Rav Yitzchak Breitowitz: The Lord Chastens The One He Loves, As A Father The Son Whom He Favors

 Parshat Ki Savo

Access the Blessing For Upholding the Torah & Judaism - The Chofetz Chaim's Presentation

 

The Plane Crash That Taught Us About Teshuva

 

Why do we keep making the same mistakes even when we promise ourselves we’ll change? In 1974, a tragic aviation crash revealed a massive flaw in how humans handle errors—a discovery that holds the hidden key to lasting personal transformation. In this Elul shiur, we dive into the true root cause behind our worst habits and why fixing the symptom never lasts. Watch to discover the secret Torah blueprint for healing your inner struggles and changing the trajectory of your life before Yom Kippur.

America is on Fire, Flooding, Drought and Evacuations

 

Inferno bears down on Reno, Nevada, displacing thousands

 

 Thousands of people have been evacuated in Reno, Nevada, as a fast-moving wildfire closed in on the city on Sunday. The so-called Hawk Fire has grown to 13,000 acres and threatened hundreds of homes. At least 200 new fires also erupted nationwide this weekend. Jonathan Vigliotti tracks it all, and Bill Kelly has the forecast.

CANNOT BELIEVE What just Happened.....  This is a Nation Wide Emergency

Rabbi Winston: Parashas Ki Savo

THERE HAVE ALWAYS been children who have not followed in their parents’ religious footsteps and who have gone “off the derech.” It is sad and tragic and causes the family no shortage of anguish, sometimes for the right reasons and sometimes for not such right reasons. And though we always tend to try to pinpoint what it was specifically that caused it to happen, the truth is, we’re never really sure. It can be for reasons we can’t even see, maybe even having to do with previous lifetimes.

However, there is a common denominator. I have never heard of a case of someone leaving yiddishkeit while enjoying it. Human beings tend to gravitate to the things that give them joy, even sacrificing other things to prolong them. And the truth is, the Torah already told us that in this week’s parsha. 

There are 98 curses in this week’s parsha. It sounds as if they are the result of straying from Torah, which they are, but not exactly. In the generation of the Holocaust, so many secular Jews had come from secular families with little or no access to the kind of information necessary to wake up and do teshuvah. 

They may not have all halachically been a “tinok v’nishba,” like a child who doesn’t even know they are Jewish, but they were certainly close to it. When you add abject poverty, terrible anti-Semitism of the times, and a rapidly changing world of opportunity, it is hard to imagine any of them realizing the importance of returning to their Jewish roots.

The Torah, in this week’s parsha, makes a statement that we need to seriously consider. It says that all the curses will befall the Jewish People because: 

…you did not serve God, your God, with happiness and with gladness of heart, when [you had an] abundance of everything. (Devarim 28:47)

In other words, the Torah is zeroing in on the real problem, and the real problem began while people were still serving God, still doing the mitzvos, just not with joy. Because, as we all know and history proves, it doesn’t take much time before we don’t serve God at all.

The Gemara says that “The Shechinah does not reside [upon someone] because of sadness, laziness, laughter, frivolity, idle conversation, idle chatter, but rather because of the joy of a mitzvah” (Shabbos 30b).

So, then, what are we teaching our children? What are we teaching ourselves if we don’t know how to derive the utmost pleasure from doing a mitzvah? Just like the mitzvah to love God is a mitzvah to do that which will result in love of God, the mitzvah to serve God in joy is a mitzvah to stop and figure out what it is about performing mitzvos that is supposed to give us joy, real joy?

Because, if we’re really honest with ourselves, a lot of the joy people feel from doing mitzvos is after they’re done, a feeling of, “Well, I’m glad that’s over and I fulfilled my obligation.” That’s not a false joy, just not the one the parsha is talking about, because it is not one that will keep our children “on the derech,” and many adults as well.

Because, we should not forget, God gave us mitzvos for our benefit, not His. Sure, we bring Him joy by being obedient. But, we bring Him even more joy when we show Him that we get it, we understand how they are for our good, and we know how to tap into the heart of the mitzvah to uplift and inspire our own. 

If you already love mitzvos and can’t wait to do the next one, you’re blessed. If the highlight of your day is talking to God and you look for every opportunity to do so, not to solve some problem, not fix some issue, not to make more parnassah, but just to be connected to your Father in Heaven, then you get it, lucky you. 

If not, then something is not quite right in your understanding of Torah and your appreciation of the gift of having mitzvos. And that is something each and every one of us has to take to heart and spend the appropriate amount of time resolving. And, if you’re a teacher, you have to make it a priority not just to educate, but to inspire and teach children how to find the joy inherent in mitzvos. Not for God’s benefit, but for ours, and all the generations that we hope will walk in our footsteps as we try to follow in God’s.

I will be giving a two-part series on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur b”H on Monday, August 24 and Monday, August 31, called “Renewal & Rebirth.” The classes will be on Zoom at 8:15 pm Israel time, but recorded for registrants to watch on their own time. You can register using this link: https://www.matara.pro/nedarimplus/online/?mosad=7014140, or write to me at pinchasw@shaarnun.org if you prefer an alternative means.

Have a great Shabbos,

Pinchas Winston 

In Honor of Rabbi Wein zt"l

DISCOVER THE TRUE MEANING OF HAPPINESS

Seventy-five years ago, a new rebbe arrived at a Yeshiva in Chicago

He was a Lithuanian Talmid Chacham of real stature, but the circumstances of life had left him teaching the entry-level class. He taught in accented English with plenty of Yiddish, and he had a habit that drove his students a little crazy — he would interrupt the shiur to ask questions that had nothing to do with the sugya.

One of those students was a boy named Berel Wein

Just before Tishrei one year, the Rebbe asked the class which day on the Jewish calendar is the happiest. The boys answered what any of us would answer: Purim. Simchas Torah.

He shook his head

“The happiest day on the Jewish calendar," he told them, "is Yom Kippur”

Then he explained why — and the answer stayed with Rabbi Wein for the next seventy-five years. Joy, he said, depends on things outside of us: food, music, company, gifts. It comes and it goes. Happiness is something inside a person, and it needs none of those things. Yom Kippur is the one day when every external prop is stripped away and a Jew stands alone with his conscience — and discovers he can be forgiven, and can resolve to be better. That is where real happiness begins

Rabbi Wein zt"l wrote that story down in the opening pages of his sefer on Ne'ilah. It is one of dozens of moments like it in the two volumes he left us on the tefillos of the Yamim Noraim — and we are happy to share that both are now available on Amazon

MAJESTY, MEMORY & RESONANCE: Insights on Musaf for Rosh Hashanah

Rabbi Wein called the Musaf shofar service the most majestic and emotional prayer service of the entire year — a 1,900-year-old composition from the Academy of Rav whose words, he wrote, seem beyond the reach of mere mortals. In this volume he walks through it verse by verse: Malchuyos, Zichronos, Shofros, and the Aleinu that opens them. Not a translation — an explanation of why these particular pesukim were chosen, where they come from, and what they are asking of us.

“I am trying to write a simple book about a deep and fathomless subject," he wrote in the preface. He succeeded.

Majesty, Memory & Resonance is now available on rabbiwein.com and Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9659010397

IN THE SHADOW OF THY HAND: Insights on Ne'ilah for Yom Kippur

Rabbi Wein once ran through an airport for the last flight of the night — no reservation, on standby, praying the gate would still be open when he got there. Halfway down the gangway it struck him: this is Ne'ilah. All of us hoping to get in before the doors close.

This volume follows the Ne'ilah service from beginning to end — the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, Viduy, the plea for forgiveness, the closing brachos — through ten chapters of the insight, memory, and storytelling that made Rabbi Wein's voice unmistakable

In the Shadow of Thy Hand is now available on rabbiwein.com and Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9657818273

Elul is here. In a few weeks we will all be standing with our machzorim open, saying words we have said every year of our lives.

These two seforim were written so that this year, we might actually hear them.

Both are available now on Amazon.

Kesiva v'chasima tova,

The Destiny Foundation

הזכרונות, הנהגות הקודש והגילויים: בני מרנן הגר"פ שרייבר והגר"נ טולדינו - הגרי"ב והגר"י בפאנל הסטורי

 

בראשות הגרי"ב שרייבר שליט"א - מעמד ייחודי ומרגש נערך בקהילת חניכי הישיבות אשדוד, בהשתתפות אברכים ובחורי ישיבות מבני הקהילה.

שהוא משיב לשאלות מרתקות שהציגו בפניו. לאחר מכן נערך פאנל מרתק בהשתתפות הגאון האדיר רבי ישראל בונם שרייבר שליט"א אשר התאמץ להגיע למעמד החשוב חרף מצבו הבריאותי וה

בתחילת המעמד הוקרן לרגל יומא דהילולא, תיעוד מרגש שבו נראו גבאי הקהילה בכניסתם למעונו של מרן ראש הישיבה חכם שלום כהן זצוק"ל,
כטיפולים הקשים אותם עובר., והגאון רבי ישי טולידנו שליט"א בחלקו הראשון של הפאנל אשר הונחה בטו"ט ודעת ע"י איש החינוך הרה"ג יוסף ברכץ שליט"א, חזרו הרבנים לתקופת ילדותם בצל אבותיהם הגדולים. במהלך הדברים נשאלו שאלות ושפעו סיפורים מרגשים ומרתקים על מרן הגאון הגדול רבי ניסים טולידנו זצוק"ל, ועל מרן הגאב"ד הגאון הגדול רבי פנחס שרייבר זצוק"ל. בין היתר סיפר הגר"י טולידנו שליט"א, כי זכור לו יום שבו חזר אביו זצוק"ל משיעור שבו נאמרה סברה אדירה מתורת הגרש"ש שקאפ. "זה היום שבו אבא נהיה שיכור מהתורה", הגדיר הגר"י שליט"א בהתרגשות. "מאז הוא היה פשוט מחובר לתורה, עד שלא היה מסוגל להפסיק משקידתו והתמדתו". הגרי"ב שרייבר שליט"א הוסיף וסיפר זיכרון מרתק מימי ילדותו. לדבריו, היה לו חבר מבית משפחת לימן שהתגורר בכניסה לביתו של מרנא רבי רפאל ברוך טולידנו זיע"א. באחד הימים, בעודו עולה במדרגות, הופיעה מולו דמותו ההדורה של רבי רפאל ברוך. "ילד, לאן אתה הולך?" שאל אותו רבי רפאל ברוך. הגרי"ב השיב כי הוא הולך לשחק. "לא עדיף ללמוד חומש בזמן הזה?" שאל. השניים הלכו יחד לבית המדרש הסמוך, שם ישב רבי רפאל ברוך ולימד אותו חומש. "המראה הזה חקוק בלבי עד היום. כך חוויתי מהי אהבת תורה אמיתית – שאין בעולם שום דבר חוץ מתורה", סיפר. עוד סיפר, כי במהלך ימי השבעה על אביו הגר"פ שרייבר זצוק"ל, שאל אותו אחד הנוכחים כיצד ידע אביו את התורה כולה וזכר את תלמודו באופן כה מופלא. הגרי"ב השיב לו בשאלה: "איפה הייתה החתונה שלך?" והלה השיב. "מי סידר קידושין ומי היו העדים?" שאל שוב, ואף על כך ידע האיש להשיב מיד. אמר לו הגרי"ב: "כשם שאתה זוכר את החתונה שלך אף שהייתה לפני עשרות שנים, משום שהיא עניינה וריגשה אותך מאוד – כך אבא זכר את התורה. הוא אהב אותה עד כלות, ולא עניין אותו דבר בעולם חוץ מהתורה". כך נמשכו עוד עשרות סיפורי מופת מרתקים, אשר פתחו צוהר לעולמם של ענקי תורה שחיו בדור הקודם, ורוחם עודנה חיה ומשפיעה עד ימינו. בחלקו השני של הפאנל נשאלו הרבנים על ימי בחרותם בישיבת פוניבז', בצל רבותיהם הגדולים. משם נסובה השיחה על הפערים וההבדלים בין עולם הישיבות דאז לעולם הישיבות בימינו, על שאיפות אמיתיות לגדלות בתורה ועל האפשרות לחיות ברוממות ובשאיפות של "גבוה מעל גבוה", גם בתוך חיי המעשה. בחלקו האחרון של הפאנל נשאר הגר"י טולידנו שליט"א, והציע בפני ציבור הלמדנים בקהילה כמה שאלות בעומק העיון, אשר הבעירו את בית המדרש באש של תורה, ועוררו ויכוחים עזים. אחת מן השאלות הייתה לשיטת מרן השו"ע (בסימן ר"ו סעי' ו'), שאם בירך על פרי והוא נפל ונמאס, אפי' אם יש פירות אחרים צריך לשוב ולברך. ושאל כיצד יש לנהוג אם בירך על גרגר חומוס, והוא נפל לתוך צלחת, וכעת הוא יכול לאכול את הצלחת כולה, אך אינו יודע איזה גרגיר הוא. הציבור יצא נלהב ונרגש מן הכינוס הייחודי, בתחושה של טעם של עוד וברוממות רוח שנשאבה מדמויותיהם של ענקי התורה, אשר לא היה להם בעולמם אלא ד' אמות של תורה והלכה. בסיום הודו בני הקהילה לגבאים המסורים שטרחו למען הפקת הערב, ובראשם יוזמי ומארגני המעמד, הרב יוסף בן דיין, הרב מיכאל ועקנין, מלווה קהילות הקודש הרב ישראל כהן וכלל גבאי הקהילה, הרב אשר נזרי, הרב משה מעטו, הרב דוד לוי, הרב אביחי דוידי, הרב שמעון שפיאן ועוד. קרדיט תיעוד: כותל המזרח

פקידים נגדינו אבל העם איתנו: נאום עוצמתי ומרגש יו"ר דגל התורה הרב משה גפני בזעקה למען עולם התורה

 

mmmmmmm

צמרמורת וחרדת הקודש במקסיקו סיטי: תיעוד המלא מכינוס ההסטורי בראשות גדולי ישראל למען קרן עולם התורה

 

ישיבת אור ישראל פתיחת זמן אלול תשפו

 

הראשונה והאחרונה שנעצרה בגזירת גיוס בנות: סיפור היסטורי ומסעיר שחשף לראשונה הגר"ב אלישיב להגר"ד כהן

 

One Sip of Water | Rabbi Yoir Adler

 

R' Shmuel Kamenetsky gets yelled at - R' Yosef Jacobovitz

 

A Kiddush Hashem

 Channel 14 journalist Yinon Magal came to the defense Monday morning of Shas’s new campaign video, which depicts a family with one son serving in the IDF and his brother learning in yeshivah, arguing that criticism of the video is unjustified.

Speaking on his 103FM program, Magal rejected claims that Shas was cynically using the image of an IDF soldier for political purposes. “As someone who pushed for the draft law, there was no party that worked harder for the draft law than Shas,” he said.

Magal then criticized what he described as the “demonization” of yeshivah bochurim. He said that he recently saw footage of thousands of talmidim at Yeshivas Chevron at the beginning of Elul Zman and found himself debating whether to share it on his news channel.

“Suddenly I find myself saying: What, should I share it or not? As if it’s already become uncomfortable,” he said. “How did we get here? What a demonization they’ve carried out against those who learn Torah.”

“Fortunate are you, talmidei chachamim; fortunate are you that you have Torah learning and that you have the Gemara,” Magal continued. “Keep learning for the sake of Am Yisrael.”

At the same time, he praised IDF soldiers, saying: “These are tzaddikim and those are tzaddikim, and one does not come at the expense of the other.”

Magal then spoke about his own family. “I have one son in the army, in a special unit, and I have one son in yeshivah. I have to say that I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. It fills me with so much joy, pride, and happiness that I have a son who learns Torah all day.”

He said the value he places on his son’s Torah learning outweighs any financial windfall.

“If I had the choice between winning NIS 50 million in the lottery today or having my son learn Torah in yeshivah all day — I would rather have my son learn Torah all day.”

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Ki Savo: Please Hashem.......Let Us Be To the Head & Not the Tail

 

Capitalizing on Davening After Performing a Mitzvah - The Great Teaching of the Chofetz Chaim

 

 

Rav Yosef Chaim of Baghdad zt"l

הרב יוסף חיים בן אליהו מבגדד זצ"ל

Elul 13 , 5669

Known As: Ben Ish Chai

Father's Name: Eliyahu

Author of the Ben Ish Chai, Chief Rabbi of Baghdad, haChacham Yosef Chaim was born in 1832 in the city of Baghdad where his father was the Rabbi. (Chacham  [wise man] is commonly used among Sephardim as equivalent to Rabbi.) When his father passed away, Rabbi Yosef Chaim was only twenty five years old. Nevertheless, the Jews of Baghdad accepted him to fill his father's place and Rabbi Yosef Chaim became the Rabbi of Baghdad.

Chacham Yosef Chaim was a great leader who guided his people through a time of religious upheaval. His contribution to Jewry was not restricted to Baghdad. His opinion on halachic (Jewish law) issues was sought throughout the Sephardi world and is still followed by thousands of people from these communities. Indeed, his decisions are considered to be of halachic significance even outside of the Sephardi communities.

Chacham Yosef Chaim authored many works, both of halachah and agadah (sections of the Talmud that deals with esoteric, non-legal subjects). His most famous book is Ben Ish Chai, a book based upon the weekly portion of the Torah  with a discussion of the portion and practical halakhah. This book is considered the standard reference in all religious Sephardi homes and is studied by Jews worldwide. Due to the popularity of this book, Rav Yosef Chaim came to be known by it’s name and today he is referred to universally as the Ben Ish Chai.

🚨 I Stumped NICK MATAU With One Question About Israel

 

Overturning the Past | Rabbi Moshe Perlstein

 

The Holy People Building The Bet Hamikdash

 

As we continue our travels throughout the Holy Land meeting Holy individuals who are dedicated to preparing for Geulah and the Bet Hamikdash, we meet up with Binayahu, a man who took on the mission to build the doors for the House of God. To help out Binayahu with his work: By PayBox: https://links.payboxapp.com/fHrP3jx2LUb By PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted... Third Temple Artists Foundation Binyahu Dayan Tzedek Check out or new MERCH! https://homeboundmerch-shop.fourthwal...

If you want to help spread the truth of the Torah and make a tremendous kiddush Hashem, please partner with us and help support this amazing cause and help us get our Holy nation to return home to Eretz Yisrael so that we can finally bring Moshiach! https://homeboundisrael.com/donate For more information and inspiration, check out our website at https://homeboundisrael.com/ Homebound To Eretz Yisrael is an organization built to spread truth and Torah to Jews searching for the unfiltered truth about the Holiness of Eretz Yisrael, the land that Hashem designed specifically for the spiritual needs of Klal Yisrael, and how it plays a major role in our nation's destiny. We inspire and help Jews to return home, the Land promised to us by the creator of the universe. And we teach the Torah's perspective on the Holy Land, and why it is in every Jews best interest to live in Eretz Yisrael To sponsor a HomeBound episode or other motivational videos, or for any questions or comments on this video, send us an email at: Homeboundisrael@gmail.com

🚨 They Found Him! But Something Was Terribly Wrong...

Rabbi Dan Tiomkin shares what happened when his own son began slipping away and the discovery that changed everything. A personal conversation about struggling kids, parenting, trust, boundaries, and finding a way back. 

🛑מצמרר: 'שליש מאלול כבר עבר - צריך לנצל כל רגע': זעקת הגאון רבי ראובן אלבז במהלך הסליחות הלילה • צפו

 

🔥אש התורה ממזרח שבערה בנתיבות: גדולי התורה הגרב"ד דיסקין הגר"מ תופיק והגר"י טולדינו בעומקא דשמעתתא

 

 

 🫵רב שיח לקראת יום הדין | פאנל אלול משותף עם גדולי התורה הגרב"ד דיסקין, הגר"מ תופיק, והגר"י טולידנו

Shalom Pollack: SUKKOT TIYUL

Shalom friends,

For this coming Sukkot, I am planning a very special tour.

We will visit two classic archeological sites, rich in history and the Tanakh.

We will drive through the biblical Judean Desert to the Jordan Valley on our way north to the Bet Shean Valley.

There, we will tour the most splendid and complete Roman-Byzantine (Mishnah- Talmud )  period excavation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Biblical Bet Shean (Scythopolis)

Nearby, in the Jezreel Valley, we will visit the famous "Beit Alpha"  synagogue from the  Talmudic period.

It is the synagogue with the most beautiful and completely preserved mosaic floor.

The accompanying dramatic film makes it all come to life.

On the Sukkot holiday, as we celebrate our ancient roots and mitzvot,  we delight in unearthed ancient  Jewish sites.

But that is not all.

We shall celebrate not just the roots but the new vibrant branches and their sweet fruit.

There is a new hilltop farm on biblical, beautiful Mount Gilboa rising above the Jezreel Valley.

We are invited to be guests of a wonderful young couple who have undertaken the task of guarding the open areas threatened by Arab encroachment.

These young people are part of a national awakening of a vanguard of young Jews who are inspiring and showing the way for our  Nation.

We will have the honor of showing our appreciation and support.

It means a lot to these geographically isolated families, and it will inspire us all.

We will meet at the Inbal Hotel at 8:30 and return around 6:00

Bring a picnic lunch.

We will have a Sukkah to eat in.

320 shekels

I recommend you reserve early, as Sukkot is always a time of particularly great demand.

shalompollack613@gmail.com

Inspiration, Halachos, & Mystical Secrets of Selichos

 

"המלך בשדה, אבל עושה משפט!" | המנהיג הרב לנדו לאדמו"ר מבושטאן ומוטק'ה בלוי על היחס הנכון לימי אלול

 

Is Gematriya a Real Method of Hermeneutical Exegesis? The Machlokes Rosh & Rabbeinu Shimshon M'Kinon

 

How Did Avshalom Get His Hair Tangled In a Tree If He Shaved His Head Weakly?

 

 

 Why Is It Relevant To a Nazir Olam that Princes Take a Haircut Every Erev Shabbos

Over 15,000 photos Welcoming Olim to Israel

Visit Aliyah Photo Gallery to see the wonderful families and a zillion children coming Home to Eretz Yisrael.

Sample and many many more. There was a whole community of Persian Jews from Great Neck that made aliya together B"H to Ra'anana:

Esser Agaroth: The WEST BANK??

 

Why Not Call The West Bank, The West Bank?

למה לא לקרוא לגדה המערבית הגדה המערבית?

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

I still do not have any problem with calling the West Bank, the West Bank. The East Bank belongs to us too. So, why are there so many Jews who have meltdowns, every time they hear this term?

The Beitar Movement used to depict both banks of the Jordan River as being included in a State of Israel. It has long since toned down its rhetoric, as has the Likud Party, having declared a respect for the sovereignty of [the made-up country of] Jordan (Reuven and Gad).

Not only that, but Judea encompasses much more than within the mythical green line, down to Be'er Sheva, in fact. Samaria does not actually include Binyamin, which had been part of the Kingdom of Judea. Yet, for some reason, everyone lumps the territory north of Jerusalem into one category of Samaria, and south of Jerusalem into another. Jerusalem is very much part of Judea.

The appellation West Bank is a more accurate than Judea and Samaria.

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Whoa Esser, lets give this some critical thought

If you want to say "West Bank of Eretz Yisrael" and "East Bank of Eretz Yisrael", I might say 'MAYBE"!

However, we are talking about the Heartland of Ancient Biblical Eretz Yisrael, not modern Israel! And way back then there were specific names given to these areas.

Hear him out, go to Esser Agaroth’s (2¢) Substack! 

Beitar Movement: This is ours. This is, too.

י׳ לחודש השישי תשפ״ו