2+ hour, 22+ min ago (980+ words) OneFamily's Circle of Support and Strength OneFamily's therapeutic, financial, and emotional assistance is designed to accompany people through every stage of grief and rebuilding. It is a testament to the success of this commitment, that those once shattered by loss are now reaching out to help others. Yael Shevach's husband, Rabbi Raziel Shevach was murdered in a 2018 terror attack near their home in Havat Gilad. A'mohel, rabbi, and senior paramedic, he was also a loving husband and father to six children. "During'shivah, OneFamily came to visit," Yael says. "They told me that when everyone else goes home, they would stay. And they did. Every step of the way." Over time, Yael came to appreciate what the organization understood her needs before she did, and just how much help her family truly needed. She described how supported she felt, especially during COVID....

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (830+ words) One of the questions that'rebbeim'and teachers frequently ask me is how to orient towards an orphaned child. While technically we use the term orphan to refer to someone bereft of both parents, some use the term "single orphan" to refer to a child who has lost just one parent. Regardless, the clinical dilemma is essentially [] One of the questions that rebbeim and teachers frequently ask me is how to orient towards an orphaned child. While technically we use the term orphan to refer to someone bereft of both parents, some use the term "single orphan" to refer to a child who has lost just one parent. Regardless, the clinical dilemma is essentially the same. How should one treat a child who returns to school after losing one or both parents? It is commendable that a rebbe or teacher should pose…...

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (876+ words) Yaakov's life was characterized by struggle. Born as the second child, he literally had to clasp the heels of his brother in order to achieve his fate. He faces adversity and obstacles from the outset. Yaakov's early life, though difficult, is marked by a certain moral simplicity. The categories are clear. Esav's conduct shows he is unfit to bear the covenant's future, and Rivkah grasps this long before Yitzchak, whose love for Esav blinds him to the reality at hand. Guided by her insight, Yaakov follows with quiet obedience. When Esav turns murderous, Yaakov flees for his life. The lines are unmistakable. Yaakov is the hunted brother, the victim of another's rage, escaping to the refuge of his extended family. In Lavan's house he encounters a relentless stream of manipulation and exploitation, beginning with the humiliation of being deceived into…...

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (523+ words) Milah's role in identifying us as G-d's people explains its significance in Moshe's journey back to Mitzrayim at the end of'parashat'Sh'mot.'Perek'Gimmel'describes Moshe's reluctance to lead the Jewish people. Hashem insisted that he play the role and sent him to Pharaoh to demand the Jews' emancipation (Sh. 3:1112). Unexpectedly, the next story records that Hashem seeks Moshe's death when they stop at a hotel on the way to Egypt (Ibid. 4:24). This is surprising. A moment ago, Hashem insisted that Moshe be the savior of the Jews, and now He suddenly wants to kill him? The Torah then adds that Tziporah circumcised their son, and this saved Moshe's life (Ibid. 4:2526). It seems like Moshe was endangered because his son was uncircumcised. Why? What changed all of a sudden? Moshe's son had been uncircumcised all along. Why was Moshe a worthy agent and…...

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (479+ words) One day, while the two'tzaddikim'were together in Mezeritch, they found notes of Chassidic teachings in the garbage. Reb Pinchas pointed at the disrespect shown to the Torah as proof that they shouldn't be so free in spreading the teachings of their beloved Rebbe to those who don't fully understand or appreciate it. This upcoming week marks the 19th (Yud Tes) of Kislev, the celebration of the release of the Alter Rebbe, the author of'Sefer'HaTanya, from prison. More than simply a day that remembers the personal liberation of the Alter Rebbe, Yud Tes Kislev marks a turning point in Jewish history, ushering in a revolutionary revelation of the "inner soul" of Torah. The publication of'Sefer'HaTanya'made many of the previously inaccessible, abstract concepts of'Kabbalah'and philosophy comprehensible and practically applicable, marking a new era in the spread of'chassidus. In many ways, Yud Tes Kislev…...

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (946+ words) In late November 2023, a ceasefire took place, allowing for the release of many hostages. The moment was bittersweet as many hostages still remained in Gaza and potential for a wider conflict loomed large. Rabbi Hauer acknowledged the challenges of the moment and, drawing on our parashah, reminded us how Jews are meant to experience [] For the people of the book, our view of the present is drawn on a background that stretches back not to 1967 or 1948, not even to the Holocaust, but all the way back to the very beginning of the Jewish story. While smug and self-righteous statesmen and university students justify incomprehensibly monstrous acts of terror within narrow windows of context, Jews see current events as the continuation of the history which is the bedrock of our identity, where "in every generation they stand over us to destroy…...

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (902+ words) By Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein" A "messenger of G-d" refers to either an angel or a prophet, but what about a "messenger of Jacob"? When Jacob sent a message of peace to his older, belligerent brother Esau (Gen. 32:4), the Torah says that he sent Esau"malachim"("messengers"). While the word"malach"in Hebrew may mean "messenger," it also [] By Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein A "messenger of G-d" refers to either an angel or a prophet, but what about a "messenger of Jacob"? When Jacob sent a message of peace to his older, belligerent brother Esau (Gen. 32:4), the Torah says that he sent Esau malachim ("messengers"). While the word malach in Hebrew may mean "messenger," it also means "angel." The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah "75:4) records a disagreement amongst the sages whether Jacob sent angelic messenger to his brother, or whether he sent…...

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (837+ words) The Igud HaRabbonim/Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA) convened its Rosh Chodesh Kislev Conference and Seudah on Monday, November 24, 2025 (4 Kislev 5786), at Khilah Marine Park, located at 3605 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, New York. The event, hosted by RAA'chaver'Rabbi Baruch Pesach Mendelson, the esteemed rabbi of Khilah Marine Park, brought together rabbis and community [] The Igud HaRabbonim/Rabbinical Alliance of America (RAA) convened its Rosh Chodesh Kislev Conference and Seudah on Monday, November 24, 2025 (4 Kislev 5786), at Khilah Marine Park, located at 3605 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, New York. The event, hosted by RAA chaver Rabbi Baruch Pesach Mendelson, the esteemed rabbi of Khilah Marine Park, brought together rabbis and community leaders for a night of Torah, administrative reporting, communal appreciation, and remembrance. The evening featured an erudite dvar Torah on Akedas Yitzchok delivered by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Serebryanski, rosh kollel of Ayshel Avraham Zichron Mordechai Rabbinical…...

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (212+ words) Natan Sharansky and Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander Q&A Natan Sharansky receiving the award Ohr Torah Stone celebrated its Annual Dinner, honoring Natan Sharansky and Robert M. Beren,z'l, two figures whose leadership, courage, and generosity have strengthened Jewish communities around the world. They are the inaugural recipients of the Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Legacy Award, created to recognize individuals who embody Rabbi Riskin's lifelong commitment to Jewish identity, education, and impact. The program opened with remarks from Laurence Schreiber, Chair of OTS's USA Board, followed by prayers for the United States, the State of Israel, the welfare of IDF soldiers, and the recovery of the injured. Dr. Rebecca Winter, one of the graduates, delivered the evening'sdvarTorahafter being introduced by Rabbanit Chamutal Shoval, Director of OTS's Susi Bradfield Women's Institute of Halakhic Leadership (WIHL). IHSP 2025 Graduates recognized at the event include Lawrence…...

6+ day, 8+ hour ago (9+ words) 5TJT Podcast Larry Gordon talks with Rabbi Marc Schnier...