if not, he is told, 'the mosquito came before you'." What sort of a contest is this, between Man and Mosquito?

YU TORAH 10 MINUTE HALACHA-KOHANIM IN PLASTIC BAGS By Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz

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SPIRITUAL GUIDE TO THE OMER DAY 22 TUESDAY NIGHT/WENSDAY

CHESED OF NETZACH Week Four - Netzach Endurance and ambition is a combination of determination and tenacity. It is a balance of patience, persistence and guts. Endurance is also being reliable and accountable, which establishes security and commitment. Without endurance, any good endeavor or intention has no chance of success. Endurance means to be alive, to be driven by what counts. It is the readiness to fight for what you believe, to go all the way. Without such commitment any undertaking remains flat and empty. It is an energy which comes from within and stops at nothing to achieve its goals. This, of course, requires that endurance be closely examined to ensure that it is used in a healthy and productive manner. Ask yourself: How committed am I to my values? How much would I fight for them? Am I easily swayed? What price am I ready to pay for my beliefs? Is there any truth for which I would be ready to give my life? Effective endurance needs to encompass the following seven ingredients: love, discipline, compassion, endurance, humility, bonding and dignity. The problems people have with endurance and commitment are due to a lack of one or more of these seven components.

[Aneinu] Please Daven

Please daven for a refuah shlema for Alta Sarah Fraida bas Ruchama Aidel Roiza Shoshana.

YU TORAH THE RAV 20TH YORTZEIT EVENT MORE ARCHIVES

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OU TORAH Living Kedusha By Shira Smiles

CLICK HERE FOR SHIUR AND SOURCE SHEETS ON PARSHAS KEDOSHIM.

THE CODE OF JEWISH CONDUCT The Laws of Interpersonal Relationships. Includes stories and practical advice.

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Let Me Join Your Nation The story of Ruth, from Moabite princess to matriarch of the Davidic dynasty by Yosef Deutsch IS AT KESHER STAM

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