2023-09-24

“For the sin we sinned before You, b’ones u’beratzon, under duress and willingly. So begins the litany of al chets, the double acrostic listing of…

2022-10-04

“How majestic was the kohen gadol as he left the Holy of Holies in peace, without injury…like the kindness that is placed on the bridegroom’s face…

2021-09-15

“With the approval of Hamakom, the Omnipresent, and with the approval of the congregation, in the convocation of the court above, and in the…

2020-09-27

“We work and get reward and they work and do not get reward?” This statement, said when one completes a Talmudic tractate, articulates a…

2020-09-23

“In a place where ba’alei teshuva stand there, not even the fully righteous can stand” (Brachot 34b). This teaching is generally…

2019-10-10

“It was on the next day…” (Shemot 18:13). Apparently, something of significance had happened on the previous day, yet the Torah makes no mention of…

2019-10-07

Our society worships greatness. Whether it be athletes, rock stars, actors or successful business leaders, they are showered with wealth and…

2019-10-06

Integral to the teshuva process is the act of vidui, confession. One can intellectually know one has done something wrong; one can even feel…

2018-09-18

“For the sin that we sinned before you with the evil inclination”.  The double alphabetic acrostic of the al chet lists a…

2018-09-12

“Rav Yehuda said in the name of Rav: the majority [of people sin] regarding theft, a minority regarding adultery, and all with lashon hara…

2017-09-29

The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 619:6) quotes a custom to remain in shul through the night of Yom Kippur, singing songs of praise to G-d.…

2016-10-14

“There are those who acquire their world in one moment” (Avodah Zara 18a). One action can define a life. While some people have to work…

2016-10-10

“On Rosh Hashanah it is written and on Yom Kippur it is sealed.” No two holidays are as thematically connected as Rosh Hashanah and Yom…

2015-09-22

The two central and most important tefillot of Yom Kippur are the yud gimmel middot harachamim, the 13 Attributes of mercy, and the al chets, the…

2014-10-05

The Jewish people had sinned, and their future stood in the balance. G-d's initial plans to destroy the people were…

2014-10-02

"Rav Yochanan said: Were it not written in the text, it would be impossible for us to say such a thing; this verse teaches us that the Holy One…

2014-10-01

"The gates of repentance are always open". Yom Kippur is predicated on the possibility of teshuva at all times for all people[1…

2014-09-29

One of the hallmarks of the Western world is its inclusiveness. Great attempts are made to make all feel included, no matter their ability or their…

2014-04-11

It is quite rare to read parshat Acharei Mot on Shabbat Hagadol. In non-leap years, it is generally parshat Tzav that is read on Shabbat Hagadol. And…

2013-09-13

In trying to develop the potential of man, the Mussar movement[1] developed two different approaches to the sinning of man. One school of…

2012-09-25

“For the sin we committed by wronging a neighbour, for the sin we committed by bribery, for the sin we committed in our business dealings”. On and on…

2011-10-08

“Seek out G-d when He can be found, call upon Him when He is near” (Isaiah 55:6). Our Sages interpret this verse as referring to the Aseret Yemei…

2010-09-18

The death of the righteous atones, our Sages teach, and it is for this reason that during Mussaf of Yom Kippur, just after recounting the special…

2010-09-02

The High Holiday period is one (we hope!) filled with introspection, reflection and a commitment to try to become a better person. Our religious…