Close To Torah

Before Bnei Yisroel were about to enter Eretz Yisroel, they requested permission to send out spies. After asking Hashem, Moshe is told that if he so wishes, he can send spies for himself (Bamidbar 13:2).

Hashem had already promised to give them the land. There is no need to test G-d. If Hashem promises something, it is in our best interest. Bnei Yisroel had already been informed of… Continue reading

The Gemrah in Pesachim 68: states that R’ Yosi would ask his wife to prepare for him the finest meat available in honor of the holiday of Shavuos. He attributed all his success to the day the Torah was given by saying “If not for that day, there would be no difference between me and all the ‘Yosi’s’ in the marketplace”. Rashi explains that it was through his Torah learning… Continue reading

סדין עשתה ותמכר וחגור נתנה לכנעני.

“She makes a cloak and sells it; she delivers a belt to a merchant.”
The  cloak is a garment that wraps around one’s entire body. It represents the all-encompassing love and devotion that the Aishes Chayil stands for. Her husband and children feel her warm embrace and are inspired and feel secure when they think of her. Additionally, the Malbim points out that… Continue reading

The Shlah HaKodosh teaches us that each Yom Tov ties in to the Parsha that is read during the week that it falls out. What does Parshas Beha’aloscha have to do with the Holiday of Kaballas HaTorah?

Going through all of the themes of the Parsha sheds beautiful insight regarding the importance and approach towards getting closer to Hashem and His Torah. The Parsha begins with the word, “Beha’aloscha… Continue reading

by Rabbi Elchonon Feldman

Rabbi of Belmont United Synagogue, London, U.K. 

As we approach the anniversary of one of the most epic historical periods of our nation, I am reminded of a….  Mother-in-law joke:

What do you do if you miss your Mother-in-law?

 Reload and shoot again.

Let me explain why a coarse piece of humour is on my mind as we approach… Continue reading

נודע בשערים בעלה בשבתו עם זקני ארץ.

“Her husband is distinctive in the counsels, when he sits with the elders of the land.”
The Midrash (Mishlei 31) states that this verse was personified by Michal the daughter of Shaul who was married to David HaMelech. She used her great counsel in order to save her husband from death when Shaul sent his soldiers after him. What does this have… Continue reading

In the gifts that the Nesiim gave to the Mishkan they gave Ketores, the incense offering. Rashi brings down a perplexing Chazal that states that Ketores (קטרת) has the same numerical value as 613, which corresponds to the 613 Mitzvos. Rashi notes that this value is only reached when we switch the first letter of Ketores (ק) and place a Daled (ד) in its place. What is going on here?… Continue reading

Baking Milky

 A discussion in Halocho by Rabbi Elie Schoemann – For a final Psak, please consult your Rov.

חז”ל decreed a prohibition on baking milky or meaty bread. If baked, the bread may not be eaten at all. The reason for this is that bread is commonly eaten together with either meat or milk. Hence, חז”ל were concerned that a person might eat the milky bread… Continue reading

With great simchah on behalf of the Close To Torah family I would like to wish a huge Mazel Tov to our great contributor Rabbi Yosef Tropper on his recent engagement to Chaya Rosenberg of Monsey, NY. May Rabbi Tropper and his new Kallah be zocheh to build a bayis ne’eman b’yisroel!

נודע בשערים בעלה בשבתו עם זקני ארץ.

“Her husband is distinctive in the counsels, when he sits with the elders of the land.”
We noted in the last essay that this verse is different from all of the others in the entire song in that it doesn’t appear to talk about the Aishes Chayil herself. Rather, it talks about her husband. What is this all about?

The Ralbag… Continue reading