Delivered at the OU Israel Center, September 9th, 2019 (9 Elul 5779)

We are supposed to feel as if we actually left Egypt. How is it possible to achieve this? Three approaches. The idea of Yetziat Mitzrayim has to be so real to us to the point that we can say “I actually witnessed it”, we know it’s true as if we were there because we have […]

Bnei Yissaschar: There is a machloket when the world was created in Nisan (beginning with 25th of Adar) or in Tishrei (beginning with 25th of Elul). Tu B’Shevat is 40 days before the 25th of Adar and Tu B’Av is 40 days before the 25th of Elul. Really the world was created in thought in […]

Unlike, the threat of Haman, the threat of Yavan wasn’t generated by what they wanted to do but what they were. Even before they did anything they were a threat. What did Yavan (and their ancestor Yeft) represent? The difference between keeping mitzvot and living a Torah lifestyle. Delivered at the OU Israel Center, November 26th, […]

Teshuva necessarily involves learning what is right and what is wrong. Which comes first – stopping the sin or regret? Why is there a need to verbalize our confession? The two aspects of sin – the act of rebellion and the damage it causes. If you intended to sin but lucked out and you didn’t […]

The five minhagim of Shavuot and how minhagim, in general, protect the Torah. What is the common denominator among the minhagim? Why is there no mitzvah on Shavuot that represents its theme as there is on other holidays (e.g. Shofar on Rosh Hashana)? We can’t take one commandment from the Torah and give it intrinsic […]

Delivered at the OU Israel Center, 25 Adar, 5778 (March 12th, 2018)

“I declare that I will bring you out of the wretchedness of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Yebusites-to a land flowing with milk and honey…. You and the elders cf Israel will then go to the King of Egypt. You must tell him, Hashem, God of the Hebrews, revealed Himself […]