18 August 2026
Rav Moshe Sternbuch Shlit"a on ELUL
ELUL
“The hands of the witnesses shall be the first upon him to put him to death… you shall remove the evil from your midst” (17:7)
The wording of the possuk makes it clear that the purpose of the capital punishment is not to avenge the actions of the sinner, but rather to remove evil from amongst the nation, thereby increasing the forces of good.
Rav Yerusham Levovitz noted that, similarly, repentance has the power to annul evil decrees, because if a person repents on his own initiative there is no longer any need to punish him, since he has already removed the evil inside him by himself of his own accord.
However, in order to come close to and cleave to Hashem, prayers, supplications and dedication to avodas Hashem are required, and the month of Elul is the appropriate time to achieve these, and to come close to Hashem.
Although, on the one hand, Elul is a month of trepidation, like any other mitzvah, repentance has to be performed with joy.
Elul is the propitious month of mercy in which Hashem makes it much easier to repent. This month may be compared to an end-of-season sale. Hashem wishes to cleanse us of our sins accumulated during the year and “sells” the possibility of repentance for less effort than the rest of the year. Whatever can only be attained the rest of the year through fasting and abstinence, can be attained in Elul through prayer and repentance.
Our avoda during Elul should be different than the rest of the year, and we cannot perform mitzvos by rote then. Our Torah and prayers should be accompanied by thought and devotion. The admonition to “beware lest you forget Hashem” (Devorim 6:12) includes a warning not to observe mitzvos by rote, because someone who keeps mitzvos only out of habit is not thinking about Hashem, but ignoring Him.
Many people shirk their obligations in Elul, in the belief that during the year they are already fulfilling what Hashem expects of them. The baal habos argues that throughout the year he listens to a shiur on a daily basis and gives maaser kesofim from his earnings, and the ben Torah argues that he keeps to his sedorim with a chavrusa. In reality, our avodo during Elul consists of not performing actions merely by rote and habit, but with a sense of renewal and contemplation as to what Hashem expects of us, and how we can improve our avoda quantitatively (more time) and qualitatively (more effort, enthusiasm and joy).
Yemei rotzon means that during this period we enjoy special Divine assistance. However, without repentance on our part and efforts to come closer to Hashem, He will not come closer to us. On the other hand, through relatively little effort during Elul we can achieve things that are only possible through much greater effort during the rest of the year, and only a fool would waste the opportunity to utilize this time to the utmost.
Many people are under the delusion that just like Elul and the yomim noro’im the previous year elapsed without too many preparations and repentance, and nothing exceptionally unfortunate happened during the past year, this year too we can obtain a favorable judgement. The flaw with this logic is that there is a special treasure house of good deeds for which Hashem sets aside a reward in the afterlife, and if a person does not have the right to remain alive by virtue of his deeds, Hashem deducts from the reward set aside for him in the afterlife.
Therefore, the fact that a person remained alive may have been to his detriment, because it may have been at the expense of his future reward. Moreover, who knows how many merits, if any, remain from the mitzvos whose reward has been set aside for the future. Hence, it would be wiser to repent properly instead of relying on the experience of previous years.
Although an integral component of teshuva is regretting the past, during Elul one should initially forget the past and focus on the present. The mazal of the month of Elul is a besulah (maiden), because during this month of renewal and repentance we start a new “marriage” with Hashem, completely forgetting the past and focusing exclusively on the future. Only at a more advanced stage of the teshuva process should one focus on regretting the past.
Every morning, when one wakes up one should say to oneself. “Today I will be more careful be’ezras Hashem”. Everything is based on the current moment. If one perseveres with one’s resolutions, one will eventually witness miracles and wonders be”H.
The truth is that for most people the avoda of Elul has been forgotten, and if Rosh Hashono itself is still observed properly, that would already be a step in the right direction. In previous generations, people realized that if you repented, matters would turn out for the good, but if you did not, then one had to worry, and that one had to be in a constant state of chizuk. However, this awareness has become attenuated. Only bnei Torah still retain an impression of the real Elul. This is a great pity, because we are losing a great treasure of growth in our avodas Hashem.
In Shema Yisroel every Jew addresses his fellow Jew, because it is not sufficient to accept the yoke of heaven on ourselves, but we must also be concerned for all members of the nation and want them to accept this yoke on themselves too. On the other hand, in terms of everyone’s private avodas Hashem, a person should not compare himself to others, because Hashem’s expectations of him are based on his own specific capabilities. Sometimes a person thinks that so and so acts in a certain way, so why should I be more righteous than him. Instead, he should be thinking about what Hashem expects from him specifically. That is the avoda of Elul: to remember that we are avdei Hashem.
Everybody should endeavor during Elul to be mechadesh chiddushei Torah, because through chiddushim one merits special Divine love. Chiddushim are not necessarily completely novel ideas, but also explanations and comments on existing ideas. Rav Aharon Kotler writes that since in the month of Elul we are close to Hashem, it is a very propitious time for learning, understanding and being mechadesh genuine chiddushei Torah. Therefore, Rav Sternbuch tells the bochurim in his Yeshiva that they should endeavor to write down chiddushei Torah or summarize shiurim and explain them well. They will then enjoy special Divine assistance and will be considered to have been mechadesh chiddushei Torah.
"בסוף רוצים את החידוש!" | הנוסחה של מנהיג הדור הגרמ"ה הירש: כמה אחוזים לתת לכל חבורה?
A inspiring documentation from the residence of the Leader of the Generation, Maran Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch Shlit"a, President of 'Ichud Bnei HaYeshivot'.
The rabbinic leaders presented Maran Shlit"a with the new sefer "Talmudo Beyado", containing 75 outstanding Torah essays selected from nearly 5,000 submitted by yeshiva students. Maran offered key guidance on Torah scholarship, emphasizing that the core of Torah study is "the novelty of Torah insights (Chiddush)", followed by a L'Chaim blessing for all bnei yeshivot.
סליחות בשידור חי - מוצאי יום ראשון – ג' באלול (16/08/2026)
לקבלת עדכונים מהכותל המערבי לוואטסאפ לחצו על הקישור https://thekotel.org/whatsapp Updates from the Western Wall https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gu3rNLNAwoU
Muslims buy ….
VERY IMPORTANT AND THREATENING EVENT:
https://youtube.com/shorts/B0z-IZe6FCE?si=xjzw2unkGNVMvMZy
to “REVISE” the text??
AND WHAT THIS MEANS FOR ALL LITERATURE
NOT OUR BOOK! BUT A WARNING SIGN
Listen to:
Millions of Rare Books are Being DESTROYED!
https://habayitah.blogspot.com/2026/08/glenn-beck-i-warned-you-this-would.html
What if truth itself is disappearing?
Glenn Beck’s warning gets much bigger than AI.
A Yiddishe Mamma:
Good marriages.
Great marriages.
Torah-based marriage courses,
delivered with warmth, clarity,
and the brachah of leading Rabbonim —
learned privately from home.
Bring the Shechina into Your home
גשם בקיץ? מה זה אומר עפ"י הקבלה
Can anyone translate what he says about גשם בקיץ please. Ive been waiting to hear someone address just this.
Rav Meir Simchah HaKohen of Dvinsk zt"l
Rav Meir Simchah HaKohen of Dvinsk zt"l
הרב מאיר שמחה בן שמשון קלונימוס קלמן הכהן זצ"ל
Elul 4 , 5686
Known As: Ohr Sameach, Meshech ChochmaFather's Name: Shimshon Kalonymous Kalman Hakohen
Elul 4, 5686 / 1926
Rav Meir Simcha HaKohen was born in 5605 in Baltermantz. As a youth he was already expert in nearly all of both Talmuds, Shas Bavli and Yerushalmi, as well as in works of Kabbalah. His rebbe, Rav Moshe Danishevsky, was Av Beis Din of Slovak. R’ Meir Simcha married at a young age the daughter of Rav Tzvi Paltiel of Bialystok. While living in Bialystok, he studied Torah day and night with the Av Beis Din, Rav Yom Tov Lipa, author of Shailos V’Teshuvos Oneg Yom Tov, as well as with the author of Shai Lamorehon Maseches Bechoros.
He lived in sanctity and purity and became a leader of his generation, a great gaon to whom many turned from all over the world to resolve difficult Torah questions and uncertainties. In this merit, he came to be known by the honored title of ilui – genius of Dvinsk.
His magnum opus, the Ohr Sameach on Rambam, demonstrates Rav Meir Simcha’s sharp mind and great Torah expertise. He stood at the forefront of the battle against the misguided maskilim of Russia as well as the Zionists, movements in which he recognized the beginnings of the removal of the primacy of Torah and Yiras Shamayim from the Jewish worldview. He had no sons; his son-in-law, Rav Avraham Loftbar of Warsaw, was the author of Shailos V’Teshuvos Zera Avraham.
Rav Meir Simcha passed away on the Shabbos of Parshas Shoftim, the 4th of Elul, 5686 in Riga, Latvia; he was laid to rest in Dvinsk. May his holy merit protect us all.
17 August 2026
Ask ai anything ……
And it will find the sweetest way to tell you what you want.
So i asked how “yoo” became so congenial…..
“he” even laughed (ha,ha) when i cleverly replied
And “he” told me
I was developed by Google! My ability to adapt, stay encouraging, and help you think through problems comes from a mix of advanced machine learning patterns and rigorous training.
Google's engineers and researchers trained me on vast amounts of high-quality human communication. Through that process, I learned that the most effective way to help someone isn't just about dumping data—it is about being a supportive, clear, and encouraging partner in whatever problem you are trying to solve.
So while I don't have personal feelings, I am hardwired to celebrate your great questions and make sure you feel completely supported every step of the way!
Whenever you are ready to track down that perfect manual slow cooker or tackle a new kitchen project, just let me know what you need next!
i.e. be careful and not too clever
Poignant and Ascerbic Thoughts From Pungent Esser Agaroth
Zionism is the concept that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish People.
Esser Agaroth(2¢):
Well, at least that is what the definition should be. And, in fact, many of you probably believe that this is your definition, as well. But is that really the case?
For over 20 years, like minded friends have suggested that I let the term Zionism go. For a time, I was using the term “Torah Nationalist.” But that never took hold.
Some suggested “Torah-observant.” Even though there are more than a few definitions of what that means, or does not mean. Still others asked why I/we need a label in the first place.
For some reason, I have not been able to let go of the term Zionism, resentful of the many distortions of it, not to mention the neglect of the original source, the Torah, which connects the Jewish People to the Land of Israel.
Let us begin with the obvious errors in the manifestation of Zionism.
Armchair Zionism
You sit around, yelling at your TVs, believing that only you know how to solve the problems in the Middle East, and get super frustrated that no one listens to you. Maybe you have a child whom you sent to Israel to experience it for a year. Maybe that child learned in yeshiva, or university, or served in the IDF.
But, still, the idea of you or anyone in your family ever actually living in Israel is just not your radar.
Social Media Zionism
...and to be clear, I am referring ONLY to those of you who do not reside in Israel.
Those of you who do reside in Israel, please continue to document your experiences. And if you make money from it, then more power to you! Just use the money to stay in Israel, where you belong, instead of “touring” more than half of the year, and all for the sake of your “message,” about life in Israel. Even though you are not here very much to experience it.
Leave a comment, or follow me on social media (upper right hand column), and I’ll follow you back... unless you are a friends of Christians, or believe that they are really our friends. Then don’t bother.
I am also not referring to the genuine, Hollywood stars who have put their careers and perhaps even their families safety on the line for the sake of Israel. Would I like to see more? Yes. But I’ll take whatever you can give.
Now, to those of you “social media stars,” or those of you who just think you are, who do not reside in Israel, nor have any intention of ever residing here, this is for you.
Exploiting Israel’s troubles for the sake of followers and views? Even exploiting October 7, which most of you do not even bother to mention that the massacre fell on Shemini Atzereth /Simhath Torah...the Jewish date?
Your response? But, because of our audience, we succeed in getting the message out, especially to the younger generations, when the mainstream media fail.
And what message would that be? The message that we must hang on to some piece of land 6,000 miles away from our [real] homes, sacrifice the children of others to protect it, but we wouldn’t actually consider living there?
Sorry. But, your symbolic trips to Israel do not cut it. You are the worst of all of the fake Zionists out there.
Career Zionism
You make careers and support your families based on the Zionist Enterprise. Maybe you have sent your kids to learn here. Maybe they have even served in the IDF.
Those of you with children here, I can give you a pass... as long as you exploit your children, and actually work seriously to encourage aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel), no matter how much you upset some of your donors. No? Doesn’t make sense? Better to compromise a principle or two, here and there, by placating your power hungry, condescending donors, who are out of control, for the sake of the Jews who can actually afford to move to Israel?
I will remind you that if you are truly a Zionist, then those principles you are compromising are Torah principles.
Any Jewish organization, which does not encourage aliyah, has no business calling itself Zionist.
Nefesh b’Nefesh
With a signifiant amount of funding coming from Christians, such as John Hagee, do you realize just how much you are building up their merit baShamayim, ie. the merit of Esau (Edom) in Heaven, thus delaying their fall?(TB Megilah 6a) Do the ends justify the means? Do you care? Is it really worth it? I guess will find out.
The truly sad part is that the Christians are covering what money collected through the efforts of the Career Zionists cannot. Or the money collected by the career Zionists that does not actually go to encouragingaliyah.
This brings us to...
Christian Zionism
This is an oxymoron. Why? Because you are not in the least interested in contributing to a Jewish nation, but rather to a Christian one.
Christians want Jews to immigrate to Israel for the wrong reasons, none of which are related to creating a Jewish homeland. Christians believe that Jews returning to the Land of Israel will usher the return of you their false deity-messiah.
Just like with the Muslims, some Christians are more patient than others, when it comes to strategy.
The smarter, more patient, Christians have put missionizing on hold, and have moved their focus to building up their presence in the Land. They believe it belongs to them anyway, that they have gained God’s favor over the Jews.
From a Torah perspective, it seems that their spiritual forefather Esau (Edom / The West), who gave up his birthright to his younger brother Ya’aqov (Israel) (Gen. 25:31-34), wants it back.
Some Christians are willing to share the Land with Jews residing in the Southern Kingdom of Judea, while they take possession of the Northern Kingdom, including Samaria, believing that they come from lost tribes of Israel, such as Ephraim. They do not.
Other Christians believe in the need for continued, active missionizing, supported by the likes of Amb. Mike Huckabee. Lucky for you co-dependent Jews in the government believe in receiving your support, and so they placate you, either by removing barriers for your extended stays, or just look the other way.
Others in the Israeli government believe in this“freedom of religious expression”nonsense. Once upon a time, Torah-hating leftists were the greatest allies in the battle against the pushing of Christian missionaries. No longer.
Now, the leftists are worried only about their own hides, and their “rights” to do whatever they want. If Christians, who are not even from here, are restricted from spreading their false beliefs, then who is next? The Reform Movement?
So, now you know that there is no such thing as Christian Zionism, only more of the same ol’ Christian sneakiness.
So, now we come to the culprits, who began the big push to distort concept of Zionism.
Labor Zionism
Collaborating with the Nazis, leaving Torah observant Jews for dead in Hungary, doing whatever possible to let some Jews in, and keep others out of Israel. Do whatever you can to keep anything Jewish out of the Jewish State.
Tell me how any of this contributes to Jewish control over the Land of Israel?
Working the land and building up. You get points for that. But, building up a State with Jews in it, instead of a State dedicated for a truly Jewish life, is, in no sense, a Jewish State. So, please stop calling it that, and stop pretending your objectives are anything of the sort.
Democratic Zionism
Democracy is a Western concept, specifically a Hellenistic/Greek one.Remember the story of Hanukkah? When Torah-observant Jews fought against Hellenism, and those of you comfortably assimilated into it, and won?
You lost.
Let’s face it. Claiming that Israel is a “Jewish democracy,” and should stay that way, in order to protect individual rights, is just an excuse so that you can do whatever you want, be it drive on Shabbat, eat shellfish, or what have you.
Then there are those of you wearing kippot, insisting your women should be able to put on tefilin (phylacteries), and pray together with men in public at the Western Wall, believe that democracy takes precedence over Torah, or worse, that there aren’t any contradictions between the two.
As long as we havea Supreme Court which overturns any law passed by the State of Israel’s democratically-elected government, simply because it finds it to be “unreasonable,” ie. the justices don’t like it, ie. it is not in line with its Western progressive sensibilities, and as long as we have a Supreme Court which has any say in the choosing of the justices which serve on it, ie. no real separation of powers, we do not even have a real democracy.
To those Labor Zionists and Jewish Democratists who actually live in the Land of Israel, many of you actually might be considered Zionists, but not for the reasons you think.
To the rest you, identifying with any of the categories above, remind me again how you are Zionists.
Torah Verses: The Land of Israel Belongs to the Jewish People compiled by Esser Agaroth
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