Providence is not limited to matters of Biblical proportions, nor merely to the mythic, legendary or epic by to even to the smallest details of an individual’s life. Recently there has been considerable tumult created concerning the status of the Western Wall (Kotel) and what mode of Jewish worship is appropriate.

In the interests of full disclosure as an Orthodox Rabbi who tilts towards the Haredi I believe the Kotel as a historic place of Jewish worship is indeed a place of worship…

The Holy Rabbi Yehoshua Asher of Prisov ZT’L ZY’A taught everyone reads through the whole Torah every year. One who is a clear thinker when one reaches those parshyot about the Tabernacle one should look at every word in depth attaching oneself to each word. However when one reaches those Parshyiot that feature strife and controversy like Korach one reads those quickly. One whose intellect is not in order will do the reverse.

Korach initiated a rebellion against Moshe’s leadership.…

The combination between the Parashat Salach and the blessing of the coming month Tamuz poses a fascinating intersection of experience to reflect upon.

Rabbi Zvi Hirsch of Zitachov ZT'L ZY'A every year would remind his students that the earlier commentators explained Tamuz was an abbreviation for "the days of repentance are coming" Although the rabbi was not offering anything novel yet because it was him the effect upon the Rabbi's students was profound.

Already some three months…

Biblical narratives are much more than historical accounts or stories. The Torah is a D-vine document therefore whatever is part of scripture generally and the Torah specifically belongs to the Eternal so that it is applicable to every Jew in every place throughout time.

Chapter 12 in BaMidbar tells the story of Miriam suffering the leprosy-like affliction of Tzarat. Miriam and her brother Aaron spoke disparagingly about their baby brother Moshe. G-D Himself points out to both Aaron…

Rabbi Aaron of Belz ZTVK’L ZY’A would repeat on the Shabbat of Parashat Nasso “I each generation there are unique individuals who if they wished could bring Mashiach, Messiah. And if they desired to summon Mashiach he would be compelled to come. Why then do these people not wish to bring Mashiach? What stops them from acting? Mashiach must come through an arousal of D-vine compassion [and not compulsion]”

Mashiach’s arrival and the fundamental change in the human condition that is the…